Annunciation Cathedral Clergy

V. Rev. Archimandrite Nephon Tsimalis, Dean

(312) 664-5485 | Email

Fr. Nephon Tsimalis is a Greek Orthodox Archimandrite and has served as the Dean of Annunciation Cathedral in Chicago since January 1, 2026. Following nearly two decades of ministry abroad, he was reincardinated into the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America by Archbishop Elpidophoros and assigned to the Metropolis of Chicago at the request of Metropolitan Nathanael.

Fr. Nephon was born in Chicago and raised in Northwest Indiana. He earned a bachelor's degree in theology from Hellenic College, a master's degree in theology from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, and a master's degree in pastoral psychology from Boston University. After completing his studies, he moved to Istanbul, Turkey, to serve the Ecumenical Patriarchate, having been recruited by Archbishop Elpidophoros, who at the time was an Archimandrite and Chief Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod. Within months of arriving, Fr. Nephon was ordained as a Patriarchal Deacon and served for more than a decade as a member of the Patriarchal Court. Under the direct supervision of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Fr. Nephon led a strategic expansion of the Patriarchate's English Office. As its Director, he recruited top talent from the Archdiocese of America and developed the office into a key hub for managing international communications, organizing global summits, and launching numerous religious, philanthropic, and educational initiatives. His team's dedicated efforts helped strengthen the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s presence and witness worldwide. During his tenure, he also served on several synodal committees and, in 2017, was appointed to the World Council of Churches' Commission on World Mission and Evangelism.

On November 24, 2019, Fr. Nephon was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain at his home parish of Saints Constantine and Helen in Merrillville, Indiana. Later that year, he moved to London to serve the Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain. In 2020, he became Director of the Office of the Archbishop, overseeing the Archdiocese's daily operations and communications, and serving as a key advisor to Archbishop Nikitas. In recognition of his leadership, he was appointed Chancellor of the Archdiocese in 2022. In these roles, Fr. Nephon supported official engagements with the British Prime Minister and members of the Royal Family, the Armed Forces, and spearheaded initiatives in religious education, liturgical translation, and social outreach, and developed a variety of catechetical and educational offerings, including an online lecture series. While in London, Fr. Nephon served for six years at the historic Cathedral of Divine Wisdom, including as Dean of the Cathedral. There, he launched outreach and stewardship programs, established an annual ecumenical Christmas concert, introduced regular celebrations of the Divine Liturgy in English, and created structured catechism classes attended by hundreds of people many of whom ultimately embraced the Orthodox faith.

Fr. Nephon is honored to serve the Annunciation Cathedral community in Chicago. He looks forward to working collaboratively to strengthen parish life, support growth, and build meaningful connections among its members.