After a long life of 92 years, Professor John Lindsay Opie died at his adopted home of Rome, Italy, on May 3, 2021.

Born at the Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington D.C. on October 1, 1928, John was the first child of Rear Admiral John Newton Opie III and Eleanor Bernard Rhea. He grew up in a variety of communities, from Old Town Al- exandria, Va., to Sunny Los Angeles, depending on the duty stations of his father. During his formative years, he developed an unbreakable loving bond with his maternal grandmother, Ellen Bernard Lee Rhea, daughter of Major General Fitzhugh Lee, and grandniece of General Robert E. Lee. She took him to old family homes of Alexandria, and made a huge impression on him, especially their mutual love of books, operas, and education.

After graduating high school at the age of 15, John enrolled at St. John’s College in Annapolis, Maryland. He matriculated in 1947, and went on for further studies at Columbia University, where he obtained his master’s degree a few short years later, and later his PhD. While residing in New York City, he met one of his most beloved opera actresses, Madame Emma Eames of Bath, Maine.

A lover of European culture, John received an educational scholarship to visit Italy in 1949. After a few years of travel between Europe and America, he made his permanent residence in Italy. He worked as a civilian employee for the Italian Air Force,teaching English to officer cadets. He then taught English andComparative Literature, teaching at universities from Genoa to Sicily.

From 1970 to 1971, he travelled across Southern India and the island of Ceylon. During his travels, he wrote his book Island Ceylon, an anthropological study of the culture and history of the Island. He was also the author of the book A Time of Gods.

Although he never married, John was wed to a life of theological and historical education. The final part of his career was spent teaching Byzantine Art History and Christian Iconography at the University of Rome, and included lectures all over Europe and America. For his intensive studies of the famous Russian Orthodox 15th Century Icon “The Holy Trinity,” he was the first American in that research to be nominated to the U.S.S.R Academy of Science in 1984.

When he was not teaching, John also had an interest in family genealogy, and studying the Cornish and Scottish roots of the Opie family. He was a proud Virginian, as he said, and proud of his Virginian forefathers who fought for his homeland in the Revolutionary War, and the War Between the States.

Although he was raised as a firm Episcopalian, John found his faith in the Lord as an Orthodox Christian. At 80 years of age, he made the journey to Mount Athos, Greece, where he stayed among the Orthodox monks of what is known as the “Christian Tibet.” As a theologian, he encouraged his grandnephew that other religions “Must be studied!”

Surviving him is the Professor’s beloved extended family, including his three nephews, Fr. Fitzhugh Lee Opie and wife of Jacksonville, Fla., John N. Opie of Alexandria, Va., and George Mason L. Opie of Naples, Maine; grandnephew Liam Opie and wife of South Waterford, Maine; grandniece Mary Smiley and her daughter Eleanor of Jacksonville. He also leaves a sister, Linda Opie Lambert and her son Cameron of San Diego; brother-in-law Enes Lojo and children Andrei and Natasha of Portoroz, Slovenia, as well as many other grandnieces, grandnephews, and cousins across Europe and America. He also leaves his beloved Christian brother and caretaker, Mr. Daniel Tesfaye of Rome, Italy. Many former students also mourn the loss of their beloved professor.

John was predeceased by his parents, as well as his brother, Fitzhugh Lee Rhea Opie, and his sister Elizabeth Lee “Lisa” Lojo.

The family would like to thank Messrs. Daniel Tesfaye, “Georgo,” and Giuseppe Ciardi for the health and legal care of the professor. The family would like to thank the former congregation of the Bridgton Methodist Church for their prayers while John was in the hospital a few years ago

Professor Opie was laid to rest at the Acattolico Cemetery in Rome on May 14.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Mount Athos Foundation of America.