70 Greek Orthodox Parishes Get New Leader
Greek Orthodox Church leaders meeting in Istanbul have named the Rt. Rev. Gerasimos Michaleas, bishop of Annunciation Cathedral in Boston, the church’s spiritual head in seven Western states.
As the metropolitan of San Francisco, Michaleas will preside over 70 Greek Orthodox parishes with 150,000 members in California, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Alaska and Hawaii.
He replaces the longtime Greek Orthodox leader, Metropolitan Anthony Gergiannakis, who died Christmas Day.
In addition to his duties in Boston, Michaleas has served since 2002 as chief secretary of the body of U.S. church leaders known as the Holy Eparchial Synod.
Michaleas was born in Kalamata, Greece, and graduated from high school there before moving to the United States in 1969 to attend college.
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