Clergy

Rev. Fr. Michael Sitaras
Phone: (760) 942-0920
Fax: (760) 942-3603
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Biography of Rev. Fr. Michael Sitaras

Father Michael was born in Chios, Greece, and is the son and grandson of Greek Orthodox Priests who served both Greece and America.

He graduated from Holy Cross School of Theology in 1994, and was ordained that year by Metropolitan Maximos (diaconate) and Bishop Philip (Priest), assigned as an assistant priest to the Holy Trinity/Holy Cross Cathedral in Birmingham, Alabama, where he led an active youth program, working with JOY, GOYA, and YAL groups (often joining with other churches in the region). Under his guidance, the YAL hosted the Diocesan-wide YAL Conference in Birmingham in 1996.

Father Michael then served Saint Andrew in Kendall, Florida (1996-2002). He led the parish, installing icons and stained windows, opened a bookstore, helped Father Metropolis start the "Come Receive the Light" radio station, directed district-wide youth and parish retreats/events, and introduced the Spanish language into the Divine Liturgy.

Reassigned to the Saint Luke Parish in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts (2002 to Present), Father Michael reinvigorated the youth program, initiating construction of a nine-classroom addition for a Catechism school and a pre-school. Father Sitaras personally redesigned the front entrance and installed a mosaic depicting the glorified Christ (inspired from the dome of the Dionysiou Monastery, Mount Athos). He instituted a festival, a Greek school, art classes, Byzantine music classes, a Greek dance group, Bible studies, robust Oratorical participation, and active Boston camp participation. He is extremely supportive of Metropolis Programs.

Saint Luke held the first parish-led Metropolis-wide Stewardship program, featuring Bill Marianes and George Matthews as speakers, teaching participants the meaning of stewardship through an ambassadorship program. The parish has given to charitable causes, including Crop Walk (funds earmarked for IOCC), Loaves and Fishes (feeding the 200 hungry at a local soup kitchen), and providing an average of 120 food baskets for the needy.

Father's Presbytera Mary is active with the youth programs and activities of their church. They are raising 4 children, Nicholas, John, Alexander, and Christina.

Father Michael was elevated as Father Confessor in October, 2009, by Metropolitan Methodios. From 2003 to 2005, he served as Secretary for the Saint Andrew Clergy Brotherhood of Boston. Father holds a BFA in Painting from Syracuse University, an M.Div from Holy Cross Seminary, and an MFA in Painting from Louisiana State University. He studied at the St. Martin's School of Art in London and his professional work has been featured in galleries and museums throughout the world.

Rev. Fr. John P. Angelis, Protopresbyter, Interim Priest
Phone: (760) 942-0920
Fax: (760) 942-3603
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Biography of Rev. Fr. John P. Angelis

Father John was born in the village of Tithorea, in the Fthiotis prefecture of Greece. He was the sixth of seven children. Father's childhood consisted mainly of struggles to overcome the violence and deprivation caused by World War II and the Greek Civil War. His family's strong faith in God, their hard work, their mutual support, and determination sustained them through many dark years.

Father John's great love has always been school and learning. By 1945, the schools had begun to reopen, but the calm was shattered by the Greek Civil War. He continued his Gymnasium studies in Atalandi and later in Amfiklia. He eventually traveled to Athens, where he worked hard to go to school. When his struggles began to affect his health, he arranged to move to the United States to stay with an uncle.

When he arrived in the United States, he worked at various jobs while attending classes to learn English. In 1957 he enrolled in Holy Cross Seminary, from which he graduated with a B.A. degree in Theology, summa cum laude, in 1962. He then attended Harvard Divinity School and graduated in 1965.

He pursued graduate studies at the Theological School of the University of Thessaloniki in Greece, focusing his studies on Saint Paul and the Holy Spirit.

Father John married Anna Avramides in 1964. They had three children and five grandchildren.

In 1966, Father John was ordained a priest in the Church of Saint Sophia in Thessaloniki. In October 1966, he was assigned to Saint George Church in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He also was Pastor of Annunciation Church in Sacramento, California, Saint George's Church in Fresno, California, and Saint Katherine's Church in Chandler, Arizona.

In September 1993, Father John was assigned as Pastor of Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Seattle, Washington, where he served until July 31, 2004. As semi-retired he served as Assistant Priest and Proistamenos Emeritus at Saint Demetrios in Seattle, Washington until December 2007.

As retired priest, he has served the Parishes of Sts. Constantine and Helen in Honolulu, Hawaii; St. Nicholas in Tacoma, Washington; Holy Trinity Cathedral in Portland, Oregon, and presently he serves Sts. Constantine and Helen in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California.

Father John is writing poems in his old age that cover many theological, historical, social, nature and personal themes. He has written many papers and articles and has published two books: Spiritual Reflections for All Seasons, and Pen and Ink, a book of poems.

Father John has a special interest in Sunday School and youth programs, and since his semi-retirement, he has devoted himself to writing, teaching, and counseling activities.

Rev. Fr. Theodore Phillips, Protopresbyter, Pastor Emeritus

 

Father Theodore Phillips was born in Gary, Indiana on June 23, 1929. He lived there until the age of three years old. He spent his childhood years, from three to 15 years of age, in Greece. He returned to the U.S. as an American citizen after World War II. He attended high school in Sacramento, California and graduated from Holy Cross Theological Seminary in Brookline, Massachusetts.

In his first assignment as a Parish Priest at St. Basil's in Stockton, California he served for twelve and a half years, from 1953 to 1965. In Stockton he did post-graduate work at the University of the Pacific and served as Chaplain at the State Hospital for eleven and a half years. He served as a Pastor at St. Spyridon's Greek Orthodox Church in San Diego for twelve and a half years.

Father Phillips continued with his graduate work at San Diego State University and was one of the eight civilian priests/ministers to receive training in Clinical Pastoral Psychology at eh U.S. Naval Hospital in San Diego. He completed his studies in the field of Clinical Pastoral Counseling and received his Masters Degree.

He was honored by the Greek government when he was chosen as one of the 30 Greek Orthodox priests in America to tour Greece. In March, 1977, he was presented with the Regional Brotherhood Award for his outstanding leadership in the community by the National Conference of Christians and Jews.

In civil affairs, he served on the Board of Directors for the Blind Pace Makers for five years. He was a member of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors. Concurrently, he was serving as an Executive Board Member of the Homes for Boys; (1) Guadeloupe Home for Boys in Yucaipa, CA (2) St. John's Home for Boys in White Water, CA and (3) Trinity School for Children in Ukiah, CA. He is currently a Member of Doctor-Clergy Association of Sharp Hospital, San Diego, CA.

On May 25, 1997, during the Thyranoixia (Opening of the Doors), he received from His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony the highest honorary rank granted to a married priest - Protopresbyter.

Rev. Phillips and his wife of 48 years, Mary, are the parents of two children, Erys and Demetre and the grandparents of grandson, Erik.