On the Sunday of Orthodoxy, at the cathedral of St. Athanasios in Kymi, his Eminence Metropolitan Seraphim of Karystia honored Fr. Angelos Vakalopoulos with the official rank of Protopresbyter and Spiritual Father-Confessor. Fr. Angelos is a graduate of the Veterinary School of the University of Thessaloniki with postgraduate studies at the University of Minnesota U.S.A. As Department Head at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fr. Angelo’s holy zeal led him also to pursue ministry within to the Church and to accept ordination to the holy priesthood.
In addition to his priestly ministry in the holy Metropolis of Karystia and Skyros, to which he officially belongs, Fr. Angelos volunteers to support the spiritual needs of the Metropolis of Pisidia and its Exarchates in Attaleia and Alaya. When his official responsibilities allow him to, and using days of annual leave of absence from his department, Fr. Angelos and his Presbytera Maria willingly travel at their own expense to celebrate the divine services and provide educational and pastoral care at the holy parishes of the Ecumenical Patriarchate located in Southeast Anatolia province.
In recognition of his voluntary, dedicated, and selfless ministry in the Church, and following the recommendation of Metropolitan Sotirios of Pisidia, the Metropolitan Seraphim of Karystia awarded Fr. Angelos the “offikio” of Protopresbyter and, at the same time, read the special prayer which enables him to offer the Holy Sacrament of Confession and serve as a spiritual father to the faithful.
Expressing warm congratulations to Protopresbyter Fr. Angelos on behalf of all the faithful of this holy Metropolis, we pray that God will grant him many years and good health so that he may continue to provide valuable priestly services to our brothers "near and far."