Archpriest Kiril Antonoff

Archpriest Kiril Antonoff, 95, fell asleep in the Lord on Friday, March 22, 2013.

Born in Istanbul, Turkey, the son of the late Boris and Marika [Sargole] Antonoff, he married the former Malinka Semergian in 1942.  After their arrival in the US, Father Kirill served for 18 years as rector of Holy Trinity Church, Madison, IL, and 23 years as rector of Holy Ghost Church, Youngstown, OH.  In 1987, the Antonoffs returned to the Saint Louis area where, in retirement, he was attached to Saints Cyril and Methody Church, Granite City, IL.

Father Kiril was a member and past president of the Eastern Orthodox Clergy Association of Greater Youngstown and helped establish the hospital ministry at that city’s Saint Elizabeth Hospital.  He also served veterans and their families at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, as a volunteer chaplain for many years.

Father Kiril was predeceased by his wife, Marika, on May 9, 1998.  He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Maria and Gary Wrangler, Belleville, IL; four grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Rose Maloian, Ismir, Turkey; a niece, Kalyopi [Tony] Tito, also of Ismir; and other extended family and friends.

Visitation will begin at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, March 25, at Saints Cyril and Methody Church, Granite City, IL, with the Funeral Service for a Priest slated to be celebrated at 7:00 p.m.  The Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 26.  His Grace, Bishop Alexander of Toledo and the Bulgarian Diocese, will preside, assisted by clergy of the Diocese and the Greater Saint Louis area.  Interment will follow at the Nativity of the Virgin Mary Cemetery, Glen Carbon, IL.

May Father Kiril’s memory be eternal!