Archpriest Eric G. Tosi begins appointment as OCA Secretary
The Chancery of the Orthodox Church in America recently welcomed Archpriest Eric G. Tosi to his new appointment as Secretary of the OCA.
Fr. Eric was born in Passaic, NJ. As a child his family attended Holy Annunciation Church in Clifton, NJ, where his grandparents were founding members. When he was a youth, his family were parishioners at Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church, Wayne, NJ.
Fr. Eric graduated from Passaic Valley High School in 1982. In 1986 he received a dual BA in Economics and History from Fordham University, New York, NY. After graduating from university, Fr. Eric received a Regular Army commission as Second Lieutenant in Armor, serving in the Second Armored Cavalry Regiment in Bindlach, Germany.
Upon completion of his military duty in 1990, Fr. Eric worked with Strategic Intelligence Systems in New York City. Later, he went to work for The Economist Intelligence Unit, part of “The Economist” magazine.
In 1993, Fr. Eric completed an MA in European History from Fordham University. That same year he entered St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, Crestwood, NY. He was ordained a deacon in 1994 and a priest in 1995.
Upon graduating from St. Vladimir’s in 1996, Fr. Eric was assigned to St. Nicholas of South Canaan Mission, Billings, MT. He was also involved in founding missions in Bozeman and Helena, MT.
In 2001, Fr. Eric was transferred to St. Paul the Apostle Church, Las Vegas, NV, where he served up to his current appointment as OCA Secretary. While in the Diocese of the West, he served in several administrative capacities including as a member of the Diocesan Council, Director of Communications, President of the Board of Trustees of the Life-Giving Spring Retreat Center, Boulder City, NV, and as a member of the the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee. Fr. Eric also served as Chairman of the OCA’s Department of Evangelization from 2001 to 2008.
“I am very humbled by the trust that the Church has placed in me in my appointment as Secretary of the OCA,” Fr. Eric said. “I ask for your prayers and support as we face these challenging times together. I believe strongly in the vision and future of the OCA and I will dedicate my time, energy and prayers to her continuing growth in North America.”
Fr. Eric and Matushka Christina have two children.