Press Release
For Immediate Release

Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral Announces the Holy Ordination of Deacon Gregory Nicholas Christakos, Into the Holy Priesthood

Sacrament of Holy Ordination will take place during the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, August 7, 2005 with Reception following at Union Station, The Restaurant a historic hallmark of Worcester

His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios of Boston will ordain Deacon Gregory Christakos into the Holy Priesthood

Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral is honored to welcome His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios of Boston as the Chief Celebrant for Sunday's Liturgy. He will ordain Deacon Gregory into the Holy Priesthood. This will mark a major milestone in the Greek Orthodox Community, whereby a second priest will be assigned to Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral as Associate Pastor to Reverand Dean N. Paleologos. Reverand Deacon Gregory was born and raised in Massachusetts, he earned his B.A. in History from the University of Virginia and attended a semester at Oxford University in England. He attended the seminary at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, MA. We welcome Deacon Gregory and his wife Eleni into our community.

"This day has been long coming for our Greek Community," states Father Dean. Deacon Gregory will be overseeing our many youth ministries from the GOYA to the Dance Group and Little Angels. William P. Kirity, Parish Council President states, “Under the spiritual guidance and direction of Father Dean, Reverand Deacon Gregory will help to expand the spiritual growth of our community and allow for a more comprehensive attention to our community’s spiritual outreach.”

St. Spyridon serves as the spiritual center for approximately 2000 families in Worcester and surrounding towns. St. Spyridon also gives back to not only the Greek Orthodox Community but also to the community at large through many Philanthropic organizations including the Orthodox Food Pantry which serves the less fortunate citizens of Worcester.

A Tutorial About the Sacrament of Ordination in the Orthodox Church
Holy Ordination is a sacrament (mystery) based on Apostolic Succession through which the Orthodox Church chooses and ordains spiritual and sacramental leaders to serve the people of God. In regard to the Christian Priesthood (Episcopacy, Presbytery and Diaconate), Apostolic Succession occurs through the laying on of hands. The Apostles appointed their successors and thus established the special Priesthood of the Church. Thus, the Apostolic Succession is very important not only for the consistent teaching and unity of the Church, throughout the ages, but also for its uninterrupted continuity of salvific life, worship and sanctification. It is accepted in the Orthodox Church that the bishops of the Church are the successors of the Apostles.