Our Clergy and Staff
Our parish is led by a dynamic group of clergy and staff that brings the Orthodox Church and the Gospel of Jesus Christ alive for our parish community and all those we encounter. We invite you to learn more about our Hierarchs, our clergy and pastoral team, and our support staff.
Our Hierarchs
His All-Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew
His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is the 270th successor to the Apostle Andrew and is the First Among Equals of the hierarchs of 300 million Orthodox Christians worldwide. Since ascending the Ecumenical Throne on November 2nd, 1991, he has tirelessly pursued the vision of his enthronement message spiritual revival, Orthodox unity, Christian reconciliation, interfaith tolerance and coexistence, protection of the environment and a world united in peace, justice, solidarity and love.
His Eminence, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America
Archbishop of America
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros (Lambriniadis) of America, Most Honorable Exarch of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, is the eighth Archbishop of America elected since the establishment of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in 1922.
On May 11, 2019, he was elected Archbishop of America by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and was enthroned at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York City on June 22 of the same year.
His Eminence, Metropolitan Gregory of Nyssa
Diocesan Bishop
His Eminence, Metropolitan Gregory of Nyssa, is the spiritual leader of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese, which maintains offices at 312 Garfield Street, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, 15906.
His Eminence, Metropolitan Gregory was consecrated as Bishop and enthroned as the Ruling Hierarch of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of the USA on November 27, 2012.
His Eminence celebrates his Name's Day (St. Gregory Palamas) on November 14/27.
Under His Eminence's care is our Diocesan Christ the Saviour Seminary, also in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, which trains future priests and deacons of our Diocese. In addition, the Diocese maintains Camp Nazareth Youth and Retreat Center in Mercer, Pennsylvania.
Metropolitan Gregory also serves as Episcopal Liaison to the Orthodox Christian Fellowship and Chairman of Committee for Agencies and Endorsed Organizations of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America.
Our Priest
Rev Fr. Thomas Kovalak
Presiding Priest / Administrator
Voice: 732-358-7280
Email: StPaulACROD@gmail.com
Father Thomas Kovalak, a graduate of Christ the Savior Seminary, was assigned to the New Jersey Deanery in 2023. Upon his ordination to the diaconate Father Thomas was assigned to serve St. Paul Orthodox Church as deacon. After one year, Father Thomas was ordained a Presbyter by His Eminence Metropolitan Gregory of Nyssa and accepted an assignment as priest to serve in St. Paul the Apostle Orthodox Church in Freehold, NJ.
Our Dean
Very Rev. Father Michael Chendorain
Dean of the New Jersey Deanery,
Emergency Contact
Voice: 732-826-4442
Fr. Michael Chendorain is the Dean of the New Jersey Deanery (District) of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of North America.
Fr. Michael assists Metropolitan Gregory in administering to the parish of this region of the Diocese.
Fr. Michael currently serves as Pastor of St. John The Baptist Orthodox Church in Perth Amboy, NJ.
