Our Priest

Rev. Fr. John Tsikalas

Father John began his ministry at St. Andrew in 2021 following time as the Associate Pastor at Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church in Westchester, Illinois.

As a college student, Father John spent summers working at St. Innocent Orphanage in Mexico, This was a significant experience that shaped his future - it was while working with Project Mexico, combining faith with acts of service, that Father John realized God was calling him to the priesthood. He found fulfillment in his work there - seeing that by serving others, he was giving an offering to God. 

After graduating from the University of Missouri. Father John went on to seminary at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. While at Holy Cross, he served as the Ecclesiarch—a role that led to a deepening love for the rhythm of the Church's liturgical life. For Father John, the Orthodox Church is a place of spiritual healing and renewal, where all people are called to holiness and virtue.

Father John met Presbytera Kahlee while studying at the University of Missouri, and they are blessed with four beautiful children, Aimiliane, Basil, Patrick and Zachariah. As Father John serves our parish in South Bend, he keeps in mind Christ’s words from the Gospel of Matthew: "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest! Take my yoke upon you and learn from me because I am gentle and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

Fr. John is pursuing an Executive Master of Nonprofit Administration degree from the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame.

To contact Fr. John, feel free to email fr.john@saintandrewgoc.org