Greek Orthodox Church of the Archangels

Rev. Dr. Harry Pappas

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios has appointed Rev. Dr. Harry Pappas to server as our Parish priest, effective June 28, 2009.

Fr. Harry Pappas bases his teaching of homiletics and pastoral theology on his seminary training at Holy Cross, graduate work in biblical studies at Harvard and Yale, and more than twenty years of pastoral experience. He has served as deacon in New Haven, Connecticut, interim pastor in Kingston, New York, and pastor in Enfield, Connecticut; Nashville, Tennessee; and - most recently - Minneapolis, Minnesota. His particular interests in parish work include Bible study, preaching, worship, contemplative prayer, pan-Orthodox cooperation, and ministry development, especially social outreach and missions, with multiple trips to Project Mexico/ St. Innocent Orphanage in Mexico, and the Hogar Rafael Orphanage in Guatemala. He has taught at Yale Divinity School, Holy Cross, and the Resurrection of Christ Seminary in Albania.  Fr. Harry also assists in directing the field education program for students at St. Vladimir's, and worked as a part time associate at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in New Rochelle until June 21, 2009.

He is married to Kerry (nee Kaloudis) who, despite her own theological education at Holy Cross and training as a Marriage & Family Therapist, helps keep at least one of his feet on the ground, especially in caring for their three children: Rebecca, married in 2006 to Joe Samra, program director of the Orthodox Christian Fellowship; Joshua, a religion major at Davidson College in North Carolina; and Hannah, who attends Maria Regina high school in Hartsdale. His interests include physical fitness, reading literature, and watching sports and movies. In 2000 he learned how to ride a motorcycle, much to the Kerry's chagrin, but he has tried his best to reassure her that this "mid-life crisis" is much more affordable than a foreign sports car.

Education 

• Yale University (New Haven, CT) - M.A. (1983); M. Phil. (1985 cum laude); Ph. D. (2000) in Old Testament
• Harvard Divinity School (Cambridge, MA) - Th. M. in Old Testament (1981 cum laude)
• Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology (Brookline, MA) - M.Div. (1980 cum laude)
• Davidson College (Davidson, NC) - B.A. in Religion (1977)

Publications

• "Theodore of Mopsuestia's Commentary on Psalm 44 (LXX): A study of Exegesis and Christology," in Sacred Text and Interpretation: Perspectives in Orthodox Biblical Studies, ed. by Theodore Stylianopoulos (Brookline, MA: Holy Cross Orthodox Press, 2006), pp. 55-79.
• "Salvation in Christ: Perspectives of the Orthodox Church," in Savlation in Christ: Comparative Christian Views, edited by Roger R. Keller and Robert L. Millet (Provo, UT: Brigham Young University, 2005), pp. 237-262.
• Theodore of Mopsuestia's Commentary on Psalm 45: A Study of Exegesis and Christology (unpublished dissertation, 2000).
• "Deception as Patriarchal Self-Defense in a Foreign Land: A Form Critical Study of the Wife-Sister Stories in Genesis," in the Greek Orthodox Theology Review, Volume 29, Number 1, pp. 35-50.
• "The ‘Exhortation to Fearless Confession' - Matthew 10:26-33," in the Greek Orthodox Theological Review, Volume 25, Number 3, pp. 239-248.

