OUR CLERGY
The Most Blessed Metropolitan Tikhon
Archbishop of Washington & Metropolitan of All America and Canada
His Eminence, Archbishop Alexander, sits on the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America, under the chairmanship of the Most Blessed Metropolitan Tikhon, Archbishop of Washington & Metropolitan of All America and Canada. Metropolitan Tikhon has served as primate of the Orthodox Church in America since fall of 2012. Metropolitan Tikhon has the task not only of serving as the ruling bishop of the capital of the USA, but also of coordinating the work of the dioceses in accordance with the canons of the Church and representing the OCA both at home and abroad.
It is the special task of the primate (metropolitan) to maintain Communion of our local church with the other Orthodox churches around the world.
The Most Reverend Archbishop Alexander (Golitzin)
Archbishop of Dallas and the South
St. Tikhon's is a parish of the Diocese of the South of the Orthodox Church in America. Since Great Lent of 2016, our parish has been under the omophorion of our ruling bishop, His Eminence Archbishop Alexander (Golitzin) of Dallas and the South. The clergy of St. Tikhon's serve by his blessing and under his spiritual direction, remaining accountable to him in all matters of pastoral ministry.
A scholar and monk, Archbishop Alexander received his D.Phil. from Oxford University under Metropolitan Kallistos Ware, which included a formative year at Simonos Petras Monastery on Mount Athos. Tonsured to monastic orders in 1986, he later served as Professor of Theology at Marquette University for 22 years before his consecration to the episcopacy in 2012. He was elected to shepherd the Diocese of the South in 2016.
The Right Reverend Gerasim
Bishop of Fort Worth, Auxiliary to Archbishop Alexander and the Diocese of the South
His Grace Bishop Gerasim of Fort Worth serves as Auxiliary Bishop to His Eminence Archbishop Alexander in the Diocese of the South. He was consecrated to the episcopacy on the Feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, June 29, 2021, and assists our Archbishop in the pastoral oversight and spiritual care of the diocese.
Prior to his consecration, Bishop Gerasim spent nearly three decades in monastic life at Saint Herman of Alaska Monastery in Platina, California, where he served as abbot from 2000 to 2009. A graduate of St. Vladimir's Seminary (M.Div., 2012), he also served as cathedral dean at Saint Seraphim Cathedral in Dallas before his election to the episcopacy.
Father Silouan Parchert
Rector
Fr. Silouan has served as rector of St. Tikhon's since January 2026, having been ordained to the priesthood and assigned to the parish in 2025. He is a graduate of St. Vladimir's Seminary and holds a B.A. in Electrical Engineering and an M.A. in Education. Prior to his ordination, Fr. Silouan worked as an engineer and taught middle and high school mathematics, with additional experience in special education.
Fr. Silouan is married to Matushka Emilia, and together they have five children: Colin, Brendan, Sebastian, Lydia, and Mariam.
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Father Deacon Athanasios Gergis
Deacon
Fr. Dcn. Athanasios is a native of Egypt and grew up in the Coptic Church prior to his reception into the Eastern Orthodox Church in 2015.
He and his wife, Mka. Mariamne, have served at St. Tikhon Orthodox Church in some capacity since they moved to Chattanooga in 2020. In 2025, he was ordained to the Holy Diaconate. While church hymnody remains his first catechist, he is also a graduate of the DOS OCA Diaconal Program.
In a professional capacity, in addition to his diaconal ministry, he holds both bachelor's and master's degrees in engineering and works as a licensed structural engineer.
Archpriest Jonas Worsham (Reposed)
Priest Jonas Worhsam fell asleep in the Lord
March 8, 2025 at the age of 76.
Father Jonas (Larry Dale) was born on December 23, 1948, in Stilwell, OK, to Tommy and Dorothy Worsham. Growing up on Cherokee Nation land, he was the middle child of two public school teachers. He was a gifted scholar, athlete, pianist, and served as a delegate to Boys State and the youth United Nations. He graduated as captain of the varsity football team and salutatorian of his class.
He continued his education at Oklahoma State University, where he joined the fraternity SAE, serving as its president and forming lifelong friendships. He graduated in 1970 with a degree in Political Science.
Father Jonas’s spiritual journey deepened during his years as a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War. In 1986 he married Joan Marie in Atlanta, GA. Seeking a life of service, he joined a Christian service brotherhood and was ordained to the priesthood. Together, Father Jonas and Joan raised their family and faithfully served the Church, moving from Memphis, TN to Kodiak, AK; Charlottesville, VA; and finally Chattanooga, TN — founding churches and restaurants along the way.
Throughout his ministry, Father Jonas served in 11 parishes across eight states, touching thousands of lives through his pastoral care, dedication, and loveHe is survived by his beloved wife, Matushka Joan Marie, and their children, Paul, Gregory, Nina, and Benjamin.
May Father Jonas’ memory be eternal!