Father Simon Thomas was born in Fresno, CA on June 11, 1975, but three years later moved to Modesto, where he spent most of his childhood.  He was raised in the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Modesto, where he served as an Acolyte, dancing and directing in the Greek Dance Program, all the while participating in JOY and GOYA. 

Upon graduation from high school in 1993, Father Simon attended UC Davis as a Pre-Med student.  While there, he realized that he truly did not want to be a doctor.  His priest and Spiritual Father, Father Jon Magoulias, would often say, “Instead of being a physician of the body, why don’t you become a physician of the soul?”  As it turned out, after two years at UC Davis, he left for Hellenic College in Brookline, MA, and the seminary. 

At Hellenic College, Father Simon completed two more very busy years (since there are not too many classes that will transfer from science to religion), receiving his B.A. in Religious Studies in 1997.  After three more years at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, he graduated with an Masters of Divinity in 2000. 

During his time at the seminary, Father Simon kept in touch with a young lady from his home parish.  A relationship began that spanned 3,000 miles from Boston to Modesto, which culminated in an engagement in the summer of 2000.  As she was still in college, and had planned to spend a year studying abroad in Florence, Italy, Father Simon decided to spend a year in Thessaloniki, Greece.  While there, he spent time learning the language, the culture, and the services of the Church. 

When Father Simon returned to America, he accepted the position of Youth Director and Lay-Assistant under Father Peter Salmas at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church in Belmont, CA.  While there, he married his fiancée, the former Stephanie Ronson, on June 16, 2002.  He was later ordained to the Deaconate on Saturday, March 22, 2003, and to the Priesthood the next day, Sunday, March 23.  Both ceremonies were moving and very humbling experiences. 

After only two years in Belmont, Father Simon was assigned as the Assistant Priest under Father Steven Tsichlis to St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church in Irvine, CA.  From September until December of 2005, he was asked by His Eminence, Metropolitan Gerasimos, to temporarily serve the community of the Assumption in Long Beach, CA. 

On August 16, 2006, Father Simon and Presvytera Stephanie began their ministry at Saint Barbara’s Greek Orthodox Church.  They came as a loving couple, but were shortly joined by their daughter, Elpinike Eleni, on October 12, 2006.  Additionally, they have two beagle dogs, Trinity and Vasili, who happen to be little four-legged extensions of their growing family.