The faithful from Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Las Vegas, NV witnessed the ordination of Dr. John Nixon to the Holy Diaconate on Sunday, July 30, 2023 by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, along with His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, and His Grace Bishop Ioannis of Phocaea. Also participating in the service were Rev. Father John Hondros, proistamenos from Saint John Church, Rev. Father Florin Ristache, assistant priest from Saint John; and Rev. Father Ioan Dumitrascu, an Air Force Chaplain stationed at Nellis Air Force Base.
Deacon John earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas in 1981. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in 1986. After graduation from Holy Cross, he served as a Youth Director at St. Catherine Church in Greenwood Village, Colorado.
He then pursued further education at the University of Northern Colorado, where he received his Ed.D. in Counselor Education in 1994. Subsequently, he served full-time in clinical practice and as faculty at the University of Phoenix, eventually being hired as full-time faculty and training clinic director in 2009 at the Phoenix, Arizona main campus.. In 2011, John relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada to become training clinic director at the University of Phoenix Las Vegas Campus and in 2017 was recruited to the faculty of the Counselor Education program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he serves as Assistant Professor-in-Residence.
Deacon John is married to Diakonissa Ellyn. They are highly active in the liturgical and community life of Saint John the Baptist in Las Vegas.
AXIOS Deacon John!
Photo: Metropolis of San Francisco