Fr. Photios Parks
Flat Rock, NC USA
Phone (703) 498-0434
Email: parks@orthodoxacademy.org
Education:
Post-Doctoral Studies:
Ecumenical Studies, Ukrainian Catholic University
Advanced Certificate in Dogmatic Theology, Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary
Church History; Pastoral Studies, Saint Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Seminary
Doctor of Philosophy in Theology, Historical Theology, South African Theological Seminary
Dissertation title: “A Comparative Study of the Practices of the Mystics Sadhu Sundar Singh and the Desert Fathers and the Implications of Appropriating Christian Mystic Practices in the Church Today”
Diploma in Orthodox Theology (3-year E-Quip Diaconal formation program), Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of the British Isles and Ireland, Manchester, England
Master of Theology, Practical Theology, South African Theological Seminary
Thesis title: “Built to Last: A Study in Alternative Church Models and their Sustainable features”
Bachelor of Science, Organizational Sociology, Southern Illinois University
Bachelor of Science, Bible and Christian Ministry, Saint Louis Christian College
ADDITIONAL EDUCATION:
Orthodox Pastoral School of Chicago and the Mid-America, Liturgics
Nations University, Theological Studies (graduate studies)
Johnson University, New Testament (graduate studies)
PUBLICATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, & ARTICLES:
Expected Fall 2020, “Historical Orthodox places and people of interest,” chapter in Atlas of American Orthodox Christian Churches, (2nd ed.).
Fall 2020, “Angel in New York,” The Angels: Messengers from a loving God, Quarterly Catholic magazine.
April 2020, “I don’t know,” Orthodox Christianity/Pravoslavie online journal.
July 2019, “Modern day miracles: How Saint Agatha put a misdoer on the right path,” The Catalog of Good Deeds, an online journal of the St. Elizabeth convent, Minsk, Russia.
June 2019, “The Saint, The Priest, and Face Tattoos,” Orthodox Christianity online journal.
-Republished in Orthodox Christianity/Pravoslavie online journal, June 2019; Death to The World online magazine, August 2019; Republished in ACROD The Messenger periodical, August 2019.
2018, “Pain, Suffering and Resilience,” Sebastian Press, contributed chapter: “Opening the Doors of the Hospital: The Parish as a Welcoming Place of Healing.”
St. Dismas Prison Ministry conference, Asheville, NC. Presented “Welcoming the Stranger.” November 2018.
OCAMPR conference at St. Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Seminary, Somerset, NJ. Presented the paper: “Opening the Doors of the Hospital: The Parish as a Welcoming Place of Healing.” October 2017. (Used by permission in Pastoral Theology course at Byzantine Catholic Seminary).
ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE:
2020—Present, Great Martyr Euphemia Orthodox Academy, Adjunct Professor, Courses: “New Testament II,” “Dogmatic Theology” and “Church History I.”
2019—Present, Nations University, Adjunct Professor, Courses: “The Church to 120 C.E.” and “The Church from 120-209” (graduate level)
2019, Saint Mary Orthodox Theological College, course development, “Pastoral Theology”
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS AND CREDENTIALS:
2019, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional
2015, Missouri Associate Substance Abuse Counselor II
2013, Qualified Professional (DD/SA/MH)
2013, Fort Hays State University, Certificate in Non-Profit Grant Writing
2012, Medical Univ. of S. Carolina, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Certificate
2018—Present, Society for Orthodox Christian Unity & Faith, Research Editor-North America
2019—Present, Priest serving Saint Anthony the Great Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Church (a replant of Saints Joseph and Andrew Church), Hendersonville, North Carolina
2017—2019, Deacon/Priest serving Saints Joseph and Andrew Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Church, Candler, North Carolina
2013—2016, Deacon serving All-Saints of North American Antiochian Orthodox Church, Maryland Heights, Missouri
Fr. Photios Parks serves as a Mission Priest in the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese, and resides in Flat Rock, NC with his lovely Pani-matushka Hannah and two sons (Cyrus and Ezra). He is a bi-vocational Mission Priest and pastors Saints Anthony the Great Orthodox Church, a diverse mission within the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Church diocese. He also works in the community as a social worker with individuals who suffer from substance abuse and mental health issues and has been a serving in this field for over a decade.
Fr. Photios was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by His Eminence, Metropolitan Gregory at Saints Joseph and Andrew Orthodox Church, Candler, North Carolina on April 1, 2018. He was ordained to the Holy Diaconate by His Eminence, Metropolitan Athenagoras at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Saint Louis, Missouri on Jun 12, 2013.
Prior to converting to Holy Orthodoxy, Fr. Photios served in Anabaptist and Evangelical circles in Seattle, Philadelphia, and St. Louis. His interest areas include the intersection of the Orthodox Church and charity, Orthodox Psychotherapy, the early Orthodox Church in the Celtic isles, and comparative religion.