About Us
Fr. Christopher Salamy was born in Whitesville, WV. He was baptized and raised in the Holy Orthodox Church in Charleston, WV until 1985 when his family relocated to Los Angeles, CA. His passion is the study of Holy Scripture and foreign language. Fr. Chris and his bride Allyson have two daughters, Sophia and Amelia. He served as Youth Director of St. Elijah Antiochian Orthodox Church in Oklahoma City, OK in October of 1998 and was ordained to the Holy Diaconate in February 1999 and to the Holy Priesthood in March 1999. Fr. Chris holds a BA in Philosophy from Loyola Marymount University, an MDiv from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology and a Doctorate from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Fr. Salamy was assigned to St. George in December 1999 and remains pastor to this day.
Contact Fr. Chris ~ Schedule an appointment with Fr. Chris (if there are no times available, please email office@stgeorgeaz.org or call the Church Office at (602) 953-1921)
Greg Abdalah, a native of the Pittsburgh area, earned a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Duquesne University in 2004. During that time, Greg worked in various positions at the Antiochian Village, and began serving as the Deanery Coordinator for the Western Pennsylvania Deanery following graduation. He earned his MDiv from St. Vladimir’s Seminary in 2008 with a thesis focused on youth music ministry. He served as the Pastoral Assistant and Youth Director at St. George Cathedral in Worcester, MA from 2008-2014, and currently serves as the Pastoral Assistant at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Phoenix, AZ. In 2018 he earned his Doctor of Ministry, focused on teaching the Divine Liturgy to our Youth, also from SVS and is regularly invited to speak to parishes and various youth gatherings around the US and Canada. Greg was married to his beautiful bride Diana in April of 2018 and they are the proud parents of Eleanor and Jonathan.
Christian Farradj, son of Fuad and Mary Romley Farradj, was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. It was at his home parish of Saint John the Evangelist Antiochian Orthodox Church in Orinda, CA that his love for ministry was ignited, and where he was tonsured as a Reader in 2016. He has been active in many ministries of the Archdiocese, including Camp St. Nicholas, DLAW Young Adult Ministry, and the Sacred Music Institute’s Youth Music Ministry. In 2022, he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology, emphasis in Exercise Science and Athletic Performance, from University of Saint Katherine in San Marcos, CA. Christian is the host of “A Joyful Noise”, a series exploring the beauty of Byzantine Chant on Ancient Faith Ministries Kids platform. He is one of the founders of Sons of Antioch Byzantine Choir, and is obtaining his diploma in Byzantine Music through the Hellenic Conservatory of Music & Arts in Athens and the School of Ecclesiastical Music of Mount Lebanon. As Youth Pastor, it is his joy and passion to serve the St. George community.
Valerie Haddad was born and raised in Glendale, California. Upon graduating high school, Valerie pursued and obtained her professional pilot’s licenses and certifications and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation from Westminster College in Salt Lake City, Utah in 2003. Valerie joined Vanguard as a Client Services Representative in 2004. While at Vanguard, Valerie held several leadership positions where she had the opportunity to lead large operations departments through strategic projects and business planning cycles. In 2013, Valerie obtained her MBA from the Haub School of Business at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Valerie is passionate about building strong Christian leaders so that they are well equipped to do God’s work. Valerie is married to Dn. Michael and they have two children, Georgina and Gabriel.
Happy was born and raised in England. She has a BA Sociology Degree from UEL and she worked as Business Development Manager for a Microbiology Waters Laboratory before moving to Phoenix. She enjoys history, geography and social subjects. She came to Phoenix in 2013 and owned businesses. Two years ago she decided to change paths so she could balance her family and work. She is married to Jagdip and they have two kids, Aaryan and Aleena.
Jane Romley, who has been a St. George parish member for years, now serves on the Pastoral Team as Parish Administrator. She loves working in the office and has been a great asset to the everyday life of such an active parish. Her previous work experience and love for her church shows in the excellence she provides.
Matthew Peters has spent a majority of his life in the southwest. He graduated from Arizona State University with a BS in Anthropology. He attended Wheaton College in Chicago, and received a MA in Archaeology. He has spent considerable time living, traveling, studying, working, eating, and sweating in the Middle East. Matthew enjoys working on and riding motorcycles, building furniture, completing art projects, and harvesting figs and limes to share with the St. George Community. Matthew and his bride Laura have two great kids, Isaac and Helena.
Matthew serves as the Ministry Lead at St. George. He provides strategic direction in ministry outreach at St. George, by working alongside our clergy and project coordinators. He helps lead to the spiritual transformation of volunteers and betterment of those being served, accomplished through Christ and by his love.