Parish Clergy

Reverend Father Dr John El Karaan

Father Dr. John El Karaan was ordained to the Holy Priesthood on November 26, 2006, at the Monastery of Balamand in Lebanon. He began his pastoral ministry in Australia earlier, in 2007, when he was assigned by Metropolitan Paul Saliba, of thrice-blessed memory, to serve the parish of St Michael in Kirrawee. From 2008 to 2010, he continued his pastoral service at the parish of St Michael & St Gabriel in West Ryde.

In May 2010, Father John was appointed parish priest of St Nicholas Church in Punchbowl, where he continues to faithfully serve the community.

Father John holds a Ph.D. in Old Testament Studies from the University of Thessaloniki in Greece. He has been deeply involved in theological education, having taught at St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Theological College in Redfern. Since 2007, he has also taught courses in Old and New Testament theology and Patristics at local youth centers.

A prolific speaker and writer, Father John has delivered numerous lectures across churches, radio stations, and religious television channels throughout Australia. He has authored approximately 200 theological articles and preached over 1500 sermons.

Beyond his ecclesiastical and academic commitments, Father John is a devoted husband and father. He has been married since 2006 and is blessed with two sons.

Parish Clergy

Reverend Father Romanos Albaba

Father Romanos Albaba was ordained to the Subdiaconate at the Patriarchal Monastery of St Elias Shwayya in Lebanon in 1997, with the blessing of Patriarch Ignatius Hazim and under the guidance of Bishop Elias Najim, both of thrice-blessed memory. During his time at the monastery, he completed his theological studies at the School of Theological Formation of the Orthodox Archdiocese of Beirut.

Having a deep love for liturgical chanting, Father Romanos pursued the study of Byzantine ecclesiastical music. Upon his arrival in Australia in June 2006, he began teaching music.

He was ordained to the Holy Diaconate on December 17, 2007, and to the Holy Priesthood on November 16, 2008, at St George Cathedral in Sydney, by the late Metropolitan Paul Saliba of thrice-blessed memory.

In September 2009, Father Romanos was appointed parish priest of St Nicholas Church in Punchbowl, where he has faithfully served the community ever since. He played a pivotal role in the expansion and renovation of the church, helping to bring it to its present beautiful state.

In 2015, he established the first Orthodox Scout group in Australia, St Nicholas Steward, and continues to serve as its spiritual advisor, nurturing the faith and character of Orthodox youth.

Father Romanos also teaches Byzantine music in the Antiochian Byzantine Music School, contributing to the preservation and growth of the Church’s liturgical life.

In 2020, with the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Basilios, he founded the Fellowship of Saints Thekla and Silouan, a spiritual ministry that meets weekly and serves as a source of guidance, support, and community—particularly for young Orthodox faithful newly arrived in Australia.

Father Romanos is married to Khourieh Lamis, and together they are blessed with three children.

Parish Clergy

Reverend Father Phillip Saba

Father Phillip was ordained to the Holy Diaconate on 27 May 2018 in Sydney, Australia, and elevated to the Holy Priesthood on 12 January 2020.

Raised within the Antiochian Orthodox Church, Father Phillip has been deeply involved in parish life since his youth. He attended Sunday School at St Nicholas, Punchbowl, where he later served as a Sunday School teacher from 1998. His liturgical involvement grew during his university years, when he began serving as both an altar assistant and choir member in 2001.

Father Phillip holds a Bachelor of Business degree from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), graduating with distinction in 2003. In 2006, under the guidance of the late Metropolitan Paul Saliba, of thrice-blessed memory, he was sent to Lebanon to pursue theological studies at the St John of Damascus Institute of Theology at the University of Balamand. Over five years, he immersed himself in the life and tradition of the Orthodox Church, deepening his theological understanding and developing advanced proficiency in Byzantine ecclesiastical music, graduating with distinction in 2011.

Upon returning to Australia, Father Phillip continued to serve the Church through music ministry, directing choirs at St Nicholas Punchbowl, Sts Michael and Gabriel in Ryde, and the Cathedral of St George in Redfern.

Beyond his ecclesiastical and academic commitments, Father Phillip is a devoted husband and father. He has been married since 2014 and is blessed with three children.

In January 2018, His Eminence Metropolitan Basilios appointed Father Phillip as Director of the St Kassiani Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese Choir. He continues to lead this ministry with dedication, nurturing and promoting the tradition of Byzantine chant across the Archdiocese.