Archpriest Peter Heers’ Ecclesiastical Situation Resolved
- The Orthodox Ethos Team
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
On the eve of the feast of the Three Holy Hierarchs (new style), His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae of the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese of the United States, after consultation with the members of the Eparchial Council, approved the reception of the Archpriest Peter Heers into the Archdiocese.
In the official communique from the Archdiocese, the V. Rev. Fr. Stefan Dragoi, secretary of the Archdiocesan Council, wrote:
“On behalf of His Eminence, the members of the Eparchial Council, as well as all the brother clergy, we would like to welcome you into the Archdiocese. We pray that our good and loving Lord, through the intercessions of His Most Holy Mother, will grant you every success as you endeavor to preach the Gospel of Salvation and serve the faithful entrusted to your care.”
Returning to Texas as a Missionary
Born in Dallas, Texas, and having been a frequent visitor to friends, clergymen and monastics over the years, Fr. Peter returns now in an official capacity as a missionary priest. Upon reception, Metropolitan Nicolae has also approved Archpriest Peter’s canonical assignment to the Holy Protection of the Mother of God Orthodox Christian Church in Houston, Texas, where he will serve as an assistant priest alongside Fr. Iulian Anitei and explore missionary opportunities in central Texas. [Read Fr. Peter’s BIO on the parish website.]
Readers will likely be familiar with the unhappy ecclesiastical anomaly which had been created and perpetuated for some time — not to the benefit of the mission of the Church. With this decision of His Eminence Nicolae the proper ecclesiastical order has been restored.
We thank you all for your prayers and patience and for remaining faithful, and we humbly request your prayers for Fr. Peter in this new ministry to which he is now called.
Fr. Iulian Aniței and Fr. Peter Heers
Photo from the Celebration of the Second Feast Day of the Parish of Saint John Cassian and Saint Andrei Șaguna, Metropolitan of Transylvania, San Antonio, Texas, November 28-30, 2025. Pictured from L-R: Fr. Gabriel Ilieș, Fr. Peter Heers, Bishop Gerasim (Eliel), Metropolitan Nicolae, Fr. Dimitru Ilieș, Fr. Valentin Ilieș.
About Archpriest Peter Heers
Fr. Peter Heers was born in Dallas, Texas, and grew up near San Francisco.
In 1995 he started “Divine Ascent: A Journal of Orthodox Faith.” From 1999 to 2013 he studied theology at the University of Thessaloniki, receiving undergraduate, master's and doctoral degrees in Dogmatic Theology, all under the tutelage of Professor Demetrios Tselingides.
He was ordained to the diaconate and priesthood in 2003, in the Diocese of Kastoria, Greece. From 2006-2017 he was the rector of the parish of the Prophet Elias in Petrokerasa, Greece, Diocese of Ierissou and Agion Oros, and in 2014 he was made Protopresbyter and Spiritual Father.
From January 2017 until May 2018, Fr. Peter was the instructor of Old and New Testament at Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary in Jordanville, New York. Fr. Peter also served as the first Headmaster of Three Hierarchs Academy in Florence, Arizona, founded in 2018.
He is the founder and head of Uncut Mountain Press (2000) and the online catechetical platform The Orthodox Ethos (2015).
He is the author of The Missionary Origins of Modern Ecumenism: Milestones Leading up to 1920; The Ecclesiological Renovation of the Second Vatican Council: An Orthodox Examination of Rome’s Ecumenical Theology Regarding Baptism and the Church; as well as Formation in the Love of Truth: Principles of Orthodox Education.
Fr. Peter is the translator of several books, including Elder Paisios of Mount Athos by Hieromonk Isaac (co-translator), the Epistles of St. Paisios, The Truth of our Faith (volumes 1 & 2) by St. Cleopa, and Apostle to Zaire: The Life of Fr. Cosmas of Grigoriou.
Fr. Peter has 5 children and is married to Presbytera Kyriaki, a native of Thessaloniki, Greece.
