The Rev. Fr. MATTHEW Christopher

The Rev. Fr. MATTHEW Christopher obf, OCR
Born
🏳️ Nationality	American
💼 Occupation	Parochial Rector
🏢 Organisation	Orthodox Community of Saint Brigid
Style	The Very Reverend Father
Title	Abbot
Movement	Autonomous Sacramental
👩 Spouse(s)	Fr. Uriel Patrick-Joan, obf
🌐 Website	ocsb-monastics.org

Christopher Kennedy, obf, OCR (The Reverend Father, né Jennings) is an autonomous Orthodox Abbot and Priest.

His biography reads: "The Very Reverend Father Abbot Matthew Christopher, obf, OCR - Originally from Washington State, Fr.  Matthew Christopher is devoted to the teachings of Jesus Christ in the Gospels, emphasizing the universal love that calls us to love God and our neighbors above all else.

During his youth he discovered God's grace and love in his local Eastern Christian Church. This experience led him to be baptized and chrismated in the Antiochian Orthodox Church, marking moments when he first felt a monastic and clerical calling. Unfortunately, due to his discrimination, he faced rejection from the canonical Church, which caused him to take a 10-year hiatus from organized religion. Finding solace and acceptance in a local Episcopal parish known for its inclusiveness, Fr. Matthew embraced the Anglican Communion, and during a private moment of prayer at his Episcopal parish, he made a vow to dedicate his life to the service of the Church if the compulsion to drink was lifted not knowing the path that would take him on. Fr. Matthew and his husband both were Franciscans with the Order of Saint Francis within the Anglican Communion.

Driven by a profound sense of calling, Fr. Matthew pursued theological education and ministry, culminating in his ordination to the Diaconate in 2019. Together with his family, he founded the Orthodox Community of Saint Brigid in Toledo, Ohio, fostering a vibrant spiritual community. ​In recognition of his dedication and leadership, Fr. Matthew was honored as Abbot of Mother of God, Our Lady of Unfading Wildflowers Monastery and the Community of Saint Brigid, in 2021. His journey reached another milestone in 2024 when on the feast of Saint Johanna the Myrrhbearer 2024, Abbot Matthew was installed and consecrated as Abbot of Mother of God, Our Lady of Unfading Wildflowers Monastery and the Community of Saint Brigid, surrounded by his parish, national church and monastic family in Tuckahoe, Virginia.

Fr. Matthew has sat on the Board of Directors for the Boy Scouts of America, Order of the Arrow Lodge, The Episcopal Church – Junior Warden, as well as gained additional ecclesiastical experience through his tenure at the Episcopal Cathedral in Seattle, WA.

Fr. Matthew has been living one day at a time by the Grace of God since October 23, 2012."

Eucharistic Communities

Title	Community	City	Years
Co-Founder	Saint Dymphna Orthodox Catholic Church	(Est. Seattle, WA) Phoenix, Arizona	2018- Present
Abbot	Orthodox Community of Saint Brigid		2020- Present
Co-Founder	Mother of God, Our Lady of Unfading Wildflowers Monastery	Peoria, Arizona	2021- Present

Significant Dates

• 10 Aug 2003 - Baptized, Chrismated - Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch
• 17 May 2014 - Reception, Anglican Communion - Saint Mark's Episcopal Cathedral
• 23 Jun 2018 - Novice II Vows, Religious Brother - Order of Saint Francis (Anglican)
• 17 Mar 2019 - Ordained to the Diaconate - Autonomous Eastern Orthodox Jurisdiction
• 14 May 2021 - Ordained to the Minor Orders - Ancient Apostolic Church of Alexandria
• 14 May 2021 - Ordained to the Sub-diaconate - Ancient Apostolic Church of Alexandria
• 02 Oct 2021 - Tonsured Stavrophore - Mother of God, Our Lady of Unfading Wildflowers Monastery
• 07 Jan 2024 - Ordained to the Priesthood - His Beatitude, the Most Reverend Metropolitan JOHN GREGORY
• 26 Jun 2024 - Consecrated Abbot - His Beatitude, the Most Reverend Metropolitan Archbishop Carl GREGORY

Media

• Oriental and Occidental as One with Christopher Maximus, Sacramental Whine podcast (March 2021)

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