Greg Abdalah, a native of the Pittsburgh area, began his college career at Duquesne University 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 OrthodoxCathedral 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 Vladimir's Seminary 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.

 

Educational Background

St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, Crestwood, NY.  
Doctor of Ministry, January, 2018. Project: On Behalf of All and For All: Our Youth and Our Liturgy. 

St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, Crestwood, NY.  
Master of Divinity, May, 2008. Thesis: The Role of Youth Choirs in the Orthodox Church. 

Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA.  
Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance, May, 2004.

Teaching Interests

Youth Ministry

Current Projects and Research Interests

"On Behalf of All and For All" A Liturgical Approach to Youth Ministry 
"Bless Master the Throne on High" (Article)

Recent Courses Taught at SVOTS

Doctor of Ministry Youth Ministry: The goals of this course are two-fold. First, to understand that Youth Ministry is the work of everyone. 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. Second, to equip students to integrate Youth Ministry into their various ministry fields. How can our youth become the future without being a part of the present? From the time of their baptism and/or chrismation, they are full members of the Body of Christ. This course focuses its efforts on understanding these realities, empowering participants to be stewards of the future of the Church.