Clergy

Metropolitan Archbishop St Michael Church is under the omophorion of The Most Reverend SABA, Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. Metropolitan SABA was born and raised in Syria, and has been Metropolitan of North America since 2023. His complete biography can be accessed here. Bishop John St Michael Church is a parish in the Western Rite Vicariate of the Antiochian Archdiocese. The Right Reverend Bishop JOHN (Abdalah) is the Auxiliary Bishop for all Western Rite parishes. Bishop JOHN is also the Auxiliary Bishop for the New England diocese, yet visits St Michael regularly. Bishop JOHN’s full biography can be accessed here. St Michael also fully participates in all the events of the Diocese of Los Angeles and the West. Parish Pastor The Very Reverend John W. Fenton was appointed the Third Pastor of St Michael’s by Metropolitan Joseph in October 2015. Fr. John Fenton came to Orthodoxy after 16 years of service as a Lutheran minister. Ordained a priest by Bishop MARK on 11 February 2007, Fr John was first assigned to form Holy Incarnation Orthodox Church. Fr John has earned a Master of Divinity and a Master of Sacred Theology. In 2009, Fr John was appointed Assistant to the Vicar General of the Western Rite, and continues in that role assisting Bishop John, the Auxiliary Bishop for Western Rite parishes. He has taught on all levels–elementary, high school, community college, online University, graduate school–and has been published in peer-reviewed journals as well as magazines (online and print); edited two books including “With What Zeal;” is the current compiler of the Vicariate Ordo; contributes to the Vicariate website; and is the project manager of the official Missal for the Western Rite Vicariate. Fr John is married to Matushka Julie. They have seven children and 15 grandchildren.

Other Clergy

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Life at St Michael’s

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Holy Mass

Holy Mass (Divine Liturgy) is the chief activity and service of the parish. It is celebrated on:

• Sundays at 10 a.m.
• Tuesdays through Saturdays at 9 a.m.
• Holy Days at 7 p.m. as announced
• Mass is celebrated in Latin on Saturdays

Every Sunday, after Mass, all parishioners and guests are invited to a full lunch.

Prayer

Lauds and Vespers are ancient prayer services centered around the Psalms. They are offered regularly on:

• Saturdays: Vespers at 5 p.m.
• Sundays: Lauds at 9:15 a.m.
• Tuesdays through Saturday: Lauds at 8:15 a.m.
• Thursdays: Vespers at 6:30 p.m.

Lent

In addition to the regular schedule, special services are offered during Lent:

• Wednesdays: Rosary at 6:30 p.m., Mass at 7 p.m.
• Fridays: Stations of the Cross & Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at 7 p.m.

These services are followed by a light meal in the parish hall.

Learning the Orthodox Faith

Numerous opportunities for Scripture study and understanding the Orthodox Faith are also offered at St Michael’s.

• Didache (di-dah-kay) is a lively and informative inter-generational presentation of various biblical, doctrinal and practical aspects of the Faith. All presentations are designed to interest children as well as teens and adults. It meets on Sundays during lunch and is taught by Father John.
• Father’s Bible Study on a particular book of the Holy Scriptures is led by Fr John every Tuesday morning at 9:30 a.m. Currently, the group is studying the book of Job.
• Reading St Augustine is a read through, with commentary by Fr John, on one of the teachings of St Augustine or another Orthodox patristic writer.
• Men’s Group meets every Thursday from 7-8:30 p.m. It is open to all Orthodox Christian men and inquirers. The meetings follow a rotating schedule: reading through “The Imitation of Christ” on one Thursday; Tools for Living Repentance on another Thursday; and open conversation (social night) on a third Thursday.
• Exploring Orthodoxy is an informal discussion of the doctrines of the Orthodox Faith for inquirers (seekers), catechumens and parishioners. No commitment is expected. It meets according to the schedules of interested persons.
• Antiochian Women of St Michael meets on the second Sunday of each month after the lunch. The meetings include a discussion of a biblical topic or book specifically suited to Christian women.
• The Society of St Benedict is a prayer society open to persons of all Christian faiths. In addition to following regular prayers, discussions on meditation and portions of the Rule of St Benedict are also offered, as well as service projects and annual retreats.

Sacraments & Other Services

• The Sacrament of Penance (Private Confession) is available on Saturdays from 5:30 p.m. until 6 p.m. or by appointment.
• The Sacrament of Holy Baptism is offered to those unbaptized persons who desire to become Christian. It includes the Sacrament of Chrismation (Confirmation) and First Communion. Instruction in the Orthodox Faith and regular participation in the life of St Michael’s Church are necessary per-requisites to Baptism.
• Biblical counseling for those intending to marry, or for those in any need, is offered by Fr John. Please call for an appointment. (562.692.6121)
• Non-Sacramental Anointing is offered to any Christian who desires prayers for healing of body, mind, or spirit.
• Regular visitation of the sick and homebound is provided by Father John.

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Joining St Michael’s

St Michael’s Church is a family of Orthodox Christians who care for each other, and are cared for by our Bishop and Pastor.

Becoming a member of St Michael’s begins with attending regularly the Mass and other liturgical services. In this way, you get to know us and we get to know you so that we can care for you.

If, after several visits, you decide to become part of our church family, you will be received by one of three routes:

• If you are an Orthodox Christian, then you simply need to declare your intent to Fr John and offer what you can of yourself or your resources. You will also want to communicate your desire to your previous parish.
• If you are from another Christian tradition and wish to become Orthodox, you will need to be received by the Sacrament of Chrismation (Confirmation). Instruction tailored to your background and schedule is required. This instruction requires that you join us in at least one of the major fasts (Advent or Lent). Proof of baptism in a previous Christian group is also required.
• If you have not been baptized, you will need to be instructed in the Orthodox Faith. Instruction tailored to your background and schedule is required. This instruction generally takes one year.

To explain our terminology, those who are visiting and just “checking us out” are known as “Inquirers.” Inquirers may participate in all our liturgical services and activities, but are not permitted to receive the Eucharist or other Sacraments. Additionally, no commitment or obligation is expected or Inquirers.

Those who have decided that they wish to become Orthodox are known as “Catechumens.” As they prepare for their First Eucharist, Catechumens integrate themselves into the parish by making the commitment to attend liturgical services and participate in the life of the parish.

Resources:

Those interested in the Orthodox Faith are encouraged to attend regularly an Orthodox parish for at least six weeks.

The following books or pamphlets may also be helpful:

• The Mystery of Faith by Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeyev (condensed online version) (print version)
• The Orthodox Church by Timothy (Metropolitan Kallistos) Ware
• The Faith: An Orthodox Catechism by Clark Carlton
• The Orthodox Faith by Fr. Thomas Hopko