Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost celebrated the annual Red Mass for the legal community in Akron on May 5 in St. Bernard Church, Akron. The Mass is part of the Akron Bar Association’s Law Week celebration.
After Mass, longtime Akron attorney Paul Perantinides received the Sir Thomas More Award in recognition of his integrity and public service, qualities exhibited by St. Thomas More, after whom the award was named. The Thomas More Award was instituted by Auxiliary Bishop Michael Murphy in 1978 and is presented annually during the Summit County Law Week celebration.
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Judges from throughout Summit County, wearing black judicial robes and red sashes, attended the liturgy. They processed into the church led by an honor guard.
Concelebrating the Mass were Father Paul Rosing, recently retired pastor of Holy Family Parish in Stow; Father Chris Zerucha, pastor of St. Bernard and St. Mary parishes in Akron; and Father Frank Basa, who served as a parochial vicar at St. Bernard before his 2021 retirement.
“It is a great to be together today,” Bishop Woost told those gathered for Mass. He admitted his knowledge of the legal system was minimal, but noted that his profession as a priest and bishop intersected with the legal profession because both seek forgiveness, retribution, attonement, redemption and mercy.
“It can be difficult to find the way when dealing with complex things, but the Gospel tells us that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Look to the Gospel. Jesus is the way, He helps us discern,” the bishop said. He encouraged those in the legal profession to “look to the wisdom of the community to find a path to truth and life.”
He said the day’s Scripture readings were not selected for the Mass. Instead, they were the readings of the day. “In God’s providence, they speak about why we’re gathered here today.”
Long before the events of Holy Week unfolded, Jesus knew he would face criminal charges, that he would be arrested, his apostles would face turmoil and there was an execution awaiting him, the bishop explained. “But he was completely innocent. The system failed him. St. Paul said it was a failure to recognize the works of God. People failed to read the signs of the times and an innocent man was condemned to death.”
Bishop Woost said it was a lack of discernment, an unwillingness to be open to how God was working in the community, pointing out we need to find ways to seek the common good. Yet, everything that occurred was part of God’s plan. We must turn to God to find the way.
He thanked Perantinides for his work in seeking the truth and bringing life to others. “May God bless you and may you continue to inspire all of us to seek the truth, promote life and seek to build a society of with charity and love with God’s wisdom, guidance and help,” the bishop said.
At the end of Mass, Father Rosing introduced Perantinides and outlined why the selection committee chose him for this year’s Sir Thomas Award.
Perantinides, a native of Youngstown, is the son of first-generation Greek immigrants. Father Rosing said he learned from the hard work of his father “who strove to provide a better life for their family and the consistent loving kindness and service of his mother, to the lifetime of friendship and advice his sought from his brother in all matters. Paul has spent his life emulating the love and devotion he received from his family toward his own descendants, friends, colleagues and clients. In this way, Paul shares traits held in high esteem by Sir Thomas More, and honors his family with memory eternal, continuing to shine light and God’s love in an all-too-often dark world,” he added.
After graduating high school, Perantinides attended Youngstown State University and earned a law degree from The University of Akron Law School in 1969. He served as a captain in the Army during the Vietnam War, earning an Army Commendation Medal and a Bronze Star for Meritorious Achievement.
He began his law career with Sam Nukes after his discharge from the Army and eventually began the law firm Nukes, Perantinides & Nolan. They purchased and developed the historic Courtyard Square building in downtown Akron, which has housed the firm – now called Perantinides & Nolan – for the past 37 years.
Perantinides has been recognized for his legal skills many times during his 50-plus-year career as an attorney.
“He uses his extraordinary skill as a trial attorney to turn the losses suffered by his clients into lasting change in the law so that other families will not have to experience the same heartbreak suffered by his clients as the result of the negligent conduct of others,” Father Rosing said.
Perantinides has practiced in all levels of the judicial system, including the United States Supreme Court. He is licensed to practice law in both Ohio and Pennsylvania and has been active in many community and church organizations and causes. He is a longtime member of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Akron and has five children and seven grandchildren.
He also is an avid, lifetime baseball fan, something he mentioned during his acceptance remarks, noting he has had “a lifetime of teamwork” and said he did what he had to for the best of the team.
“The team we created resulted in successes,” Perantinides said, referring to his law firm. “To think that we contributed in some small way is a privilege. People inspire us daily and continue to do so,” he said, recalling some of his professional success and the opportunities they provided for change to benefit others.
“The law isn’t perfect. It can be shortsighted and unfair in application but lawyers should be good stewards of the law and advocate for change to give voice to those who otherwise would be pushed aside,” he said. “The law often represents the last chance people have to lobby for their lives.”
The foundation of his success was laid in Greece, he said, noting his family and faith were his bedrock. “My parents showed true grit, bravery and love,” he said, and they relied on their orthodox faith.
Perantinides expressed his love and appreciation for his family, noting, “I wouldn’t be the man I am except for my kids. They are my biggest accomplishment and my greatest source of pride.”
Father Dean Kokanos, presiding priest at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, shared some thoughts about his parishioner, noting he also is an excellent cook and uses his talents to help the church.
“He gives freely, quietly and with humility. The church is at the center of Paul’s life,” he added.
After Mass, there was a lunch reception in the church hall.