V. Rev. Archimandrite Jarrod Russell (left) and His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit (right)
V. Rev. Archimandrite Jarrod Russell
V. Rev. Archimandrite Jarrod Russell serves as the Presiding Priest of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Nashville, Tennessee.
A native Arkansan, Father Jarrod was received into the Orthodox Church at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Little Rock in 2005. In 2010, he entered Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts graduating with the professional degree of Master of Divinity, with high distinction. Father Jarrod also completed the advanced theological research degree of Master of Theology at Holy Cross, graduating with highest distinction.
He was ordained to the Holy Diaconate by His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit at Annunciation Little Rock in August of 2015. Father Jarrod was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Carmel, Indiana in September of 2015. He was raised to the rank of Archimandrite in November of 2022 by His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas at Holy Trinity Nashville.
Prior to his assignment to Holy Trinity Nashville, Father Jarrod served as the Parish Priest of Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Grand Blanc, Michigan and of Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Jamestown, New York. Father Jarrod also served as the Assistant Priest of Holy Trinity Carmel.
In addition to his theological degrees, Father Jarrod earned degrees from Missouri State University and the University of Arkansas School of Law. He practiced law in Arkansas for nine years prior to enrolling at Holy Cross and continues to be licensed to practice law.
In his spare time, Father Jarrod enjoys reading, watching old movies, cheering for the Mississippi State University Bulldogs, following the United States Supreme Court’s decisions, and occasionally playing golf.
Deacon John Suhayda
Deacon John was born in Baltimore, Maryland and baptized there at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. He grew up in Akron, Ohio, where he was a member of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. He graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a Bachelor of Science in Physics and received a Master of Divinity from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. He was ordained a deacon by His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago at Holy Taxiarhai - St. Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church in Niles, Illinois in 1991, where he served until 2023.
In 2023, Deacon John and Diakonissa Helen moved to the Nashville area to be close to their children and grandchildren. Deacon John is an IT program manager with experience in the telecommunications and pharmacy industries. He enjoys bicycling, railfanning, astronomy, Byzantine and Church history, and listening to music, especially on vinyl.
deacon vasili Vallas
Deacon Vasili was born on November 30, 1945, in Jackson Mississippi, to Theologos and Domna Vallas from the Island of Patmos, Greece. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietman War. Dn. Vasili completed his under-graduate education at the University of Southern Mississippi receiving his Bachelor of Science Degree in business. He received his Juris Doctor Degree, Cum Laude, from Mississippi College School of Law in 1976, where he was also the law student body president. Thereafter, Dn. Vasili practiced law and had his own firm in Jackson until he retired in 2012.
After retirement Dn. Vasili and Diaconisa Lyn moved to the Nashville, Tennessee, area where their four children and 6 grandchildren also reside. After completing the Special Program for the Diaconate at Holy Cross School of Theology, Dn. Vasili was ordained to the Holy Diaconate on October 14, 2018, at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Nashville, by His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit.