About Saint John Chrysostom [Melkite] · Atlanta, Georgia
St. John Chrysostom Melkite Catholic Church is a Byzantine-rite Catholic parish in Atlanta, Georgia, belonging to the Melkite Greek Catholic Eparchy of Newton (covering the entire United States). The community gathers for the Byzantine Divine Liturgy (rather than the Roman Rite Mass), in full communion with the Holy See of Rome. The parish worships in the former Druid Hills mansion of Coca-Cola magnate Asa Candler — a converted neo-classical residence on Ponce de Leon Avenue — and today is pastored by Fr. Dr. Elias Dorham alongside two permanent deacons and an associate priest. It is one of the few Eastern Catholic parishes serving the metropolitan Atlanta area.
- Established
- 1954
- Patron
- Saint John Chrysostom
- Rector
- Rev. Dr. Elias Dorham
- Diocese
- Melkite Greek Catholic Eparchy of Newton (Our Lady of the Annunciation) — covers the entire United States; diocesan offices and Cathedral in West Roxbury, MA, with a co-cathedral in North Hollywood, CA.
Why belong here
St. John Chrysostom offers something rare in metro Atlanta: a Byzantine-rite Catholic community praying the ancient Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom in full communion with Rome — surrounded by centuries of iconography and chanting, yet welcoming English-speaking worshippers (with Greek and Arabic responses and an Arabic choir) rather than expecting familiarity with the rite. Small enough that every member is known, the parish runs an adult catechumenate using the 'Christ Our Pascha' Eastern Catholic catechism, periodic Bible studies (Acts, Pauline Epistles, the Synoptic Gospels), and pastoral priorities around marriage enrichment led by Fr. Elias Dorham. Worshipping in the historic Asa Candler mansion in Druid Hills makes it as much a cultural landmark as it is a spiritual home.
Mass times at Saint John Chrysostom [Melkite]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:30 PM
- Sunday 9:30 AM (during Orthros)
- Sunday after Divine Liturgy
- Wednesday 6:30 PM
- During or after Great Vespers (Saturday 5:00 PM)
- During or after Vespers (Wednesday 7:00 PM)
About the Parish and the Melkite Tradition
St. John Chrysostom is an Eastern Catholic parish of the Byzantine rite, in full communion with the Holy See in Rome. The parish describes itself as part of 'perhaps the oldest continuous Christian community in the world,' tracing its roots back to the Christians of the ancient Syrian cities of Antioch and Damascus. As Eastern Christians the parish stresses the call to be 'divinized' — to share in God's life — through prayer, the Holy Mysteries, fasting, almsgiving, and the 'public' life of worship and the 'secret' life of prayer. The mission statement: 'We are Byzantine in our tradition and Catholic in our status. Our mission is to gather together in worship and thanksgiving to Almighty God… As a spiritual family, we seek to learn, to be nourished and inspired, to grow and attempt to become divinized on our journey to the Kingdom.'
- Eastern Catholic (Byzantine rite) in full communion with Rome
- Under the Melkite Greek Catholic Eparchy of Newton
- Bishop: Most Rev. François Beyrouti
- Patriarch: His Beatitude Joseph Absi, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, of Alexandria and Jerusalem (headquartered in Damascus, Syria)
Parish History
Founded in 1954 with the arrival of Fr. William Haddad, the community purchased the Candler mansion in 1955 and was dedicated in 1957 under the patronage of St. John Chrysostom. The full story — including the conversion of rooms (music room into Baptistry, library into Heritage Room, removal of eight marble columns), the 1975 redecoration by Joseph Lorenz, the 1983 dedication of the new Church Hall by Archbishop Joseph Tawil, and the succession of pastors — is documented on the parish's Parish History page.
