Archpriest Peter Telencio, CH (COL), US Army (Retired), 74, fell asleep in the Lord on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, in Columbia, SC.
Born April 3, 1950, in Wilkes-Barre, PA, he was the son of the late Metro and Mary Deroski Telencio. He was married to the former Martha Swirdovich on October 13, 1973. In addition to his wife, Father Peter is survived by his sons, Damian Valdimir and Stephen Daniel Telencio, who both reside in Columbia, SC. He also leaves behind his two precious grandchildren, Hayden Anna and Luca Alexander Telencio as well as two sisters. Father Peter is preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, and two sisters.
Father Peter earned degrees from the following institutions, Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, South Canaan, PA (B. Th) 1972, West Chester University, West Chester, PA (BA in Philosophy) 1975, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN (D. Min) 1982, and Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ (MA. Ed) 1988. Father Peter was ordained to the Priesthood by His Grace Bishop Herman (Swaiko) on January 26, 1974, at Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox Monastery Church, South Caanan, PA.
Father Peter was the first Orthodox Priest to be promoted to the rank of Colonel in the history of the US Army Chaplaincy. During his 24-year US Army career, Father Peter served as a Russian interpreter for the state Department while deployed in Grenada during Operation Urgent Fury. While stationed in Berlin, Germany, he was the liaison officer for the US Berlin Community with the Soviet Forces. Also in Berlin, Germany, Father Peter was a school board member, advisor for curriculum development for academic studies, family advocacy board member, and assistant high school soccer coach at Berlin American High School. Throughout his military career, he was always involved in youth soccer and basketball as a coach. Later in his career, Father Peter was appointed Director of Combat Development at the US Army Chaplain Center and School in Columbia, SC. He was responsible for the doctrine, training, leadership, organization, material and soldier requirement, force development along with force structure for wartime military equipment needed for all units of the US Army Chaplain Corps. Father Peter’s awards and badges included: Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Superior Unit Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Air Assault Badge, and Senior Parachutist Badge.
Following his military retirement, Father Peter served his community as Administrator for Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Columbia, SC. He was also the past Pastor of Holy Resurrection Greek Church in Bluffton, SC, Director of Religious Education for the OCA’s Diocese of Eastern PA, and Marriage and Individual Family Director for the Greek Orthodox Church in Atlanta, GA.
The family will receive guests beginning at 4:00 PM on Saturday, October 19 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 1900 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201. A Trisagion service will follow visitation and begin at 6:00 PM with Father Michael A. Platanis officiating.
The funeral service will be held at Saint Tikhon’s Monastery, 175 St Tikhons Rd, Waymart, PA 18472. Burial with full military honors will follow.
May Father Peter’s memory be eternal!