ABOUT OUR PRESIDENT

Interim Hellenic College Holy Cross President Rev. Fr. Michael Lambakis

Interim Hellenic College Holy Cross President Rev. Fr. Michael Lambakis returned to campus in August 2025 as the Dean of Students, following nearly 20 years of service to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and the Annunciation Orthodox Church in Houston, TX, where he began as an assistant priest in 2006 and became its proistamenos is 2010.

Fr. Michael was ordained a deacon in November 2005 and to the Holy Priesthood in July 2006 in his home parish of St. George in Oklahoma City by His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver.

Fr. Michael received his undergraduate degree in Religious Studies from Hellenic College in May 2003 and was president of his class. He received his Master of Divinity in May 2006. Fr. Michael also served as director of housing and resident director for six years while at HCHC. In his position he coordinated activities for the student body such as sporting events, social functions, and community service activities. He also worked closely with the Office of Student Life and the Buildings and Grounds staff. Additionally, Fr. Michael also served as the Married Student Association representative to the HCHC Student Government Council.

A native of Oklahoma City, OK, Fr. Michael was raised in the St. George Greek Orthodox Church, a parish his grandparents helped establish in 1922. He participated in Sunday school, GOYA, YAL, and served as an Altar boy. He was blessed to have been guided by outstanding priests such as Fr. Petros Kopsahilis and Fr. Demetri Kangalelaris who served the parish with love and kindness during his youth. He also took part in many summer camps at the Patriarch Athenagoras Center in Wyoming, as well as the Eastern Orthodox Youth Camp near Kansas City.

Fr. Michael graduated high school and enlisted in the United States Navy, spending six months in San Diego, CA completing basic and technical training. He was the assigned to the USS Donald B. Beary (FF-1085), stationed in Norfolk, VA and was also stationed in Staten Island, NY just prior to his ship being decommissioned from active service. While on active-duty Fr. Michael earned the Navy Sea Service medal, the National Defense medal and the Coast Guard Medal. He was nominated as sailor of the quarter and rose to the rank of Petty Officer Second Class. He also made several deployments overseas, including a six-month deployment to the Mediterranean during the military buildup to Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm.

While stationed in Norfolk, VA he became active in the life of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral. He was active in the YAL and volunteered at the annual Greek festivals. There he also met his wife Renee (Constantinou). After finishing his enlistment, he remained in Norfolk. He and Presbytera Renee married in November 1992.

From 1992 until 1999, he worked in a variety of industries and owned a restaurant in Norfolk. In late 1997 he returned to Oklahoma City where he worked as general manager for a family dry cleaning business while Presbytera Renee finished her undergraduate degree at the University of Central Oklahoma. His time back in Oklahoma City helped him in making his decision to attend HCHC. With the love and support of his family and specifically, his father-in-law, Fr. Savas Constantinou, he and Presbytera moved to Boston in 1999 where he decided to follow his calling to the priesthood.

Today, Fr. Michael and Presbytera Renee have two grown sons, Andrew and Nicholas who are students at Holy Cross and Hellenic College, respectively.