About Saint Jacob [Melkite] · San Diego, California
St. Jacob Melkite Catholic Church is an Eastern (Greek) Catholic mission of the Byzantine Rite serving the San Diego area since 1990. As the only Melkite Greek-Catholic community in San Diego County, it is part of the Eparchy of Newton (Melkite) and ultimately of the Patriarchate of Antioch, and it celebrates the Divine Liturgy in English and Arabic. The community currently worships at Holy Angels Byzantine Catholic Church in the Kearny Mesa area while planning a future move to its own property in North County. Its mission is to foster Catholic renewal through the awe-inspiring Byzantine Liturgy and bring the message of the Living Lord to faithful and seekers alike.
- Established
- 1990
- Patron
- St. Jacob (James), Brother of the Lord — first Bishop of Jerusalem
- Rector
- Rev. Shaun Brown (Administrator, since 2020)
- Diocese
- Eparchy of Newton (Melkite Greek Catholic), part of the Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarchate of Antioch (in full communion with Rome); currently headed by Bishop François (Beyrouti)
Why belong here
St. Jacob is the only Melkite Greek-Catholic community in San Diego County, offering a Byzantine-Rite home for Orthodox-faith Catholics and anyone drawn to the beauty of Eastern Christian worship. Parishioners participate in a Divine Liturgy celebrated in both English and Arabic, join English-language Vespers mid-week, sing in the Arabic or English choir, send their children to Eastern Christian Formation, and gather socially through the LIT youth/young-adult ministry and parish luncheons. Joining by attending services, praying for the mission, and supporting the new North County Church Building Project means helping a small but rooted community preserve its Antiochene heritage in Southern California for the next generation.
Mass times at Saint Jacob [Melkite]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- After Vespers (Wednesday evenings)
- After Divine Liturgy (Sundays)
- By appointment with Fr. Shaun
Our History — Founded 1990
St. Jacob was established on October 23, 1990 (the feast of its patron, St. Jacob/James, Brother of the Lord) when Bishops Ignatius Ghattas, John Elya, and Nicholas Samra celebrated an inaugural Divine Liturgy in San Diego. A founding committee of seven lay leaders — Salim Bisharat, Jamil Maria, Daoud Kawar, Hanain Boghous, Basila Mansour, Jihad Nasser, and Hanna Maria — then reached out to prospective families and built the community. Over the decades, ten priests have served the mission, alongside long-standing deacons Edward Bagdasar and Antoine Kabbane.
- 1990 inaugural Divine Liturgy
- Founding committee of seven lay leaders
- Long-serving deacons Edward Bagdasar and Antoine Kabbane
Our Future — Church Building Project
After more than three decades worshipping in borrowed spaces, the community has opened escrow on a large building in North County that will provide ample space for worship, classrooms, and a rectory. Fr. Shaun Brown has issued a fundraising letter inviting parishioners and friends to pledge ongoing support, one-time gifts to the Building Fund, and prayers, noting that 'with men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible' (Matthew 19:26). Preliminary renderings envision a refreshed historic exterior and an interior that will eventually be adorned with Byzantine icons.
- Property in North County acquired (escrow)
- Fundraising for Building Fund
- Preliminary floor plans (first floor worship space; second floor classrooms and rectory)
- Future iconography program
Who We Are — Byzantine-Rite Catholics of Antioch
St. Jacob is an Eastern (Greek) Catholic Church of the Orthodox Faith praying in the Byzantine Rite. Its members have roots in the historic city of Antioch, where Saints Peter and Paul first established the Church outside of Jerusalem. Many parishioners are of Middle Eastern background, but the community is diverse and welcomes anyone drawn to the beauty of its spiritual traditions to become members of the Body of Christ. The mission statement is: 'To foster a Catholic and Godly renewal with worship through the awe-inspiring Liturgy of the Byzantine Rite and by safeguarding our Orthodox Faith and Tradition; to bring the message of the Living Lord to the faithful and seekers of truth.'
- Eastern Catholic in full communion with Rome
- Roots in the Patriarchate of Antioch
- Welcomes members of all backgrounds
Liturgical Services
Worship is celebrated in the Byzantine Rite in English and Arabic. The regular Sunday schedule includes Orthros followed by the Divine Liturgy at 11:00 am (11:30 am during Great Lent). Wednesday evenings feature Vespers at 7:00 pm (and on Feasts as announced). Services are held at Holy Angels Byzantine Catholic Church, 2235 Galahad Rd, San Diego. Liturgical services and schedule are subject to change — the bulletin / email distribution list and the online calendar are the up-to-date references.
