Are you interested in Orthodox Evangelism?
Every three months, the Missions and Evangelism Ministry hosts meetings for parishioners who are passionate about spreading awareness of the Orthodox faith in their local communities. These meetings take place in small groups over Zoom, where we engage in conversation about ways to bring the Orthodox faith to those around us.
If you would like to be part of this community, register today and join the conversation!
Group #4 – Northern California
Holy Cross (Belmont, CA) * Saint John the Baptist (Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA) * Resurrection (Castro Valley, CA) * Saint Demetrios (Concord, CA) * Saint Lawrence (Felton, CA) * Saints Constantine & Helen Cathedral (Honolulu, HI) * Mission of Maui (Maui,... show moreAre you interested in Orthodox Evangelism?
Every three months, the Missions and Evangelism Ministry hosts meetings for parishioners who are passionate about spreading awareness of the Orthodox faith in their local communities. These meetings take place in small groups over Zoom, where we engage in conversation about ways to bring the Orthodox faith to those around us.
If you would like to be part of this community, register today and join the conversation!
Group #4 – Northern California
Holy Cross (Belmont, CA) * Saint John the Baptist (Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA) * Resurrection (Castro Valley, CA) * Saint Demetrios (Concord, CA) * Saint Lawrence (Felton, CA) * Saints Constantine & Helen Cathedral (Honolulu, HI) * Mission of Maui (Maui, HI) * Nativity of Christ (Novato, CA) * Cathedral of the Ascension (Oakland, CA) * Holy Trinity (San Francisco, CA) * Annunciation Cathedral (San Francisco, CA) * Saint Basil (San Jose, CA) * Saint Nicholas (San Jose, CA) * Prophet Elias (Santa Cruz, CA) * Saints Constantine and Helen (Vallejo, CA)
The Christian Education Ministry and the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco are excited to announce the Metropolis-level 2026 Saint John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival. This program provides a valuable educational opportunity for youth to express their faith, gain important skills in public speaking, and to deepen their knowledge about theology and its application in our world today.
The Metropolis-level Festival will take place in-person at Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center, on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.
WHAT: Metropolis-level Oratorical Festival
DATE: Saturday, May 9, 2026
TIME: 9:00 a.m.
LOCATION: Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center Dunlap, CA
For additional... show moreThe Christian Education Ministry and the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco are excited to announce the Metropolis-level 2026 Saint John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival. This program provides a valuable educational opportunity for youth to express their faith, gain important skills in public speaking, and to deepen their knowledge about theology and its application in our world today.
The Metropolis-level Festival will take place in-person at Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center, on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.
WHAT: Metropolis-level Oratorical Festival
DATE: Saturday, May 9, 2026
TIME: 9:00 a.m.
LOCATION: Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center Dunlap, CA
For additional information or assistance, please contact the Metropolis Oratorical Leadership Team: Aristi Contos, Johanna Duterte-Carter, or Eve Tibbs.
Join Orthodox Young Adults from across the West Coast for a Lenten Retreat at Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center the weekend of March 27 – March 29, 2026. Young Adults ages 18 – 39 from all Orthodox traditions are welcome to attend! We will spend time having discussions and fellowship at Saint Nicholas Ranch, as well as visit and help the Sisters at the Monastery of the Theotokos the Life-Giving Spring with a work project and other engaging activities throughout the weekend.
The retreat... show moreJoin Orthodox Young Adults from across the West Coast for a Lenten Retreat at Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center the weekend of March 27 – March 29, 2026. Young Adults ages 18 – 39 from all Orthodox traditions are welcome to attend! We will spend time having discussions and fellowship at Saint Nicholas Ranch, as well as visit and help the Sisters at the Monastery of the Theotokos the Life-Giving Spring with a work project and other engaging activities throughout the weekend.
The retreat theme will be “The Fragmentation of the Self and the Prayer of the Heart” with guest speaker Rev. Father Christopher Zaferes from Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church in Marietta, GA. More and more of our lives are spent in the digital world. There we are trained to consume without end. Yet the more we take in, the emptier we feel—our vision distorted and our identities fractured. Can we be made whole? How do we integrate? Might an inward turning gather what has been dispersed?
