Father James was born on September 2, 1941, in Detroit, Michigan. He attended Wayne State University in Detroit, majoring in Speech and Theater. In 1963, he entered Hellenic College and graduated with a BA in Greek Studies in 1967, and then matriculated into Holy Cross Graduate School of Theology, graduating in 1970, with a M.Div.

Father James accepted the position as Youth Director and Lay Assistant at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Rochester, NY. During that time, he met Vasiliki Pliakas and they were married in October 1971. On October 31, 1971, he was ordained a deacon and a week later, November 7, 1971, a priest. His first assignment was as the Assistant priest of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Atlanta, GA. The following year, the first child, Soterios was born in Atlanta.

Father James was transferred as of February 1, 1973, to the Holy Trinity in Portland, ME. During his tenure, Father served as President of the PORTLAND-WEST CHURCH ALLIANCE, served as Secretary of the Greater Portland Maine Hospital Chaplaincy and was the Orthodox Chaplain of the Togus VA Hospital. In 1975, a second son, Leonidas, was born. Father served on the Diocese of Boston Council, was instrumental in beginning a Diocese Summer Camp program and was elevated to the ecclesiastical rank of Sakellarios. He also earned a M.S.Lib.Sc. from Simmons College in Boston.

On July 1, 1977, he was transferred to the Holy Trinity of Indianapolis, IN While in Indianapolis, he was involved in many interfaith clergy-laity organizations, was featured with the opening and closing “Mediations” series of the local NBC and CBS TV affiliates, was President of the Orthodox Clergy Association of Central Indiana, produced and hosted an Orthodox Radio program “Gladsome Light” and was active with the Detroit Diocese Summer Camp Program. He was elevated to the ecclesiastical ranks of Oikonomos, Father Confessor (Pnevmatikos) and Protopresvyter and served as President of the Alumni Association of Hellenic College/Holy Cross.

On September 1, 1991, Father James was transferred to Holy Trinity of Clearwater, FL. He was named Vicar for the Diocese of Atlanta in 1992 and serves presently as the Vicar of the Metropolis of Atlanta and serves on Metropolis Board. He has been President of the Tampa Bay Orthodox Church Federation, was an officer of the Metropolis Clergy Association and currently Chairperson of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Benefits Committee. Father received the ecclesiastical titles of Protopresvyter of the Ecumenical Throne and Protopresvyter of the Metropolis of Atlanta. In 2007, he was the recipient of the PATRIARCH ATHENAGORAS I MEDAL from the Southeastern Federation of Greek Orthodox Choirs and Musicians for his contributions in the liturgical and musical life of the Church.