Our Community

Our Chief Shepherd

Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ

Our Iconostasis Christ is the Icon of the Pearl of Great Price

by Saint Anthony's Monastery (20th c.)

Our Shepherd

His Beatitude,

the Most Reverend GREGORY of the Holy Veil,

Metropolitan Archbishop of the Orthodox Apostolic Vicariate of the Holy Protection

Our Protos

The Venerable Father Uriel Patrick-Joan, obf – Originally hailing from Georgia State, his spiritual journey has been a rich tapestry of diverse traditions. After finding his spiritual home in the Anglican Communion in 2015, he lived a devout life as a Religious Brother within the Order of Saint Francis.

In a significant turning point on the Feast of Saint Patrick in 2019, Fr. Uriel was chrismated into the Holy Orthodox Church in Toledo, OH, embracing the depth and richness of Eastern Orthodoxy. Alongside Father Matthew Christopher, he co-founded the Orthodox Community of Saint Brigid, a testament to his commitment to his faith and community.

Fr. Uriel's dedication to his sacred duties was reaffirmed through various ceremonies, including his commissioning to the Minor Orders of Cleric, Doorkeeper, Reader, and Exorcist in 2021, followed by his tonsure as a Stavrophore-monk and Protos of the Orthodox Community of Saint Brigid later that year. His journey continued with his Commissioning to the Subdiaconate in 2022 and his ordination to the Holy Diaconate in 2023.

Fr. Uriel currently serves as Hierodeacon of Saint Dymphna Orthodox Church, and Protos of the Orthodox Community of Saint Brigid. He serves the Mother Church as Archdeacon of the Orthodox Vicariate of the Holy Protection. 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 things music.

Our Oikonomos

The Very Reverend Hieromonk ELIJAH Seraphim, obf, GCP - Of South Carolina, and raised in a small town in the Pee Dee region, Fr. Elijah grew up in the Church of God in Cleveland, TN but always felt a calling to more sacramental life. After serving as pastor in several protestant churches, Fr. Elijah visited a Roman Catholic Parish in Summerville, SC and knew that he was at home. While there, he served as a Cathecist, Youth Minister, and Altar Server but felt led to find a place that allows for the fullness of Christ Church to be expressed.

March 2023 marked his ordination to the Diaconate, and in November of the same year, he received ordination to the Holy Priesthood. On the feast of Saint Johanna the Myrrhbearer 2024 in Tuckahoe, Virginia, the Reverend Hieromonk Seraphim underwent the Little Schema tonsure receiving the name Elijah surrounded by his parish, national church and monastic family.

Fr. Elijah, as co-founder of the Orthodox Community of Saint Brigid, fulfills the roles of Oikonomos-Administrator and Ecumenical Relations Liaison, as well as serves as the monastically-attached Senior Pastor of Saint Bonaventure Parish, Chaplain for Port City Ambulance Service in the South Carolina Lowcountry. He serves the Mother Church as the Canon to the Archbishop and Archpriest of the Orthodox Vicariate of the Holy Protection.

Our Abbot

The Very Reverend Father Matthew Christopher, obf, 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 the Orthodox Community of Saint Brigid in then-Toledo, Ohio, fostering a vibrant and inclusive spiritual community.

In recognition of his dedication and leadership, Father Matthew consecrated as Abbot of the Mother of God, Our Lady of Unfading Wildflowers Monastery and Spiritual Father the Orthodox Community of Saint Brigid in 2024. 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.

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 Mother Church as a member of the Holy Synod, personal secretary to the Archbishop, and seminary adviser for the Orthodox Vicariate of the Holy Protection.

Our Diaspora

As a dispersed Religious Community, we are blessed to to initiate and establish local hermitages organized into Diaspora Houses, all interconnected through our vows to the Orthodox Community of Saint Brigid.

Diaspora of the Dormition of the Theotokos (West Coast):

Mother of God, Our Lady of Wildflowers Monastery - Mother House, Peoria, AZ
Saint Dymphna Orthodox Church - Katholikon of the Orthodox Community of Saint Brigid, Phoenix, AZ
Saint Mary Magdalene Conventual House, Snohomish County, WA

Hermitage of Divine Wisdom, Multnomah County, OR

Saint Mary Magdalene Diaspora House (East Coast):

Protecting Veil of Our Most Holy Lady Theotokos and Ever-Blessed Mary Orthodox Hermitage, Lowcountry, SC