Patriarchate

The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch (Acts 11:26). The full name of the Patriarchate of Antioch is the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East. Our Patriarch (head bishop) resides in Damascus, Syria on the “street called Straight” (Acts (9:11); however, the patriarchate (territory) extends to Asia, the Americas, Europe, and Australia.

Archdiocese

We belong to the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. Our ruling hierarch is Metropolitan Saba.

Vicariate

His Grace Bishop John is the episcopal overseer of the Western Rite Vicariate. 

Parish

Father Juvenaly Hale is our parish priest.

PERSONAL:

Born: August 20, 1969

Married Deborah Brysch, April 16, 1994 (Protestant Ceremony); Orthodox Ceremony February 17, 2013

Children: Rebekah, Joseph, Thomas

ORDAINED:

Priest, November 5, 2023, Bishop Thomas
St. Joseph Orthodox Church, Houston, TX

Deacon, October 5, 2014, Bishop Basil
St. Joseph Orthodox Church, Houston, TX

Subdeacon, October 5, 2014, Bishop Basil
St. Joseph Orthodox Church, Houston, TX

Reader, June 10, 2012, Bishop Basil
St. Joseph Orthodox Church, Houston, TX

EDUCATION:

Master of Divinity
Antiochian House of Studies, La Verne, CA, 2026

Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing
University of Texas, El Paso, TX, 2016

Certificate in Orthodox Theological Studies
St. Stephen’s House of Studies, Antiochian Village, 2012

Master of Arts in Teaching: English
University of West Alabama, Livingston, AL, 2007

Certificate of Ministry
Sunset International Bible Institute (Church of Christ), Lubbock, TX, 1997

Bachelor of Arts – English
University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 1994

Nueces Canyon High School, Barksdale, TX. Graduated in 1987

EXPERIENCE:

2023 – 2026 Priest, St. Joseph Orthodox Church, Houston, TX

2014 – 2023 Deacon, St. Joseph Orthodox Church, Houston, TX

1997-2008 Minister/Missionary for Churches of Christ (Texas, Virginia, and Estonia)