Fr. Niko and Chris welcome a special guest in this episode, Archimandrite Father Christodoulos Papadeas from Denver, Colorado, where he administers an urban hermitage called the Brotherhood of Saint George. A graduate of Holy Cross Seminary, Father Papadeas reflects on his spiritual journey from his youth to the present time.

He shares several personal stories from his secular life, including his position as a graphic designer for marketing at Disney in California.

Father Christodoulos proceeded to take his monastic vows at the Archangel Michael Monastery in Rhodes, Greece, and then continued to Holy Cross Seminary.

In this episode, he explores and discusses the notion of beauty all around us and how god gifts of creativity opens our senses to the faith and church.

About Creative Blessings

A Greek Orthodox priest and an artist walk into their home studios… and connect across 3,000 miles to share their musings on comics, pop culture, and their Orthodox faith.

Father Niko Bekris of Castro Valley, CA, leads Resurrection Greek Orthodox Church while writing the popular blog Christ, Coffee and Comics, and raising two growing boys Christos and Dimitrios with the love of his life, Presbytera Stella. Father Niko enjoys ministry a great deal. His joy is spending time with his family, Greek folk dancing, contemporary Greek and American music, and life in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is also an avid Seattle sports fan and comic book/graphic novel reader.

Chris Kotsakis of Cinnaminson, NJ, is a life-long comic art enthusiast and frequent guest of Artists’ Alleys at Comic Conventions. This love led him in 2016 to co-found Artistacon, a unique conference designed to help aspiring creatives by connecting them with industry professionals for a weekend of education and mentorship. Planning was underway for the next Artistacon in 2019. After graduating from the University of the Arts in 1992, Chris enjoyed a long professional freelance illustration career that included work for much prominent advertising, editorial, and publishing companies, and advertising for DC and Marvel Comics. Chris and his wife Janet are members of St. Thomas Greek Orthodox Church in Cherry Hill, NJ, they are active workers in the church, Sunday School, and youth programs, sharing their faith through an example with their young son Constantine (Dean).

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