Rev. Fr. John Peter Meno

Very Reverend Father John Peter Meno (August 22, 1942 – February 8, 2025) was a devoted priest and respected spiritual father within the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch. Born in Carlinville, Illinois, to John Victor and Margaret Mary (Cena) Meno, he dedicated his life to faith, education, and fostering interfaith dialogue. At the age of 14 he left his home to go to the seminary pursuing a life of religious service and dedication to our Lord. After graduating from Seminary, Father John travelled to Beirut, Lebanon. While studying in Lebanon, Father John married Rolanda A. Abyad in 1968. He continued to pursue higher education with passion, earning a Master of Arts in History from the American University of Beirut in 1969, followed by a Master of Sacred Theology from Union Theological Seminary in 1972. That same year, he was ordained as a priest in the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch, marking the beginning of a lifelong commitment to spiritual leadership and service. His exceptional dedication and leadership were recognized in 1983 when he was elevated to the rank of Chorepiscopus. Throughout his career, Father John held several prominent roles within the Church. From 1972 to 1995, he served as the General Secretary of the Archdiocese of the Syriac Orthodox Church in the United States and Canada. In 1975, he became the Cathedral Dean of St. Mark's Syriac Orthodox Cathedral, a position he held with distinction for decades. Performing countless baptisms and weddings, Father John saw his parish grow and prosper under his close watch and guidance. Father John and Rolanda Meno were blessed with a son, Peter James, in 1982. Father John's administrative contributions continued as he assumed the role of General Secretary of the Archdiocese of the Syriac Orthodox Church in the Eastern United States from 1996 to 2010. Beyond his ecclesiastical responsibilities, Father John was deeply committed to fostering unity and understanding among Christian denominations. Since 1973, he served as Co-Secretary of the Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox Churches in America, based in New York City. In 1989, he became Co-Chairman of the United States Roman Catholic-Oriental Orthodox Consultant, promoting interfaith dialogue and cooperation between these ancient Christian traditions. Father Meno's contributions to the church and the broader religious community were recognized with numerous honors, including the prestigious Golden Cross of the Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox Church in the United States and Canada in 1992. His lifelong dedication to faith, leadership, and service earned him a place as a noteworthy religious administrator in Marquis Who's Who. Despite his many accomplishments, Father John remained grounded in his family and faith, embodying the values of compassion, humility, and service. Father John's legacy lives on through his enduring contributions to the Syriac Orthodox Church, his commitment to interfaith dialogue, and the countless lives he touched throughout his ministry.