“To the President and members of the Parish and Community Committee, to the Ladies Philoptochos and to all the beloved parishioners of this Ηoly Church of St Gerasimos, from today, I am here to serve, to minister to you, to sacrifice my life for each of you. To care for all who walk through the doors of this Church.

The doors of the church are open to all who are in need, the sick and suffering, the broken hearted, the weak, and those who mourn. I will be there when you are full of joy and when you are feeling sorrowful, depressed, anxious or lonely.

As the Apostle Paul writes, I will rejoice with those who rejoice, and I will weep with those who weep. And also, as St Paul advises his spiritual son Timothy, “Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.”

It is my responsibility to share this treasure with you all.”

Excerpt from the Ordination Speech of Fr Panteleimon Toumbelekis on May 6th 2023 at St Gerasimos Church.