Parish Council | St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church

PARISH COUNCIL

Parish Council members represent their parish and the Orthodox Christian faith. As leaders of the community, Parish Council members are on the front line and have a long-term effect on our parish. Serving on the Parish Council ministry is also a calling to represent Christ to all whom they meet in all aspects of life.

Mission
The mission of the parish as defined in the Uniform Parish Regulations – and therefore the mission of the Parish Council is “… to keep, practice and proclaim the Orthodox Christian Faith pure and undefiled.”

In the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, the rich man walked by poor Lazarus every day. The rich man didn’t hate Lazarus – he just ignored him, committing the sin of indifference. The opposite of love is not hate. The opposite of love is indifference. We have been blessed with great treasures of the faith and Lazarus lies at our gate. Lazarus is the visitor that walks through the doors of our church on Sunday morning. Lazarus is the non-Orthodox spouse. Lazarus is the lapsed Orthodox Christian visiting the parish after a long absence. Like the rich man in the parable, we often walk right by without noticing, as they eat from the crumbs that fall from our table.

If we believe that in Orthodoxy we have the fullness of the Truth, then we have the great responsibility – the Great Commission – to share it with everyone. As Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of ALL nations.”

2024 Parish Council Members

Here at St. Nicholas, along with the parish priest, 13 dedicated stewards of our parish actively serve the everyday needs of our parish.

Those who are currently serving through the year are:

Robert Devasto, President

Don Khouri, Vice President

Eli Tamer, Secretary

Vasili Kariolis, Treasurer

Emily Babalas

Lia Fahey

Alexis Zallas Papathanasiou

Daphne Ritzakis (Fellowship)

Pauline Sager