Summertime in a Greek Orthodox parish in the United States is often a time of scant attendance, as parishioners are away visiting with family and friends, both at home and in Greece. However, in Cherry Hill, New Jersey this past Sunday the church swelled with well-wishers for its outgoing Proistamenos, the V. Rev. Father Avgoustinos, who is assigned effective September 1 to Kimisis tis Theotokou in Holmdel, NJ. On Sunday, August 24, 2025, the parish of Saint Thomas Greek Orthodox Church came out in large numbers to honor its current Proistamenos. On September 1, 2025, Father Georgios Oikonomou will begin his assignment at this proud and historic parish.
After a heartfelt tribute to the congregation, Father Avgoustinos thanked first and foremost His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey for his stewardship of the parish. He stated that the Metropolis has many needs and that the accomplishments of the parish in the past four years are a continuation of its rich past and an invitation to pray for and support its incoming priest, the Rev. Georgios Oikonomou. He also thanked His Eminence for his new assignment at Kimisis in Holmdel and said he looks forward to further advancing the Church’s sacred mission in his new parish.
In the Danielle Kousoulis Community Center Hall, more than 400 well-wishers attended the luncheon in honor of Father Avgoustinos. The Master of Ceremonies, Archon George Horiates, introduced Philoptochos President Rania Pappas; Kali Parea representative Louie Kaliamouris; Varah Kapatos on behalf of all the youth organizations; Tasso Malapetsas of the parish AHEPA chapter; Hellenic School Principal Margarita Vrettos; Leo Malo on behalf of the acolytes; and many more. The Sergianni Band performed for the parish in honor of Father’s departure.
The Parish Council, led by Archon Anastasios Efstratiades, presented Father with a gold cross and a picture frame filled with photographs of his years at Saint Thomas, and then offered remarks.
“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, and is one of the largest parishes 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 parish that will never be forgotten.”
He continued by recalling Father’s first message, one of unity, and how he taught that no parish ministry or organization acts alone but that all must work together as one Church. Quoting Saint Paul, he reminded the faithful: “We are all the body of Christ and each one of us is part of that same body” (Romans 12:27), and again: “There is no Jew or Greek, master or servant, male or female, because you are all one in Christ” (Galatians 3:28-29).
In recent years, as differences sometimes pulled the parish apart, Father Avgoustinos urged the faithful to remember that they are one body. The result was increased harmony. Senior Housing was brought back under the care of the parish. Organizations began working together through the newly created Ministries Council. Catechumens and newly enlightened Orthodox became part of the parish family alongside longtime members.
Father also challenged the parish to continue its work with excellence. Under his guidance, Saint Thomas embarked on the most comprehensive iconography project in its history, which is expected to be completed by 2026. That effort was followed by extensive woodwork in the church and preliminary plans to renovate the Danielle Kousoulis Cultural Center. He also expanded youth ministries. The Orthodox Faith Sunday School saw an increase in attendance. GOYA, JOY, and HOPE flourished. He reached out to young adults, many not Orthodox, who came to learn about the faith. Father guided them on the road to Orthodoxy, and today catechumens and newly enlightened Orthodox are a vibrant part of the parish.
“Father Avgoustinos accomplished much more, but I have given you only a sampling of his work,” the council remarked. “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 waters the plant, but the plant grows because of God, as Saint Paul said in his letter to the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 3:6). The Orthodox Christian faith will continue at Saint Thomas. Father Avgoustinos will always be welcome back. We wish him that Christ, through the intercessions of Saint Thomas, grant him many years.”
At the close of the luncheon Father Avgoustinos was brought forward for a standing ovation. He spoke with emotion, reminding everyone that clergy pledge obedience to the Mother Church, who discerns what is best for priests and parishes alike.
“I am grateful to our shepherd, His Eminence Apostolos of New Jersey, for my new blessed assignment. I look forward to meeting and working with all the blessed people of Kimisis for the benefit of our Metropolis and for the progress of the parish. 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 Georgios 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 will all be in my thoughts, my love, and my prayers. I love you all.”
Message from the Parish Council President
Yesterday, Saint Thomas shared the following message on its Facebook page, written by Parish Council President Anastasios Efstratiades:
FAREWELL TO FATHER AVGOUSTINOS BUT NOT GOODBYE
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. Should I add to this that we also had some fear of God? Why not. There is fear when you face the unknown.
Saint Thomas was always a busy parish with a lot of activities. Add to this our ten year renovation and expansion plan and you have a really difficult community to manage. 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” (Romans 12:5). 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 into 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 on 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 are 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 (1 Corinthians 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!
With gratitude,
Anastasios Efstratiades
Parish Council President
Featured image: Father Avgoustinos Psomas with parish council members of St. Thomas Greek Orthodox Church at his farewell. Photo by Stellios Lambrou. The additional photos are courtesy of the parish.