By the grace of God, St. Vladimir’s Seminary alumnus Protopresbyter Gregory Gilbert continues to serve with distinction in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Effective September 1, Fr. Gregory has been appointed Dean of the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York City.
Fr. Gregory was ordained to the Holy Priesthood in 2015 and has faithfully served the Church in a number of significant pastoral and administrative capacities. He previously served as Proistamenos of communities in Bel Air, Maryland, and Upper Darby, PA; as Dean of the Metropolitan Cathedral of St. John the Theologian in Tenafly, NJ; and most recently as Chancellor of the Metropolis of New Jersey.
In entrusting Fr. Gregory with the spiritual and pastoral leadership of the Cathedral, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America expressed his confidence in Fr. Gregory’s priestly experience, theological formation, and devotion to the Church.
The Very Rev. Protopresbyter Gregory Gilbert was born and raised in Knoxville, TN, and grew up as a Southern Baptist. After graduating from high school, he attended Davidson College in Davidson, NC, where he studied Classics (Ancient Greek and Latin) and met his future wife, Presvytera Catherine, with whom he has five children. After college, he taught Latin for three years at a private high school in Nashville, TN. During this time Fr. Gregory first encountered and embraced the Orthodox faith, and subsequently began his theological training at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, where he received his M.A. in Theology in 2004. After seminary Father and Presvytera moved to the Washington, D.C., area so that he could pursue graduate studies at the Catholic University of America, where he received a second M.A. in 2008 and a Ph.D. in 2014.
Fr. Gregory and Presvytera Catherine following commencement at St. Vladimir’s Seminary in 2004.
The Seminary’s Graduating Class of 2004.
In his research, Fr. Gregory specializes in the writings of the Church Fathers. He has traveled a great deal in both Greece and Cyprus, including a year spent conducting doctoral research as a Fulbright Fellow (2011-12) at the American School of Classical Studies in Athens (at the Gennadios Library). While in Greece, Fr. Gregory also completed the coursework and examination for the Diploma of Byzantine Chant, issued by the Greek Ministry of Culture. After returning from Greece, Fr. Gregory spent two years as an adjunct lecturer in the Ancient Studies Department at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
While serving in the Metropolis of New Jersey Fr. Gregory received the offikia of Economos and Protopresbyter by the hand of His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos.
May God grant Fr. Gregory, Presvytera Catherine, and their family many years!
Sections of this article have been adapted from the Orthodox Observer as well as the Holy Trinity Cathedral website.
Top Image: Bishop Nektarios of Diokleia, Archbishop Elpidophoros, and Fr. Gregory Gilbert (Photo: Orthodox Observer)
