Sixty-Two Families and a 5¼-Acre Dream

Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church sits on a 5¼-acre tract near Route 208 in Wyckoff, a Bergen County township in northern New Jersey. Its story begins with a small group of families who, while attending Saint Athanasios Church of Paterson, decided that the faithful of Northwest Bergen and Northeast Passaic counties needed a Greek Orthodox parish of their own. After many meetings, those families formed the Bergen Greek Orthodox Community, Inc. in November 1969. The key objective of the new corporation was straightforward: buy land, build a church, build a community center.

The 5¼-acre site was acquired in April 1970. With no building to worship in, the Wyckoff Board of Education gave permission to hold religious services in the gymnasium of the Coolidge School. Bible and prayer services were held there each Sunday under the supervision of Father Demetrios Stephanopoulos. Because the Diocese of New Jersey required a parish to have at least one hundred families before celebrating the Divine Liturgy, the founding members went door to door across the new neighborhoods. By late October 1970 they had reached the goal, and Father Milton Stamatos, the first lay priest of the Archdiocese, joined Father Stephanopoulos in conducting the liturgical services. Later that year the community was assigned its first resident priest, Father Nicholas Ksethias.

The pioneer years required improvisation. During the school year the parish worshipped in the Coolidge gym; during summers and recesses it moved to Grace Methodist Church. Even so, the community was determined to recreate the feel of an Orthodox sanctuary. In the spring of 1972, parishioners built a portable icon screen system that transformed the gym each Sunday, then loaded the sections into station wagons and shuttled them back to a garage on the church's own property for storage. The ritual continued for more than a year.

Ground was broken on June 4, 1971. On April 13, 1973 the Thyranoixia (opening) service of the new multi-purpose building took place, and the community unanimously chose to name the church Saint Nicholas in honor of Father Ksethias, the pioneer priest. The classroom wing was named the Saint Photios wing in recognition of a $40,000 gift from Mr. and Mrs. Frank Weinstein. In the fall of 1973 Father Charles Serelis became the parish priest, and Father James C. Moulketis arrived in October 1975.

Building the Wyckoff Campus

Father Moulketis guided Saint Nicholas through its most expansive decades. As membership surged, the General Assembly voted in March 1983 to construct the current church building. Groundbreaking took place on March 18, 1984, and the church was completed in mid-1985. The Thyranoixia service was held on November 10, 1985, marking the moment when the parish finally had a sanctuary of its own.

Over the following years the sanctuary was embellished with iconography, stained-glass windows, and extensive mosaics. A chapel dedicated to the Theotokos was added in 1993, and the narthex mosaics were completed in 1998. On October 11, 1998 the parish celebrated the formal Consecration of the church building.

Growth continued. In 2003 Saint Nicholas expanded again, adding a gymnasium, additional classrooms, larger offices, and a larger kitchen. Father Mark Leondis arrived during this period and grew the youth programs by establishing HOPE and JOY and expanding GOYA through retreats and lock-ins. In February 2014 the fellowship hall renovation began; the work was completed in September 2014 and the hall quickly became the home of baptism receptions, wedding receptions, dances, GOYA events, the annual Lenten lecture series, and the weekly fellowship hour after Liturgy. A kitchen renovation began in 2017 and was finished in December 2018, transforming the kitchen into a modern catering facility. Both projects were underwritten by the local AHEPA Ramapo Chapter 453.

Two Sunday Services, Eight Months Apart

Saint Nicholas gathers every Sunday for two services. Orthros, the service of preparation, is followed by the Divine Liturgy, the Eucharistic celebration that is the heart of Orthodox Christian worship. The regular-year schedule begins October 4 and runs through the spring, with Orthros at 9:00 a.m. and Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m. The summer schedule runs from June 28 through October 4, with services starting a half hour earlier: Orthros at 8:30 a.m. and Divine Liturgy at 9:30 a.m. Weekday services are announced as scheduled.

People may arrive from the start of Matins through the early part of the Divine Liturgy, though ushers guide latecomers to their seats at respectful moments so as not to disturb the readings of Scripture or the proclamation of the Gospel. Services are livestreamed on YouTube and Facebook for those who cannot be present. A virtual candle may be lit online, and a weekly digital bulletin is published for those who want to follow along from home.

