Our Clergy

  • His Eminence Metropolitan Basilios Kodseie

    Metropolitan Basilios Kodseie is the Metropolitan of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines.

  • Rev Fr Michal Zghaib

    Fr Michal joined the parish of Saints Michael and Gabriel Orthodox Church in May 2010.

  • Deacon Jason Israel

    Deacon Jason has been with the Parish since 2013 and has a Bachelor of Theology and the Master of Theology.

Read more below

HIS EMINENCE METROPOLITAN BASILIOS KODSEIE

Metropolitan Basilios Kodseie is the Metropolitan of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines.

In July 2017, following the repose of His Eminence, Metropolitan Paul Saliba, of Thrice-Blessed Memory, he was appointed as Patriarchal Vicar, serving until his election in October as Metropolitan of the Antiochian Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines.

He was consecrated to the Holy Episcopacy on the 19th November, 2017 at the Lady of Balamand Cathedral, Lebanon. He was enthroned as Metropolitan of the Antiochian Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines on the 16th December, 2017 at the Cathedral of St. George in Redfern, Sydney, during the visit from our Patriarch John X, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All The East.

Metropolitan Basilios Kodseie first arrived in Australia in April 2010, where he served as hierarchical assistant to His Eminence, the late Metropolitan Paul Saliba of Thrice-Blessed Memory and also as parish priest of St. Mary’s Mt. Pritchard Parish, Sydney from 2012 – 2017 at which time he was appointed Patriarchal Vicar.

Please visit our Archdiocese website for the full Biography on Metropolitan Basilios.

PARISH PRIEST – REV FR MICHAL ZGHAIB

Father Michal was born in Beirut , Lebanon on 7 March 1961 and completed primary and secondary schooling at the Three Moons College in Beirut . He migrated to Syria during Lebanon ‘s civil war.

In 1981 he attained Bacaloria studies in Damascus, Syria. He entered Damascus University to study French Literature and in  1995 commenced theological studies at Saint George Monastery in Homayra Homs , Syria . On 15 September 1996 Fr Michal was ordained Deacon and served in the Antiochian Patriarchate in Damascus for twelve months, graduating from St. George Monastery of Theology College in 1997.

On 5 August 1997, Fr Michal was ordained priest  and served the Antochian Patriarchate in Damascus  for a further twelve months. He was later appointed Parish Priest of Saint Elias the Zealot Church in Damascus , Syria .  On 24 September 2000, he migrated with his family to Australia where he was appointed Parish Priest of Saint Elias Church in Wollongong . Fr Michal is married to Khourie Louris and they have four children: Fr Issac, Christeen, David and Nectarios.

Fr Michal joined the parish of Saints Michael and Gabriel Orthodox Church in May 2010. We are blessed to have Fr MIchal guide parishioners to worship and grow in our spiritual understanding of the Orthodox faith. We pray our Lord continues to bless Fr Michal and his family for their hard work, love and spiritual guidance.

PARISH DEACON – DEACON JASON ISRAEL

Deacon Jason has been a long-standing Saints Michael and Gabriel parish member in Ryde since 2013. In the past, he served as a Sunday School teacher for 5 years at Saint Nicholas parish in Punchbowl. He served in the youth group and choir at Saint Mary’s Nativity parish in Mays Hill. 

In 2016, Deacon Jason completed a Bachelor of Theology, and in 2021 he completed the Master of Theology, both from St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Theological College. 

Deacon Jason was ordained to the Sub-Deaconate by the hand of His Eminence Metropolitan Basilios on the Feast of the Dormition (14th of August) in 2019. He was ordained to the Deaconate on the second Sunday of Great Lent in 2022 (20th of March) at St Nicholas Orthodox Church in Punchbowl.  

Deacon Jason assists Archdiocese in many ways, including delivering the catechumens course for New South Wales for non-orthodox enquirers. He also coordinates and teaches for Saint Paul’s Orthodox Christian Education (SPOCE), an Archdiocese educational program on the Orthodox Christian Faith. 

He has extensive experience in Information Technology and has worked full-time as an Academic Registrar since 2017, including at a theological seminary for over 5 years. He lectures in Biblical Studies from time to time.  

Deacon Jason and his wife Diana have been blessed with three daughters. 

We are blessed to have Deacon Jason at our Parish, and we pray our Lord continues to bless Deacon and his family for their hard work and dedication to our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Feel welcome to introduce yourself and say hello to Father Deacon Jason!