Diaconal Ordination | Deacon Peter Zogbi

On 1 September 2019 Peter Zogbi of the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon was elevated from the order of subdeacon to the order of deacon at Saint Sharbel Church in Portland, Oregon by Bishop Elias Zaidan. Saint Sharbel Church has celebrated numerous ordinations in recent years and this ordination was a joyful one.

Bishop Elias, assisted by Fr. Christopher Fabre, pastor of St. Sharbel, celebrated the ordination surrounded by his clergy. Deacon Peter was presented by Msgr. Peter Fahed Azar, Rector of Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Seminary in Washington, DC. Deacon Peter’s sponsor was Father Prior Jonathan Decker, of the Maronite Monks of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in Castle Rock, Washington. In attendance were: Fathers Anthony Joseph, John Michael, and Brian Thompson, Deacons Tony Karam and Wadih Kaldawi, and Subdeacons Raphaekl and Daniel. A number of Deacon Peter’s classmates from Our Lady of Lebanon Seminary also attended the pontifical liturgy. God willing, Deacon Peter will be ordained to the priesthood for the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon next summer.

Saint Sharbel Church also celebrated an investiture into the Equestrian Order of Saint Sylvester. Najat Rask, a longtime parishioner of Saint Sharbel’s, was granted the honor of Dame of the Pontifical Equestrian Order of Saint Sylvester, Pope and Martyr. This Order recognizes Catholic laity active in the life of the Church, especially through their professional lives and in the arts. Najat’s last husband, Dr. Tom Rask, received Knighthood in the same Order before his recent passing.