OUR CLERGY
Diocesan Leadership
The Most Reverend Archbishop Alexander [Golitzin]
Archbishop of Dallas and the South
St. Tikhon is a parish of the Diocese of the South of the Orthodox Church in America. Our ruling bishop, the Most Reverend Archbishop Alexander [Golitzin] of Dallas and the South, has served as our parish’s archpastor since Great Lent of 2016. It is under Archbishop Alexander’s direction and blessing that the clergy of St. Tikhon serve and it is to him that they are accountable.
“See that you all follow the bishop, even as Jesus Christ does the Father, and the presbytery as you would the apostles; and reverence the deacons, as being the institution of God. Let no man do anything connected with the Church without the bishop. Let that be deemed a proper Eucharist, which is administered either by the bishop, or by one to whom he has entrusted it. Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude of the people also be; even as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church.” —St. Ignatius of Antioch, c. AD115, Smyrnaeans, Ch 8
The Right Reverend Gerasim
Bishop of Fort Worth, Auxiliary to Archbishop Alexander and the Diocese of the South
His Grace, Bishop GERASIM was consecrated to the episcopacy on the Feast of Sts Peter and Paul. He is the bishop of Ft Worth and serves as Auxiliary to His Eminence ALEXANDER.
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.
Fr. Seth Earl
Parish Priest
Fr Seth and his wife Presbytera Stephanie are Atlanta natives and have been serving in some capacity at St Tikhon since 2017. In June of 2018 he has been the Priest-in-Charge. He can be reached below:
Archpriest Jonas Worsham (Reposed)
Priest Jonas Worhsam fell asleep in the Lord on 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!