CHERRY HILL, NJ – [Photos by Steve Lambrou]
Summertime in a Greek Orthodox Church parish in the United States is often marked as a time of scant attendance as parishioners are away visiting with family and friends, both home and in Greece. However, in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, this past Sunday the church swelled with well wishers for its outgoing Proistamenos, V. Rev. Father Avgoustinos who is assigned effective September 1 to Kimisis tis Theotokou in Holmdel, NJ.
On Sunday August 24, 2025, the Saint Thomas Greek Orthodox Church community came out in large numbers to honor its current Proistamenos. On September 1, 2025, Father Georgios Oikonomou will start his assignment at this proud and historic parish.
After a heartfelt tribute to the congregation, Fr. Avgoustinos thanked first and foremost His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey on his stewardship of the parish itself, stating that the Metropolis has many needs and that the accomplishments of the parish in the past four (4) years are merely a acontinuation of its rich past, and an invitation to pray for and stand behind its incoming priest, the Rev. Georgios Oikonomou. He also thanked His Eminence for his new assignment at Kimisis in Holmdel, NJ and looks forward to further advancing the church’s sacred mission in his new community as well.
In the Danielle Kousoulis Community Center Hall, more than 400 well wishers attended the luncheon in honor of Fr. Avgoustinos. The Master of Ceremonies, Archon George Horiates introduced Philoptochos President Rania Pappas, the senior group – Kali Parea’s Louie Kaliamouris, Varah Kapatos on behalf of all of the youth organizations, Tasso Malapetsas of the community’s AHEPA chapter, Hellenic School principal Margarita Vrettos, Leo Malo on behalf of the Acolytes and many more. The Sergianni Band played for the community as well in honor of Father’s leaving. The Parish Council, led by Archon Anastasios Efstratiades presented Father with a gold cross, a picture frame filled with photograpghs of his stay at Saint Thomas and provided remarks. He remarked:
“Almost four years ago we welcomed Father Avgoustinos in our midst. We did not know him, but we welcomed him with faith and Christian love. Saint Thomas was always a busy parish with a lot of activities, a ten-year renovation and expansion plan amd is one of the largest communities in the Metropolis, if not its largest.Father Avgoustinos had no fear. He took on the challenge and challenged us back. He became a catalyst in attracting the youth, the elderly and many new families. He left his mark on the community that will never be forgotten.
His first message to us was that of unity. He taught us that we are all part of one Church and should act in one voice. There is no Church ministry or organization that acts alone. We should all act together as part of one community. As Saint Paul said: “We are all the body of Christ and each one of us is part of that same body.” Rom. 12:27. And elsewhere: “There is no Jew or Greek, master or servant, male or female; because you are all one in Christ.” Galatians 3:28-29.
In the last few years, as we were accentuating our differences, Father Avgoustinos pushed us to understand that we are part of one body: The parish of Saint Thomas. The end result was increased harmony in the community. The Senior Housing was brought back in the folds of the Parish, the organizations started working together through the Ministries Council that we created, and our newly enlightened catechumens became one with the old generation of Orthodox of the parish.
Father Avgoustinos also challenged us to continue our Church work with excellence in mind. We embarked in the most comprehensive iconography project under his guidance, which we expect to complete by 2026. The iconography was followed with extensive woodwork in the Church and with preliminary plans to renovate the Danielle Kousoulis Cultural Center. He also worked with our youth ministries to expand their reach to more children. The Orthodox Faith Sunday School had an increase in attendance. Our GOYA, JOY and HOPE flourished. After the children, Father Avgoustinos reached out to young men and women. Many of them were not Orthodox but would stop by our Church to find out about our faith.
Father would approach them and guide them to the road of Orthodoxy. The Catechumens and Newly Enlightened Orthodox is a vibrant part of our community now. Father Avgoustinos accomplished a lot more, but I gave you only a sampling of his work here. We are thankful for all he did and are saddened to see him leave. The Church belongs to God and her ministers are sent by the Almighty to guide us. Their work is important. One priest plants new seeds, another will water the plant, but the plant grows because of God, as Saint Paul said in his letter to the Corinthians (2 Cor. 3:6). The Orthodox Christian faith will continue at St. Thomas. Father Avgoustinos will be always welcome back to St. Thomas. We wish him that Christ, through the intercessions of St. Thomas, grant him many years”!
Fr. Avgoustinos was then brought forward for a standing ovation. He remarked that as clergyman, he is pledged to obedience to the Mother Church who discerns what is best for us and for our parishes.
“I am grateful to our shepherd, His Eminence Apostolos of NJ, for my new blessed assignment and looking forward to meeting and working with all the blessed people of Kimisis for the benefit of our Metropolis and for the progress of the Community.
My wonderful assignment, here at Saint Thomas is one that I will never forget. I ask you to please remember in your prayers our Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, our Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey and your new priest, Father George Oikonomou and his beloved family. Be excited for your future.
May God continue to bless Saint Thomas now and always. May He protect, bless, and keep you and your beloved families. You all will be in my thoughts, love, and prayers. I love you all.”
