PARAMUS, NJ – [Photos: GANP/ Dimitrios Panagos]
On Monday, June 30, 2025, the feast of the Synaxis of the Holy Apostles, His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey, celebrated the Festal Divine Liturgy at the church of St. Athanasios in Paramus, New Jersey. Clergy and faithful from throughout the Metropolis of New Jersey welcomed His Eminence and joined him in celebration of his name day. The grace and joy of the festal Liturgy was two-fold as His Eminence also ordained Julian Kollias, a 2019 graduate of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, to the diaconate.
In his speech, Deacon Julian expressed his deepest gratitude to His Eminence for entrusting him with the ministry of the diaconate. Dn. Julian expressed in his words the gravity of the decision he faced: “Ordained ministry is not a worldly promotion but a calling to sacrifice one’s own life for Christ’s Kingdom. This phenomenon is exemplified in the lives of the clerical saint such as St. Nectarios of Aegina who attested to this in his words and actions, bringing many to Christ through the sacrifices he made in his own life”.
In his remarks, Metropolitan Apostolos congratulated Deacon Julian for accepting his call to serve the Metropolis of New Jersey. Citing his knowledge of the faith and sincerity, His Eminence shared his great optimism about Dn. Julian’s future ministry. He also congratulated Diakonissa Katerina for supporting her husband and offers his earnest prayers and heartfelt blessings that they be granted strength and guidance from above. At the end of his remarks, His Eminence announced that Dn. Julian would be assigned as a second clergyman to the historic Cathedral of the Annunciation in Baltimore, Maryland.
Following the service, the community along with the Pan-Gregorian Enterprises hosted a luncheon in honor of His Eminence’s name-day in the Church Hall.
His Eminence offered his deepest gratitude to all who supported and attended the celebration of the feast, the Metropolis Clergy, the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Members of the Pan-Gregorian Enterprises, the Ladies of the Philoptochos Society, the Saint Athanasios Parish Council and all the faithful in attendance.
