Archimandrite Anastasios G. Garaboa

Presiding Priest

Voice: (281) 685-8810 
Email: garaboa@live.com

With an inclination towards spiritual life since his youth, a covert to Orthodoxy in his 20’s, Fr Anastasios was blessed with the spiritual guidance of Gerontas Aimilianos of Simonospetra Monastery, encountering at the Holy Mountain as well with the treasured advice and close contact with holy monks now recognized Saints of Mt Athos.

He graduated from Hellenic College and Holy Cross Theological School and pursued further studies in Missiology and Comparative Religion at the University of Athens under the tutelage of the then Bishop Anastasios of Androussa, now Archbishop of Albania and the late Professor Constantine Skouteris.

He was ordained to the diaconate and priesthood in 1990, served many parishes in America including North Miami, Ft. Pierce, Florida, St. Demetrios in Astoria, NY and St Spyridon in Washington Heights New York, yet his interest in missionary outreach also took him to Nairobi, Kenya, Mexico City, Hong Kong, and Buenos Aires.

He sometimes refers to himself jokingly called the flying priest as he worked in the airlines for 17 years and maintains lifetime worldwide flying privileges.

One of his favorite Scripture verses is Τα πάντα εν πάσι Χριστός,  “Christ is all in all”. Colossians 3:11

Panagiotis Chatzopoulos

Chanter

Voice: (201) 779-4887
Email: 

    Our parished is truly blessed by the uplifting, awe-inspiring voice of our beloved psalti, Panagiotis Chatzopoulos who has served as our cantor since 2019. His intricate stylized byzantine chant resound and fills our church with the characteristic music of our Orthodox tradition, resembling the majestic style to the Archontes Psaltes of the Great Church of Christ (Ecumenical Patriarchate).

     An incredibly gifted yet unassuming humble and pleasant man, Panagiotis was born in the beautiful village of Elati by the scenic mountainous region of Vitinia in Arkadia, Greece. He graduated from the Panteion University of Social Sciences in Athens, and served his military duty where he was made a lieutenant. Soon after concluding his service, he married his beloved wife Christina and emigrated to the United States settling in Jersey City.

     A successful retired restauranteur, he is an active member of the neighboring Annunciation Parish since 1973, where he has served as president of the Parish Council also as psaltis there for thirty years until coming to us.

     When asked where he received the training for his deep melodious voice and his authentic byzantine style, he points to the devotion instilled in him by his mentor and spiritual father, the late Metropolitan of Kitros, Katerini, and Platamon, Agathonikos, who was his guide and inspiration since childhood. This spiritual legacy and love for Christ and His Church has accompanied him throughout his life.  

     In listing his many accomplishments, talents, he asserts that the greatest gift the Lord has granted him is his loving and beautiful family, having raised along with his dear wife Christina two sons steeped deep in the Orthodox Church and the Hellenic ethos. They in turn transmitted it to their family. His eyes light up with emotion and loving pride when he mentions his five grandchildren, now young adults, who are committed and devout Orthodox Christians very active in their parishes.

George Kalorides 

President 

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