New York, NY - His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios has announced the appointment of the Very Rev. Archimandrite Savas Zembillas as Chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, effective December 1,1999. Father Zembillas has been pastor of St. Demetrios Church of Merrick,NY since September 1997. Father Michael Kontogiorgis, who has been serving as acting Chancellor, will return to his former position as assistant Chancellor.
A native of Gary, IN, Father Zembillas, 42, graduated with a Masters of Divinity degree with high honors, from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, Brookline, MA in 1985 and subsequently pursued doctoral studies at Oxford University under the supervision of Bishop (Kallistos) Ware of Diokleia. He also holds a B.A. in philosophy and English Literature from Colby College, Waterville, Maine.
Prior to enrolling at Holy Cross, Father Savas spent a year living in monastries in Greece (Mt. Athos and Patmos) and England. He was ordained to the Diaconate (1992) and Priesthood (1995) in Chicago by His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos, Presiding Hierarch of the Diocese of Chicago. In November 1996, he was tonsured a monk and elevated to the rank of Archimandrite by His Eminence Metropolitan Maximos, Presiding Hierarch of the Diocese of Pittsburgh at the Monastery of St. Gregory Palamas, Hayesville, OH.
During his studies in England, he served as Deacon to Bishop Kallistos (Ware) and served the Oxford community in several capacities including a facilitator for Greek Orthodox patients undergoing brain surgery at Oxfords Radcliffe Infirmary, Warden of the House of St. Gregory and St.Macrina and Assistant to the Director of the St.Theosevia Centre for the Study of Christian Spirituality. During his research in Athens he served as a deacon in several parishes and monasteries.
Following his ordination to the priesthood, Father Savas served for several months as a Resident Scholar at Holy Cross School of Theology, before being assigned as pastor of the Annunciation Church, Kalamazoo, MI. He has served on the Board of St. Basil Academy and was a member of the 1999 Enthronement Committee of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios.