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In the year 2026, Rev. Fr. Alexander G. Leondis marked his 90th birthday and 61st anniversary of his ordination to the Holy Priesthood of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Widely respected and deeply beloved, Fr. Alexander is honored for his steadfast devotion to Christ and His Church, demonstrated through decades of faithful parish ministry and distinguished service at the national and diocesan levels, including his role as National Chancellor. His life and ministry stand as a profound witness to faith, humility, and unwavering dedication to the Gospel. His life can be summarized with the theme – pastoral love, and joyful sacrifice — which continues to define his priesthood.
Born and raised in New York City, Fr. Alexander was nurtured in a family deeply rooted in the life of the Church. After completing high school, he attended New York University, where he studied advertising. It was during his time at NYU that he experienced a profound and life-altering call to the priesthood. While seated in class one day, he was suddenly overcome by an extraordinary sense of peace and witnessed a radiant light fill the room, accompanied by a vision of himself vested as a priest. From that moment forward, the course of his life was irrevocably transformed.
Responding to this divine calling, Fr. Alexander enrolled at Holy Cross School of Theology, graduating in 1960. He was subsequently awarded a scholarship to pursue graduate studies at the Patriarchal Theological School of Halki in Constantinople, where he studied for one year and formed enduring friendships with fellow students, including the future Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Metropolitan Isaiah, formerly of Denver. Upon his return to the United States, he served as a pastoral assistant while continuing his graduate studies at St. Vladimir’s Seminary.
On July 12, 1964, Fr. Alexander married Mary (Aslanis), whose steadfast love, faith, and selfless support became a cornerstone of his priestly ministry. He has often credited Presbytera Mary with helping him grow both as a person and as a priest, enabling him to serve Christ freely, deeply, and with authenticity. He was ordained to the Diaconate on August 2, 1964, by Bishop Gerasimos Papadopoulos, his spiritual father, who made Christ alive to him. One week later, on August 9, 1964, Fr. Alexander was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by Archbishop Iakovos, then Archbishop of North and South America.
Fr. Alexander’s pastoral ministry spanned decades and touched countless lives. He served as Assistant Priest at the Boston Cathedral from 1964 to 1966, Pastor of Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Church in Albany, New York, from 1966 to 1974, and Pastor of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Westfield, New Jersey, from 1974 to 1996. During his tenure at Saint Sophia and Holy Trinity, he oversaw the construction of both church buildings and labored tirelessly to cultivate vibrant parish communities rooted in unity, love, and faith in Christ.
Beyond the parish, Fr. Alexander served the Church with distinction in numerous leadership roles. He was appointed Chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America from September, Chancellor of the Diocese of New Jersey, and Archdiocese Director of Stewardship and Pastoral Resources. He also served as President of the Archdiocese Presbyters Council from 1990 to 1992 and as President of the Diocese of New Jersey on multiple occasions. His visionary leadership contributed to the founding of Sights and Sounds in Westfield, Camp Good Shepherd Summer Camp, and many other ministry initiatives.
Fr. Alexander also made a lasting impact through his scholarly and liturgical work. He became the first priest to translate and publish the Consecration Service into English, and he produced printed editions of the Divine Liturgy, Funeral and Memorial Services, Baptism, Marriage, and numerous other prayers and services, making Orthodox worship more accessible to generations of faithful.
In recognition of his faithful and distinguished service, Fr. Alexander was elevated to the rank of Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne. With the blessing of Archbishop Demetrios, he retired from active parish ministry in 2005 and was named Pastor Emeritus of Saint Mark Greek Orthodox Church, where he continues to minister alongside his son, Fr. Mark.
Reflecting on his priesthood, Fr. Alexander has said:
“Being a Greek Orthodox priest has brought me the greatest personal joy in serving Christ and the Church. Orthodoxy possesses a profound and lofty theology and liturgical tradition. Communicating these sacred truths in practical and understandable ways has been the primary goal of my priesthood.”
He often speaks of the priesthood as a life filled with countless, unexpected opportunities to become God’s presence to others—through prayer, teaching, counseling, celebrating the sacraments, comforting the grieving, preparing souls for both life and death, and bearing the burdens of the flock while striving to keep the Body of Christ united in love and directed toward the Kingdom of God.
“The priest represents Christ and therefore strives for excellence in every aspect of his ministry, because the God he represents is perfect.”
Looking back on his life, Fr. Alexander has frequently shared that if given the opportunity to live it again, he would not change anything – choosing the same parents, the same wife, the same children, the same parishes, and the same priesthood. He speaks of Presbytera Mary as God’s greatest gift to him, whose love enabled him to serve Christ freely and faithfully. Together, they raised three sons and built a family firmly grounded in faith.
After more than six decades of priestly ministry, Rev. Fr. Alexander G. Leondis remains a living example of humility, devotion, and sacrificial love for Christ and His Church. Now residing in Boca Raton, Florida, he serves alongside his son, Fr. Mark, at Saint Mark Church in Boca Raton, where he continues to embody his lifelong commitment to “serve the Lord until his final breath.”
The post Fr. Alexander Leondis: A life of enduring service and ministry to the Church appeared first on Orthodox Observer.
