OCF Executive Director Honors Metr. Dimitrios in Written Tribute
Dn. Marek Simon honors the visionary who built Orthodox campus ministry.
XANTHOS — Dn. Marek Simon, Executive Director of Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF), has authored a heartfelt remembrance honoring Metr. Dimitrios (Couchell) of Xanthos, who reposed in the Lord on February 19, 2026. In his reflection, Dn. Marek recounts the profound and lasting impact the hierarch had on Orthodox campus ministry and the broader life of the Church.
In the tribute, he highlights the Metropolitan’s early vision as then-layman James Couchell, who in 1965 established the Campus Commission of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (GOARCH) and launched Concern magazine to support Orthodox college students. He noted that Metr. Dimitrios visited more than 500 campuses and founded over 100 OCF chapters nationwide.
Dn. Marek also reflected on the hierarch’s global leadership, including his service with Syndesmos and as founding director of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center, describing him as a guiding light for generations.
Previously, the UOJ reported that the Orthodox Christian Fellowship announced new hires to expand campus ministry.