The faithful from Ascension Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Oakland, CA witnessed the ordination of Rev. Deacon Alexander Karcher to the Holy Priesthood by His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, on Sunday August 17, 2025.

In addressing the newly ordained Father Alexander, Metropolitan Gerasimos remarked, “You have responded to God’s call with humility and with joy. You have prepared yourself through prayer, through study, and through the example of faith you have witnessed in your own family, most especially in your parents, Father Stephen and Presvytera Olga, whose lives in service to Christ have been a model of what it means to be a true shepherd of souls. Today, that mantle has been passed to you, not to be worn as an ornament of honor, but as a vestment of service.”

Also participating in the service were His Grace Bishop Ioannis of Phocaea; Father Nicholas Mueller, Proistamenos (Ascension Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Oakland, CA); Rev. Father Athanasios Zaferes (Ascension Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Oakland, CA); Rev. Dr. Christopher Flesoras (Saint Anna Greek Orthodox Church, Roseville, CA); Rev. Father Demetrios-Earl Cantos (Greek Orthodox Mission Church, Florence, AZ); Rev. Father Stephen Karcher (Saint Anthony Greek Orthodox Church, Reno, NV); Rev. Father Michael State (Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, Concord, CA); Rev.; Rev. Father James Kumarelas (Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, San Jose, CA); Rev. Father Seraphim Majmudar (Saint Lawrence Orthodox Church, Felton, CA); Rev. Father Emmanuel Aspiotis (Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church,  Belmont, CA); Rev. Father Gabriel Cupsa (Saint Basil Greek Orthodox Church,  Stockton, CA; Rev. Father John Karcher (Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church, Portland, OR); Rev. Father Michael Kouremetis (retired); Rev. Archdeacon Justin Bosl (Resurrection Greek Orthodox Church, Castro Valley, CA); Rev. Deacon Joseph Patzke (retired); Rev. Deacon Anthony Livingston (Saints Peter and Paul Antiochian Church, Ben Lomond, CA); Rev. Deacon James Somerville (Saint Lawrence Greek Orthodox Church, Felton, CA); and Rev. Deacon Danilo Simich (Saint Anthony Greek Orthodox Church in Reno, NV).

Father Alexander was ordained to the Holy Diaconate by His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at Saint Anthony Greek Orthodox Church in Reno, NV.

Father Alexander is a 2025 graduate of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology (Brookline, MA) with a Master of Theology degree, a 2022 graduate of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology (Brookline, MA) with a Master of Divinity degree; and a 2015 graduate of Hellenic College (Brookline, MA) with a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies. Father Alexander is married to Presvytera Faeli. and they are the proud parents to their four-month old daughter Odelia Joy Evangeline.

Father Alexander will serve as the Assistant Priest at Ascension Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Oakland, CA.

AXIOS Father Alexander!