The Very Reverend Michael Abdelahad was born Charles Mitchell Abdelahad on August 2, 1955, in Pawtucket, RI, the son of Charles and Nora Abdelahad. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Providence College in Providence, RI in 1977; his Master of Science Degree in Human Anatomy from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, NJ in 1980; and his Master of Divinity Degree from Saint Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary in Crestwood, NY in 1984.
On May 27, 1984, he married Selma Mary Elizabeth White, the daughter of the Very Reverend and Mrs. Gabriel White of Geneva, NY. Father Michael was ordained to the Diaconate on June 10, 1984 by His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN Khoury at his home parish, Saint Mary Orthodox Church, in Pawtucket, RI. He was then ordained to the Priesthood by His Eminence, Metropolitan PHILIP Saliba on July 8, 1984, at Saint Anthony Orthodox Church in Bergenfield, NJ. From September 3, 1984 until August 13, 1985 he served as interim pastor at Saint George Orthodox Church in Little Falls, NJ. From August 14, 1985 until the present he has served as Dean of Saint George Orthodox Cathedral in Worcester, MA. Fr. Michael was elevated to the rank and dignity of Archpriest at the hands of His Eminence, Metropolitan PHILIP on May 11, 1997. In November 1997 he was ranked among the clergy in “Who’s Who of Worcester”, compiled by Worcester Magazine.
Fr. Michael has served as the New England Region Spiritual Advisor for the Order of St. Ignatius from 1986-1996. From 1998 until the present, he has served as the Spiritual Advisor to the Fellowship of St. John the Divine for the Diocese of Worcester and all New England. In addition, he has been a member of a Worcester area Ecumenical Clergy Association known as the St. Wulstan Society. He was invited into the membership in 1987 and has served as their corresponding secretary since 2003.
In May 2003, Fr. Michael was the keynote speaker at the Western Region Parish Life Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. His topic was “For even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for the many.” In November of 2003, he was the main speaker at the Antiochian Archdiocese Orthodox Institute held at Antiochian Village. His topic was “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven.” Most recently, he gave the Main Addresses at the Midwest Region Spring Delegates meeting in March 2004. His topic was “Being little leaders for a big God.” He was the Guest Homilist at Orthodox Education Day at St. Vladimir’s Seminary in October 2004. Finally, he was the main speaker for the Diocese of New England family retreat, sponsored by AOWCNA in March 2005. His topic was “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” (Acts: 19:15)
He and Selma are the parents of three sons; Charles, Nicholas, and Christopher.
The Reverend Ephraim Peters was born in Worcester Massachusetts, the son of Donald and Joyce Peters. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration Cum Laude, from the University of Miami in Coral Gables Florida in 1981: and his Juris Doctor Degree, Cum Laude from Suffolk University Law School in Boston Massachusetts, in 1984. He is also a 1992 graduate of the Saint Stevens course in Orthodox Theology.
On August 25, 1984, he married Teresa Brown. He and Teresa are the parents of two children, Daniel and Jacob.
Fr. Ephraim was ordained to the Diaconate on October 3, 1993 by His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN at St. George Cathedral in Worcester, Massachusetts. On May 11, 1997 he was ordained to the priesthood by His Eminence, Metropolitan PHILIP SALIBA at St. George Cathedral in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Fr. Ephraim has a lay profession as an attorney with offices in Worcester, Massachusetts.
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The Reverend Deacon Anthony Payne was born in Kidderminster, England, but spent his childhood and early married years in Southern Africa. He is married, to Ruth, the daughter of Australian missionaries to Africa. Since moving from Africa during the “bush war” they have lived extensively in Europe and Asia settling in the US in 1984, and becoming US citizens in 1996.He obtained his B.Sc from the University of London, England, graduating with 1st class honors, and an M.Sc degree from the University of Essex, England, under a Commonwealth Scholarship.
Deacon Anthony was an elder in the Presbyterian Church for almost twenty years. He and Ruth were chrismated at St. Mary Church in Cambridge, MA in 1998, on the Feast of the Nativity. He was ordained to the Holy Diaconate, on his name day, in January, 2004, by His Grace, Bishop Joseph of the Diocese of Los Angeles and the West, at St. Anthony’s Orthodox Church in San Diego. Father Deacon Anthony has completed the majority of the requirements of the St. Steven’s program and will be continuing his studies towards the Masters degree in Applied Theology from Balamand.
He and Ruth are the parents of two sons: Simon, and David, and live in North East Connecticut where they run a small Inn in their spare time!
Gregory Abdalah
Greg was born in New Kensington, Pennsylvania in 1982, the son of Fr. John and Joanne Abdalah, where he lived until age 13, when Fr. John and family were transferred to St. George, Pittsburgh. He graduated from Upper St. Clair High School where he was very active in a variety of music groups. Greg was first trumpet in the concert band, jazz band and orchestra, sang in two choirs and participated in both the pit orchestra and on stage for the Spring Musical each of the four years. He studied music at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and graduated in 2004 with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance. Throughout college, he worked at the Antiochian Village as Counselor, Challenge Course Director and Administrative Director. Following study at Duquesne, Greg lived at the Antiochian Village while working as the Deanery Coordinator for the Western Pennsylvania Deanery. One year later, upon realizing a seminary degree would advance his career prospects in youth work, he enrolled in St. Vladimir’s Seminary. While there, Greg gained practical experience in this area through his parish assignments and participation in numerous retreats. He graduated in 2008 with a Master of Divinity and is presently the Director of Youth and Family Ministries at St.George Cathedral in Worcester, Massachusetts.
