Metropolis of San Francisco USA

V Rev Archimandrite Apostolos Koufallakis Appointed New Chancellor

The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco is pleased to announce the appointment of V. Rev. Archimandrite Apostolos Koufallakis as the Chancellor beginning November 1, 2011.


Since 2004 Archimandrite Apostolos has been serving as Dean of Saint Demetrios Cathedral in Astoria, NY. In addition to a very large and active community with many ministries, this parish also has the largest parochial school in the Archdiocese for pre-kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school grades with an enrollment of over 800 students. Archimandrite Apostolos has also been serving as the Director of the Archdiocesan Hellenic Cultural Center since 2009.
“Father Apostolos brings with him a strong theological background and a distinguished ministry which will be of great value to the Metropolis. He is a devoted priest, compassionate spiritual father, and skilled administrator who will support our clergy and communities in all aspects of parish life,” stated His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco.
Archimandrite Apostolos was born on the island of Rhodes where he completed his primary education. He studied at the historical Ecclesiastical School of Patmos (Patmeada) where he mastered Orthodox Byzantine Music and Hymnology. He was tonsured a monk and subsequently ordained to the Holy Diaconate by his spiritual father, Metropolitan Apostolos of Rhodes. He served the Metropolis of Rhodes as the deacon to the Metropolitan, and was also bestowed the Offikion of Archdeacon.
During his theological education in Pastoral and Social Theology at the University of Thessaloniki, Archimandrite Apostolos was ordained to the Holy Priesthood and received the Offikion of Archimandrite. He continued his studies in Thessaloniki, obtaining a Master of Divinity degree. Upon completion of his studies, Archimandrite Apostolos was appointed Dean of the Annunciation Cathedral of the Holy Metropolis of Rhodes.
In 2002, Archimandrite Apostolos came to the United States to further enhance and expand his knowledge of theology, and was subsequently accepted to the Boston University School of Theology where he was conferred a Master of Sacred Theology degree with a major in Philosophy, Theology and Ethics. During his graduate studies in Boston, Archimandrite Apostolos served the parishes of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Brockton, MA; Saint George Greek Orthodox Church in Southbridge, MA; and Saints Anargyroi Greek Orthodox Church in Marlboro, MA.
“I am honored to be serving His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos and the faithful of the Metropolis of San Francisco. I look forward to these new challenges in my ministry, serving the Lord and His people with faith, diligence and humility,” stated Archimandrite Apostolos Koufallakis.