Leslie Hrusch Bohannon, MATS

St. John Chrysostom Byzantine Catholic Church in Houston, TX is pleased to offer an ongoing series of retreats entitled “Brunch with the Saints” presented by Leslie Hrusch Bohannon. Since its inception the following retreats have been or will be offered:

*SS. Cyril and Methodius     *St. Macrina the Younger     

*St. Thecla, Proto-Martyr      *St. John the Baptist

Each retreat culminates with a regional brunch, proper to the life of the Saint, researched and skillfully prepared by Fr. Elias Rafaj, Pastor of St. John Chrysostom parish.  

Leslie was born in Cleveland, Ohio to Slavic and Italian parents. Shortly thereafter she was Baptized and Chrismated a Byzantine Catholic on the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel, November 8.

At the age of 17 she left her parents’ home and travelled to Las Vegas to pursue a career as an actress. She received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and a Certificate of Distinction from The Drama Studio London at Berkeley. During her theatrical years she fell away from the practice of the faith. At the age of 23 a profound conversion in front of a Crucifix, in a Church dedicated to the Mother of God, changed the course of her life. The prodigal daughter returned to her family home in Ohio and from that time onward she has dedicated herself to prayer, teaching, and the study of the faith.

Since that time she has been active as a Lay Evangelist, Teacher and Catechist. For the past 25 years she has spoken at conferences, retreats and parishes throughout the United States and Central America and served as the host of the Ave Maria Radio show in Cleveland, Ohio. She holds a Master of Arts Degree in Theological Studies from the University of St. Thomas, Houston, TX. Her areas of research and involvement are Catholic-Orthodox ecumenical dialogue, the spirituality and theology of the Eastern Christian faith and the history of the Eastern Catholic Churches in America.

In 2004 she was Crowned in Marriage to Lee Bohannon at the Byzantine Catholic Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Parma, Ohio.

She is a member of St. John Chrysostom Byzantine Catholic Church in Houston, Texas where she serves as the Facilitator of Adult Faith Formation and Reader.