His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey visited St. Sophia / Ss. Faith, Hope, and Agape Greek Orthodox Church in Jeffersonville on Sunday, as the parish gathered for the Divine Liturgy and the beginning of Fr. Konstantinos Loukas’s ministry, marking an important moment for the community.
Faithful from across the Delaware Valley were present, along with Archons, parish families, and youth of the parish.
He was welcomed at the church entrance by Parish Council President Archon John Pogas. The visit included photos with parish children and with Archons from St. Sophia and neighboring communities, including local commander Archon Kyriakos Limberakis.
Inside the church, Metropolitan Apostolos presided over the Divine Liturgy with Fr. Konstantinos at his side. During the service, the parish and its Philoptochos chapter presented a donation of $1,500 to the Walking with Christ ministry, which supports seminarians of the Metropolis of New Jersey.
Altar servers received his blessing to serve in the holy altar, a newly tonsured reader was presented with the Book of the Epistles to proclaim the Epistle in future liturgies, and Fr. Konstantinos was appointed as a confessor, expanding his pastoral role.
Following the Divine Liturgy, the parish hosted a community luncheon, where parishioners and visitors remained together after the service.
Fr. Konstantinos, a native of Baltimore, studied at Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, where he earned a Master of Divinity and a certificate in Byzantine Chant. He previously served as Archdeacon to Metropolitan Apostolos for three years before beginning his ministry at St. Sophia alongside his wife, Presvytera Athanasia, and their daughter, Flora.