Professional Developments & Activities

• Delivered paper on "Introduction to the Babylonian Exile" to Minnesota Chapter of OCABS in Minneapolis (May, 2005).
• Led GO Metropolis of Chicago Clergy Retreat (March, 2005). Theme: "Reflections on the Sacrament of Holy Unction and the Biblical Readings, based upon Fr. Stanley Harakas' book, Of Life and Salvation."
• Addressed graduate theological colloquium on "Current Issues in the Orthodox Church" at St. John's University (Feb., 2005).
• Mission trip to Project Mexico (August, 2004).
• Bible Study on Luke 15:11-32 for the Council for World Missions and Evangelism Conference Called in Christ to be Reconciling & Healing Communities for World Council of Churches (summer, 2004).
• Prison Ministry to Maximum Security Prisons -- Oak Park Heights and Stillwater, MN (2000-2005).
• Participated in Focused Retreat on "Ecumenical Formation" at the Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research at St. John's University in Collegeville, MN (Aug. 2003).
• Taught Old Testament courses on Genesis, the Prophets, and Hosea at Resurrection of Christ Orthodox Seminary in Durres, Albania (November, 2003).
• Led Bible Studies in Albania on Psalm 50 and Romans (Nov., 2003).
• Spoke on Social Justice and Scripture to College Student Fellowship at University of Tirana, and to Women's Auxiliary at the Resurrection Orthodox Cathedral in Tirana, Albania (Nov., 2003).
• Led College Student Retreat at Resurrection of Christ Seminary in Tirana, Albania (Nov. 2003). Theme: "Abraham, Moses, and David as men of God."
• Presented paper, "Theodore of Mopsuestia's Commentary on Psalm 45," at Orthodox Biblical Scholar's Conference at Holy Cross in Brookline, MA (Oct. 2003).
• Represented GOA at National Episcopal Convention in Minneapolis, MN (Aug., 2003).
• Member, Board of Directors for Project Mexico/St. Innocent Orphanage in Rosarito, Mexico (2002 - present).
• Advanced training as counselor in Prepare/Enrich Marital Counseling program (2002).
• Trained in "Centering Prayer" at St. Peter Roman Catholic church in St. Paul (fall, 2001).
• Spiritual Direction through Loyola House in St. Paul (2000-2004).
• Underwent 6 months professional analysis through Executive Counseling program (March - September of 2002).
• Attended Upper Midwest Society of Biblical Literature annual meeting at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN (1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004).
• Presented paper, "The Role of Women in the Orthodox Church," at St. Mary's OCA Cathedral (December, 2003).
• Member of Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Advisory Committee on Science and Technology (2002 - present).
• Guest lectured on "Elements of Anthropology in the Orthodox Tradition" in graduate theological seminar "Christian Anthropology" at St. John's University in Collegeville, MN (Dr. William Cahoy) (spring of 2001 and 2002).
• Attended Parish Millenial Conference at Holy Cross School of Theology (Sept. 2000).
• Mission trip to Hogar Rafael Orphanage in Guatemala City, Guatemala (Jan. 1999).
• President, Minnesota Eastern Orthodox Clergy Association (1999).
• Attended Orthodox Christian Association of Medicine, Psychology and Religion annual meeting (1999).
• Co-led pilgrimage to Holy Land (summer, 1998).
• Delivered paper, "The Messianic prophecies of Christ in the Old Testament," at pan-Orthodox Conference of Chicago (1998).
• Delivered paper on "Covenant: Continuity & Discontinuity Between Jews & Christians," at Jewish-Christian Clergy Retreat of Chicago area (Nov., 1997).
• Mission trip to Project Mexico (August, 1997).
• Response to Paper of Richard J. Beauchesne, "Yves Cardinal Congar and Christian Worship (Life, Liturgy and Eucharist): Ecumenical Perspectives" at Catholic Theological Society of America meeting (June, 1997).
• Trained as marriage counselor in Prepare/Enrich Marital and Pre-Marital Inventory of Life Innovations, Inc. (1995).
• Member, Board of Trustees of Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches (1995 - present)
• Represented GOA @ National Conference of the American Bible Society in Nashville, TN (1994).
• Represented GOA @ Ecumenical Workshop on Disaster Relief in Nashville, TN (1993).
• Represented GOA @ Ecumenical Conference on Gambling in Nashville, TN (1992).
• Supervised Graduate Student Prison Ministry of Holy Cross (1989-1990).
• Led adult retreats
  • on the Old Testament at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in New Haven, CT (1985)
  • on Prayer at the Greek Orthodox Church in San Antonio, TX (1986)
  • on the Old Testament at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in St. Louis, MO (1988)
  • on Creation at SS. Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church in Glenview, IL (1989)
  • on Great Lent at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Salt Lake City, UT (2002)
• Represented GOA @ Conference "The Old Testament in the Orthodox Church," Patriarchal Institute in Chambesy, Switzerland (May 1986).
• Attended Syndesmos Ecumenical Conference in Syria and Lebanon (Feb., 1980).
• Attended Syndesmos Conference in Paris, France (August, 1979).
• Summer pilgrimage to and residence at Monastery of Simonos Petras, Mt. Athos (1979).
• Participant in Orthodox Inter-Seminary Movement (1978-1980).

