Born: July 3, 1934 in Boston, Massachusetts

Parents: Peter Emmanuel Sarelis & Mary Chiotis both of Lesvos, Greece

Education:  Boston Latin School; 1958 Holy Cross School of Theology, BD; 1959 Boston University School of Theology, STM; 1961 Athens University, Athens Greece, School of Theology, Licentia Theologica; Boston Institute of Mental Health and Boston Memorial Hospital with areas of study in Pastoral Psychology, Mental Health, and Substance and Alcohol Abuse.

Pastorates: 1961 Ordained Archdeacon by Archbishop Iakovos; 1962 Ordained Presbyter by Bishop Gerasimos of Abydos; Assistant Priest, Saint Spyridon, Washington Heights NY, NY; Saint Paraskevi, Greenlawn, NY; Holy Cross, Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, NY; Saint Nicholas, Wyckoff, NY; Holy Cross, Pittsburgh, PA; Saint Nicholas, Detroit, MI; Saint George Cathedral, Manchester, NH; Annunciation, Kansas City, MO.

When the Church of Saint Paraskevi in Greenlawn was destroyed by fire in 1964, the Archdiocese called upon me to lead in the rebuilding of the new edifice and the reorganization of the parish. While there, I was privileged to establish the Shrine of Saint Paraskevi with holy water sent to us from the miraculous spring of the Saint in Therapeia, Constantinople by His All-Holiness, Patriarch Athenagoras.  Miracles and cures attributed to the Saint continue to this day.

Having fulfilled my charges at Greenlawn, I was recalled by the Archdiocese to serve in the development of the new parish of the Holy Cross, Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. During the same period, with assistance of many Orthodox faithful employed at J.F. Kennedy Airport and the cooperation of Olympic Airways, I developed the Chapel of St. Nicholas in the Protestant Pavilion at the airport.  I was elected and served two terms as president of the Pan-Lesvian Society of America. To better my children’s learning environment, our family moved to Wychoff, NJ where I assumed pastoral duties at the new parish of St. Nicholas.

Over the years, in addition to my pastoral duties, I served on the Ecclesiastical Courts in various metropolises as well as on the Mixed Councils. I was appointed advisor to the Columbia University Orthodox Christian Fellowship by the Archdiocese as well as Secretary of the Board of Directors of Saint Basil’s Academy.

While in Detroit, I trained and was commissioned chaplain of the Detroit Police Department (1983-1985).  In 1986, I was appointed chaplain to the New Hampshire State Police Commission in Concord, NH.  I served as chaplain in the Veterans Administration Hospitals in Northport, L.I., Allen Park, MI, and Kansas City, MO. I was honored to be named by the State of New York as the first E.O. Chaplain in the New York State Mental Hospitals of Pilgrim State and King’s Park on Long Island, NY.

As Associate Director of the Archdiocese Youth Ministry Office responsible for the Scouting programs, I represented our Archdiocese at the National Boy Scout Headquarters in New Brunswick, NJ and was elected chair of the Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting (EOCS). During my tenure, the Chi Rho, St. George and Prophet Elias religious emblem award programs were developed. I was privileged to serve on the Executive Board of the Daniel Webster Council, NH, the Max Silber Eagle Scout Museum Board, as well as Chairman of the Thunderbird Scouting District, Detroit, MI.  In 1983, I received the Silver Beaver Award, Detroit Council and in 2002, the EOCS’s Prophet Elias adult award. As chaplain, I attended the VII National Jamboree in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho and the International Jamborees on Mt. Fuji, Asagiri Heights, Japan as Chaplain General of the US contingent; in Lillehammer, Norway; and in Kopparbo, Sweden as Associate Chaplain General.

Invited to Washington D.C., I gave the opening prayer in the House of Representatives as the guest of the Speaker of the House, Thomas “Tip” O’Neil of Massachusetts and in the Senate by Senator Bob Dole of Kansas who asked me to give the opening prayer at the ceremonies when he announced his candidacy for the President of the US in 1996.

Fraternal Organizations:  In 1985, I was inducted into the Pi Lambda Theta (ΠΛΘ) National Professional Association for Excellence in Education. I was a founding member of AHEPA Ramapo Chapter, Wyckoff, NJ. I served on the Board of Directors of the Alpha Chapter, Detroit, MI and also as advisor to the Phydias Chapter and District 10 of the Sons of Pericles, Michigan. I was also a founding member of the Queen City Kiwanis, Manchester, NH.

Credentials:  1961 – Ordained Deacon. 1962 – Ordained Presbyter. 1969 elevated to Sakellarios.  1973 elevated to Economos. 1983 elevated to Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne of Constantinople.

Family: Married in 1958 to Angela Barlas of Boston Massachusetts. We were blessed with three children: a daughter, Mary, married to Gerald Takis.  They have two daughters, Alexandra and Angela. Son, Peter married to Laura Shane. They have two daughters, Naomi and Mariah. Son Philip, who is not married.

Personal Hobbies: Translation of Liturgical texts from Greek to English.