Background.
Fr. Joseph is originally from Santa Barbara, CA. In 1983, he converted to Orthodoxy after being very actively involved with both Roman Catholicism and Protestantism. In 1985 he went to Thessaloniki, Greece to attend the Theological School at the Aristotlean University of Thessaloniki. The following year, he married his future Presbytera, Despina Psaropoulou. In 1991-1992 he served at St. Spyridon's Greek Orthodox Church in San Diego as an Administrative Assistant, and later returned to Thessaloniki to finish his studies. He earned his MDiv with honors, and in 1997 was ordained to the Deaconate in Greece and then to Priesthood here by Metropolitan Anthony (of blessed memory) and assigned to our Parish of St. George. He continues to serve us with his wife, Presbytera Despina, and their nine children.
