IN MEMORY: VERY REV. FR GEORGE ZMED April 24, 1916 - January 12, 2010
Father George Zmed was born in Chicago, Illinois on April 24, 1916 to Nicolae and Paraschiva (nee Balan) Zmed, both of Comlosul Mare, Timis, Romania. At the age of five years, George was taken to Comlosul Mare where he lived until returning to the United States in November of 1952.
George Zmed attended elementary school in Comlosul Mare, secondary education at the Avram Iancu Liceul, the Theological Academia Timisoara and Caransebes 1938-42, and one year at the Law School in Cluj.
He was ordained to the diaconate by Archbishop Vasile Lazarescu on October 18, 1942 in Pesac, Banat and to the priesthood by the same hierarch on the 25th of October, 1942 in Satchinez. He had the distinction of Brau Rosu (Red Sash) from Metropolitan Lazarescu and was elevated to be archpriest by the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America on March 19, 1996.
After his return to The United States, Father Zmed was received into the ranks of the Episcopate clergy in July, 1958.
Parish assignments were: in Romania (Pordeanu, Gaiul Mic) and in The United States, Nasterea Domnului (Holy Nativity), Chicago, 1952-83, when he retired.
Father George was Spiritual Advisor to AROY, contributed to the SOLIA Newspaper, was the Administrative Dean to the Chicago Deanery, and participated in other Episcopate Actitivities. He was fluent in the Romanian and English languages. He was a musician with a fine voice, and he put on many musical programs for the parish.
He married Persida Golub of Cerneteaz, Romania at the Church of Saint Ilie in Timisoara on October 15, 1942. The Zmeds had three sons: Cornel, Walter and Adrian.
All funeral services will take place at Holy Nativity of the Lord Romanian Orthodox Church, Chicago, IL. A wake (saracusta) will be served on Wednesday, January 20 at 7 pm. On Thursday, January 21, Divine Liturgy at 9 am with Funeral Service for a Priest at 10 am.
