ΕΑΝ ΠΡΟΤΙΜΑΤΕ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ ΠΑΤΗΣΤΕ ΤΗ ΣΗΜΑΙΑ ΣΤΟ ΚΑΤΩ ΜΕΡΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΟΘΟΝΗΣ
OUR MAIN PHOTO: Fr. Gregory Gilbert
The surname remains the same, but almost everything else has changed. AB Elpidophoros’ appointment at the NYC Cathedral of Fr. Gregory Gilbert (replacing Fr. Chrysostom Gilbert, who was removed in an immoral and authoritative manner) combines remarkable irony with a biography that challenges some of the prevailing assumptions about converts, language, and Orthodox identity.
By Helleniscope’s Editorial Team
The Archdiocese has officially announced that Fr. Gregory Gilbert, until now Chancellor of the Metropolis of New Jersey, will become the new Dean of Holy Trinity Cathedral in Manhattan on September 1.
Archbishop Elpidophoros’ letter is brief. It thanks Fr. Gregory for his service in New Jersey, praises his diligence and pastoral sensitivity, and appoints Fr. Elias Villis as Acting Chancellor to ensure continuity. It offers no explanation for the move beyond the appointment itself. Below you can see the announcement by the Archbishop…
The “Gilbert” irony
The optics are difficult to ignore.
Only months after Fr. Chrysostomos Gilbert’s unfortunate departure (immoral and improperly authoritarian by any account – more appropriate for an Ottoman Sultan than a Christian leader), another priest named Gilbert—completely unrelated—arrives as his successor.
In GOARCH’s relatively small clergy, the coincidence is remarkable. The Cathedral had a Fr. Gilbert in the first half of 2026. It will have a Fr. Gilbert in the second half.
Who would have thought that in a generally small priestly community of GOARCH there would be two non-related priests with identical “non-Greek” surnames? Statistically, this is far different from the Karloutsos “dynasty”, or other similar family stories within the legacy “Greek family DNA” circles of GOARCH…it’s almost like a “masterclass trolling” move by the Archbishop though, if someone wants to look at if from that lens.
A different kind of biography
The coincidence, however, is not the real story. By most accounts, Fr. Gregory Gilbert represents a profile that challenges many assumptions.
He and his family converted to Orthodoxy. Before entering the priesthood, he reportedly taught Classics at the university level.
He learned Byzantine chant.
Multiple sources also indicate that he chose to raise his children speaking modern Greek at home. That biography stands in contrast to a narrative heard frequently in recent years—that attracting converts requires minimizing Greek language and culture.
Fr. Gregory’s own journey suggests otherwise.
Rather than viewing Greek tradition as an obstacle, he appears to have embraced it voluntarily as a deeper expression of Orthodox life.
This does not diminish the importance of English in American Orthodoxy, but it does challenge the notion that evangelization and Hellenic tradition are somehow incompatible. Sometimes the strongest advocates for preserving tradition are those who freely chose it.
Why this appointment matters
Holy Trinity Cathedral is not simply another parish; it is the Archdiocesan Cathedral and carries symbolic importance throughout GOARCH.
For that reason, observers naturally wonder whether this is merely a pastoral assignment or part of a broader leadership realignment.
The Archbishop’s letter answers neither question.
Given the other personnel changes across the Archdiocese and the anticipation surrounding upcoming episcopal vacancies, many will inevitably view this appointment within a larger administrative context—even if the letter itself does not.
Final observation
Regardless of the broader picture, Fr. Gregory Gilbert appears to arrive with a reputation for scholarship, pastoral dedication, and a sincere commitment to the liturgical and cultural traditions of the Orthodox Church.
Those qualities deserve recognition on their own. One can welcome his ministry while still asking legitimate questions about the larger direction of Archdiocesan governance.
For now, one fact is undeniable: The Cathedral began 2026 with a Fr. Gilbert. It will end 2026 with a Fr. Gilbert.
The surname may be the same. The story, however, is very different.
July 28, 2026, www.helleniscope.com
DISCLAIMER: The views and statements expressed in this article constitute constitutionally protected opinions of this author.
Fr. Gregory Gilbert is a gem & we are blessed to have him among us. He is the real deal as a true follower of Christ. Years ago He served at a small parish in Maryland then was transferred to a parish in Pa. It was apparent that he was a scholar, humble & has many attributes. There are not enough words to describe his Godly character. But by saying AXIOS!!!
