Deacon Gabriel Galifanakis was ordained to the priesthood by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America on Sunday, May 12, 2024 at his home parish of Dormition of the Theotokos Church in Southampton, NY.  As a Deacon he has been serving as Assistant Priest at St. Sophia Cathedral in Washington, DC since February 1, 2024.

In his remarks to the newly ordained Fr. Gabriel, His Eminence remarked, "You have shown yourself to be a person of integrity, and a worthy Deacon serving in our Cathedral in Washington, DC. And you will continue to serve at Saint Sophia as a priest, with all the attendant responsibilities and duties. As a priest, you will heed the message of God, which is the Gospel of our Lord, and you will guard and defend it, even as you share it with others. For this is the ministry of a priest – to share the message of God’s unconditional love with  others, and to perform the ministries that enhance and enshrine that love in the hearts of the People of God. Your Presvytera Samantha will be by your side. The prayers of this wonderful community of the Hamptons will be by your side. Your Proïstamenos at Agia Sophia, Father Steve, will be by your side. I will be by your side...And in this incredible journey that you are making into the priesthood of our Lord Jesus Christ, there are three tasks that you are called to, which are hallmarks of what it means to be a priest and to shepherd the flock of Christ: to teach, to be a moral exemplar, and to celebrate the Mysteries of the Church.” (Full text here)

Fr. Galifanakis, in his remarks, expressed deep appreciation all who have guided him to this point, including out Archbishop Elpidophoros for his tireless dedication and his leadership to the Holy Archdiocese, the clergymen from Dormition Church Fr. Alexander Karloutsos and Fr. Constantine Lazarakis for their true examples of compassion to him and his family especially when he was a child in the community, his Presbytera Samantha and his mother, of blessed memory.  (Full text here)

He also thanked Associate Dean of Students of Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology Fr. Bartholomew Mercado, Fr. Anastasi Hellas, Fr. Steven Zorzos from Saint Sophia Cathedral, and the entire parish community of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Southampton.

Following the Divine Liturgy and Ordination a reception was held at The Muses on the grounds of Dormition of the Theotokos Church. 

Photos: GOARCH/Dimitrios Panagos