Fr. Gabriel Bilas

Father Gabriel was assigned rector of St. Mary Magdalene in March of 2016.  He is a graduate of the University of Akron with a degree in International Business. He also studied over-seas at St. Petersburg Polytechnic University in Russia.  

Fr. Gabriel spent over 10 years in the banking industry.  He was an investment banker for a number of years before deciding to pursue a calling to the Holy Orders of the Orthodox Church. 

In 2008, Fr. Gabriel met his wife Laura, and after a long engagement, they were happily married in 2011.  Matushka (title given to the priest's wife meaning "mother") Laura worked as a labor and delivery nurse while Father attended courses at the oldest Orthodox Seminary in the Country, St. Tikhon's Seminary in South Canaan, Pennsylvania.

After His ordination to the Diaconate in 2013, Fr. Gabriel travelled with His Eminence Archbishop Mark throughout the diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania.  He also served as president of the Seminary Student Government, and sang in the traveling St. Tikhon's Mission Choir as a 1st Tenor.  

In February of 2014, Fr. Gabriel was ordained to the Holy Priesthood.  He served St. Peter and Paul Parish in Uniondale, Pennsylvania during his final year of seminary.  

In May of 2015, Fr. Gabriel graduated from St. Tikhon's Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree.  While waiting for an assignment from the diocese, he spent the summer serving at Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, and Nativity of Christ Patriarchal Russian Orthodox Church in Youngstown, Ohio.

In February of 2016, Fr. Gabriel was assigned as rector to St. Mary Magdalene Orthodox Church in Fenton.  He currently lives in Linden, Michigan with Matushka Laura, and their four children, Lucille, Noah, Ileana and Elijah.  

Father Gabriel recently told the congregation:  "It is an absolute blessing and a joy for my family and I to have found a spiritual home here at St. Mary Magdalene. My wife and I could not be happier with the path that God has laid before us.  There is a lot of work to do to grow Christ's vineyard in Michigan, but I can't imagine a better parish family to till the land with! Glory to God for all things!"

Protodeacon Michael Schlaack

Protodeacon Michael Schlaack, along with his wife and oldest son, entered into the Orthodox Church on Palm Sunday, 2006, after several years as a member of the Church of Christ. Pdcn. Mike completed the St. Stephen's Certificate Program in 2010 and was ordained to the Holy Diaconate by Bishop Benjamin on June 26, 2011. He has been faithfully serving as deacon for the St. Mary Magdalene parish ever since.

On May 1, 2020 Pdcn. Mike graduated with a Masters of Arts in Systematic Theology from Sts. Cyril & Methodius Seminary. Then Pdcn. Mike was elevated to the office of Protodeacon by His Eminence Archbishop Alexander on Holy Thursday- March 22, 2022.

Pdcn. Mike has been married to Susan, for over 35 years and has three adult children. He has worked as an Information Technology professional with DTE Energy in Detroit for the past 20 years.  Dn. Michael is an Army veteran having served over eight years on active duty (1979-1988), spending most of that time in Europe. He and his wife currently reside in Howell, MI.