Father Mark was born in Chicago, IL in 1967. He grew up in Sauk Village, IL and attended the parish of SS. Constantine and Helen Cathedral in Merrillville, IN. Graduating from Bloom Trail High School in 1985, he enrolled in Hellenic College in Brookline, MA to pursue a degree in Religious Studies/Pre-Theology. Upon completing his undergraduate degree, he matriculated into the Master of Divinity program at Holy Cross School of Theology, also in Brookline, MA. On August 25, 1990, Father married Virginia “Ginny” Kessis of Cincinnati, OH. During the final year of graduate studies, he was ordained to the Holy Diaconate by Bishop (now Metropolitan) Iakovos of Chicago on January 18, 1992 in Merrillville, IN. Father Mark completed his studies and received a Master of Divinity degree in May of 1992. He was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by Bishop (now Metropolitan) Methodios of Boston on July 26, 1992 at the Holy Cross Chapel in Brookline, MA.Father Mark has served the following parishes: St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in St. Louis Missouri (1992-1995); and St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Saginaw, MI (1995-2002). He was assigned to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church on January 1, 2003. Father Mark served as Detroit Clergy Syndesmos President from 1998-2002. He received the distinction of “Economos” from Bishop (now Metropolitan Nicholas) on October 25, 2001.
Father Mark and Presbytera Ginny have two daughters.
