The Very Reverend Archimandrite Avgoustinos Psomas
Dean of Saint Sophia Cathedral
The Very Reverend Archimandrite Avgoustinos Psomas was born in 1978 and raised on the island of Corfu, Greece, spending his formative years in the village of Saints Theodoroi in Lefkimmi. From an early age, the life of the Orthodox Church held a central place in his upbringing, nurturing in him a deep love for the Church’s liturgical life, Byzantine musical tradition, and spiritual heritage.
He pursued studies in Electrical Engineering at the Sivitanidios Technical School in Athens. During his years there, his longstanding love for Byzantine music developed into a formal course of study. At the Church of Saint Marina in Ilisia, he began his systematic training in Byzantine ecclesiastical music under the guidance of Dr. Athanasios Vourlis, Doctor of Theology.
Following the completion of his military service in 2000, he continued his academic and theological formation. In 2003, he entered the School of Theology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, graduating in 2007. The following year, he completed advanced studies at the Conservatory of Northern Greece, earning a Master’s Degree in Byzantine Music. His musical formation encompassed Byzantine chant, vocal and speech training, choir direction, liturgical studies, and the proper proclamation and recitation of the sacred liturgical readings.
He later continued his theological education in the United States at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Boston, where he earned a Master of Theology degree, further strengthening the theological and pastoral foundation of his ministry.
Throughout his theological studies in Greece, he remained deeply devoted to the sacred tradition of Byzantine music. For three consecutive years, he furthered his studies at the Byzantine School of Music under the distinguished instruction of Archon Panagiotis Neochoritis, Protopsaltis (Master Chanter) of the Patriarchal Church of Saint George at the Phanar in Constantinople. This formative experience deepened his knowledge and appreciation of the authentic Patriarchal tradition, style, and ethos of Byzantine ecclesiastical music.
During this period, he also served the Holy Analogion of the Church of Saint George in Ormylia, Greece, where he was honored to serve as Protopsaltis (Head Chanter) from 2004 until his relocation to the United States in 2012.
From 2013 to 2019, he served the Hellenic Community of Saint Demetrios in Astoria, New York, as Head Chanter, placing his musical formation at the service of the Church’s liturgical life. During his years in New York, he also served for five years as Director of the Greek Afternoon School in Corona, New York, where he was entrusted with the education of its students and with fostering the Greek language, Hellenic culture, and Orthodox Christian heritage among a new generation.
On Christmas Eve of 2019, Fr. Avgoustinos was ordained to the Holy Diaconate. On September 29, 2020, he was ordained to the Holy Priesthood, and on June 21, 2021, he was elevated to the rank of Archimandrite. His ordination to the Diaconate, his ordination to the Priesthood, and his elevation to the rank of Archimandrite were all bestowed upon him by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America.
Following his ordination to the Holy Diaconate, he served the Greek Orthodox Community of Holy Trinity in New Rochelle, New York, beginning his ordained ministry within the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
From January 1, 2021, through August 31, 2025, he served as Presiding Priest of Saint Thomas Greek Orthodox Church in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. During his tenure, the parish completed the iconography of the entire church, bringing to fulfillment a significant undertaking in the spiritual and liturgical life of the community. Through the remarkable generosity and commitment of the faithful, the parish also raised the funds necessary to fully cover the cost of the iconography while satisfying the financial obligations associated with extensive renovations undertaken in previous years. These accomplishments were made possible through the shared vision, stewardship, and devotion of the Saint Thomas parish family and reflected its commitment to strengthening and beautifying the church for generations to come.
On September 1, 2025, he began serving the Greek Orthodox Community of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Holmdel, New Jersey, continuing his ministry with an emphasis on pastoral care, the liturgical and sacramental life of the Church, and the spiritual growth, fellowship, and unity of the parish community.
Throughout his ministry, Fr. Avgoustinos has sought to unite his theological formation, his lifelong devotion to the liturgical and musical traditions of the Church, and his pastoral experience in the service of Christ and His people. At the heart of his ministry is the conviction that the timeless faith of the Orthodox Church is not simply a precious inheritance to be preserved, but a living faith to be experienced and shared—a source of hope, healing, strength, and communion with Christ.
With gratitude to His Eminence, our Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, for the clergy, communities, and faithful who have shaped his journey, he understands the priesthood above all as a calling to serve with love and compassion. His ministry is devoted to strengthening our parishes, nurturing a vibrant and secure future for generations to come, and inviting all to discover the holiness of our Mother Church and the beauty of our Hellenic heritage.