Orthodoxy in Plain English

Visitors quickly learn that an Orthodox service is at once structured and participatory. The liturgy is led by the clergy, chanters, and choir, with the congregation joining in congregational singing. Services are primarily in modern English, accompanied by ancient liturgical Greek. The hymns of Orthros are traditionally chanted in the Byzantine style; the Divine Liturgy is sung by the clergy, choir, and faithful together. Sermons are spoken in English.

Standing is the preferred posture for prayer, and worshippers stand for most of the service. They sit briefly during the Epistle reading and the sermon. The sign of the cross is made throughout the liturgy, especially when the Trinity is invoked, with thumb, pointer, and middle finger joined together and the ring and pinky fingers tucked into the palm. Worshippers also venerate icons with a kiss, place an offering in the tray as they enter, and greet each other with the kiss of peace.

Holy Communion is distributed only to Orthodox Christians who have been baptized and chrismated into the faith and who are in good canonical standing. Visitors who are not Orthodox are invited to remain in the pew and to receive the antidoron, the blessed bread distributed at the conclusion of the liturgy. Ushers, who wear badges, coordinate seating during reverent moments and assist with the collection of offerings.

The seven sacraments of the Orthodox Church are the Eucharist, Baptism, Chrismation, Confession, Marriage, Ordination, and Holy Unction. Sunday celebrations may also include an Artoclasia (Blessing of the Loaves), a memorial service, and occasionally the churching of a mother and her forty-day-old infant.

Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker

The parish's patron saint is Nicholas of Myra, the fourth-century Archbishop known as Nicholas the Wonderworker. Saint Nicholas lived during the reign of Constantine the Great and reposed in 330 AD. After a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, he was called back to Myra, ordained bishop, and became famous for his mercy to the poor and for defending those unjustly accused. He was present at the first Ecumenical Council of the 318 Fathers at Nicaea in 325 AD. The Dismissal Hymn for Holy Hierarchs, "The Truth of Things Hath Revealed Thee to Thy Flock," was originally written for him. He is the patron saint of all travelers and of seafarers in particular.

Pastors of Saint Nicholas

Saint Nicholas has been served by a succession of priests whose combined tenure now exceeds fifty years. Father Stephanopoulos and Father Stamatos shepherded the founding generation. Father Ksethias, the pioneer resident priest, was followed by Father Serelis, then by Father Moulketis, who arrived in October 1975 and served with distinction for 37 years. He attained the offikion of Protopresbyter and continues to celebrate the liturgy at Saint Nicholas. Father Mark Leondis joined the parish during this period and built up the youth and young-adult programs before moving on to serve at Saint Mark's in Boca Raton, Florida.

Father Jim retired in January 2012, and on January 1 of that year the Archdiocese assigned Rev. Protopresbyter Basil C. Gikas as the presiding priest. Known to the parish as Father Bill, he was born and raised in New York City to immigrant parents, Spiros and Antonia Gikas, and is a graduate of Seton Hall University and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. He did post-graduate work in human resources at Rutgers University. He was ordained to the diaconate in January 2000 and to the priesthood in January 2001 by His Grace Bishop Demetrios Couchell, served as the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries for the Diocese of New Jersey from 2000 to 2002, led the start-up parish of Saint Anna in Flemington, New Jersey, and served as pastor of Saint George Greek Orthodox Church in Trenton, New Jersey for nine years. He received the offikion of Economos from His Eminence Metropolitan Evangelos in December 2007. His wife, Presvytera Sophia (Mindy), is a human-resources executive, and the couple has two children, Justin and Lillianna.

The diocesan bishop is His Grace Bishop Apostolos of Medeia, born Evangelos Koufallakis on the island of Rhodes. He completed his primary education on Rhodes and was accepted in 1990 at the Ecclesiastical School of Patmos, where he mastered Orthodox Byzantine music and hymnology.

Choir, Chanters, and Congregational Singing

The Book of Psalms urges God's people to glorify the Lord by lifting up their voices in praise, and the choir at Saint Nicholas takes that calling seriously. Dedicated men and women gather each Sunday to enrich the Divine Liturgy and assist the priest in leading the congregation through the responses that frame the service. Choir practice is announced in the Sunday bulletin, and new members are always welcome.

