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His Eminence Metropolitan Athenagoras of New Jersey is pleased to announce the appointment of the Reverend Deacon Nikolaos Schwarz to serve His Eminence and the faithful of the Holy Metropolis of New Jersey.
A native of Ocean Township, New Jersey, Deacon Nikolaos was raised in the parish of Saint George Greek Orthodox Church, where his calling to serve Christ was nurtured by his family, especially his grandparents, Mary and Christodoulos, and the example of the Reverend Father Andrew Eugenis, of blessed memory. His involvement in Camp Good Shepherd, Ionian Village, and the CrossRoad Institute further deepened his faith and helped him discern his vocation to ordained ministry.
Following his undergraduate studies in Business Management and Leadership, Deacon Nikolaos earned his Master of Divinity from Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in 2026. He began serving as a pastoral assistant at Saint Luke Greek Orthodox Church in Broomall, Pennsylvania, in February 2026 and was ordained to the Holy Diaconate by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America on September 13, 2026, at the chapel of Hellenic College Holy Cross.
Deacon Nikolaos and his wife, Diakonissa Corina Bourantas Schwarz, were married in January 2026. His Eminence extends his paternal love and blessings to them as they begin this new chapter of service and invites the clergy and faithful to welcome them with prayerful support. May our Lord grant them health, strength, and every blessing in their ministry.
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