New York, NY -- His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, in fulfilling mandates of the Philadelphia and Los Angeles Clergy-Laity Conferences, has announced the appointment of Fr. James Kordaris as Director of the new Archdiocesan Department of Parish Renewal, Outreach and Evangelism.
In announcing this appointment, Archbishop Demetrios noted, "It is a great joy to make available the services of this new department to our entire Archdiocese. I know that Fr. Kordaris, and the Board appointed to assist him, will put forth every effort to bring the Gospel of our Lord to all those within the boundaries of our Archdiocese of America who thirst to know The Way, The Truth and The Life. May God bless this new initiative to make Orthodoxy available to contemporary America."
In the planning stages for four years, this department was initiated last year with the appointment of a Board, whose members, one clergyman and one layperson from each Metropolis of the Archdiocese, were appointed by their respective hierarchs. This Board met twice over the past year, co-chaired by Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos and Mr. Louis Nicozisis, and adopted an initial mission statement which states: "Our mission is to enable the Orthodox Christian Faith in America to grow through a deeper commitment to our Lord, Jesus Christ, within His Church, reaching out and welcoming those wishing to embrace Orthodoxy, as well as the unchurched, and through the establishment of new parishes."
Fr. Kordaris was born and raised in Minneapolis, MN. Married to Cally (Moraitis), he has BA (1979) and MBA(1983) degrees from the University of Minnesota. At the St. Mary Church in Minneapolis, he served in many capacities, including President of the Parish Council, and President of the AHEPA chapter.
Following twelve years in the financial services industry, he was called to enter Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, receiving his Masters of Divinity degree in 1999. He was ordained to the Diaconate in 1998, and to the Priesthood in 1999. He has served at parishes in Jamaica, NY and Roslyn Heights, NY.
The Archdiocese Department of Parish Renewal, Outreach and Evangelism will be located at the St. Basil Academy in Garrison, NY. Fr. Kordaris will assume his new responsibilities as of Monday, January 13, 2003.
By Albert H. Lee
chtoday_editor@chtoday.com
