Gregory Abdalah

Greg Abdalah, a native of the Pittsburgh area, began his college career at Duquesne Univeristy studying Music Education during which time he gained theoretical knowledge and practical experience in how children learn, ultimately graduating with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance. During that time, he worked in various positions at the Antiochian Village, applying what he was learning at Duquesne. Following graduation, Greg worked as the Deanery Coordinator for the Western Pennsylvania Deanery, organizing and implementing youth programs for the Antiochian churches in the Pittsburgh area. In 2005, Greg enrolled in St. Vladimir’s Seminary to gain the education needed to continue work in youth ministry, earning a Master of Divinity in 2008. His thesis is titled: “The Role of Youth Choirs in the Orthodox Church.” While there, he was often invited to speak at various camps and youth retreats around the US and Canada. Following graduation, he served as the Pastoral Assistant and Youth Director at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral in Worcester, MA until 2014 when he became the Youth Pastor at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Phoenix, AZ where he currently serves as the Pastoral Assistant. In 2018 he earned his Doctor of Ministry from St. Vladimir’s Seminary, focused on teaching the Divine Liturgy to our Youth. In 2020, Greg was appointed to the Doctor of Ministry faculty at St. Vladmir’s and named Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology where he focuses on Youth Ministry. He and his beautiful bride Diana are the proud parents of Eleanor and Jonathan.

Workshop Title and Abstract: Engaging Youth in the Liturgy

We often refer to our youth as “the future of the Church.” Simply looking at them as the future has led to an overall decrease in participation of our youth in parish life, most notably liturgical worship. How can our youth become the future without being a part of the present? From the time of our baptism and/or chrismation, we are full members of the Body of Christ. This workshop will seek to empower participants, as stewards of the Church's youth, to guide our youth towards realizing their membership within the Body of Christ.