Rev. Dr Elias Dorham
Fr Elias and Khouria Sylvia have been married for 30 years and have 10 children and three grandchildren. He holds a Doctor of Ministry (D. Min.) from St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary. He also has an M.A. in Theological Studies from Christendom College, an M.S. in Information Systems Technology from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a B.S. in Political Science from the United States Naval Academy. Prior to ordination, his professional experience encompassed coaching and leadership development across the military, federal/local government, and technology sectors. Areas of particular interest include Marriage related ministry, Sacred Scripture, and liturgical theology.
Rev. Deacon Sami Jajeh
Deacon Sami was born in San Francisco, CA. His parents emigrated from Ramallah, Palestine. His education includes: a B.A. in Computer Science from the University of California, Berkeley; an M.B.A from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; a Master in Arts, Theology, from Spring Hill College. He had a long career in high technology marketing before he became a teacher at Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School. Raised as a Roman Catholic, he married Lourice Zarour, a Melkite Catholic. She is a litigation paralegal for a law firm focused in the real estate market. They have two children, Tania and John. All have been greatly involved in the life of their Melkite parish. He officially requested a Transfer of Rite and was inscripted into the Melkite Church on June 28, 2006. Beginning to feel the desire to involve himself in a closer relationship with his faith, he entered the Diaconate Formation Program, completed his diaconal studies with St. Gregory Melkite Seminary, and was ordained a deacon by Bishop Nicholas Samra here at St. John Chrysostom Church on Nov. 18, 2012. Dn. Sami is an avid reader regarding Catholic and Eastern spirituality and lifelong learner to grow in Christ.
Rev. Deacon Elie Hanna
Deacon Elie was born in Zahle, Lebanon to his parents, Spiridon and Rouviette Hanna, who emigrated from Lebanon in 1967 when he was about one year old. He has been a practicing Melkite Catholic all his life and grew up in the St. Joseph Melkite parish of Akron, OH. He currently works full-time in the Healthcare Information Technology industry. He is married to Dzovag (“Zoe”) and has two children. Zoe is currently self-employed in the financial industry. All family members are intimately involved in parish life, including Taleen, his daughter and Bryce, his son. Dn. Elie completed his diaconal studies in 2013 at St. Gregory Melkite Seminary and was ordained a deacon by Bishop Nicholas Samra here at St. John Chrysostom Church on August 11, 2014.