Fr. Nicholas was born in Lattakia, Syria on February 20, 1960. He earned a Masters in Divinity from St. John of Damascus Theological Seminary at the Balamand University. After graduation in 1986, Fr. Nicholas taught “Introduction to Old Testament” for one year at the Balamand and worked in the library.

With the blessing of Metropolitan Philip, Fr. Nicholas came to the US in 1990 to attend St. Vladimir’s Seminary in New York, where he earned his Masters in Theology. While attending Seminary, Fr. Nicholas was assigned to serve under Fr. Elias Bitar at St. George in Little Falls, New Jersey. After graduating from St. Vladimir, Fr. Nicholas went to Ohio, and served for four years as a youth director at St. George Cathedral in Toledo and St. George Church in Cleveland.

He came to San Francisco in 1996 to serve as the youth director for St. Nicholas. After his ordination in 1998, Fr. Nicholas was sent to serve in his first parish assignment at St. Nicholas Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. During his pastorate, the parish built their church complex, including sanctuary, hall and education center.

Upon the retirement of Fr. Gregory Ofeish in 2001, Fr. Nicholas was assigned by Metropolitan Philip to serve as pastor at St. Nicholas Church in San Francisco.

Dn. Nicholas Adranly was born in Amman, Jordan in 1955. He is the son of Costandi and Jeannette Adranly from Jerusalem, Palestine.  

He has been serving at St. John Orthodox Church since its inception as a mission in 1978 where he was serving as an acolyte.  He was tonsured as a subdeeacon by Bishop Antoun in 1980 at St. Nicholas, San Francisco, then ordained to the diaconate in November 2004 by  Bishop/Metropolitan Joseph.

He was married to Rula Theodossy on July 7, 1984. In 1993 they were blessed with a son, Costa, and in 1999, with another son, John.

Dn. Nicholas has been serving St. John Church since 1978, and will dedicate his pastoral life to this parish with the Blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph. 

Subdeacons