CHERRY HILL, NJ – [photos by Steve Lambrou]
On January 11, the continuing and newly elected members of the St. Thomas Parish Council participated in the Affirmation of Office, with the paternal blessings of His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey, presided over by the community’s presiding priest, Fr. Georgios Oikonomou.
The Parish Council for 2026 follows: Daniel Carrigan, Anastasios Efstratiades, Demetrios Eleftheriou, Georgia Flamporis, Nicholas Gasparinatos, George G. Horiates, Elias Iliadis, Gerasimos G. Kappatos, Efstathios Karadonis, Christine Karageorgis, George Kleftogiannis, Nick G. Kostiou, Gerasimos Melissaratos, Dean Papadeas, George Pappas, and Charles Sandilos.
The Affirmation of Office ceremony took place in the Church at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy. Both Father Georgios and the congregation extended their best wishes to all members of the Parish Council for a fruitful and most productive year ahead.
The annual cutting of the Vasilopita celebration followed immediately after the swearing in and the installation of the new Parish Council. Fr. Oikonomou distributed the pieces of the Vasilopita to the Parish Council President and members, to the officers of the parish organizations, and then to the entire congregation.
Special thanks were offered to the community’s St. Irene Philoptochos Society President Rania Pappas and the members who sponsored the annual cutting of the Vasilopita.
Customarily, a special contribution is collected on this day to be sent to the St. Basil Academy in Garrison, NY.
