On Monday, January 2/15, 2024, Deacon Andrew Wales, of the Parish of Saint Seraphim of Sarov in Richmond, Virginia, was ordained to the Holy Priesthood.
Born in 1988, Fr. Andrew first encountered the Orthodox Church as a teenager. He eventually came to realize that Orthodoxy is the One, True Faith, and that the Church of the Genuine Orthodox Christians is the canonical Orthodox Church of Greece, with pious faithful and parishes in the United States. Therefore, he resolved to be baptized in this Church, on December 24/January 6, 2008, at the Cathedral of Saint Markella, by His Grace Bishop Christodoulos of Theoupolis, with the assistance of the Reverend Fr. Theodore Giannakopoulos.
He soon met Anna, who would later become his wife; she likewise became Orthodox, and they were married on July 2/15, 2012. They have two children together.
Fr. Andrew and Presbytera Anna relocated to Richmond, Virginia in 2013, in order to attend the parish of Saint Seraphim of Sarov, where the Reverend Fr. Nicodemos Gayle is pastor. Fr. Andrew was ordained to the Holy Diaconate on December 8/21, 2014. His dedicated and attentive service over the years led to the decision to elevate him to the Holy Priesthood.
Fr. Andrew will assist Fr. Nicodemos with his priestly duties, as the parish of Saint Seraphim is growing. We wish Fr. Andrew, Pr. Anna, and their family Many Years. AXIOS! He Is Worthy!
