Rev. Father Michael Maximous
Presbyter
Fr. Michael Maximous was born May 15, 1972 in Cairo, Egypt and came to Southern California in January of 1977 where he grew up and lived. He received his B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of California, Irvine (UCI) and a Master’s in Business Administration from California State University, Fullerton (CSUF). He is a California Registered Civil Engineer and worked in the civil engineering profession from 1996 until 2019 in both the private and public sectors. Prior to being ordained, Fr. Michael was a Director of Public Works/City Engineer.
Fr. Michael also received a Master’s in Theological Studies (MTS) from St. Athanasius and St. Cyril Theological Seminary (ACTS) in collaboration with the Claremont School of Theology (CST) in 2016. He has served in Sunday School from 1991 to 2019 in Orange County at the Archangel Michael, St. Marina and St. Paul Coptic Orthodox Churches. His Eminence Metropolitan Serapion (along with Bishops Suriel, Abraham, and Kyrillos) ordained Fr. Michael to the priesthood on March 3, 2019 to serve at St. Basil American Coptic Orthodox Church in San Diego, California.
Rev. Father Anthony Zaki
Presbyter
Fr. Anthony was born and raised in San Diego, California. After graduating from high school, he moved to Boston, MA to pursue higher education at Northeastern University, where he earned a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree in 2017. Prior to his ordination, he worked in the pharmaceutical industry in program management.
Throughout his life, Anthony has been actively involved in church service. He served at St. Demiana Coptic Orthodox Church in San Diego and later at St. Paul and St. John Chrysostom Coptic Orthodox Church during his time in Boston. After returning to San Diego in January 2025, he continued his service at St. Basil American Coptic Orthodox Church in Sunday School and Young Professional services.
His Eminence Metropolitan Serapion (along with Bishops Abraham, and Kyrillos) ordained Fr. Anthony to the priesthood on June 21, 2026 to serve at St. Basil American Coptic Orthodox Church in San Diego, California.