A relationship series designed to foster communication and closeness for a healthier partnership under God.
DATE 8
The topic for Thursday, March 26, 2026 is A Lifetime of Love and will be led by Rev. Father Timothy Pavlatos, M.Div., M.F.T., and Presvytera Victoria Pavlatos. Discussion will focus around Dreams. When dreams are honored, everything else in the relationship gets easier. Honoring each other’s dreams is the secret ingredient to creating love for a lifetime.
More information... show moreA relationship series designed to foster communication and closeness for a healthier partnership under God.
DATE 8
The topic for Thursday, March 26, 2026 is A Lifetime of Love and will be led by Rev. Father Timothy Pavlatos, M.Div., M.F.T., and Presvytera Victoria Pavlatos. Discussion will focus around Dreams. When dreams are honored, everything else in the relationship gets easier. Honoring each other’s dreams is the secret ingredient to creating love for a lifetime.
More information on Eight Dates, the Metropolis Family Wellness Ministry and how to register is available on their website. Signing up for Eight Dates is the perfect Christmas gift for your relationship and the greatest way to start out the new year!
A relationship series designed to foster communication and closeness for a healthier partnership under God.
DATE 7
The topic for Thursday, March 19, 2026 is Something To Believe In and will be led by Rev. Father Vasili Hillhouse, M.Div. Discussion will focus around Growth and Spirituality. The only constant in a relationship is change. The key is how each person in the relationship accommodates the growth of the other partner. Relationships can be more than just two individuals coming together—they... show moreA relationship series designed to foster communication and closeness for a healthier partnership under God.
DATE 7
The topic for Thursday, March 19, 2026 is Something To Believe In and will be led by Rev. Father Vasili Hillhouse, M.Div. Discussion will focus around Growth and Spirituality. The only constant in a relationship is change. The key is how each person in the relationship accommodates the growth of the other partner. Relationships can be more than just two individuals coming together—they can be stories of transformation and great contribution and meaning to the world.
More information on Eight Dates, the Metropolis Family Wellness Ministry and how to register is available on their website. Signing up for Eight Dates is the perfect Christmas gift for your relationship and the greatest way to start out the new year!
The Orthodox Parish Leadership (OPL) ministry of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco is pleased to announce the first webinar for the 2026 OPL webinar series, “Expanding the Living Parish: Discerning, Leading and Embracing,” in collaboration with the Metropolises of Atlanta and Boston. This event is scheduled for Monday, March 16, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Pacific.
A parish’s strategic plan serves as a roadmap to clarify priorities, align ministries, and steward resources - but how do... show moreThe Orthodox Parish Leadership (OPL) ministry of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco is pleased to announce the first webinar for the 2026 OPL webinar series, “Expanding the Living Parish: Discerning, Leading and Embracing,” in collaboration with the Metropolises of Atlanta and Boston. This event is scheduled for Monday, March 16, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Pacific.
A parish’s strategic plan serves as a roadmap to clarify priorities, align ministries, and steward resources - but how do we know it reflects the right path forward? This session explores how strategic planning and spiritual discernment work together to guide parish leadership with clarity and faithfulness.
Register online today. A Zoom link will be provided within 24 hours of the webinar.
A relationship series designed to foster communication and closeness for a healthier partnership under God.
DATE 6
The topic for Thursday, March 12, 2026 is Play with Me and will be led by Rev. Father Tom Tsagalakis, M.F.T., M.Div., and Presvytera Pat Tsagalakis. Discussion will focus around Fun and Adventure. Play and adventure are vital components to a successful and joyful relationship. It’s okay if you and your partner have different ideas about what constitutes play and adventure. The... show moreA relationship series designed to foster communication and closeness for a healthier partnership under God.
DATE 6
The topic for Thursday, March 12, 2026 is Play with Me and will be led by Rev. Father Tom Tsagalakis, M.F.T., M.Div., and Presvytera Pat Tsagalakis. Discussion will focus around Fun and Adventure. Play and adventure are vital components to a successful and joyful relationship. It’s okay if you and your partner have different ideas about what constitutes play and adventure. The key is for you to respect each other’s sense of adventure and what it means to that partner.