Acolytes and the Altar

Orthodox boys between the ages of 9 and 18 are invited to serve as acolytes (altar boys), the lay followers of the priest who assist at the Holy Altar. Acolytes light the altar candles, prepare the charcoal for incense, and help the clergy with the liturgy. Those interested in serving are asked to contact Yianni Maris at the parish office.

Religious Education After Holy Communion

Religious Education is the primary place where the parish's children learn the richness of the Orthodox faith in Jesus Christ. Registration for the 2026-2027 school year is open, with classes beginning October 2, 2026. All are welcome from pre-K through twelfth grade.

Classes are held immediately following Holy Communion during the Divine Liturgy. Children and parents are encouraged to worship together at the 10:00 a.m. service; after Communion, students are dismissed to their classrooms for forty-five minutes of instruction. The Sunday School director is Demi Thomas, who can be reached at st.nicholasssdirector@gmail.com.

Greek School on Fridays

The Greek School runs on Friday afternoons throughout the school year, from 4:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Its primary focus is to instill in the children an appreciation and awareness of the Greek language, along with a love, pride, and respect for Greek heritage and traditions. The program is comprehensive, with singing, dancing, and cultural enrichment woven into the lessons. Contacts are Angela Rokkos Bachardy and Maria Moutafis-Giamos.

For adults, the AHEPA Modern Greek Language Program, now in its tenth year, offers beginning and intermediary classes open to anyone in the community and AHEPA family. The Greek School also complements a weekly Greek dance program.

Greek Dance: Wednesdays at the Parish

The Saint Nicholas Greek dance program keeps Greek heritage alive through traditional music and dances, while celebrating the Orthodox faith and Hellenic culture. Lessons are offered weekly with a focus on teamwork and commitment.

The Junior Dance Group, for children in kindergarten through sixth grade, practices every Wednesday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The Senior Dance Group, for students in grades seven through twelve, practices Wednesdays from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. Directors are Maria Lleonart, Maria Sakellaris, Adriana Halkias, and Stella Shizas.

GOYA, HOPE & JOY

GOYA (Greek Orthodox Youth of America) is a nationwide ministry for young Orthodox Christians in grades 7 through 12, ages 12 through 18. The goal is to connect with Jesus Christ and with one another through worship and community. In addition to monthly meetings, the local GOYA group participates in religious retreats, sports teams and competitions, dances, the GOYA pageant, GOYA Olympics, service projects, cultural and talent events, and competitions in public speaking, history bowl, and more. The 2025-2026 officers are led by President Maria Papson, with advisors Kallie Martello, Agapi Schmarge, Hope Gergatsoulis, Scott McAllister, Maria Gougousis, and Tim Salvemini.

HOPE (ages 5 to 7) and JOY (ages 8 to 11) meet together regularly for fun, fellowship, and to learn about their faith. The aim is to help children make strong connections with other Orthodox Christians their age.

Kali Parea and the Fellowship Hour

One of the greatest resources in the parish is its senior community. Kali Parea (Greek for "Good Company") is a fellowship of men and women over the age of 55 who meet monthly on Tuesdays at noon, except in January and February. A light lunch is served and members bring a dessert to share. Meetings include stories, small Bible learnings, and rotating speakers; past presenters have included a nutritionist from Hackensack Hospital, a local police officer, an audiologist, and a yoga instructor. Two off-site luncheons are held, one in December and one in June. Yearly dues are $20 per person.

After every Sunday Divine Liturgy, the parish hosts a Fellowship Hour in the renovated hall, where the faithful and visitors share conversation and refreshments. Newcomers can fill out a blue Welcome Card, leave it with an usher or council member, and expect a follow-up visit.

Reading Fellowships and the Ladies Prayer Group

The Men's Reading Fellowship is commissioned with the ministry of educating and deepening the knowledge of the Lord, the Church, and Orthodox Christianity among the men of the parish. Approved texts are assigned by Father Bill and read on a weekly basis, on-site or off-site. The small-group format encourages dynamic interaction and fellowship.

The Women's Reading Fellowship is open to all women of the parish who wish to deepen their faith. The WRF meets once a week, usually on-site, to discuss an assigned text approved by Father Bill in an informal and friendly setting.

The Ladies Prayer Group gathers on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the Theotokos Chapel for a dedicated time of informal prayer lifting up the nation, the church community, and families and friends. All prayer requests are kept confidential. The contact is Irene Ayvas. An email prayer chain is available for urgent or ongoing requests.

