About Fr. Malek

Fr. Malek Yousef Rihani was born in Amman, Jordan in 1955. He and his family immigrated to the United States in 1969. He attended De La Salle Catholic High School on the south side of Chicago.

In 1976, he married Dina Saad Ayoub, and he also completed his undergraduate studies from the University of Illinois with a Bachelors Degree in Marketing.

In 1981 he received his Master's Degree in Business Administration from Keller Graduate School of Management. In 2002 he completed his theological education and earned a Master's Degree in Applied Theology from Lebanon’s Balamand University and the Antiochian Archdiocese. He was ordained in the Antiochian Orthodox Church as a Deacon in 1997 and a Priest in 2002; he is also a Certified Marriage and Family Counselor.

Fr. Malek worked for 37 years for United Parcel Service and taught for five years at Robert Morris University, during that time he also served in numerous capacities in several parishes in the Chicago area including Pastor for four years. He currently serves as an Assistant Pastor at St. Mary Orthodox Church in Palos Heights, Illinois. He also serves on several local Orthodox Boards and Committees, including Orthodox Christians for Life, International Orthodox Christian Charities; and the Martha and Mary Maternity Home.

Fr. Malek and Dina live in Homer Glen, IL.  They are blessed with two children and five grandchildren. Their son Gary is married to Linda and they have three children; and their daughter Angela is married to Billy James, and they have two children.