Clergy | Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

Clergy Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

Rev. James, Protopresbyter & Proistamenos

Voice: (727) 799-4605

The son of Rev. Thomas J. Paris and Presvytera Vasiliki Paris, Father James graduated in 1994 with a Master of Divinity with Highest Distinction from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Graduate School of Theology where he served as Resident Advisor, Graduate School Representative to the Graduate Faculty, and in capacities as Treasurer, Vice President, and President of his class. In his year of graduation, he was also honored to receive the Hellenic Letters Award.

Upon graduation, he served as Pastoral Assistant and Youth Director for Saint George Greek Orthodox Church in Bethesda, Maryland from 1994-1996. In addition, he was privileged to serve as the Byzantine Chanter at the Saint John of Kronstadt Chapel for the Orthodox Faithful of the United States Marine Corps in Quantico, VA. During this time, he also pursued graduate studies at the Catholic University of America and research at Dumbarton Oaks in Medieval and Byzantine Studies, where he was mentored by George T. Dennis, a renowned expert in the Byzantine Military, who guided him in the research of Byzantine Military Services. While studying Ancient Greek and Latin at U.C. Berkeley during the summers, Father James was also a Scholar in Residence at the Patriarchal Athenagoras Institute at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA, and served the Ascension Cathedral in Oakland in worship services.

In 1998, Father James married Eleni Mathios of McLean, VA, and together, they began their service to the Church. From 1998 to 2002, Father James served as the Greek Orthodox Priest and Pastor of Saint George Greek Orthodox Church. While serving Saint George, he was also the Greek Orthodox On-Call Chaplain for the National Institutes of Health (N.I.H.) in Bethesda, MD, and, with Presvytera Eleni, a Marriage and Family Therapist, he received Certification in the Prepare and Enrich Program in the Marriage and Family Counseling Center of the U.S. Army at Fort Belvoir, VA. While at Saint George, Presvytera Eleni started a Junior Choir that grew to more than 30 members and led retreats and outings for the youth. During his tenure, Saint George became one of the first parishes to join Leadership 100 as a parish and experienced record stewardship years.

From 2002 until 2012, Father James served as the Proistamenos and Dean of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Phoenix, AZ, and as Vicar from 2002-2003. During his tenure at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Holy Trinity started Holy Trinity Academy (H.T.A.) Parochial School and the young program grew from pre kindergarten to the fourth grade. Father James was blessed to serve Holy Trinity Academy as its Principal and Chaplain. In addition to H.T.A., Holy Trinity Cathedral accomplished many milestones within the decade. The community published a book on the history of the Greeks in Phoenix, built a museum to honor the contributions and memory of its founders and parishioners, and built a cultural/educational center and administration building with a amphitheater style terrace overlooking the renowned "Camelback" and "Praying Monk" rock formations.

The Holy Trinity community was also honored to help and host the National Clergy Retreat, the National Leadership 100 Conference, National AHEPA Conference, host the National Clergy Laity Congress Divine Liturgy and Clergy Family events in their community center--to name a few. On the Metropolis level, Father James served the brotherhood as their Archdiocese Benefits Representative and nationally as the Chairman of the Archdiocese Administration Committee and Chairman of the Archdiocese Investment Committee for the Archdiocese Clergy and Lay Employee Pension Fund. He has served the Archdiocese Benefits Committee in various capacities since 2008. On the national level, Father James presented a Religious Freedom Resolution in support of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople to the Arizona state legislature and senate, resulting in Arizona becoming one of the first states to pass this all-important resolution to bring attention to the plight of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

In 2012, Father James was transferred to Holy Trinity in Clearwater, Fl where he continues to serve a vibrant, dynamic, loving community with many ministries, programs, and services dedicated to the Glory of God and the salvation of His People.

With Faith, joy, and enthusiasm, Holy Trinity is currently in the progress of building a new Byzantine Orthodox Church befitting God's Glory for the eternal spiritual benefit of His People. Father James and Presvytera Eleni are not only blessed with a loving spiritual family in Clearwater, but they are also blessed with two beautiful daughters.