Teaching Experience

• Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology at St. Vladimir’s Seminary (2006-)
• Part time Instructor in OT @ Holy Cross (1987-1989)
  • Introduction to the OT Prophets
  • The Book of Isaiah
  • Wisdom Literature
  • Introduction to Biblical Hebrew
• Part time Instructor @ Yale (1985-1986)
  • Introduction to Biblical Hebrew
• Teaching Assistant @ Yale (1984-1985)
  • Introduction to the OT

   

Ordinations

• Diaconate: December 4, 1982 @ St. Barbara GO Church (New Haven, CT)
• Priesthood: May 11, 1986 @ St. Barbara GO Church (New Haven, CT)
• Confessor: Feb. 1987 @ St. Nicholas GO Church (Enfield, CT)
• Economos: May, 1992 @ Holy Trinity GO Church (Nashville, TN)

Church Service

• Pastor @ St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church (Minneapolis, MN) June 1995 to July, 2006
• Pastor @ Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church (Nashville, TN) March 1990 to May 1995
• Director of Admissions @ Hellenic College/Holy Cross (Brookline, MA) Jan. 1988 – Feb. 1990
• Pastor @ St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church (Enfield, CT) Jan. 1987 – Dec. 1987
• Interim Pastor @ St. George Greek Orthodox Church (Kingston, NY) Sept. 1986 – Jan. 1987
• Deacon @ St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church (New Haven, CT) Dec. 1982 – May 1986

Parish Ministry Development

• Developed and coordinated small group ministry, “Koinonia,” throughout metro Twin Cities area (fall, 2005).
• Supervised professional ministry staff of eight in Minneapolis, MN (1995-present).
• Organized, with Paul Hadjistylianos (Holy Cross, ’78), Prison Ministry Development Program for Minnesota Eastern Orthodox Churches (2004-2005).
• Developed “Centering Prayer” as contemplative prayer ministry at St. Mary’s in Minneapolis (2003).
• Coordinated ministry to house homeless families at St. Mary’s in Minneapolis, “Families Moving Forward” (2003).
• Development Parish Mission Statement and 5-point tasks for St. Mary’s in Minneapolis, MN (2002).
• Developed new 3-year adult/older teen Catechism program “Sojourners” (2000-2003).
• Developed overnight, off-site Leadership Retreats for Parish Councils (2003).
• Introduced the work of the Orthodox Peace Fellowship to St. Mary’s in Minneapolis, MN (1998).
• Co-led re-integration of GOA and OCA Summer Camp programs to become one unified pan-Orthodox Summer Camp program (June, 1997).
• Coordinated $3.5 million Capital Campaign and Major Renovation and Expansion of Facilities and Ministries at St. Mary’s in Minneapolis, MN (1997-2000).
• Developed pre-Baptismal and pre-Marital classes at St. Mary’s in Minneapolis (1996).
• Developed “Men’s Fellowship Group” at St. Mary’s in Minneapolis (1996).
• Developed “Family Night” Ministry at St. Mary’s in Minneapolis (1996).
• Developed “Mission and Outreach Committee” (1996).
• Developed Long-Term Planning for St. Mary’s in Minneapolis (1996-7).
• Co-led $1.5 million Capital Campaign and Construction of new Temple for Nasvhille, TN (1990-1993).