KAPPANADZE, JASON R. (1874-15 Apr. 1962), pastor of ST. THEODOSIUS RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL, was born in Sviry, Georgia, Russia, son of Roman Kappanadze. He graduated from Tiflis Seminary in 1894, and was sent by the Russian government and church to Kodiak, Alaska, to run a parochial school in 1895. He married Mary Kashevaroff in 1896. Consecrated into the priesthood in 1898, Kappanadze worked in Alaska and Pennsylvania before coming to Cleveland in 1902 to St. Theodosius Russian Orthodox Cathedral, where he directed the acquisition of St. John's Convent property. In 1908 he returned to Russia as professor of theology at Kutais seminary. During WORLD WAR I, he was regimental pastor in the Imperial Russian Army. In 1918 he went to Tiflis to Slonsky Sobor, an ancient 5th century cathedral. With help from the American Near East Relief and passports from a Communist official who was his son's former classmate, Kappanadze and his family escaped from Russia in 1921.
Kappanadze returned to St. Theodosius in 1922, remaining until his retirement in 1957, establishing social centers and developing the a capella choir, while also helping form Russian Orthodox parishes in Detroit, Akron, and Lorain. Kappanadze advanced to protopresbyter, the highest office open to a married priest. After retiring and becoming pastor emeritus at St. Theodosius, he was chaplin at the Brotherhood of St. John Home for the Aged near Hiram. Kappanadze and his wife were killed in an automobile accident. They were buried in St. Theodosius Cemetery. The Kappanadze's had 2 children: Roman and Nicholas. Kappanadze's likeness is on a mural at St. Theodosius painted by Andrei Bicenko in the 1950s.
Last Modified: 10 Jul 1997 05:11:24 PM- Related Article(s)