Ordination

On Sunday 20 March, College alumnus Jason Israel (BTh, 2017, MTh, 2022) was ordained to the holy diaconate by His Eminence Metropolitan Basilios of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines, in the Church of St Nicholas (Punchbowl, NSW). In his guiding speech, His Eminence reminded the deacon about his patron, St Jason of Thessalonica, one of the Seventy Apostles and St Paul’s host in Thessalonica (Acts 17:5-9; Romans 16:21), and concluded by saying, “Dear Deacon Jason, our people, and especially our youth, are thirsty to hear and learn about their faith and Church. God gave you this talent to teach with humility, patience and love. Do not trust yourself but rather trust the One who chose you for this ministry: our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ”. Dn Jason will serve with his spiritual father, the Very Revd Michal Zghaib, at the Archangels Michael and Gabriel Antiochian Orthodox Church in West Ryde. He and his wife Diana are blessed with two daughters.