Archbishop Elpidophoros with Archimandrite Nektarios (right). Photo: goarch.org
Saint Vladimir's Seminary Alumnus The Very Rev. Archimandrite Nektarios Papazafiropoulos has been appointed chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (GOA). His Eminence, Elpidophoros, the archbishop of America, announced that Fr. Nektarios would assume the position of chancellor March 1.
Archimandrite Nektarios was born in Jersey City, NJ and grew up in Astoria, NY, raised by devout Christian immigrant parents who emphasized his Orthodox faith. Upon completing Long Island City High School, he enrolled at Polytechnic University to study electrical engineering, completed his Bachelor’s Degree in electrical engineering in 1985, and subsequently his Master’s Degree in the same field. He spent the next ten years in the industry.
Having received the calling to serve the Church, he enrolled in the Master of Divinity program at St. Vladimir’s Seminary. Upon completing those studies in 1999, he went to Greece to prepare for ordination in 2001.
In June of 2002 he was tonsured a monk and given the name Nektarios, and immediately after was ordained to the diaconate by Metropolitan Daniel of Kaissariani, Byronos and Ymittou, in Athens. He was made archdeacon and served in the position for a year. On January 18, 2004, he was ordained to the priesthood, bestowed the offikion of archimandrite, and was assigned to the Church of the Holy Trinity in Byrona. Upon the election of Metropolitan Pavlos of the Metropolis of Kozani in 2004 (the Metropolitan was a former proïstamenos of his parish in Astoria), Archimandrite Nektarios asked permission to go and serve with him. He was then assigned as proïstamenos to the Church of Ss. Constantine and Helen in Kozani. In 2005, he was assigned the position of vicar general of the Metropolis and served in Kozani up to 2008.
At the direction of Archbishop of America Demetrios, Fr. Nektarios was invited to return to the United States in 2008 and served at St. Nicholas Church Greek Orthodox in West Babylon, NY until 2012. He was then assigned as the proïstamenos of St. Demetrios Cathedral in Astoria, where he has served since. In 2019, Archimandrite Nektarios was appointed by His Eminence, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America as one of the five vicars in the Archdiocesan District, and he also serves as the spiritual advisor to the Archdiocesan District Philoptochos.
May God grant Archimandrite Nektarios many years!
