Archbishop of America approved four new ordinations to the diaconate

Archbishop Elpidophoros of America has approved the ordination of four men to the Holy Diaconate, assigning them to serve in Greek Orthodox parishes and missionary communities in the United States and Central America.

According to an announcement published by the Orthodox Observer on November 12, 2026, the Archbishop approved the ordinations in accordance with his responsibilities under the Charter of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

Emmanuel Salem has been approved for ordination to the Holy Diaconate and assigned to serve at the Annunciation of the Theotokos Church in Akron, Ohio, within the Holy Metropolis of Pittsburgh.

Jesse Brandow has also been approved for ordination to the Holy Diaconate and assigned to serve in the Holy Metropolis of Mexico. He will remain under the canonical jurisdiction of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America while continuing his missionary work through the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) in Guatemala and the surrounding region.

Troy Vinson Montanez has been approved for ordination to the Holy Diaconate and assigned to serve as a permanent deacon at the Annunciation of the Theotokos Church in Lincoln, Nebraska, within…