The Most Reverend Nathaniel
Archbishop of Detroit and the Romanian Episcopate
Archbishop Nathaniel, born in Aurora, Illinois in 1940 to a Romanian heritage family, initially pursued a calling to serve as a priest after being inspired by his experiences at the Saint Michael the Archangel Romanian Greek-Catholic Church in Aurora. He attended Saint Procopius College, a Benedictine-operated liberal arts school, and studied in Rome, Italy, where he was introduced to the Byzantine Rite and Orthodoxy. While in Rome, he embraced the Byzantine Rite and Orthodoxy in 1968, after initially keeping it at a distance due to historical and loyalty conflicts. This pivotal decision marked the beginning of a transformative journey in his life.
Archbishop Nathaniel played an active and influential role in the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America, serving as a priest, teaching, and participating in various ecclesiastical and community roles. In 1980, he was consecrated as a bishop, taking the name Nathaniel, and elevated to the rank of Archimandrite. His consecration took place at Saint George Cathedral in Southfield/Detroit, officiated by prominent church leaders. He subsequently oversaw the diocese’s growth and expansion, while also promoting unity within the American Orthodox community. His vision extended to the pursuit of a united Autocephalous American Church.
Throughout his life, Archbishop Nathaniel was actively engaged in humanitarian efforts and worked tirelessly to foster a stronger relationship between the Romanian Orthodox community in North America and the Church of Romania. He remained an integral member of the Synod of Bishops of The Orthodox Church in America and received the honor of elevation to Archbishop in 1999. His dedication and leadership significantly contributed to the growth and unity of Orthodoxy in North America, leaving a lasting impact on the church and its mission in the United States.
Fr. Thomas Frisby
Our Parish Priest
Born Robert Frisby, Fr. Thomas’s spiritual journey began as a lay Christian, and he later became a Baptist minister after a personal tragedy—the loss of his identical twin brother in a car accident. This event led him, along with his parents and brother Jack, to embrace Christianity. Fr. Thomas married Laurel, a devout Southern Baptist, in 1980, and they started a family together. For many years, Fr. Thomas served as a Southern Baptist pastor while they raised their three daughters.
Over time, Fr. Thomas’s growing dissatisfaction with evangelical and Protestant churches prompted him to explore new spiritual horizons. His search for a church that emphasized both historical traditions and spiritual discipline led him to consider the Eastern Orthodox Church. In 2007, a conversation with a Roman Catholic friend planted the seed, and Fr. Thomas began researching both Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions online. In 2009, he found the Eastern Orthodox Church of Prescott and felt an immediate connection with its liturgy, icons, and meaningful worship.
Fr. Thomas’s journey to Orthodoxy culminated in 2009 when he, along with his wife Laurel, decided to join the Eastern Orthodox Church. Their transition was made even more special as their grandchildren, Marcus and Maya, accompanied them on this spiritual path. Fr. Thomas’s dedication to ministry continued, and in 2014, he was appointed to the Exaltation of the Holy Cross parish. This journey represents a profound shift from his Baptist ministry days, marking a new chapter in his spiritual life.
More information about Fr. Thomas’ journey to Orthodoxy can be found at How A Southern Baptist Minister Found His Way To Eastern Orthodoxy.