For more than 25 years the Very Rev. Michael Abdelahad was the Dean of St. George Orthodox Cathedral in Worcester Massachusetts. We have been blessed to have grown with him, his wife Selma, their three boys Charles, Nick and Chris and other members of his extended family who have made Worcester their home, and our parish their family.
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Fr. Mike and Selma with their sons Chris, Nick and
Charles and his wife Brittany |
Throughout this time, Fr. Mike has endeared many us of through his unwavering faith in God, dedication to liturgical music, sound advice, eloquent sermons, and joyful sense of humor. Fortunately, we were able to share him with many other Orthodox Christians young and old across the country whenever he attended diocesan and archdiocesan conferences, as well as the Antiochian Village summer camp.
This page is meant to be a place for those who are fortunate enough to know Fr. Mike and his family, to post messages, stories, or prayers of love and support for them as they go through a difficult time in their lives.
Please leave your messages for them in the comments field below.
All comments will be moderated and may not appear immediately.
Fr. Michael & Selma have many friends as do their sons and we count ourselves there with so many. The Orthodox church has linked our families through faith and christian fellowship. He has been priest, spiritual teacher and friend to our sons and a friend to us all. In a time of confusion and heartbreak we must reach to that which we know to be a constant in this crazy life; we speak of Our Faith...Our Family and Our Friends to help us in a time of struggle. Fr. Michael has been there with us in the past and here now we offer our prayers, love and support for Fr. Michael & Selma and their family in this most difficult time....Lynn, George, Matthew and Andrew Wood
ReplyDeleteFr. Michael has been there for all of us during difficult times. He has been the only spiritual father our children have ever known, as well as a friend to all of them. We offer him the same love and support he has given us these past 27 years and pray that God be with him, Selma, and the boys during this time. Judy & Jim Shaughnessy and famiy.
ReplyDeleteWithout question our hearts are broken and filled with sadness as we travel this long, troubling road together with Fr. Michael and his family. But as Fr. Michael has so often taught us, God does not save us FROM the fire, but saves us IN the fire. Our prayers, steadfast faith and support remain unshaken. And we appeal to all good and decent members of our parish: stand up for what is right, have compassion for those who fall short, forgive those who trespass against us, and remember it is not what those around us do for us that counts, it's what they ARE to us that matters. Anything less, and we have gained nothing from Fr. Michael's ministry...Christian, Deborah & Alexander Coury
ReplyDeleteA cradle Greek Orthodox Christian married to Protestant convert to Orthodoxy and with two school-aged children, Pam and I moved to the Worcester area 17 years ago. We soon were searching for an English language Orthodox parish and found St. George and Fr. Michael. His love and zeal for Orthodoxy and for his parish were obvious from our first meeting. Fr. Michael warmly welcomed our family with open arms as did the rest of the St. George community, and we immediately felt at home. Like all of us who will post here, Fr. Michael taught and inspired our children and ministered to our spiritual needs in good times and bad. Fr. Michael and his family need us now, and we will not fail them. Not only because of the man that he is and what he has done for us, but because he and the rest of our beloved clergy taught us well – to act out of love and compassion, to refrain from judging others and to forgive. These will hopefully be our guiding principles as we all prayerfully work together to heal our parish and to support Fr. Michael. Chris and Pam Pazoles
ReplyDeleteFr.Michael,Khouria Selma,their boys,and the community of St. George gave us a home and their unconditional love during our personal struggles.Our sons became their sons,our family a part of their family.We received the countless benefits of their genuine Orthodox Christian hospitality,and a foundation of love.Our sons have Orthodoxy in their hearts thanks to this family!We will always be grateful and our lives blessed in having Fr.Michael,Selma and their community.May a veil of godly courage and heavenly armor cover and shield your family.Pres.Sophia
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