The impact of the life of Fr. Luke Veronis on the current state of Orthodox Missions cannot be under-stated.

Father Luke Veronis has been involved in the Orthodox missionary movement for the past 17 years. Together with his wife Presbytera Faith, he served as a long-term OCMC Missionary in Albania for ten and a half years. Albania was one of the most persecuted Communist countries of Eastern Europe, being the only country in the world to totally outlaw any form of religious expression, and the first country to proclaim itself totally atheistic.  

During his tenure in Albania, Father Luke taught at the Resurrection of Christ Theological Academy, serving as its co-director from 1998-2003. More than 130 of the school's graduates have become priests during the past decade. Father Luke also had a special weekly outreach to students at the University of Tirana. Six judges now serving Albania's higher courts are among his former students. The Veronises helped establish a vibrant youth movement around the country with a focus on the summer Church camp programs.

Prior to Albania, Father Luke served in Africa as a short-term missionary in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Ghana for eighteen months. He and African co-workers constructed five stone churches, a medical clinic, and mission house. He also led teaching and youth ministry teams to numerous villages.

His published works include the book Missionaries, Monks, and Martyrs: Making Disciples of All Nations, and articles in various missionary journals and books.

Father Luke graduated from Fuller Theological Seminary's School of World Mission in 1993 with a Masters of Theology in Missiology, Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in 1992 with a Masters of Divinity (highest distinction), and Pennsylvania State University in 1987 with a BS in Secondary Education/Mathematics.

Fr. Luke is presently the pastor of Saints Constantine and Helen Church in Webster, Massachusetts, while teaching mission classes at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, St. Vladimir's Seminary and Hellenic College.

Fr. Luke and Presbytera Faith have four children.

(Biography taken from his introduction by Mat. Olga Atty.)

We thank Fr. Veronis for taking the time out of his busy schedule to come and speak before the student body and we welcome a long and fruitful relationship with the Missions Institute of Orthodox Christianity at Holy Cross. 

A few photos from his talk can be seen on our flickr page »