Our Leadership
Clergy
Bishop Gerasim
(Locum Tenens of the Diocese of the South)
Bishop Gerasim was born in 1961 in Torrance, California and grew up in Palos Verdes. He entered St Herman of Alaska Monastery in 1981, was tonsured a monk in 1992, ordained to the priesthood in 1995, and served as Abbot of the monastery from November 2000 until August 2009.
In 2012 he graduated from St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary magna cum laude, and was elevated as Archimandrite in 2013. Since September 2013 he has served as Dean of St Seraphim Orthodox Cathedral in Dallas, Texas.
In May 2021, the Holy Synod of Bishops elected Archimandrite Gerasim as Bishop of Fort Worth, Auxiliary to His Eminence Archbishop Alexander and the Diocese of the South. In June 2021, he was ordained to the episcopacy.
Following the retirement of Archbishop Alexander in July 2026, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon appointed Bishop Gerasim as Locum Tenens (acting bishop) of the Diocese of the South. A special assembly of clergy and lay delegates of the Diocese, over which Met. Tikhon presided, unanimously nominated Bishop Gerasim as their candidate to succeed Archbishop Alexander. The nomination will be considered by the Holy Synod of Bishops at its Regular Fall Session in early November 2026.
Archpriest & Rector Christopher Foley
Father Christopher came to our fledgling mission church in 2006, a brand new graduate of St. Vladimir’s Seminary in New York City. In recognition of his many years of faithful service, he was elevated to Archpriest in 2021 by his Eminence, Archbishop Alexander.
For more about our journey together at Holy Cross, read this illuminating November 2024 interview with Fr. Christopher.
Rev. Sergio Lopez
His Eminence Archbishop Alexander ordained Fr. Sergio to the Holy Priesthood during the Diocese of the South’s Pastoral Conference held here at Holy Cross in February 2026.
After his graduation from St. Vladimir’s Seminary in May, we were delighted to welcome Fr. Sergio and his family to Holy Cross in June 2026.
Protodeacon George Hattle
One of the founders of our mission, our beloved Deacon George has served us for many years at Holy Cross. He was elevated to Protodeacon by Bishop Gerasim during the consecration service of our church in September 2024.
Deacon Daniel Johnson
Deacon Daniel and family arrived at Holy Cross in 2012, having been tonsured a reader in the Antiochian Orthodox Church in 1995. He was ordained a deacon in 2019 and has faithfully served our growing parish as Reader and Deacon for many years.
Lay Leadership
Parish Council
Kathy Murphy
Ben Belchak
Reader John Mason
Reader Ben Waegerle
Kathy Eddy
Alex Weil
Office Administrator
Heather Shirley
Church School Coordinator
Karen Brudnak-Slate
Financial Secretary
Steve Iltis
Bookkeeper
Barbara Lawrence
Treasurer
Ben Belchak
Choir Director
Reader Kevin Lawrence