Fr. Demetri Tsigas

Fr. Demetri Tsigas was ordained a priest at Holy Trinity in Portland, Oregon by Metropolitan Anthony Gerganakis of San Francisco (of blessed memory) assisted by Bishop Kallistos Ware of Oxford, England on July 5, 1995. Fr. Demetri was ordained a deacon at his home parish of St. Andrew in Randolph, New Jersey, by Metropolitan Silas Koskinas of New Jersey (of blessed memory) on May 29, 1995. St. Andrew’s was founded and lead for 42 years by his father, Fr. Konstantine Tsigas, back in December of 1962 just a few days after the family arrived on the shores of America. Fr. Demetri served as the associate priest at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Portland, Oregon for seven years (1995-2002). His next parish was St. Gregory of Nyssa in El Cajon, California where he served from 2002-2006. Fr. Demetri arrived here as the priest of St. Katherine in Melbourne on December 1, 2006 and anticipates serving St. Katherine’s for many years focusing on the Gospel message of love, humility and forgiveness. Before being ordained a priest, Fr. Demetri had the honor to serve the Greek Orthodox Church in many capacities. He served as Youth Director/Pastoral Assistant in Broomall, PA (1994); Norfolk, VA (1991-1993); Piscataway, NJ (1988-1991) and the Diocese of New Jersey (1987-1988). He has served as a counselor/spiritual director at many camps throughout our Archdiocese (Camp Angelos, Portland, Oregon – 1995-2002; Ionian Village, Bartholomeo, Greece – 1982, 1983 & 2000; Camp Nazareth, Pittsburgh, PA – 1993; Rose City Camp, Detroit, Michigan – 1985; Scout Jamboree, St. Basil Academy, Garrison, NY – 1983-1986; Camp St. Andrew – 1984-1987). His calling to the priesthood developed out of his extensive youth ministry work with teenagers and young adults (esp. GOYA, YAL & OCF). Even before going to seminary, Fr. Demetri served as a GOYA advisor, Campus Ministry (OCF) coordinator, Oratorical Festival chair (parish, district and diocese), YAL conference chair/workshop coordinator and retreat master/advisor/counselor at innumerable youth retreats. Fr. Demetri graduated from Holy Cross Theological School with a Master of Divinity in 1987. He has completed graduate level course work in both Biopsychology and Social Work. In 1982 he graduated from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey with a dual B.A. in Biology and Psychology. Fr. Demetri was born on December 12, 1960 in Patras, Greece. He emigrated to this country in 1962 and became naturalized as a citizen of this great nation in 1985. He married Eleni Zuras on May 28, 1994 at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Bethesda, Maryland. All their children were born in Portland, Oregon. They lost their first child, Nikonia Evangelia late in pregnancy due to Preeclampsia. Jordan was born in 1999 and Jonathan in 2002. For leisure, Fr. Demetri enjoys working out and science fiction, as well as golf and other sports. He played Frisbee with the 1978 World Championship team while at Rutgers, and throws a mean disc. His motto and worldview is summed up in the following statement: God is Love. We are created in God’s Image. We were created to love. Imperfect people in a fallen world serving a perfect and Holy God.