“Connecting individuals, couples, families and clergy through the heart toward healthy Christ-centered relationships.”
— Mission Statement of The Family Wellness Ministry
In our Family Wellness Ministry, we like to say: “Welcome Home to Family Wellness!”
This reflects our sentiment that we, collectively, are the family of God, and amazingly described in the scriptures as the “body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:12–31). We are family because of God’s merciful love, and we are His body so we are called to carry out His healing work. This is so powerfully described the parable of the Good Samaritan (St Luke 10:25–37) where the Lord says: “Go and do likewise!”
We hear that as a call to meet people where they are, see them without judgment and extend compassion — this is the premise of Family Wellness Ministry! We are excited to meet YOU where you are — let’s connect!
~ George Petros Papageorge, LMFT
Director, Family Wellness Ministry
~ Presvytera Pat Tsagalakis
Assistant Director, Family Wellness Ministry
About Us
Our Family Wellness Ministry is committed to providing resources, training, support and information through seminars and workshops to church communities, individuals, families, lay and clergy alike, and who are struggling to repair broken relationships and who want to create deeper connections.
We have been created by God to connect with others face-to-face and heart-to-heart. We are called by our Lord to love, to listen, to care for and comfort. The Family Wellness Ministry of the Metropolis of San Francisco is established to bring families and loved ones together, to connect through the heart for deeper Christ-centered relationships.
Our team is comprised of George Papageorge (Director); Fr. Tom and Pres. Pat (Ass’t. Director) Tsagalakis; Fr. Timothy and Pres. Victoria Pavlatos; Fr. Jim and Pres. Donna Pappas; Fr. Vasili Hillhouse; Joe Borgonia; and Pres. Michelle Triant. Learn more about our team here!
Our Spiritual Leadership
“Families, clergy and laity should be able to turn to their parish or the wider Church, which offers real guidance and real services. Throughout its history, the Orthodox Church has offered Her members, and anyone who seeks Her out, places for learning, prayer, reflection, and healing.”
— His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos,
Spiritual Advisor to the Family Wellness Ministry
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“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” –Matthew 6:33
“Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” –1 Samuel 16:7b
Our Flagship Programs
“8 Dates”: Parish and Online Editions
Our “8 Dates” workshops combine a Christ-centered approach with research-based strategies to enhance connection, communication, and conflict management skills for couples. Over 900 couples from throughout the country have already benefited from our 8 Dates program. Registration for our upcoming online workshop can be found on our website. “8 Dates — Parish Edition” is a valuable resource for your parish’s marriage ministry.
“Real Life”: Parenting From the Heart
“Real Life” Parenting From the Heart is a series of parenting workshops in which we invite you to be a part. It is a supportive space for Orthodox Christian parents to explore core principles of healthy and balanced parenting and helps us raise children who experience family life as a place for emotional connection and authentic faith. You can find all these workshops available on our website for personal use or as a curriculum for the parenting ministry in your local parish as well as join us live on Zoom at various times throughout the year.
Our Ministry’s Parable: The Good Samaritan
We believe this parable is where Jesus teaches who we are, who He is, and what The Church is all about. Our call as Christians—just as the Good Samaritan—is to go there, to see, and to have compassion. To “do likewise.”
Relationships that work are ones that go there, that see the other, and that have compassion.
Built into this parable is what happens when you face the impossible. It’s in those spaces that we encounter Christ, who makes all things possible. What’s impossible for man is possible with God. We’re all aware of the seeming impossibility of compulsion, of addiction, of broken relationships. “What is your impossible?” Our call is to find out how God can make your impossible, possible.
