Meet the shepherds that guide our flock!
Father John Richard Dixon serves as the archpriest of Holy Spirit Antiochian Orthodox Church in Huntington, West Virginia, a position he has held since August 2001. A convert to the Orthodox Christian faith and a Marshall University graduate, Fr. John was ordained to the priesthood in 2001 during the Midwest Region Parish Life Conference, taking the name John in honor of St. John the Theologian.
For over 23 years, he has guided the parish with compassion, kindness, patience, and wisdom, fostering a welcoming community for both “cradle” Orthodox members, many of whom trace their roots to Lebanon and Syria, and converts from Catholic or Protestant backgrounds.
Originally from Wyoming County, West Virginia, Fr. John continued his secular employment as the Director of Development and Planning for the City of Huntington after his ordination, supporting the church’s construction efforts.
He has been instrumental in the parish’s growth, including the purchase of property on Woodhaven Drive in 2002 and the completion of a new social hall and Sunday School annex, which was celebrated during the Feast of Pentecost.
His leadership extends to community outreach, including the church’s long-standing partnership with the Cridlin Food and Clothing Pantry and other local charities such as Ebenezer Medical Outreach. He also volunteers on Huntington's pilot program called Quick Response Team (QRT), a program designed to help victims of overdose within 24-72 hours after the event.
Fr. John leads weekly Bible studies using the Dynamis curriculum from the Orthodox Prison Ministry and offers church tours to share the beauty and history of the Orthodox faith.
In 2023, he made a significant pilgrimage to Mount Athos, Greece, where he reflected on the spiritual influence of Theotokos, documenting his experiences for the Antiochian Women of the East.
Known for his humility, compassion, and accessibility, Fr. John is deeply respected for his dedication to spiritual guidance and community engagement.
Khouria Loukia, wife of the Very Reverend Father John Dixon, has been a dedicated member of Holy Spirit Antiochian Orthodox Church in Huntington, WV, since their marriage in 1989, initially as parishioners and, since 2001, as part of the priest’s family.
Alongside their children, Basil, Subdeacon John, and Christianna, she has been actively involved in the church’s chanting and choir. She and Father John have been blessed with their first granddaughter by Basil and Irene: Eleni, who brings them much joy!
As a member of the Ladies of St. Sophia, she enhances the church’s beauty with floral arrangements for feast days.
Professionally, Khouria Loukia, a master’s-level speech-language pathologist since 1988 has served as an Associate Professor at Marshall University’s Department of Communication Disorders, since 2003.
Her passion for helping others has extended to her roles as a chanter, choir member, Religious Coordinator (September 2022-July 2025) and Secretary (July 2017-July 2019; newly elected- July 2025) for the Antiochian Women of the East where she continues to serve both her local parish and the broader diocese.
Deacon John began attending the Orthodox Church in 1999 after relocating from the San Francisco Bay Area to Nashville, Tennessee. He was received into the Church at St. Ignatius Orthodox Church in Franklin, TN, on Holy Saturday in 2000.
Since then, he has faithfully served in various roles, including chanter, choir director, church school teacher, and catechist. His journey in ministry has taken him to several parishes across the country, including St. George Orthodox Church, in Phoenix, AZ, helping found the Moscow Idaho Mission Station (now St. Katherine Orthodox Church in Pullman, WA), St. Elizabeth Orthodox Church in Murfreesboro, TN; and currently, Holy Spirit Orthodox Church in Huntington, WV.
He was elevated to the rank of Subdeacon in 2019 and, after completing theological studies at the Antiochian House of Studies, was ordained to the Holy Diaconate by Bishop Thomas in 2023.
Professionally, Deacon John serves as a Program Consultant with the Kentucky Department of Education's Office of Career and Technical Education, where he supports initiatives promoting postsecondary and career readiness.
He and his wife, Diakonesa Michele—who serves as our choir director and is a professor of Music Education at Morehead State University—live in Morehead, KY. They have been married for 25 years and continue to serve the Church with dedication and love.
Diakonissa Michele Paynter Paise, our choir director, is the wife of Deacon John Paise. They have been married for over 25 years and have served in Orthodox churches in Tennessee, Idaho, Arizona, and West Virginia. They live in Morehead, KY, and have been blessed with 12 godchildren.
Mary Ann Dolen - Chair
Ericka Hernández - Vice Chair
Martha J. Martin - Secretary
J. D. Underwood - Treasurer
Christina Saad McNeely - Co-Treasurer
Deacon John Paise
Steve Nicholas
Teresa Abraham
Erin Petty
Sarah Nash