Biography of Deacon Paul Zaharas

Biography of Father Paul Zaharas

Rev. Dn. Paul Zaharas was born and raised in Cheyenne, Wyoming and grew up in the parish of Sts. Constantine and Helen. Following public schooling in Cheyenne, he attended the University of Wyoming in Laramie where he graduated in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Science/Mathematics. As a part of his undergraduate studies, Dn. Paul worked as an exercise physiologist, specializing in sport injury rehabilitation, and later as an orthopedic surgical assistant in Laramie. During this period he began working with youth in the context of the Church, serving as a counselor for summer camping sessions at the Patriarch Athenagoras Retreat Center in Harriman, Wyoming.

In the fall of 1996, Dn. Paul began his studies at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts. He continued working with Orthodox youth throughout his time at Holy Cross. During his final year at the School, Dn. Paul worked closely with his predecessor at the Diocese of Denver Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, Rev. Fr. Mark Leondis. This work allowed him to travel extensively throughout the Denver Diocese, developing resources and facilitating youth events.

Upon the completion of his Master of Divinity degree in May 2000, at the request of His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah, Dn. Paul accepted the position of Director of the Diocese Youth Office vacated by Fr. Leondis. In February of 2002 he was ordained to the holy Diaconate by Metropolitan Isaiah at his home parish in Cheyenne.

Dn. Paul and his wife Celia live in Englewood, CO with their two children, Kyriake and Maximos.