LEADERSHIP
Our Lord, God & Savior Jesus Christ
Our Chief Shepherd
Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ is the incarnate Second Person of the Holy Trinity, the only begotten Son of God, fully God and fully man, born in time of the Most Holy Theotokos and begotten from before all time of God the Father.
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His Beatitude, the Most Reverend
Carl Gregory
Metropolitan Archbishop - Vicariate of Mary-the-Apostle
His Beatitude serves as the Ecclesiarch for the Orthodox Monastery of Saint Brigid, as Metropolitan Archbishop of the Orthodox Vicariate of Mary-the-Apostle, Bishop's Representative to the Leadership Council, the National Church representative of the International Council of Community Churches, as well as the Abbot of the Contemporary Benedictines of Peace.
Fr. Matthew Christopher, OCR
Our Pastor
The Very Reverend Father Matthew Christopher, OCR –
Originally from the North Country of Washington State, Father Matthew's spiritual journey has been marked by both challenges and profound transformations. As a neurodivergent person, he brings a unique perspective to his ministry, which is dedicated to embracing and including all of God's beloved.
Father Matthew's faith journey began with his Baptism and Chrismation into the Antiochian Orthodox Church. Despite facing excommunication due to his sexuality, Fr. Matthew discovered solace and acceptance in the Episcopal Church. Alongside his spouse, he became deeply involved in the Anglican Communion as a vowed Franciscan with the Order of Saint Francis, and during a moment of private prayer at his then parish, he vowed to God that if the compulsion to drink was eliminated, he would dedicate his life to the service of the Church.
Driven by this profound sense of calling, Father Matthew pursued theological education and ministry, culminating in his ordination to the Diaconate in 2019. Together with his family, he founded Saint Dymphna Orthodox Church in 2018, and the Orthodox Monastery of Saint Brigid in then-Toledo, Ohio in 2020, fostering a vibrant and inclusive spiritual community. His journey reached another milestone in 2024 when he was ordained to the priesthood in the Holy Orthodox Church, a testament to his unwavering commitment to serving God and his community. In recognition of his dedication and servant leadership, Father Matthew was consecrated as Abbot of Phoenix in 2024 under the omophorion of His Beatitude, Carl Gregory, Eparch of the Orthodox Vicariate of Mary-the-Apostle.
Since 2012, he has lived one day at a time by the Grace of God, navigating the complexities of life with steadfast faith and resilience. Beyond his ministerial duties, Father Matthew has contributed to various organizations and served on boards, reflecting his commitment to both spiritual and communal growth.
Fr. Matthew serves the United American Orthodox Catholic Church as a member of the Council of Bishops, secretary to the Archbishop, and Seminary Trustee.
Fr. Dcn. Uriel Patrick-Joan
Our Deacon
The Venerable Archdeacon Uriel Patrick-Joan –
Originally from the southern charm of Georgia State to the serene landscapes of the Pacific Northwest in 2013, his profound spiritual journey led him to embrace different traditions along the way.
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In 2015, he found a spiritual home in the Anglican Communion, where he was baptized and confirmed at Saint Mark's Cathedral in Seattle, WA. Before his transition to the Eastern traditions of the Church, Father Uriel Patrick-Joan lived a devout life as a habited Religious Brother within a Franciscan in the Order of Saint Francis within the Anglican Communion.
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A significant turning point occurred on the Feast of Saint Patrick in 2019 when Father Uriel Patrick-Joan was chrismated into the Holy Orthodox Church in Toledo, OH, embracing the richness of Eastern Orthodoxy. Partnering with Father Matthew Christopher, he established the Orthodox Monastery of Saint Brigid on the Synaxis of the Seventy Apostles 2020. Their shared vision was to continue their monastic callings and Religious Professions within the Eastern Christian Tradition.
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A moment of great honor came in October of 2021, both Father Uriel Patrick-Joan and Father Matthew Christopher were tonsured as Stavrophore-monks, and Father Uriel as the Protos of the Orthodox Monastery of Saint Brigid. Father Deacon was ordained to the Holy Diaconate on the Sunday the Exaltation.
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Father Deacon Uriel currently serves the Mother Church as the Vocation Department, and as the Archdeacon of the Orthodox Vicariate of Mary-the-Apostle. When not immersed in his spiritual pursuits, Father Uriel finds solace near water, indulges in the study of photography, eastern mysticism, and relishes in all thing's music.