In Service to the Holy Church
- Dom Theodore Phillips
- Aug 30
- 1 min read
Effective September 1, 2025, His Grace Bishop John has appointed Abbot Theodore as the Locum tenens (Latin for "place holder") of St. Mark Orthodox Church in Denver Colorado. We wish well to the Very Rev. Archpriest John Connely upon his retirement from parish ministry. Father has served for over 30 years and, in his time, accomplished much towards the strengthening of the Western Rite Vicariate of the Antiochian Archdiocese. He brought many people into Holy Orthodoxy and inspired numerous vocations to both minor and major Holy Orders. Especially important to Ladyminster, he has been a steadfast supporter of Benedictine monastic life in Orthodoxy: first for the former Christminster, then through the Benedictine Fellowship of St. Laurence, of Ladyminster. His vision and efforts are one of the chief reasons our monastery exists. AXIOS, Abouna John!
Father Abbot will be spending time both at Ladyminster and at St. Mark's, where we have Dom Emmanuel-Gerasim in full time residence. Father has been assisting there since December of 2024, when the whole brotherhood took up residence there for the winter, then on alternate Sundays through the spring and summer.
