The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Christian Education Ministry invites you to this month’s Ministries Series featuring the inspiring topic of “Fostering a Culture of Lifelong Christian Learning”. This zoom webinar will be held on Monday, May 16, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. PDT. Participation is free and registration is available online here .
In keeping with this year’s theme of “Equipping and Enriching Parish Life”, helping our parishes strengthen their own Christian Education programs is of utmost importance in not only bringing our parishioners physically back to church, but also bringing them closer to Christ and His teachings.
We will have the opportunity to hear from two of our esteemed clergy and their rich experiences in fostering such a culture in their parishes and far beyond. Topics to be presented include:
- Orthodox Christianity 101 and the restoration of the catechumenate
- Bible Studies as the heart of parish education, as it was for the Fathers
- The need to discern and develop the gifts of lay catechists, teachers and theologians in the parish
- Education as spiritual formation
- Understanding the rhythms of the church, its fast periods, and seasons of celebrations
- Great Feasts (e.g., Christmas, Holy Week) and their meaning
For more information, please contact metropolis@sanfran.goarch.org or call 415-753-3075.
About Our Presenters
Rev. Father Steven Tsichlis
Father Steve has served for the past 25 years as the pastor of St. Paul Greek Orthodox Church in Irvine, CA. Prior to that he served as the pastor of the Church of the Assumption in Seattle, WA for 14 years.
Ordained a deacon in 1980, he served as deacon to the late Metropolitan Silas of New Jersey at the Archdiocese in New York and was ordained a priest in 1983. He studied at the University of Missouri, Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, Yale Divinity School, and Fordham University. He has served as the president of the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council and the board of Project Mexico. He has also served on the board of Hellenic College/Holy Cross and the All Saints Center in WA state. Married for 43 years, he is the father of 4, and a grandfather.
Rev. Father Tom Zaferes
Father Tom is the Dean of the Ascension Cathedral in Oakland, CA, where he has been serving since 2009. Prior to that, he served parishes in Northridge, CA; Chattanooga, TN; San Antonio, TX; and Syracuse, NY.
He graduated from Hanover College with a Composite Major in Political Science and Theology. He earned a Master of Divinity degree from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, MA. He has served on the board of OCMC and led a Mission Team to Ghana. Father Tom also served on the Archdiocesan Council and the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council. He currently serves as member of the Metropolis Council and chairs the Audit Committee. Father Tom is married to Presvytera Julie, an RN, and they have four children and one grandchild. He finds great joy in teaching the faith, leading Bible Studies, reading and mentoring.