Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church of Carmel-by-the-Sea
Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church of Carmel-by-the-Sea serves the Orthodox Christian community of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, offering regular worship services and preserving Greek Orthodox faith, traditions, and community life in the region.
Clergy:
Rev. Presbyter Ion Coman, Presiding Priest
Church Type:
Parish
Denomination:
Greek Orthodox
Metropolis:
Metropolis of San Francisco
Affiliation:
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Ecumenical Patriarch:
Bartholomew I of Constantinople
Clergy Information updated Jan 2026
History
Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California has served the Orthodox Christian faithful of the Monterey Peninsula for nearly seventy years, bringing the ancient liturgical tradition of the Eastern Church to one of the most scenic corners of California's central coast. The parish serves communities across a wide geographic area that includes Carmel-by-the-Sea, Monterey, Salinas, and the surrounding communities of the Salinas Valley and Monterey Bay, reflecting the dispersed nature of the Orthodox Christian population along this stretch of the California coast.
The community gathers for weekend Divine Liturgy at All Saints Episcopal Church on Lincoln Street and 9th Avenue in Carmel-by-the-Sea, a generously extended hospitality that allows the parish to worship in the heart of the village while working toward its own permanent home. Weekday feast day services are celebrated in Carmel or in Salinas, depending on the occasion, reflecting the parish's ministry to a geographically broad area. The parish is a genuinely multicultural community, drawing together Orthodox Christians from Greek, Romanian, and many other backgrounds who find in the ancient Liturgy of the Church their common inheritance.
The parish operates with a particularly rich educational and spiritual formation ministry, including a Montessori Sunday School for young children, adult Bible study and book forums, women's ministry, and a dedicated inquirers program for those exploring the Orthodox faith, sustaining a depth of community life that belies the small size of the congregation.
Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church at Lincoln Street and 9th Avenue in Carmel-by-the-Sea serves the Orthodox Christian faithful of the Monterey Peninsula and the Salinas Valley as a parish of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco within the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
This page serves as a reference resource for Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church of Carmel-by-the-Sea, providing essential information such as location, contact details, clergy, and church affiliation. It is intended to help visitors and members of the Orthodox Christian community easily find accurate parish information in one place.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register as a member at a Greek Orthodox parish?
Parish membership is generally established by registering with the church office. Each parish may have its own process for enrollment and participation in parish life.
Can I attend services if I am not a registered member of the parish?
Greek Orthodox churches welcome visitors and non-members to attend services. Participation in sacraments may require coordination with the parish and priest.
How do I contact the parish priest for pastoral matters?
Pastoral requests are typically handled by the parish priest. The parish office can assist with contact details and help coordinate appointments or inquiries.
How do I register to baptize my child in the Greek Orthodox Church?
Baptism requests are handled by the local parish. The church will usually require documentation from the parents and godparent, along with coordination with the priest to schedule the baptism.
How do I request a wedding date at my Greek Orthodox church?
Wedding dates are scheduled through the parish office and priest. Availability depends on the church calendar, fasting periods, and parish guidelines, so it is recommended to inquire well in advance.
How do I obtain a copy of my Greek Orthodox marriage certificate?
Marriage certificates are typically issued by the church where the sacrament took place. To request a copy, contact the parish office directly and ask what information or identification is required.
How do I obtain a copy of my Greek Orthodox baptismal certificate?
Baptismal certificates are typically issued by the church where the baptism took place. To request a copy, contact the parish office directly and ask what information or identification is required.
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