A new deacon was ordained in our Local Church on Saturday, August 3^rd. It is Fr. Nicholas Koubaroulis, from PirgoIlias, married and a father of one child.  His Eminence Metropolitan Demetrias and Almyros Ignatius ordained him at the Holy Church of the Annunciation in Piraeus Athens.  His Eminence Prikonisou Joseph was also present.  The spiritual father for Fr. Nicholas is the Abbot of the Monastery of Vatopedi, Archimandrite Efraim who was present and took part in the services as the first among the priests.

His Eminence spoke about the new deacon as a "...living example of patience, endurance, and forgiveness."  He also spoke about his family which has given a monk and a nun to the Church and praised the greatness of the Orthodox Greek family "which knows to offer their children to God but also to the people and the nation."  He spoke about the role of a Deacon in the Church "...which is not only teleturgical.  A Deacon needs to be an example, he takes on a catechetical role, he reminds us that the priesthood is a continual ministry to the people of God, and he becomes a helper to the priest at the Divine Liturgy."

He also thanked Abbot Efraim and the Monastery of Vatopedi for helping Greece during these trying times.  The Monastery has given food to many Metropolises' of the Church of Greece.