Taxiarchai News

Volume 1 / Issue 1

Welcome to Father Mike

On February 19, 2023 a new chapter in the history of the Taxiarchai Greek Orthodox Church in Laconia, New Hampshire began when the Very Rev. Archimandrite Agathonikos M. Wilson (Father Mike) became the permanent fill-in pastor. Father Mike recently retired as the Presiding Priest and Cathedral Dean at the Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Manchester, serving in this position for almost eight years.

Fr. Wilson studied at our Holy Cross Seminary in Brookline, MA from September 2001 to May 2005, beginning study at the age of forty-four. At the beginning of his senior year he was ordained to the Holy Deaconate on August 22, 2004 by His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios of Boston and was given the name Agathonikos, in order to honor the memory of the martyr whose feast day was celebrated on that day. The tradition in the Orthodox Church is that a celibate candidate for ordination receives a new name by his ordaining Hierarch. His given name was Michael. He was ordained to the Holy Priesthood on May 15, 2005 at the Annunciation Cathedral in Boston, again by His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios of Boston. Father graduated from Seminary a week later and received a Masters of Divinity degree

Father Mike’s approach was always one of involvement and he enjoyed working with the many ministries and organizations at the parishes he served and he worked to expand the ministries and outreach of the church. It is his hope and prayer that together we might all grow spiritually and come to a deeper love and understanding of Our Awesome God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

We are very blessed to share God’s word with our Priest, V. Rev. Fr.. Mike Wilson. If you have not yet met him, please introduce yourself as he is eager to meet each and every one of us.

Happenings/Improvements

The Taxiarchai Church has a new sign, installed summer of 2022. After many years our sign was rotting and deteriorating, and the time came where we needed to replace it. Our new sign reflects the integrity of our church and welcomes all to attend liturgy. We are continuing with other physical improvements and maintenance as well, including the recent purchase of new hymnals.

The parish council of the Taxiarchai Church announces the establishment of a (hopefully) quarterly newsletter to better serve our community. We would like to take this opportunity to invite you to come and participate in church liturgy, on Sunday mornings. Father Mike is available to discuss any needs you may have, Baptisms, Weddings, House Blessings, Funerals, please feel free to ask on Sunday.

If you haven’t attended our quaint little church in a while, you may want to come and meet our new priest and join in fellowship with our community of parishioners. We are currently on summer hours (through Labor Day) starting promptly at 9:00 AM. Services combine both Greek and English.

We look forward to seeing you!

In memory

A beautiful plaque installed in the narthex of the church in memory of Atty Peter Makris, godfather of the church. May his memory be eternal.

Call for bread bakers

If you would like to volunteer to bake prosphora (holy bread) for church liturgy, please contact any council member, any time you can help is greatly appreciated.