Our Priests
PRESIDING PRIEST
Father Christ Kontos
2000–Present
Father Christ Kontos was born on October 18, 1965, coincidentally, the feast day of Saint Luke, and was raised in Takoma Park, Maryland. He married Presbytera Michele on June 10, 1990, and together they have three children: Renee (DereK), Aleko, and Sophia Theoni.
Father Christ graduated from Hellenic College in Brookline, Massachusetts, in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Pre-Theology and went on to receive his Master of Divinity from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in 1991. He was ordained to the Holy Diaconate on August 24, 1991, and to the Holy Priesthood the following day by Metropolitan Silas of blessed memory.
His first assignment was at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he served as Assistant Priest. In 1994, he became the Proistamenos of St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church in South Bend, Indiana, serving there until 1999. After a brief time as Proistamenos of St. George in Asbury Park, New Jersey, Father Christ was assigned to St. Luke in November 2000.
In October 2005, His Eminence Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey elevated Father Christ to the rank of Protopresbyter, the highest honor bestowed upon a married priest.
During his years at St. Luke, Father Christ has seen the parish grow significantly, both in the number of families calling St. Luke home and in the sacramental life of the community. He has also brought his interest in technology into parish life. He created St. Luke's first website and helped expand parish communications through email, the internet, and social media.
One of the most meaningful parts of his ministry has been his relationship with the young people of the parish. From the Sunday children's sermon to GOYA lock-ins, retreats, trips, and social events, Father Christ has always enjoyed being part of their lives and watching them grow in their faith.
At the heart of his priesthood, however, is simply being present for his parishioners. Along with celebrating the Divine Liturgy and the sacraments of the Church, he considers visiting the sick, supporting those who are struggling, and walking alongside families who have lost loved ones to be among the most important parts of his ministry.
The parish has also experienced many important milestones during Father Christ's years at St. Luke. The new Education and Cultural Center opened in February 2008, followed by the expansion of the parish parking lot that spring. In October 2012, the community celebrated St. Luke's 50th Anniversary Golden Jubilee.
The years that followed brought a renewed focus on the spiritual life of the parish as well as the continued beautification of the church. The iconography and stained-glass windows were completed in the summer of 2016. Between 2022 and 2023, marble was added throughout the sanctuary along with the brass railing system and the gold mosaic Double-Headed Eagle.
The final phase of the church's beautification was completed in 2025 with the transformation of the Narthex. Its iconography now tells the story of the life of Saint Luke while also depicting parables and miracles found throughout his Gospel.
On February 1, 2026, the St. Luke community gathered for a special banquet honoring Father Christ, Presbytera Michele's their children’s 25 years as part of the St. Luke family. It was a celebration not only of the years that had passed, but of the friendships, memories, milestones, and shared life of a parish community that has truly become their home.
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FATHER STEPHEN P. THEOPHILOS
Protopresbyter at Saint Luke from 1993-2000
Father Stephen P. Theophilos was born on December 19, 1931 in Montreal, Quebec. Growing up in Montreal, he graduated from the Baron Byng High School and subsequently matriculated at Holy Cross Theological School in Brookline, Massachusetts. He received a Bachelor of Arts as well as a Bachelor of Divinity from the Theological School and went on to pursue a Master of Sacred Theology from the Boston University School of Theology. He eventually received a Doctorate in Theology from the University of Athens in 1961, but would later return to Boston University where he received his Master of Science degree in Communication and Public Relations. In his early years, Father Steve spent a great deal of time working for the Archdiocese serving as a special Diocesan assistant as well as the National Director of Religious Education.
He also served as the Executive Secretary for the Archdiocese, followed by a position as the managing editor of the Greek Orthodox Theological Review. In the late sixties, Father Steve served concurrently as the Executive Vice President, Director of Admissions and Director of Public Affairs at Hellenic College/Holy Cross Theological School. In the spring of 1972, he met his beloved Presbytera Betty, and they were married six months later. The following December, their only child was born, Panayota, named after Father Steve’s mother. Panayota, who is married to George Kevgas and together have three children, Marianna, Markella and John, is the superintendent of the Saint Luke Sunday School.
Father Steve served as Protopresbyter at Saint Luke from 1993-2000. He subsequently served the Greek Orthodox Churches of the Nativity of the Theotokos in Fredericksburg, the Transfiguration in Charlottesville and Saint Elpis in Hopewell, all in Virginia. In 2005, Father Steve and Presbytera Betty returned to Pennsylvania when they became grandparents. Since that time, they have devoted their lives to their grandchildren helping to take care of them.
FATHER GEORGE D. GREGORY
Protopresbyter at Saint Luke from 1963-1993
Father George D. Gregory, of blessed memory, was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, graduated from Classical High School and subsequently enrolled at Holy Cross Theological Seminary, originally in Pomfret, Connecticut and later in Brookline Massachusetts, graduating in 1950. Following graduation, Father Gregory was appointed secretary to the Dean of the Seminary, Bishop Ezekiel, and was ordained into the Holy Priesthood the following year. During his pastoral ministry, he served 12 years in parishes in Weirton, West Virginia and Canton, Ohio prior to his arrival at St. Luke in 1963, where he served for the next thirty years. It was here in Broomall where he and Presbytera Cleo raised their family in the rectory located on the church campus.
During Father Gregory’s ministry at St. Luke, the parish grew in size, not only in number of families from 90 to more than 600, but in facilities with the completion of the education building and church proper. By 1970, Father George had earned a Bachelor of Divinity, Masters of Theology and Masters of Divinity degrees through his studies at the Crozer Theological Seminary. In addition to his academic degrees, Father George was conferred the ecclesiastical offikia of Confessor, Sakellarios and Economos of the Archdiocese of North and South America as well as Economos and Protopresbyteros of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. He lectured extensively and authored many articles on Orthodox ecumenism and Byzantine history in addition to helping establish a religious studies course at Villanova University entitled Eastern Orthodox Thought. He also headed the Orthodox delegation to the Anglo-Orthodox Dialogue of Greater Philadelphia.
After his retirement from St. Luke in 1993, he served as interim pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Albanian Orthodox Church in Philadelphia and served as the Greek Language School Principal of St. Thomas Greek Orthodox Church in Cherry Hill. He was later honored with the designation Pastor Emeritus of St. Luke. Father George predeceased his wife of 50 years, Cleopatra; and is survived by his daughters Maria and Demetra (Peters); his son Demetri; and four grandchildren: Emily, Andrew, Nicholas, and Alexander.
“I will give you shepherds after My own heart.”
Jeremiah 3:15
About St Luke
Details about the Church
Age 3 through Grade 12
Helping our children grow in faith through Scripture, worship, learning, and fellowship.
Sunday School
Grades 7 through 12
Helping our teens grow through shared experiences, service, and meaningful friendships rooted in Christ.
GOYA
Pre-K through 8th Grade
Learning the Greek language, celebrate their heritage, and connect with the traditions of our faith and culture.
Greek School
2nd through 12th Grade
Celebrating our heritage through traditional dance, music, and participation in community events.
Dance Troupes
Kindergarden - 6th Grades
Providing our younger children opportunities to build a strong foundation in faith with joyful gatherings.
HOPE & JOY
3 through 12th Grades
Serving the Holy Altar while learning reverence, responsibility, & appreciation for Orthodox worship.
