On the Feast of Holy Pentecost, May 31, alumnus and St. Vladimir’s Seminary faculty member the Rev. Dn. Dr. Gregory Abdalah was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by the hand of a fellow alumnus and faculty member, his own father His Grace Bishop John (Abdalah).
The ordination was held at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Phoenix, AZ, where Fr. Gregory has served for a number of years, first as youth pastor and most recently as pastoral assistant. Members of the Seminary community, including Dr. Ionuț-Alexandru Tudorie, the Very Rev. Dr. Bogdan Bucur, and the Very Rev. Fr. Michael Nasser traveled to Phoenix for the occasion.
What was a rare and uniquely blessed ordination involving father and son was followed by a beautifully fitting first action as priest: Fr. Gregory churched his wife Khouria Diana and their newborn son Alexander.
The newly ordained Fr. Gregory, a native of the Pittsburgh area, is a two-time graduate of St. Vladimir’s Seminary, holding an M.Div. (’08) and a D.Min. (’18). He also studied Music Education at Duquesne University, ultimately graduating with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance (’04). In 2020, Fr. Gregory was appointed to the Doctor of Ministry faculty at St. Vladimir's Seminary as Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology, where he focuses on youth ministry.
Fr. Gregory, Kh. Diana, and their three children will soon begin a new chapter in their ministry, as he has been assigned by His Eminence Metropolitan Saba as pastor of St. John of Damascus Church in Dedham, MA, starting August 1.
May God grant the newly ordained Fr. Gregory, Kh. Diana, and their children Eleanor, Jonathan, and Alexander many years! AXIOS!
Photos: Antiochian.org
