Name of Church St. Elias

Address Temporarily meets at 7644 Langley Canyon Rd., Prunedale CA 93907

Phone number 408-785-1212

Website http://steliasmelkite.org/

YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAwsRTFJCQ1rkAG3_We64NQ

Worship Schedule Saturdays: Vespers at 5 p.m.  Sundays: Orthors at 9 a.m. and Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m.

Confessions Call for an appointment: (831) 272-3388

Names of priests Rev. Sebastian Carnazzo, Ph.D., administrator.  He is an orthodox priest and a scholar who has taught Sacred Scripture for many institutions, including Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary of the Fraternity of St. Peter, St. Patrick’s Seminary of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, and Christendom College.  He is also a regular speaker on pilgrimages to the Holy Land.  He is married with six children.  He was appointed administrator in 2015.  Listen to past homilies: http://steliasmelkite.org/educational-resources/homily/.

School No.  But there are online bible studies; listen to past ones: http://steliasmelkite.org/educational-resources/bible-study/.  There are also catechism classes; listen to some previous ones: http://steliasmelkite.org/educational-resources/catechism/.

Liturgy/Music St. Elias is part of the Melkite-Greek Catholic Eparchy (diocese) of Newton, Massachusetts, which includes the entire continental U.S.  It is in union with Rome; its worship is according to the ancient Byzantine Liturgy.  It’s a different experience for Latin rite Catholics.  The liturgy is sung, in English or Arabic (with some Greek).  Listen to some hymns: http://steliasmelkite.org/music/.  No instruments.  Parishioners either sit or stand; there is usually no kneeling.  Services have a lot of incense.  There are many icons, which are considered windows to heaven, throughout the church.  In the front of the church is an icon screen; the other side is considered heaven on earth.  Parishioners receive Holy Communion on a small spoon after the host is dipped into the chalice.  Also, all the baptized receive Communion, even small children.  See images of the parish during worship here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xDWBjPtVpM.

Fellow parishioners The Eparchy serves people of Middle Eastern descent (e.g. Syrian, Lebanese or Jordanian), but is certainly open to all who wish to experience the liturgy and community.

Parking Parking around the church.

Additional observations  Most Rev. Nicholas James Samra has served as eparchial bishop since 2011.  For additional information about the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, visit www.melkite.org.  St. Elias also has a parish bookstore which offers icons, religious books, gifts and jewelry.  It is located in the parish hall and is open after weekend services.