The Reverend Protopresbyter Christopher H. Bender, Dean of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral, is a graduate of Yale University (B.A., 1976) and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, MA (M.Div., 1981). After his ordination to the priesthood in 1984, he served parishes in Lowell, MA, East Pittsburgh, PA, Morgantown, WV, and, most recently, Aliquippa, PA.
A strong advocate for the ecumenical movement, he has represented his national church in the areas of environmental ministry and social justice and advocacy at the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. since 1997.
He is currently serving as chair of the N.C.C. Justice and Advocacy Commission. He also chairs the Orthodox Fellowship of the Transfiguration, a national ministry which offers leadership in the area of creation care.
In August, 2013, Fr. Christopher was appointed Hierarchical Vicar of the Central Region of the Metropolis of Pittsburgh by His Eminence Metropolitan Savas. He is also Secretary of the Spiritual Court for his region.
Fr. Bender is married to Dr. Filitsa Hatizivasiliou Bender of Thessaloniki, Greece, a nephrologist on the faculty of the University of Pittsburgh Medical School. They have two daughters, Sophia & Maria.
You can email Fr. Christopher Bender here: Email