Metropolis News

Back to all news

For Immediate Release

Metropolis of Chicago Appoints Fr. Kosmas Kallis as Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries

CHICAGO, IL, January 14, 2019 – The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago announced today the appointment of Fr. Kosmas Kallis as its new Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries. The selection of Fr. Kosmas concludes a rigorous, nationwide and pan-Orthodox search that began in September involving a multi-stage vetting and interview process conducted by clergy and laypeople, including the Director of National Youth and Young Adult Ministries of the Archdiocese.

Presently the Associate Pastor at Saints Peter and Paul Church in Glenview, Fr. Kosmas will transition into the new role and build upon the work of Fr. Chris Avramopoulos and other former Youth Directors.

“Several diverse and eminently qualified candidates applied for this position, making the selection process fruitful and rewarding,” said His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael. “Fr. Kosmas distinguishes himself for his track record of leadership in youth engagement and his long-term vision for youth ministry. I am confident that Fr. Kosmas will not only inspire the youth and young adults currently active in the Church, but will also seek out and find young people who have veered away from the Church and who are earnestly seeking greater meaning to life.”

As Youth Director, Fr. Kosmas’ immediate priorities are: to expand leadership opportunities within the various youth ministry programs; to broaden youth and young adult engagement beyond the Chicago area; to roll out the Archdiocesan Youth Protection Policy in the Metropolis; and to participate in the Metropolis’ Strategic Planning Process as it relates to youth engagement.

“Over the course of His Eminence’s Listening Tour last summer, the Metropolis heard consistently from parishioners that youth engagement should be our number one priority,” said Fr. Kosmas. “I am grateful and humbled to continue serving the Church and to advance a cause near and dear to my heart that is also important to the faithful of the Metropolis.”

Born in Livonia, Michigan, Fr. Kosmas was shaped by the Church. He served as an altar boy in his home parish and participated in GOYA, Summer Camp and the CrossRoad Institute. He earned a BA in Religious Studies from Hellenic College in 2012 and an MDiv (with High Distinction) from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in 2014. Soon after graduation, Fr. Kosmas joined the Saints Peter and Paul parish as a full-time youth director, a position he held until 2018. He was ordained to the Holy Diaconate in October of 2015 and to the Holy Priesthood in March of 2016. Fr. Kosmas is married to Anna Kallis, and together, have recently welcomed their first child, Jonah.

“The entire Metropolis of Chicago is grateful to Fr. Chris Avramopoulos for his dedicated service as Youth Director for over a decade. I am also thankful to have gotten to know the many candidates who applied for this position, and I look forward to working with them. The future is bright and wide open, and it is important to remember that we are all responsible for cultivating generations of Christ-centered servant leaders,” said His Eminence.

About the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago

Tracing its roots back to 1923, the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago is the diocese of Greek Orthodox faithful in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, as well as northern Indiana and southeastern Missouri and consists of 58 parishes and two monastic communities. The Metropolis is one of nine regions in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and is presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael. The general offices of the Metropolis are temporarily located in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. For more information, visit www.chicago.goarch.org. To sign up for news from the Metropolis, visit https://chicago.goarch.org/signup.

For More Information:
Chris Varones
312-213-3887 chris.varones@aesopgroup.com