Father Panagiotis Hanley


(Icon of the Taxiarche Mantamados ~~Monastery of the Taxiarche --Mantamados, Lesbos, Greece)

Fr. Panagiotis is available via email if you would like to contact him: frphanley@transfiguration.va.goarch.org

January 2024

I pray that this message finds all of you well and Strong in the Lord as we have entered the New Year of 2024. It is my sincerest and most heartfelt prayer that this year of 2024, will be one that brings you great Spiritual growth and affords you the opportunity to draw closer to God.

At the outset of the New Year, we are all filled with a sense of hope, a sense of optimism, and a sense of renewal.  Even as some of us experience these feelings in a different manner, or different from one another.  As Greek Orthodox Christians we understand that hope, optimism, and renewal to be offered to us by Christ alone.  For without Christ, there is nothing at all, only death.  During the Nativity of the Lord, we celebrated His, taking upon Himself our flesh, our entire nature, save sin.  His glorious Incarnation.  The inception, if you will, of our pathway back to paradise; which will be culminated in His Glorious Resurrection.  He came to us in the humblest of forms, to be an example to all people, beginning with the Jews.  For our sake, Christ came into the world.  Life, God’s creation, is perhaps, the most precious thing.  A life lived humbly and piously dedicated to God, is the only life worth living.  Christ, Himself tells us, “For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”” (Mark 8: 36-38)

Shortly after the Nativity we celebrated Christ’s glorious Theophany.  Again, putting humility first, our Lord allows Himself to be Baptized in the Jordan river, by St. John the Baptist.  St. John, baptized with a baptism of repentance.  Of what need did Christ have of repentance?  None, absolutely none!  Yet because, when He came into the world, He took our entire nature upon Himself (save sin), He set the example for us all.  The message St. John offered to the people was, ‘Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.’  Christ continued that message after His baptism.  This message, this call to repentance, comes from the Father.  It is a call that was specifically meant for mankind.  It is a call from the Father above for us to return to Eden, in other words, Paradise.  Man was never meant to live as he does today.  Divided and cut off from the Divine, cutoff from God, Himself.  The pathway back to Paradise is not one that we can in any way, shape, or form navigate on our own accord.  It is only through Christ that we are able to find this salvation.  While the road ahead is not always easy it is certainly not impossible.  Jesus Christ came specifically, to show us the WAY!  (John 14:6)

As we enjoy this time of renewal, let us always look toward the Lord Jesus Christ, who is our eternal hope!  Let us recognize the seasons, and keep our eyes focused on Christ and His, Resurrection.  As I write this letter, to share with all of you, I reflect on my own journey to Christ.  This year, this week actually (January 19th, 2024), I celebrate my 10th anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood.  With 7 years before that, as an Ordained as Deacon (December 7th), for a total of 17 years in Ordained ministry.  I am left wondering where did the time go?  During my ministry in Christ’s vineyard, I have had many ups and downs, as well as neutral times.  Many events I thought were initially bad, would draw me so much closer to Jesus Christ.  So, I was left thinking to myself, “was that really bad?”  Those things which I thought would be so good, would eventually put barriers in my path blocking me from God.  Reflecting again, “was that really good?”  While I have never been fond of the saying, ‘Misery is optional’, truth be told, sometimes misery is simply a part of life.  As I have preached on this particular topic before, I will simply say here, that what brings me closer to Christ is not bad.  Tragic, heartbreaking, and sorrowful indeed, but bad no. Hardships and trials are a part of life.  The life of Christ is our example.  Let me be Crucified with Christ (i.e.: let me die to this world and sin) and spend eternity in Heaven; rather than die with sin on my soul and being the richest man in the world.

My time in the Priesthood, especially as Proistamenos of Transfiguration, has been some of the most difficult, rewarding, and beautiful of my whole life.  Watching this parish and her people develop and grow, spiritually (as well as physically) is a true blessing and one that I am eternally grateful to Christ for having entrusted to my care!  I ask for your prayers.  These are most important for me, for my ministry and for the Church. There is so much more that I could say here, but to the Faithful and friends of Holy Transfiguration, I offer my deepest gratitude, love, and respect.

Asking that Christ our True God, will bless and protect all of you, and your families, and all the pilgrims to our beloved Parish, I remain,

In His Service,

+Fr. Panagioti Hanley

Brief Biographical information:

Prior to full-time life in the ministry of the Church, Father Panagiotis’s background was primarily in public-service (Law Enforcement) both in the civilian and military.  Father Panagioti began his career in Law Enforcement with a University Police Department (NMIMT) in Central New Mexico in 1996.  During this same time period, the opportunity would present itself, to enlist in the New Mexico Air National Guard; at that time the 150th Fighter Wing, today the 150th has been re-tasked, as the 150th Special Operations Wing.  I enlisted and was assigned to the 150th Security Forces Squadron.  I completed Basic Military Training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX, and also completed my Air Force Technical School –Security Forces/Law Enforcement Training academy at Lackland AFB as well.  In January of 1997, I took a full-time position with a City (Socorro) Police Department in Central New Mexico.  To pursue advancement opportunities a year later, Father Panagioti would enter on active duty in the U.S.A.F., leaving civilian Law Enforcement.

During his time in the Air Force, Father Panagioti was deployed to many different locations throughout the world, and in support of many different military operations.  Including, Operation Southern Watch, Operation Northern Watch, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom, Global War on Terrorism, as well as numerous deployments for local exercises, and supporting NATO exercises in Europe.  Father’s primary specialty in the Air Force was Security Forces (Military Police),  and he was also assigned to the 64th Weapons of Mass Destruction –Civil Support Team (this unit’s primary mission was to assist civilian authorities in the event of a terrorist attack.) In the fall of 2002, Father Panagioti was Honorably Discharged due to medical issues, that arose as a result of his service.  At the end of 2002, Father Panagioti would enter Seminary, at Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. In 2005, Father completed his Bachelor’s degree and in 2008 the Master of Divinity Degree. 

Father Panagioti is originally from Paramus, NJ.  His Parents of blessed memory are from Lesbos, Greece (Mother) and Father is of Irish decent.  He is the oldest of three siblings.

Ordinations:

Holy Deaconate: December 16th, 2007, –by the Hand of His Eminence, Metropolitan ISIAIAH of Denver, at the Assumption Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Denver, CO.

Holy Priesthood: January 19th, 2014, --by the Hand of His Eminence, Metropolitan EVANGLEOS of Sardis (formerly of New Jersey) at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in Toms River, New Jersey

 

 

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