More information on Eight Dates, the Metropolis Family Wellness Ministry and how to register is available on their website. Signing up for Eight Dates is the perfect Christmas gift for your relationship and the greatest way to start out the new year!
A relationship series designed to foster communication and closeness for a healthier partnership under God.
DATE 5
The topic for Thursday, March 5, 2026 is Room to Grow and will be led by Rev. Father Daniel Triant, M.Div., and Presvytera Michelle Triant. Discussion will focus around Family. Approximately two-thirds of couples have a sharp drop in relationship satisfaction shortly after a child is born, and this drop gets deeper with each subsequent child. To avoid this drop in relationship... show moreA relationship series designed to foster communication and closeness for a healthier partnership under God.
DATE 5
The topic for Thursday, March 5, 2026 is Room to Grow and will be led by Rev. Father Daniel Triant, M.Div., and Presvytera Michelle Triant. Discussion will focus around Family. Approximately two-thirds of couples have a sharp drop in relationship satisfaction shortly after a child is born, and this drop gets deeper with each subsequent child. To avoid this drop in relationship happiness, conflict needs to be low and you need to maintain your sexual relationship.
More information on Eight Dates, the Metropolis Family Wellness Ministry and how to register is available on their website. Signing up for Eight Dates is the perfect Christmas gift for your relationship and the greatest way to start out the new year!
A relationship series designed to foster communication and closeness for a healthier partnership under God.
DATE 4
The topic for Thursday, February 19, 2026 is The Cost of Love and will be led by Joe Borgonia, M.F.T. Discussion will focus around Work and Money. Money issues aren’t about money. They’re about what money means to each partner in a relationship. Discovering what money means to both of you will go a long way in resolving the conflicts you may have around money.
More information... show moreA relationship series designed to foster communication and closeness for a healthier partnership under God.
DATE 4
The topic for Thursday, February 19, 2026 is The Cost of Love and will be led by Joe Borgonia, M.F.T. Discussion will focus around Work and Money. Money issues aren’t about money. They’re about what money means to each partner in a relationship. Discovering what money means to both of you will go a long way in resolving the conflicts you may have around money.
More information on Eight Dates, the Metropolis Family Wellness Ministry and how to register is available on their website. Signing up for Eight Dates is the perfect Christmas gift for your relationship and the greatest way to start out the new year!
A relationship series designed to foster communication and closeness for a healthier partnership under God.
DATE 3
The topic for Thursday, February 5, 2026 is Let’s Get It On and will be led by Rev. Father James Pappas, M.Div., and Presvytera Donna Pappas. Discussion will focus around Sex and Intimacy. Romantic, intimate rituals of connection keep a relationship happy and passionate. Couples who talk about sex have more sex, but talking about sex is difficult for the majority of couples—it... show moreA relationship series designed to foster communication and closeness for a healthier partnership under God.
DATE 3
The topic for Thursday, February 5, 2026 is Let’s Get It On and will be led by Rev. Father James Pappas, M.Div., and Presvytera Donna Pappas. Discussion will focus around Sex and Intimacy. Romantic, intimate rituals of connection keep a relationship happy and passionate. Couples who talk about sex have more sex, but talking about sex is difficult for the majority of couples—it gets easier and more comfortable the more you do it.
More information on Eight Dates, the Metropolis Family Wellness Ministry and how to register is available on their website. Signing up for Eight Dates is the perfect Christmas gift for your relationship and the greatest way to start out the new year!
Beloved Clergy and Parish Councils of the Metropolis of San Francisco,
“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” 1 Peter 4:10
Preparations are underway for the 2026 Clergy-Laity Assembly for our Metropolis. This is an opportunity for our clergy and lay leaders of our parishes to come together, to learn and grow in our faith, gain new insights into the ministries and programs offered by our Metropolis, and take an active... show moreBeloved Clergy and Parish Councils of the Metropolis of San Francisco,
“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” 1 Peter 4:10
Preparations are underway for the 2026 Clergy-Laity Assembly for our Metropolis. This is an opportunity for our clergy and lay leaders of our parishes to come together, to learn and grow in our faith, gain new insights into the ministries and programs offered by our Metropolis, and take an active role in the governance of our Church.