Fr. Gregory Gilbert is one of a handful of stellar clerics of our Holy Archdiocese. Yes, he learned Byzantine chant, and he was a member of a Byzantine Choir in Thessaloniki led by the famous protopsalti of the Church of Agia Sophia, Mr. Harilaos Taliadoros. He speaks Greek FLUENTLY (better than most natives, I might add), and is the ONLY priest of whom my mother, a Presvytera of over 60 years whose husband, my father of blessed memory, was and continues to be my “benchmark” of priests here in America, the Rev. Dr. Constantine Combitsis (a student in his boyhood days of the great protopsaltis of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Konstantinos Pringos) says, “He reminds me of your father.” (This is HUGE, to me…) Losing him from New Jersey will be hard. But elevating him to the highest Greek Orthodox Cathedral in the land is very fitting. Fr. Gregory is a very serious, yet very pastoral priest — a true “shepherd” in every sense of the word — and the Archbishop actually made a good decision in assigning him to the Archdiocesan Cathedral. May our Lord always bless him and his family, and may He continue to guide him in his ministry
Maybe Elpidophoros just wants to de-Apostolos-ize the metropolis and install his trusted people…
I think that the academic titles are not a guarantee that someone will be faithful to Jesus and good clergy. Saint Paisios was not educated, but because of his grace, he faced the jealousy of higher clergy…
I don’t know where you found this biography of father Gregory, but for some reason it doesn’t mention that he studied at the Catholic University of America and he has extensive knowledge of Latin…
https://umbc.academia.edu/BrentGilbert/CurriculumVitae
PG, seldom do I agree with you but you are correct when you affirm that academic credentials do not guarantee that one will be a faithful clergyman. The apostles were simple uneducated men chosen by our Lord to spread his message.
Additionally, the author of the article above presents Fr Gilbert as an example of one who fully embraces s Orthodox and Hellenism. I guess every convert should be expected to travel to Greece and study.
I wish him a successful ministry at the cathedral and hope he proclaims Christ and the salvation and new life that is found only in Him.
JK,
I also agree that the Apostles were not endowed with “degrees and PhDs” but they were in fact the original “Synod of the Church”, can you believe that we actually agree on something?
However, can you also “educate” Elpidophoros on this point and see what he says? At GOARCH it has been long established that they don’t make anyone a priest unless they have a fancy Theology degree (preferably from Brookline, and certainly after “contributing substantial coin” to that institution)…
To underscore the situation that has been created by GOARCH standards, St. Porphyrios would have been rejected as “not qualified” for the priesthood…
Please don’t misunderstand me: I believe learning Greek is a blessing. However, an overemphasis on Greek language and culture can discourage converts. It also has done little to help retain our own children within the Church. How much is “too much” varies by parish and by person. Some converts embrace Greek language and culture even more than those raised in it, but they are the exception. Most seekers are comfortable with it in moderation.
It becomes a problem when cradle Greek Orthodox children spend more time practicing Greek folk dancing than learning about the lives of the Saints, attending vespers, or developing a life of prayer. I do not want to overgeneralize, but many GOA parishes seem to give more attention to Greek culture than to Orthodoxy. We need to reverse that priority. Greek language and culture are valuable and should be preserved, but they must never overshadow the Faith.
It’s good to see that there are converts that their lifes are transformed by attending the Greek Orthodox Church.
The problem starts when some converts try to transform the Greek Orthodox Church and the Orthodox traditions of thousands of years…
The mission of the church is not to preserve a culture and a language but rather to preach and Iive the gospel of salvation and new life in Christ. Jesus clearly stated you cannot serve two masters because you will love one and hate the other.
And your position makes it shamefully clear that you don’t “love” or “honor” your (grand)father and (grand)mother (your own ancestors) who resisted becoming Muslim under the Ottomans so that their offspring (you) could retain a religious AND cultural identity that Islam was trying to erase…go ahead…erase their “cultural” legacy from your memory…don’t honor them, and let’s see what they tell you when you all rise up together on Judgement Day. What if you were one of the millions of Muslims with Greek DNA today that are left over from the Ottoman Empire’s “hospitality”?
Converts should be taught to RESPECT the Orthodox zeal and mindset that resulted in the survival of something that we call a “Greek Orthodox church” after 400 years of persecution. Respect does not mean “forcing them to ONLY learn Greek” nor does it mean the default “eradication” of language, culture, and the memory of those who died and suffered for their Faith long ago so that we can enter into Church building today.
He is a Philhellene. Nothing wrong with that.
HOWEVER, his case can’t be applied across the board to all converts. He is an exception. The Albanians and Arabs have no problem honoring the Greek past and being fully themselves.
Expecting Western converts to do likewise is absurd, and ANTI-mission. It reminds my of the horrifically tone deaf actions of Archbishop Makarios, complaining about “too much English”—-IN AN ENGLISH SPEAKING COUNTRY. Let the Albanians and Arabs be the example for America;s future (heck, even the Slavs). Fortunately, there are many Mission minded Greek Bishops: Archbishop Nikitas of the UK, Metropolitan Ambrosios of Korea, Metropolitan Constantine of Denver.