Our Clergy
At St. Philip Orthodox Church, our clergy are dedicated to serving our parish family, leading our divine services, offering pastoral care, and teaching the apostolic Orthodox faith.
The Very Rev. Fr. Alexis (Alex) Kouri
Fr. Alexis serves as the pastor and spiritual father of St. Philip Orthodox Church. Dedicated to ministering to our diverse community, Fr. Alex oversees the liturgical life of the parish, leads our catechumen and adult educational programs, and provides pastoral care and counseling to parishioners and visitors alike.
Background & Pastoral Ministry
Fr. Alex holds a Bachelor of Science from Boston College, a Master of Divinity from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, and a Doctor of Theology (Th.D.) in Pastoral Counseling from Emory University.
Bringing decades of pastoral experience to St. Philip, Fr. Alex’s ministry emphasizes:
Pastoral Counseling & Care: Applying his specialized doctoral training to support individuals and families through life’s spiritual and personal challenges.
Byzantine Music & Sacred Chant: Nurturing a deep love for traditional liturgical music and sacred chant within parish worship.
Youth & Family Ministry: Regularly offering children’s sermons and guiding a vibrant, multi-generational parish family.
Educational & Audio Ministry
Beyond our local parish, Fr. Alex reaches an international audience through his audio ministry with Ancient Faith Ministries. He hosts the Daily Orthodox Scriptures series, guiding listeners worldwide through a daily reading of the Bible in a year accompanied by pastoral reflections.
Fr. Alex and his wife, Khouria Anna, are blessed to serve the faithful of St. Philip and the wider South Florida community.
“We welcome all who seek a deeper relationship with our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ. Whether you are lifelong Orthodox, exploring the Faith for the first time, or looking for a spiritual home, our doors and hearts are open to you.”
Contact & Pastoral Care
Email: FrAlex@Orthodoxfl.com
Appointments: Available following weekend services or by appointment.
Visiting Orthodox Faithful: If you are an Orthodox Christian visiting St. Philip and planning to receive Holy Communion, please introduce yourself or reach out to Fr. Alex prior to the service.
Our clergy are always happy to meet with visitors, answer questions about Orthodox Christianity, or offer a tour of our church temple and iconography. Please join us for coffee hour and fellowship in the hall.
“We are all in this spiritual journey together. None of us has arrived; we are all patients in the same hospital, seeking the healing of Christ.”
Patron Saint: St Alexis the Man of God
Favorite Scripture: Matthew 5:8
Deacon Christian Proano
Deacon Christian serves at St. Philip Orthodox Church, assisting at the altar, supporting parish education, and ministering through hospital visitations.
Personal & Family Life
Originally from Guayaquil, Ecuador, Deacon Christian moved to Florida in 2001. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry and works professionally as a Personal Lines Agent. Deacon Christian and his wife have been married since 2009 and are blessed with six children, whom they homeschool.
Journey to Orthodoxy & Diaconate
Through studying church history and reading the early Church Fathers, Deacon Christian sought a deeper, living experience of Christ. Visiting the Orthodox Church transformed that search from abstract concepts into a direct experience of the Church founded by Jesus Christ.
Guided by his spiritual fathers, he continued his call to ministry at St. Philip, serving at the altar since 2013 and eventually being ordained to the diaconate.
“Creed and theology are not concepts to be mastered, but guideposts leading us into a personal encounter with the historical and risen Jesus Christ. The Church invites us to know Christ through direct participation in His Body.”
Ministry at St. Philip
Deacon Christian joyfully assists with liturgical services, adult education, and hospital visitations—viewing every pastoral moment as an opportunity to serve and learn.
Patron Saint: St. Athanasius of Alexandria
Favorite Scripture: Isaiah 41:8–10