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# Bp. John Abdalah Ordains His Son to the Priesthood on Pentecost
- URL: https://uoj.news/news/87259-bp-john-abdalah-ordains-his-son-to-the-priesthood-on-pentecost/
- Published: 2026-06-01T18:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-25T16:09:21.000Z
- Description: Dn. Gregory Abdalah, a St. Vladimir's Seminary faculty member, was ordained to the priesthood by his father on Pentecost in Phoenix.
- Author: Tobias Straney
- Tags: #Category: News, Celebration, St. Vladimir's Seminary, Clergy ordination

**PHOENIX, AZ —** A Pentecost celebration at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Phoenix, Arizona was marked by the [ordination](https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story%5Ffbid=1032029572690015&id=100076489440692&mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=0SmdaTBS1Ey0brn4) of the Rev. Dn. Dr. Gregory Abdalah to the Holy Priesthood, an event that drew together family, clergy, and members of the Orthodox community.

The ordination was performed by His Grace Bp. John (Abdalah), who is also the father of the newly ordained priest and a fellow alumnus and faculty member of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary. Bp. John is a widower — his wife, Khouria Joanne, reposed in 2008 after a prolonged battle with cancer. 

[![](https://uoj.news/content/images/2026/05/87259-bp-john-abdalah-ordains-his-son-to-the-priesthood-on-pentecost-image-d4e2f0795793.jpg)On this topicFormer Rabbi’s Son Ordained Orthodox Deacon](https://uoj.news/news/87106-former-rabbis-son-ordained-orthodox-deacon/)

Dr. Gregory Abdalah, who has served as a deacon and academic within the seminary community, now begins his priestly ministry alongside his family, including his wife Khouria Diana and their children Eleanor and Jonathan. Clergy and faithful in attendance offered prayers and congratulations as he was elevated to the priesthood.

Previously, the [UOJ reported](https://uoj.news/news/86509-historic-first-orthodox-priest-ordained-on-runion-island/) that the first Orthodox priest had been ordained on Réunion Island.