Our Clergy
Father John K. Lardas
Retired Clergy: Fr. Dennis Strouzas
Father John K. Lardas
The Rev. Fr. John Lardas was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His grandparents immigrated to the United States from the Island of Ikaria. His parents are Kemon and Kalliope (Plutis) Lardas. Fr. John has two siblings, Irene and Constantina. Baptized at the St. Nicholas Cathedral in Pittsburgh, his godparents are Alice and James Lardas. The Dean of Pittsburgh Cathedral, Rev Fr. Sarantos Serviou, and the Oakmont Dormition Parish Pastor Archimandrite Polycarp Rameas were his spiritual mentors. Upon graduating from the University of Pittsburgh, Fr. John enrolled at the Holy Cross School of Theology, Brookline MA, responding to his spiritual vocation. Graduating, Fr. John commenced his ministry at St. Basil Academy, Garrison, New York. Here he met his future spouse, Presvytera Eleni. The couple was married at St. Nicholas Church, Flushing with ordination to Holy Orders at St. Basil Academy in 1993. The next assignment was the privilege of serving at St. Nicholas Shrine Church Flushing, under the astute tutelage of Fr. Paul Palesty. While ministering at this assignment three children were added to their family, Vasilios’96, Maria’98 and Kemon’02. Fr. John served the Troy, Michigan Parish of St. Nicholas (1998-2000). In the turn of the millennium, he assumed the pastorate of the historic Brooklyn Cathedral of SS. Constantine and Helen. While serving in Brooklyn, the Rev. John Lardas formed the Five Borough Goya. In 2013, the Reverend Lardas was elevated to the rank of Protopresbyter by His Beatitude Ieronemos, Archbishop of Athens. Upon the recommendation and inspiration of Fr. Dennis Strouzas, who diligently served Archangel Michael Church for over thirty years, Fr. John was assigned to his present post, endorsed by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios in July of 2016. Fr. John had the blessing of serving his colleagues as president of the Archdiocesan District Syndesmos from 2015-2018. He was vital in starting the American-Hellenic Heritage Night, hosted by the Nassau County Supervisor, honor, which also honors one volunteer from each of the Greek Orthodox Parishes located in Nassau County.
Parish Council
Parish Council 2024
Following the oath of office administered to new and returning members of the Parish Council, a meeting was held to elect the 2024 Executive Board. <!–Congratulations and best wishes to:
President: Nicholas Tzoumas
1st Vice President: Michael Psyllos
2nd Vice President: Michael Bapis
Secretary: John Koumpourlis
Treasurer: Demetri Frangiskatos
1st Assistant Treasurer: Joseph Isaakidis
2nd Assistant Treasurer: Michael Cavounis
Parish Council members include: Fiffy Eliades, Eleni Germanakos, James Gianakis, Warren Herz, Georgios Kaparos, Nick Koutsoftas, Michele Lascarides, Mark Pappas, Gus Rogdakis, Jim Sfiroudis, Ted Stefas, Nicholas Tagios, Ted Vlachos, and Demetrios Ziozis.
A Note From The Council Chairperson
The Parish Council is the elected governing body of the church whose purpose is to work with the priests and members of the community to fulfill the goals of the parish. Seven of the twenty-one members are elected annually to serve a three-year term. For more information please contact: parishcouncil@archangelmichaelchurch.org.
Leadership
Father Dennis Strouzas: ΠΑΝΤΑ ΑΞΙΟΣ
Fr. Dennis Strouzas celebrated the 40th anniversary of his ordination to the deaconate on July 1, 2013, and to the priesthood on July 29, 2013. We want to express our Congratulations and Best Wishes. “ΠΑΝΤΑ ΑΞΙΟΣ”
Fr. Dennis(Dionysios) was born in Chicago, Illinois to Peter and Mary Strouzas. He spent most of his early years in Chicago among family and friends. He graduated from Lane Tech, attended the University of Illinois and worked for Continental Airlines. He loved playing basketball and listening to music.
He served in the altar at St. George Greek Orthodox Church where his grandparents, parents, brother, aunts, uncles and cousins were active members. His true love for Christ and the Church was nurtured from a very young age by his family and Fr. Rexinis, his parish priest.
In some mystical way, he was drawn to Hellenic College and Holy Cross Theological School where he continued his education and received his Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Divinity degrees. While at Holy Cross Seminary he did field work with Fr. Kallistos Samaras (the late Bishop Kallistos of Blessed Memory) at St. Catherine’s Greek Orthodox Church in Quincy, Massachusetts. Fr. Kallistos became his spiritual father and mentor.
Fr. Dennis and Presvetera Paula met at St. Catherine’s Church and were married at Holy Cross Chapel. Fr. Dennis was ordained to the deaconate at St. Catherine’s Church on July 1, 1973, and to the priesthood at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Oaklawn, Illinois, on July 29, 1973.
He served St. Nicholas in Oaklawn for four and a half years and St. Nektarios in Palatine, Illinois for six years. He also served as Youth Director and Camp Fanari Co-director for the Chicago Diocese.
Fr. Dennis came to us at Archangel Michael Church on March 1, 1984 and has been our spiritual father for 29 years. His love, faith and compassion have touched all of us. We thank God for sending him to us.
Fr. Dennis was elevated to the rank of Protopresbyter on April 24, 2015. He celebrated his final Divine Liturgy as Proistamenos on June 30, 2016 and retired as of August 31, 2016. Fr. Dennis and his family will continue to be a part of the AMC Community and we are blessed to have him and his family with us.
We pray that the Lord will continue to bless Fr. Dennis and his family always.