This year’s Assembly will be held on Tuesday, January 27 beginning at 12:00 p.m., and will conclude on Wednesday, January 28 at 4:00 p.m. The theme of our gathering is “Ministry in Action. Faith in Motion.” and will highlight the ministries of our Metropolis through workshops, panel discussions, and an interactive Ministry Pavilion. We will once again meet at Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center in Dunlap, CA. There will be optional ministry workshops from 9:00 a.m. until Noon on Tuesday, January 27 for delegates who wish to arrive on Monday evening or early in the morning on Tuesday.
We look forward to welcoming you to the Ranch, a beautiful gathering space and cornerstone ministry of our Metropolis. A detailed agenda and registration materials will be provided in the coming weeks with further details on the schedule as well as a registration link.
As specified in the 2019 Uniform Regulations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, each parish is expected to have four delegates in attendance at the Clergy-Laity Assembly, comprised of the following:
The Parish Priest.
The President of the Parish Council, and in his or her absence the Vice President, or in his or her absence any member of the Parish Council designated by it.
Two members of the Parish elected by the Parish Assembly.
Please make sure this important item is placed on the agenda of your upcoming Parish Assembly Meeting so that you may elect these delegates to ensure full participation from your parish.
I look forward to the active participation of all our communities. Please come with an open mind and an open heart, ready and willing to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ and be a beacon of God’s love in your parishes.
With Love in Christ,
+ G E R A S I M O S
Metropolitan of San Francisco
A relationship series designed to foster communication and closeness for a healthier partnership under God.
DATE 2
The topic for Thursday, January 22, 2026 is Agree to Disagree and will be led by George Papageorge, M.F.T. Discussion will focus around Addressing Conflict. Conflict happens in every relationship, and it’s a myth to believe that in a happy relationship you’ll get along all the time. Relationship conflict serves a purpose. It’s an opportunity to get to know your partner better... show moreA relationship series designed to foster communication and closeness for a healthier partnership under God.
DATE 2
The topic for Thursday, January 22, 2026 is Agree to Disagree and will be led by George Papageorge, M.F.T. Discussion will focus around Addressing Conflict. Conflict happens in every relationship, and it’s a myth to believe that in a happy relationship you’ll get along all the time. Relationship conflict serves a purpose. It’s an opportunity to get to know your partner better and to develop deeper intimacy as you talk about and work through your differences.
More information on Eight Dates, the Metropolis Family Wellness Ministry and how to register is available on their website. Signing up for Eight Dates is the perfect Christmas gift for your relationship and the greatest way to start out the new year!
Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco
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The Christian Education Ministry and the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco are excited to announce the Metropolis-level 2026 Saint John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival. This program provides a valuable educational opportunity for youth to express their faith, gain important skills in public speaking, and to deepen their knowledge about theology and its application in our world today.
Join Orthodox Young Adults from across the West Coast for a Lenten Retreat at Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center the weekend of March 27 – March 29, 2026. Young Adults ages 18 – 39 from all Orthodox traditions are welcome to attend! We will spend time having discussions and fellowship at Saint Nicholas Ranch, as well as visit and help the Sisters at the Monastery of the Theotokos the Life-Giving Spring with a work project and other engaging activities throughout the weekend.
A relationship series designed to foster communication and closeness for a healthier partnership under God.
A relationship series designed to foster communication and closeness for a healthier partnership under God.
The Orthodox Parish Leadership (OPL) ministry of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco is pleased to announce the first webinar for the 2026 OPL webinar series, “Expanding the Living Parish: Discerning, Leading and Embracing,” in collaboration with the Metropolises of Atlanta and Boston. This event is scheduled for Monday, March 16, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Pacific.
A relationship series designed to foster communication and closeness for a healthier partnership under God.
A relationship series designed to foster communication and closeness for a healthier partnership under God.
A relationship series designed to foster communication and closeness for a healthier partnership under God.
A relationship series designed to foster communication and closeness for a healthier partnership under God.
Beloved Clergy and Parish Councils of the Metropolis of San Francisco,
A relationship series designed to foster communication and closeness for a healthier partnership under God.