 Father Simon Thomas graduated from Hellenic College in 1997, and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in 2000. A native of California, Father Simon was raised at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Modesto, CA. He attended UC Davis as a Pre-Med student out of high school, but was called to the Priesthood during his studies. Following his graduation from the Seminary, Father Simon spent a year in Thessaloniki, Greece. While there, he spent time continuing his education in the Greek language, culture, and services of the Church. He also had the unique opportunity to attend the Clergy-Laity Conference at the Ecumenical Patriarchate in 2000, assisting with the translation of the presentations from Greek to English.
Upon his return to the States, Father Simon accepted the position of Youth Director and Lay-Assistant at the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church in Belmont, CA. He and his wife, Presvytera Stephanie, were married in 2002. They have three children. Father Simon was ordained to the Diaconate and Priesthood on the same weekend in March of 2003. He was assigned that summer as the Assistant Priest at Saint Paul Greek Orthodox Church in Irvine, CA. In August of 2006, Father Simon was assigned to Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in Santa Barbara, CA. He was given the Offikion of Confessor in December of 2006. In July of 2015, Father Simon began his ministry at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Memphis, Tennessee. While being closer to family in the South, he and his family are enjoying all the food, music, and culture that Memphis has to offer. |