NEW YORK – Archbishop Demetrios announced today the appointment of the Very Reverend Archimandrite Apostolos Koufalakis, the dean of St. Demetrios Cathedral of Astoria, as director of the Hellenic Cultural Center of the Archdiocese in Astoria, NY.

On the occasion of this appointment His Eminence stated: “We are certain that Fr. Apostolos, with the help of God will fulfill diligently these new responsibilities, which are added to his duties as dean of the St. Demetrios Cathedral in Astoria. The Hellenic Cultural Center of the Archdiocese in Astoria has a long history of service to the Omogeneia and serious potential for further development and Fr. Apostolos’ contribution can be fruitful, both spiritually and culturally.

The Hellenic Cultural Center was established in 1986 with the purpose to cultivate the rich Orthodox and Hellenic heritage and culture. It has a theater of 200 seats, the chapel of St. Kosmas the Aitolos, a bookstore, a reception and exhibition area, offices and other supportive spaces. Throughout the year it offers theatrical, musical and dance productions, as well as exhibits and lectures.

Fr. Apostolos (Evangelos) Koufalakis was born in Rhodes, Greece where he completed his primary education and then continued studies in the Ecclesiastical School of Patmos. In 1993 he was tonsured a monk and took the name Apostolos. In the same year he was ordained a deacon and in 1996 a presbyter by Metropolitan Apostolos of Rhodes. He is a Theology graduate of the Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki. In 2002 he came to the United States to further his studies and in 2004 he received his Masters degree in Sacred Theology from Boston University, School of Theology. While in the Boston area he served in the Massachusetts parishes of Annunciation of Brockton, St. George of Southbridge and Saints Anargyroi of Marlborough. Since 2004 he serves as the dean of the St. Demetrios Cathedral in Astoria, N.Y.

Contact: Stavros Papagermanos
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