The Official Website of
The United Holy Caribbean Apostolic Church
The Patriarchate of The West-Indies

His Grace, the Most Reverend Lord Jerome ‘Ephraim’ Chandler (affectionately known as Pastor J. to his parishioners), is a graduate of Computer Learning Centers for Network Administration and IT, and the Greater Northwest Bible and Training Institute. He was eventually ordained an Elder within the Church of God in Christ, Inc. (COGIC), serving as a Musician and Choir Director. During these influential years, he was mentored by Clergy from the Pentecostal/Charismatic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Independent Catholic circles.

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In 2005, Jerome Chandler would be joined together in holy Matrimony with his wife, Angela.

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Rev. Chandler would eventually leave COGIC and be received into the Antiochian Jacobite Orthodox Church. He was then ordained a Deacon then a Priest under His Eminence Metropolitan Mor Cassianus Yuhanon Lewis. At his ordination to the priesthood, he took the name “Ephraim” in honor and recognition of Saint Ephraim the Syrian.

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After some time, Father Ephraim was granted leave, converting from the Oriental Orthodox Church to the United Holy Caribbean Apostolic Church under the leadership of His Beatitude Patriarch Trevor ‘Elihu’ Greene. Upon entry, he was incardinated and made Archpriest of the newly established Diocese of Detroit and Arima. The Diocese would later be renamed “The Diocese of Arima”.

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Father Ephraim would establish Saint Thomas the Apostle Church in Detroit, Michigan; it would eventually be renamed it Transfigured Church. He was selected to work in the Department of Ecumenical Relations and become the Church’s first Director of Ecumenical Relations. On May 22nd, 2021, Father Ephraim was consecrated as the first ever Bishop of Arima, Trinidad and Tobago at the hands of Archbishop Trevor ‘Elihu’ Greene, Patriarch of the West Indies and Archbishop Corey ‘Alexander’ Jenkins, in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA.

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His Grace Lord Jerome ‘Ephraim’ and his wife the Reverend Sister Angela Chandler, a Deaconess within their diocese, have five children (three biological, two adopted, all loved), each keeping the couple quite busy. His wife Deaconess Angela herself is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelors in Accounting, and a graduate of Devry University with a Masters in Accounting. She is also a graduate of the Geraldine Marvell Miller Wright Institute for Women in the Ministry.