- Sunday Orthros & Divine Liturgy — 11:00 am (11:30 am in Great Lent)
- Wednesday Vespers — 7:00 pm (and Feasts)
- Concelebrated in English and Arabic
Holy Mysteries (Sacraments)
The Byzantine tradition knows seven Mysteries (sacraments): Holy Illumination (Baptism — always combined with Chrismation and Holy Communion for infants), Holy Confession, Holy Communion, Holy Crowning (Matrimony), Holy Orders, and Holy Unction (Anointing of the Sick). Parents and couples must contact Fr. Shaun before setting dates, and advance notice is required (3 months for Baptism, 1 year for marriage). There is no fee for the Mysteries; customary thanksgiving offerings are $250 Baptisms, $500 Weddings, $300 Funerals, $100 Memorial Services.
- Baptism / Chrismation / Eucharist (combined)
- Confession after services and by appointment
- Marriage (Crowning) — 1 year notice
- Anointing (Unction) for the sick
- Funerals and Memorial Services
Get Involved
The mission invites participation through gifts of time, talent, and treasure. Time: welcome visitors, organize social events, or clean church grounds. Talent: sing in the Arabic or English choir, teach Eastern Christian Formation classes, or read the Epistle during the Divine Liturgy. Treasure: one-time or recurring financial gifts via bank/Zelle, PayPal, or Venmo; include St. Jacob in your will; or donate property such as a car or real estate.
- LIT Youth and Young Adults ('Living In Truth')
- Volunteer opportunities
- Arabic and English choirs
- Eastern Christian Formation teachers
- Epistle readers
Giving and Stewardship
The parish offers multiple giving channels to support weekly operations (which run about $1,700/week) and the North County Building Project. Options include no-fee direct bank/Zelle transfers, recurring automatic deposits, single gifts via credit card through the PayPal Giving Fund, PayPal direct (parish pays fees), and Venmo (parish pays fees). Parishioners may also mail donations to PO Box 231328, San Diego, CA 92193, or contribute to the annual Bishop's Appeal.
- Bank transfer / Zelle (no fee)
- PayPal Giving Fund (no fee to parish)
- Recurring giving
- Venmo
- Mail-in donations
- Bishop's Appeal
Our Bishop and the Eparchy of Newton
St. Jacob is an Eastern Catholic community of the Eparchy of Newton, headed by His Grace, Bishop François Beyrouti (installed October 19, 2022). The Eparchy is part of the Patriarchate of Antioch, headed by His Beatitude Patriarch Joseph, and the Melkite Greek-Catholic Church professes the Orthodox Faith while maintaining full communion with the See of Rome ('…and in Antioch the disciples were for the first time called Christians' — Acts 11:26). Reports concerning sexual abuse by clergy, parish personnel, or volunteers of the Eparchy of Newton may be directed to the Victim Assistance Coordinator at 1-800-479-5910.
- Eparchy of Newton (Melkite Greek Catholic)
- Bishop François Beyrouti
- Patriarchate of Antioch, Patriarch Joseph
- Victim Assistance Coordinator: 1-800-479-5910
Frequently Asked Questions
The parish website includes an FAQ section exploring Byzantine-Rite practices, including the meaning and structure of the marriage ceremony (betrothal, exchange of rings, common cup, crowning, and procession around the altar). The full FAQ page covers questions about icons, liturgical customs, and the differences between Eastern and Western Catholic practice, making the site a useful resource for visitors and inquirers.
- Byzantine marriage ceremony explained
- Meaning of the common cup
- Crowning symbolism
- Procession around the altar
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Bishara Buqter1990–1991
First priest assigned to the new mission
- Rev. George Al Mur1991–1992
- Rt. Rev. Maximos Mardelli1992–1995
- Rev. Athanasios Assi1995–1996
- Rt. Rev. Nassir Matta1996
During 1996
- (no priest assigned)1996–1998
A period without an assigned shepherd for the flock
- Rt. Rev. George Bisharat1998–2005
- Rev. Saba Shofany2005–2011
- Rt. Rev. James Babcock2011–2014
- Rev. Rezkallah Samaan2014–2020
- Rev. Shaun Brown2020–present
Current Administrator