- 1954 – Fr. William Haddad arrives as priest
- 1955 – Candler home purchased from the American Legion for $62,000
- 1957 – Dedicated under the patronage of St. John Chrysostom by Archbishop Francis Hyland
- 1975 – Joseph Lorenz restores color to the ceilings and walls
- 1983 – Archbishop Joseph Tawil dedicates the new Church Hall (Nov 30)
- 1998 – Fr. Haddad retires; succeeded by Fr. Jean Ghaby
- 2000–2022 – Rt. Rev. Archimandrite John Azar serves as pastor
- 2023 – Fr. Dr. Elias Dorham becomes current pastor
The Candler Mansion and our Building
Built in 1916 at a cost of about $210,000 for Asa Candler, the Atlanta mayor who had purchased the Coca-Cola formula in 1891 for $2,300, the cream-brick and white-marble-columned neo-classical home sits on two acres in the Druid Hills section of Atlanta. The parish retained extraordinary original details — the leaded-glass ceiling, Czechoslovakian stained glass, Italian-marble fireplace, deep-pile Chinese carpet and custom mahogany bookshelves — while converting rooms into liturgical spaces. The original greenhouse behind the building still stands.
- 1428 Ponce de Leon Avenue NE, Druid Hills, Atlanta
- Eight of the center-court marble columns removed to open the view of the sanctuary
- Former music room = Baptistry / Para Ecclesia Chapel of the Mother of God (with Greek and Russian icons)
- Former library = Heritage Room
- Altar made from marble quarried in Pickens County, Georgia
Life of St. John Chrysostom, our Patron
Patron of the parish is St. John Chrysostom ('Golden-mouthed'), one of the greatest pastors of the Church. Born in Antioch, Syria, around the middle of the fourth century, he retired to the desert at age twenty, was ordained a deacon in 381 and a priest in 386, and in 398 was elected Patriarch of Constantinople. Known for his homiletic eloquence and his redirection of Church wealth to the poor, monasteries, hospitals and the homeless, he famously made an enemy of Empress Eudoxia through his preaching. His feast is celebrated November 13; he is also commemorated January 27 (translation of relics) and January 30 (with Sts. Basil the Great and Gregory the Theologian as the Three Holy Hierarchs).
- Patron: St. John Chrysostom
- Principal feast day: November 13
Parish Clergy
The parish is led by Pastor Fr. Dr. Elias Dorham, with Rev. Peter Wingerter serving as co-administrator, and two permanent deacons: Rev. Dn. Elie Hanna and Rev. Dn. Sami Jajeh.
- Pastor — Rev. Dr. Elias Dorham (D.Min. St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary; B.S. U.S. Naval Academy; M.A. Christendom College; M.S. Naval Postgraduate School)
- Co-Administrator — Rev. Peter Wingerter (ordained Melkite priest 2022; with family, integrating priestly ministry with counseling)
- Co-Administrator — Rev. Deacon Elie Hanna (ordained Aug. 11, 2014 by Bishop Nicholas Samra at St. John Chrysostom)
- Deacon — Rev. Deacon Sami Jajeh (ordained Nov. 18, 2012 by Bishop Nicholas Samra at St. John Chrysostom; transferred rite 2006)
Weekly Worship Schedule
Services follow the Byzantine-rite Divine Liturgy (rather than the Roman-rite Mass). The principal Sunday celebration is preceded by Orthros (Morning Prayers) during which confessions are heard; the Divine Liturgy itself follows, with confessions again available afterward. Wednesdays feature Vespers with confessions during or after; Saturdays begin with Great Vespers (with confessions during or after). The Arabic Choir sings a portion of the Divine Liturgy. All services are in English; recurring responses and festal hymns are sometimes sung in Greek and Arabic.
- Sunday 9:30 AM – Morning Prayers / Orthros (Confessions during Orthros)
- Sunday 10:30 AM – Divine Liturgy (Confessions after)
- Saturday 5:00 PM – Great Vespers (Confessions during or after)
- Wednesday 7:00 PM – Vespers (Confessions during or after)
Holy Mysteries (Sacraments) and Liturgical Life
The parish teaches that the 'Holy Mysteries' are prayers of the Church in which the Lord transforms a natural element into a vehicle of saving grace, made in His Body's name and unfailingly answered. The Mysteries listed include Baptism (the Mystery of Illumination, accompanied by reception of Holy Communion and Chrismation in the Melkite tradition), Chrismation, the Eucharist, Confession, Marriage, Holy Unction, and Ordination. The Sunday celebration of the Resurrection — through Scripture readings, hymns, bows and processions — is described as 'the day of the Lord' and 'a new festival of the New Creation.'