Sharing & Caring

The pressures of life can be overwhelming, and the Sharing & Caring ministry exists for those who have suffered a loss through death, divorce, or separation, or who are dealing with a significant life change, a relationship issue, or the daily challenges of child rearing. The confidential, no-cost support group meets on the first Thursday of every month and is led by Dr. Eva Pappas Krias, an experienced New York state-licensed psychologist.

AHEPA, Daughters of Penelope, and the Charity Classic

The parish hosts a chapter of the Daughters of Penelope (Chapter #336), the women's organization of the Greek-American community. Its mission is to promote the ancient Greek ideals of Hellenism, education, philanthropy, civic responsibility, and family and individual excellence. The chapter meets monthly and plans fundraising events for the church and other charitable organizations. The 2025-2026 president is Christine Parlamis.

AHEPA, the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association, also has a strong local presence through Ramapo Chapter 453. Every summer the parish holds a Charity Golf & Racquet Classic that builds community and raises funds for Saint Nicholas ministries. The committee meets from late March through late June; AHEPA Ramapo Chapter 453 has been a longtime platinum sponsor. Co-chairs of the most recent classic were Jason Fink and Charlie Charllis.

Philoptochos, the Greek Orthodox women's philanthropy society, brings together the women of the parish to develop lifetime friendships through social functions and church-related activities while raising money for those in need. Meeting dates are announced in the Sunday bulletin and the Parish Life newsletter.

Stewardship & Outreach

Saint Nicholas has a dynamic stewardship program that recognizes God as the source of all gifts. The Stewardship & Outreach ministry reaches out to local charities, feeds the homeless at Thanksgiving and Christmas, and shares in cooking for the homeless. The parish supports the national ministries of the Archdiocese, including Holy Cross Theological School, St. Basil Academy, and St. Michael's Home for Seniors. Internationally, Saint Nicholas supports International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) and sends missionary teams to the Hogar Orphanage in Guatemala. The parish also participates in Project Mexico.

Each year, ten percent of the proceeds from philanthropic events such as the annual festival and the golf outing goes to charity. The parish also offers online giving through the Archdiocesan Stewardship platform and accepts donations by check, made payable to Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church.

Parish Council

The Parish Council is a group of fifteen parishioners elected by the church body to assist the priest in Christ's ministry to the people. Together with the priest, the council manages the administrative needs of the church and parish. Council members serve three-year terms. The current officers are Kathy Van Dine (President), Nick Pirsos (1st Vice President), John Psomas (2nd Vice President), John Tsadilas (Treasurer), and George Bayiokos (Secretary).

Facilities, Hall Rentals, and the Gym

The Saint Nicholas campus includes the main church building, the chapel dedicated to the Theotokos, the renovated fellowship hall and modern catering kitchen, a full-sized gymnasium, and additional classrooms. The hall is available for rent for private events, with tables, chairs, kitchen access, bathrooms, a lobby, stage, sound system, and use of the gym if needed. Hall rental inquiries go to Kathy Van Dine. The gym, a full-sized modern facility with basketball court, bleacher seating, multiple hoops, and a volleyball net, is rented through John Tsadilas. Rentals are approved at the discretion of the parish and must be consistent with the doctrines, canon law, teachings, regulations, and ethics of the Greek Orthodox Christian Church.

Mission and Identity

The mission of Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church of Wyckoff, New Jersey is to bring together followers of Christ and aid them on their path to find God, grow their faith, and use that faith to make a difference in their communities. The parish belongs to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and adheres to its Uniform Parish Regulations, describing itself as a Christ-centered church. Its dikonia (ministry) includes proclaiming and teaching the Gospel in accordance with the Orthodox faith, sanctifying the faithful through God's grace in worship, the Divine Liturgy, and the other sacraments, enhancing parishioners' spiritual life, and adding to the numbers of the faithful through instruction, Baptism, and Chrismation.

The families who launched the parish in 1969 had a simple dream. They bought land, built a church, raised a generation of Greek-American Orthodox faithful in Wyckoff, and watched their community grow from 62 families to more than 425. Today, on a wooded five-and-a-quarter-acre campus near Route 208, the church that began in a school gymnasium still welcomes visitors with the same invitation: "Come and see."