POCATELLO — For the past six years, Father Constantine Zozos has been serving at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church in Pocatello on a part-time basis. And over the years, he and the church members have been able to accomplish a lot together.

They’ve reinstated their annual Greek Festival fundraiser, they’ve completed some major restoration and beautification projects at their historic church, and they’ve celebrated their building’s 100th anniversary.

“I give all the credit to God and I give all the credit to the people here who have been supportive of these efforts,” Zozos said.

Still, he believes there’s more to be accomplished in the future, and Zozos is eager to take part.

That’s why he sought and received approval to become the full-time priest at the Pocatello church.

“Since the first time the bishop sent me here, I’ve always felt the church needed a full-time priest,” Zozos said, adding that he’s come to dearly love the small, but growing parish he’s served in over the years. “I hope to continue to help with God’s help.”

Zozos has been traveling between California and Idaho to minister at the church and assist with its projects and events, but now he is moving to Pocatello to live. He’s already purchased a home and will officially begin serving as the church’s priest next month.

Zozos brings 40 years of experience with him to his new post. He served at a Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Los Angeles, one of the largest of its kind in the nation, and at a church he helped to build in Santa Barbara. He has also helped with fundraising and development efforts for numerous churches over the years.

Although the Pocatello church has completed many of its restoration and beautification projects, including rebuilding the dome and adding Byzantine iconography, Zozos said they’re not done yet. They still want to landscape the grounds, make their facilities more accessible to those with special needs and fix up the church hall.

Zozos also wants to expand on and create new ministries and continue to help the church to grow. He said people from throughout southeast Idaho and from as far away as Jackson Hole, Wyo., currently attend services in Pocatello.

“The parish has grown and is growing,” Zozos said. “Many people are searching for the historic Christian church and they find that in the Orthodox Church.”

While Zozos is leaving a lot behind in California — a beautiful ocean and many friends, including television and movie stars he’s gotten to know through his time in the ministry — the priest believes he is also gaining a lot by moving to Pocatello.

He said there’s beauty here, too, and the people have already shown how much they can accomplish in a short time when they work together to achieve their goals.

“Pocatello is special to me in many ways and I feel very good here,” Zozos said. “There’s work to be done and I think together we can accomplish many things for God’s glory.”