Reverend, Deacon George Hanna

Deacon George Hanna, formerly known as Emad Hanna, was born in Egypt, where he spent his early years between Suez and Cairo. He graduated from high school in 1973 and was accepted into the Cairo University School of Medicine, where he earned his M.B.B.Ch. in 1978. He later completed a Master’s degree in General Surgery in 1985 while training at the Coptic Hospital in Cairo. He worked as a surgeon in Egypt until his immigration to the United States in 1993.

In the U.S., Deacon George completed a residency in Preventive Medicine and a Master’s degree in Community Medicine in 1995, followed by a Family Medicine residency in 2001, after which he became board-certified in Family Medicine. He served as a full-time teaching faculty attending in the Family Medicine Residency Program at Mount Sinai South Nassau from 2001 until his retirement in December 2023, mentoring medical students and Family Medicine resident physicians. For the five years prior to retiring, he also held the position of assistant clinical professor of Family Medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

For many years, he served as a subdeacon in several Coptic churches across New York, including St. Mary and St. Antonios Church in Queens, St. Mary and the Holy Apostles Church in the Bronx, and St. George Coptic Orthodox Church in Astoria. His reverent service, liturgical devotion, and spiritual commitment were deeply appreciated across all three congregations.

In September 2023, he was called by God to be ordained as a consecrated full deacon by His Grace Bishop David at St. Mary and St. Antonios Church in Queens. With the blessing of His Grace, and at the request of Hegumen Father Sorial Henery and Father Yostos Bessada of St. George Church in Astoria, NY—and with the approval of Hegumen Father Antonios Makaryus of St. Mary and St. Antonios Church in Ridgewood, NY—he began formally serving as a full consecreated deacon at St. George Church, while continuing to support services at St. Mary and St. Antonios Church in Ridgewood, NY. In addition to Deacon George’s spiritual and liturgical responsibilities, he also serves on the administrative board and aids the church fathers in leadership and execution.

Deacon George is currently enrolled in the St. Archdeacon Habib Girgis Institute for Theological Studies, where he is studying Theology, Church History, Church Rituals, Ecclesiology, and more. This academic foundation complements his spiritual service and prepares him for further responsibilities within the Church.

Since 2024, he has been serving as the medical advocate for Theodora Mission, a nonprofit organization supporting children with special needs in Egypt.

Deacon George is married to Dr. Seham Hanna, who works for the New York City Department of Health. They have two children: Ramy, an Intellectual Property attorney, and Marina, an Assistant Principal in Mathematics. Deacon George is a proud grandfather of Clara and Jonah. His family remains a steadfast support in his journey of faith and service.