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# Metr. Saba Visits Texas Parishes, Elevates Clergy
- URL: https://uoj.news/news/86156-metr-saba-visits-texas-parishes-elevates-clergy/
- Published: 2026-01-19T07:30:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-25T16:12:37.000Z
- Description: Metr. Saba began a series of pastoral visits in Texas, strengthening parishes through worship, teaching, and the elevation of clergy.
- Author: Tobias Straney
- Tags: #Category: News, Metropolitan Saba (Isper), Antiochian Archdiocese of North America, Ordinations

**ENGLEWOOD, NJ —** Metr. Saba is conducting a series of [archpastoral visits](https://www.antiochian.org/regulararticle/2708) across Texas from January 16 to February 2, combining parish visits with ordinations, clerical elevations, and pastoral engagement in the Houston, Austin, and San Antonio areas.

His tour opened January 16–17 at St. Anthony the Great Church in Spring, Texas, where he presided over services for the parish’s patronal feast. In his sermons, Metr. Saba reflected on the life of St. Anthony, urging the faithful to live the Gospel simply, detach from worldly concerns, and approach Scripture as a personal call from God. During the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, he elevated Assistant Pastor Fr. John Ballard to the rank of archpriest.

[![](https://uoj.news/content/images/2026/01/86915-orthodox-retreat-center-planned-on-californias-central-coast-image-f1f930377ba6.jpg)On this topicMetr. Saba Urges Creation of Retreat Centers for the Faithful](https://uoj.news/news/86131-metr-saba-urges-creation-of-retreat-centers-for-the-faithful/)

On January 17, Metr. Saba made his first visit to Holy Transfiguration Mission of Kingwood, a young parish celebrating just over one year of ministry. He presided at Great Vespers, offered pastoral teaching, and met extensively with parishioners, encouraging a lived, concrete connection to the apostolic Church.  
  
Previously, the [UOJ reported](https://uoj.news/news/86034-metr-saba-why-christians-rejoice-despite-suffering-not-because-of-it/) that Metr. Saba gave an encyclical wherein he taught that Christians rejoice despite suffering, not because of it.