Dearest Parishioner,
This past Sunday, January 9, 2011, was a milestone day in the history of our Cathedral. It was a glorious day in so many ways, and there was hardly a dry eye in Saint Sophia as we witnessed the ordination of Father Dimitrios to the holy priesthood, and the elevation of our beloved Fathers John and Steve to higher ecclesiastical ranks.
We most humbly and respectfully thank his Eminence, Archbishop Demetrios, for his spiritually inspiring celebration of the Archierarchical Divine Liturgy, as well as for ordaining Father Dimitrios and elevating Fathers John and Steve. Also, we thank his Grace, Bishop Savas of Troas, Archdiocesan Director of the Office of Church and Society, who ordained Father Dimitrios to the holy diaconate on October 24, 2010, in his home parish of Saint Spyridon of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, for concelebrating the ordination of the former Deacon Dimitrios to the holy priesthood. It meant a great deal to Father Dimitrios, and to all of us, that Bishop Savas travelled with his Eminence to help make this past Sunday ever-memorable.
We also thank all of the visiting clergy, with a special note of gratitude to Presbytera Andrea’s dad, Father John Loejos of Cleveland, Ohio, and her cousin by marriage, Father Michael Kallaur, of East Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
We thank our own beloved Father Bill Bartz, whose ongoing assistance and contribution to the life of our Cathedral continues to be invaluable.
Finally, we thank the Ladies Philoptochos Society for sponsoring the community reception after Liturgy, and all the parishioners who volunteered their time and tireless labor over the previous days and weeks to insure the great success of this pivotal day’s events.
In summary, after the ordination of Father Dimitrios to the holy priesthood, his Eminence elevated Father John from the rank of Protopresbyter of the Archdiocese, to that of Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne (Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople). Father Steve was elevated from the rank of Economos of the Archdiocese, to that of Protopresbyter of the Archdiocese. Father Steve was then commissioned by his Eminence to continue his ministry to Saint Sophia as Presiding Priest of the Cathedral.
According to Church protocol, our Cathedral clergy will be listed in the following order:
The Reverend Dr. Steven P. Zorzos, Protopresbyter & Presiding Priest
The Reverend Dimitrios J. Lee, Presbyter, Assistant Priest
The Reverend Dr. John T. Tavlarides, Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne (Presiding Priest Emeritus)
We offer our most heartfelt congratulations to our Cathedral Clergy, as we wish them sustained strength and inspiration to continue to lead our community forward over the coming years.
Once again, with profound joy and indebted gratitude, we thank you.
The Parish Council of Saint Sophia Cathedral
