Father Douglas Papulis

Father Doug was born in November of 1957 to Helen and Peter Papulis of Stoneham, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston. He grew up with his older brother George, younger sister Anne, and his beloved grandparents. This three-generation family watched Dionysios grow as a student, actor, artist, landscaper, and finally graduate from Stoneham High School in 1976.

In 1976 he enrolled in Hellenic College / Holy Cross School of Theology for the 7-year education that led to the Master of Divinity Degree and one step closer to answering his call to serve the Lord. Father Doug was the Valedictorian at both his College and Graduate Schools' ceremonies.

During the last years of his seminary experience, Father Doug met and fell in love with Christina Dedes of Toledo, Ohio who was completing her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and Religion at Hellenic College. They married Labor Day Weekend of 1983. Interestingly, Father Doug's mother and Christina's father had been childhood acquaintances in Ohio.

Early in their marriage, Father Doug worked and traveled for the Office of Admissions of Hellenic College / Holy Cross, until his Ordination to the Deaconate. His grace Bishop Methodios of Boston celebrated this magnificant sacrament in the tiny Greek Orthodox parish in New Bedford, Massachusetts April 29, 1984. The following Sunday, May 6, Deacon Dionysios was ordained to the Holy Priesthood in St. Vasilios Church in Peabody, Massachusetts.

It was at this 1200+ family community that Father was assigned and served for 2 years. The most exciting event in Peabody was when Father DOug did not appear for Saturday of Lazarus Services in 1986 because baby Alex was coming into the world!

Shortly after Alex's birth, the young family was assigned to Kimissis Tis Theotokou church in Racine, Wisconsin - a lakeside city between Chicago and Milwaukee. This was a wonderful town to raise a young family especially as it grew with the additions of Peter in 1988 and George in 1990 (Fahter Doug missed the St. Barbara Liturgy that day).

Highlights in his ministry included watching the beginnings and development of the St. John Chrysostom Monastery in nearby Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin. For several years, Father Doug would celebrate Divine Liturgy there for each of the 40 days preceding Christmas. Twice in his ministry he was able to lead groups of his parishioners to the Holy Land and Constantinople. He also was able to travel to Mount Athos and witness the ordination of his brother in law Father Seraphim.

After nearly 11 years, the call came to serve the St. Louis parish of St. Nicholas. Since Father Doug's arrival in January 1997, the St. Nicholas Community has experienced 417 Baptisms, 173 Weddings and 294 Funerals. Father Doug has added his personal touch to many of the organizations of our community by opening his home to many of them - especially the youth groups.