Michael Antoniou (“Father Mike”) Character Analysis in Middlesex

Michael is from the same Greek community in Detroit as the Stephanides family. While he is a young man training to be a priest, he is briefly engaged to Tessie, although when she ultimately rejects him to marry Milton he marries Tessie’s cousin Zoë instead. The couple have four children: Socrates, Aristotle, Plato, and Cleopatra. A very short man, Michael initially seems caring, meek, and dignified, a pillar of righteousness in the community. However, at the end of the novel, when he tries to rob Milton and flee to Canada by pretending to have kidnapped Callie, it is revealed that his impression is completely false. Mike is actually greedy, selfish, desperate, and angry. He never gets over being “beaten” by Milton for Tessie’s affections. After Milton dies in the car chase between him and Mike, Mike confesses everything to the police and is sentenced to two years in jail.

Michael Antoniou (“Father Mike”) Character Timeline in Middlesex

The timeline below shows where the character Michael Antoniou (“Father Mike”) appears in Middlesex. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...of Tessie sit Callie’s cousins, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and Cleopatra, while at the front Father Mike conducts the service. After the service ends, Father Mike approaches her at the coffee hour.... (full context)

Long ago, Tessie and Father Mike had been engaged, but after Tessie married Milton instead, Mike married Tessie’s sister Zoë. Tessie... (full context)

...and more directly sexual. In 1944, however, Tessie is also being seduced by someone else: Michael Antoniou, who sings religious songs to her through the phone. He is a student at... (full context)

One day, when Michael comes over for Sunday lunch, he and Milton have an argument about religion. Tessie is... (full context)

During this time, everyone is writing letters to each other. Michael writes to Tessie twice a week, and Tessie lies in her letters back, pretending that... (full context)

...of his clarinet come back. She admits to herself that she doesn’t want to marry Michael and live the life of a priest’s wife in Greece. Back at home, the Stephanides... (full context)

...off the wedding. Desdemona sits up in bed, asking why Tessie doesn’t want to marry Michael, a “good Greek boy.” Tessie explains that Milton asked her to marry him a while... (full context)

...this unfulfilled promise to St. Christopher caused problems later on. At Milton and Tessie’s wedding, Michael approaches Zoë. Feeling sorry for him, Zoë suggests they go and get some cake. (full context)

Father Mike proposes to Zoë three times, and in 1949 she eventually agrees and marries him. In... (full context)

...pocus,” Desdemona starts dramatically fanning herself, and begs Milton to think of Zoë and Father Mike. When Milton hears that baptism is free, he reluctantly gives in. Assumption Church has recently... (full context)

When the rest of the Stephanides family asks Father Mike to figure out why Desdemona refuses to get out of bed, he explains that she... (full context)

...he was dropping out of college to “live off the land.” Callie notes that Father Mike has a regal, commanding presence during church services. This is the opposite of Aunt Zoë,... (full context)

Zoë and Mike’s children are named Aristotle, Socrates, Cleopatra, and Plato. Callie has always been fond of Aunt... (full context)

Only Father Mike, Aunt Zo, and their children remain. Tessie is angry with Milton, and a fight erupts... (full context)

...relatives who previously deserted Milton and Tessie start coming over again to offer support. Father Mike holds Tessie’s hand and offers his prayers. (full context)

...is a person standing by it, retrieving the briefcase. To his astonishment, it is Father Mike. Milton is in a state of disbelief. He thinks about all the years when Zoë... (full context)

The more Milton thinks about it, the more it makes sense that Father Mike is there. Beaten by Milton all those years ago, Mike is seeking revenge. Milton shouts... (full context)

...line at border control, Milton tries to get the attention of the officers, shouting that Mike has stolen his money. However, he then sees Mike being waved through the barrier. He... (full context)

In reality, Father Mike was never the man he seemed. He is a frightened, greedy, and desperate person who... (full context)

...brothers hug, and Chapter Eleven says, “Dad’s dead.” He explains the story, saying that Father Mike confessed everything, and that all the money was found in his car. Cal asks how... (full context)

Milton receives the full Greek Orthodox Funeral he would have hated. Father Mike does not officiate; he has been sentenced to two years in prison. Aunt Zo divorces... (full context)