- Baptism (Mystery of Illumination) — with Chrismation and Communion for infants and children
- Chrismation (Confirmation)
- Holy Eucharist (Communion) — open to baptized, chrismated Catholics in good standing who have prepared by the traditional fast
- Confession, Marriage (Crowning), Holy Unction, Ordination
- Sunday kept as the day of the Resurrection
Christian Initiation and Adult Education
The parish offers adult formation built around three Eastern Catholic resources: a year-round catechumenate using 'Christ Our Pascha' — the Catechism of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and the only Eastern Catholic catechism — for those preparing for Baptism or Chrismation; the 'Light for Life' series commissioned by the Eastern Catholic Bishops of the United States (covering The Mystery Believed, The Mystery Celebrated, and The Mystery Lived); and periodic topical Bible Studies, often via Zoom, on Acts, Pauline Epistles, the Synoptic Gospels, and Salvation History, with future series planned on John, the Johannine literature, Revelation, the Pentateuch and the prophets.
- Christ Our Pascha entrance catechesis (Baptism/Chrismation preparation)
- Light for Life series overview (faith, worship, spiritual life of the Eastern Church)
- Bible Studies: Acts, Pauline Epistles, Synoptic Gospels, Overview of Salvation History (via Zoom)
- Future series: Gospel of John, Johannine literature, Revelation, Pentateuch, Old Testament prophets
Music and Choir
The parish maintains an active music program rooted in the Byzantine chant tradition. A dedicated Arabic Choir sings a portion of the Divine Liturgy. The Music page references Tone 8 of the Resurrection and festal settings, including 'All of you who have been Baptized in Christ' and the 'Holy, Holy, Holy' in Arabic.
- Arabic Choir (sings during the Divine Liturgy)
- Tone 8 of the Resurrection
- Festal hymns sung in Greek and Arabic
Marriage Enrichment
Pastor Fr. Dr. Elias Dorham developed his D.Min. doctoral project in marriage enrichment and development; he now serves as a facilitator for the Mount Tabor Counseling Marriage Enrichment Program, leading 'The 7 Principles' workshops and other initiatives across Mount Tabor's outreach.
- Mount Tabor Counseling Marriage Enrichment Program (Fr. Dorham, facilitator)
- The 7 Principles workshops
Frequently Asked Questions
The parish's FAQ clarifies that all services are in English, that Eastern Churches used a vernacular liturgy long before the Roman Church, that recurring responses and festal hymns are sometimes sung in Greek and Arabic, and that the parish has an Arabic Choir. Communion is open only to those who are baptized and chrismated into the Catholic (or Orthodox) tradition, are not impeded by unrepented and unconfessed sins, and have prepared themselves by fasting from the previous night.
- All services in English (with Greek and Arabic responses)
- Arabic Choir sings a portion of the Divine Liturgy
- Communion: baptized & chrismated Catholics in good standing with the Eucharistic fast
Contact and Visit
The parish is located at 1428 Ponce de Leon Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, and can be reached at (404) 373-9522. Visitors seeking to schedule a Liturgy Commemoration are directed to the Commemoration Request Form on the website.
- Address: 1428 Ponce de Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
- Phone: (404) 373-9522
- Commemoration Request Form available online
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Fr. William Haddad1954–1998
First resident priest assigned to Atlanta; oversaw purchase of the Candler mansion in 1955 and dedication of the parish in 1957; later retired as Exarch.
- Rev. Fr. Jean Ghaby1998–2000
Succeeded Fr. Haddad in 1998; later became Assistant Pastor of St. Ann Melkite Church, West Paterson, N.J.
- Rt. Rev. Archimandrite John Azar2000–2022
Long-tenured pastor; oversaw ongoing liturgical adaptation of the Candler mansion.
- Rev. Dr. Elias Dorham2023–present
Current pastor; holds a D.Min. from St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary; previously served in coaching and federal/local-government leadership.