On Sunday, September 7, 2025, a new chapter opened for the West Coast Greek Orthodox community with the appointment and official installation of Father Konstantinos Oikonomou as presiding priest of the historic Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Theotokos in San Francisco, by Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco.
Fr. Konstantinos succeeds Fr. Stylianos Kyriakou, whose ministry left a lasting mark on the Cathedral. In 1989, under his leadership, the devastating Loma Prieta earthquake led to the complete destruction of the church.
Thanks to the tireless efforts and generous support of the Greek community, the Cathedral complex was rebuilt. The project included a 280-seat chapel, a community center with a gymnasium, offices, classrooms, and activity spaces, with the Cathedral square as its centerpiece. The first phase was completed and paid off in a short time, and with faith and perseverance, the second phase—construction of the new Cathedral—soon began.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew laid the foundation stone in 2013, marking the beginning of what would become not just a temple, but a living monument of Greek Orthodoxy.
The new Cathedral was designed with inspiration from the rays of the Phanar and modeled after Saint Irene of Constantinople, the first seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate before the construction of Hagia Sophia. The structural framework was completed, and the Holy Cross was placed on the dome on May 21, 2016.
However, despite the progress, financial difficulties and other circumstances brought the project to a halt. Fr. Stylianos retired for health reasons, and in 2022 Bishop Ioannis of Fokea assumed the role of locum tenens, ensuring the continuation of the Cathedral’s liturgical life with the support of assisting clergy.
Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco dedicated significant time to finding the right pastor to undertake the critical task of completing the Cathedral, ultimately appointing Fr. Konstantinos Oikonomou.
Fr. Konstantinos previously served in the Holy Metropolis of Argolida as parish priest of the Church of Saint Anastasios in Nafplio (2021).
He was ordained in 2011 at the Cathedral of St. George in Vancouver, Canada, and went on to serve at Ypapanti Church in Victoria (2012–2014), the Cathedral of St. George in Vancouver (2014–2019), and the Church of Saints Panteleimon, Anna, and Paraskevi in Markham–Toronto (2019–2021).
In every parish he served, he successfully organized fundraisers for the completion of church buildings while also revitalizing youth programs. In 2010, he founded the Camp of the Transfiguration (Camp Met BC) in Vancouver, under the auspices of the Holy Archdiocese of Canada—a ministry that continues to this day.
In 2021, he settled in Nafplio with Presbytera Christina and their family, where they welcomed two daughters during their time in Greece.
With zeal and experience, he now comes to revitalize the pastoral life of the Cathedral, characteristically declaring:
“My brothers, we are not here to complete a building project, but to build paradise on earth!”
At his initiative, the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the unfinished Cathedral, presided over by Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, concelebrated by Bishop Ioannis of Fokea, with the participation of the new Dean, Fr. Constantine, and Archdeacon Fr. Justin Bosch.
The Consuls General of Greece, Grigorios Tassiopoulos, and of Cyprus, Nikolaos Theophanous, were in attendance. The faithful filled the Cathedral grounds, experiencing with emotion and joy this historic moment for their new spiritual home.
Following the Divine Liturgy, the official installation of the new Proistamenos took place, followed by a festive meal at the community center. During the event, an anonymous donor announced a $100,000 matching challenge for the completion of the Cathedral:
every donation made until December 31, 2025, will be doubled up to that amount. The Cathedral committee will soon present the complete plan and launch the fundraising campaign for the completion of this landmark church.
“Father Constantine arrives at the Annunciation Cathedral with a proven history of faith, enthusiasm, and pastoral leadership,” said Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco.
“His devotion to the Lord and his unwavering commitment to the people of God will enrich the Cathedral’s liturgical life and spiritual growth. We are blessed to welcome him to this sacred ministry, confident that, together with the clergy and faithful, he will make a decisive contribution to shaping a bright future for this historic parish.”
Photos: Kostas Petrakos
