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About us:
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Fr. John Bio
About Us: Fr. John Constantine
Biography
 Father John was born on August 13, 1957 in Richmond, Virginia to Ernest
and Artemis Constantine. He has one sister and one brother along with four
nieces, two nephews and three godsons. He graduated the University of
Richmond with a Bachelor of Science in Biology (1979) and a Master of
Science degree in Biology (1981). After working as the Operations Manager
for an environmental consulting firm, Fr. John entered Holy Cross School
of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts in the fall of 1983. He received
his Master of Divinity (with distinction) in 1987.
His first assignment after graduation from the Seminary was to
Holy
Trinity Cathedral in New Orleans where he served as the Lay Assistant for
Youth Programs. While at New Orleans, he was commissioned an Ensign,
Chaplain Candidate, United States Naval Reserve. In 1988, he became an
assistant to His Excellency Metropolitan Silas of New Jersey. After
leaving the Diocese of New Jersey in June 1990, he began a series of
training assignments on board the USS LEXINGTON, Marine Corps Base Camp
Pendleton and the Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, California. Fr. John was
assigned to Saint John the Baptist in Anaheim, California as the second
priest on October 1, 1998.
On December 14, 1991 he was ordained a Deacon at his home parish of
Sts
Constantine and Helen in Richmond and on December 15, 1991 he was ordained
a Priest at St Elpis in Hopewell, Virginia by His Excellency Metropolitan
Silas. Father John was assigned to
St George in Piscataway, New Jersey
in
February 1992. While serving at St George, Fr. John was appointed a
regional Youth Commissioner for the Diocese and sat on the spiritual court
for the New Jersey state region. On July 23, 1995, His Excellency
Metropolitan Silas elevated Fr. John to the ecclesiastical rank of
Archimandrite prior to entering active duty in the United States Navy.
In August 1995, Lieutenant John E. Constantine, Chaplain Corps, United
States Navy reported for duty at Naval Air Station, North Island in San
Diego. Father John established a proactive flight line ministry to 14
helicopter squadrons, the Marine Corps Security Force Company and various
other units at North Island. He celebrated the Divine Liturgy at Greek
Orthodox Chapel of the Holy Cross on board US Marine Corps Recruit Depot,
San Diego. For his efforts for the men and women of the Sea Services Fr.
John was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (1997) and
the Navy and Marine Corps, Commendation Medal (1998).
Father John holds US Navy Keel "C" Certification for sailing 27 foot
sailboats and is an avid scuba diver having accumulated 85 dives and is a
qualified PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) Divemaster.
Fr. John joins Saint George at an exciting time as we build our new
sanctuary. We wish Fr. John a long and fruitful ministry at our parish. |
