Very Reverend Joseph George Rahal

Very Reverend Joseph George Rahal, son of Jirius & Mintaha, was born on June 27, 1943, in Damascus, Syria. At an early age he knew he was destined to be a priest in the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese. He graduated from the Balamand Orthodox Theological Seminary in Tripoli, Lebanon and continued his educated at Assiyeh College in Damascus, the Lebanese University in Beirut, St. Vladmir’s Seminary in New York and Christ the Saviour Seminary in Johnstown PA. He became a Tonsured Reader in 1958, a Deacon in January 1969, a priest in March 1969 and an Archpriest in September 1979. Father Joseph served as priest in multiple churches across the United States and Canada. St. George Canton (1 year), St. George Altoona (3 years), St. George Indianapolis (8 years), St. George Toronto (10 years), St. John Chrysostom Fort Wayne (7 years), and St. George Washington D.C. (22 years). He established multiple churches through his years of service, establishing St. John Chrysostom Church in Ft. Wayne (1978), St. James Church Cincinnati (1979), and St. Catherine of Alexandria in Ann Arbor (1998). In 1982, Father Joseph brought into the Antiochian jurisdiction the Holy Transfiguration mission of London Ontario from the OCA.

Throughout his years of service, he successful expanded the campus’ of multiple churches and was exceptionally proud of building a multi-million dollar complex at St. George Washington D.C. Father Joseph published six service books through the years in both Arabic and English that are in use across the diocese. He also met with numerous people across multiple countries such as the Royal Family of Greece, the late King Paul, Queen Fredrica and Prince Constantine. He also met with King Husein of Jordan, Senator James Abourizk as part of a delegation that went to the Middle East to intervene for the release of America hostages in Lebanon. Father Joseph met with Pope John Paul II, President Hafiz Assad, President Elias Hrawi of Lebanon, his Majesty King Abdallah and Queen Rania of Jordan, and President Barak Obana and Michelle Obama.

Father Joseph will forever be cherished by the lives of everyone he has touched throughout the years. He is the brother of Assad (deceased), Georgette (deceased), Amira (deceased), Angel and Samira. He is survived by his son Joseph Rahal and daughter-in-law Georgette Rahal of Fort Worth, TX and his daughter Carolyn Rahal of Andover, MA and his grandchildren, Matthew, Emily, Ava Matthew and Joseph.

A visitation for Joseph will be held Wednesday, October 30, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at St. Philip Antiochian Orthodox Church, 4870 Griffin Rd, Davie, FL 33314. A funeral service will occur Wednesday, October 30, 2024 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM, 4870 Griffin Rd, Davie, FL 33314. A funeral service will occur Thursday, October 31, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM, 4870 Griffin Rd, Davie, FL 33314. A committal service will occur Thursday, October 31, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 1500 S State Rd 7, North Lauderdale, FL 33068.