Metropolitan Philip (Saliba)

Metropolitan Philip (Saliba) (1931-2014)

Early life of Abdullah Saliba

On 10 June, 1931, Abdullah Saliba was born to Elias and Saleema Saliba. He was the fourth of their 5 children. Abdullah was born in the small village of Abou Mizan, in the Mount Lebanon mountain range (in the Mount Lebanon Governorate, not far to the north of Beirut, Lebanon. This particular village increased in population every summer because it was the site of the summer homes of many people who lived in the city of Beirut. The population of the village consists of both Orthodox Christian and Maronite families.

Abdullah, with his siblings, was raised and formed in the Orthodox Christian Faith, in the bosom of the Antiochian Orthodox Church.

Abdullah began his primary education in his home village.

Further and higher education

In 1945, at the age of 14, Abdullah went to continue his studies at the Balamand Orthodox Theological Seminary in Tripoli, Lebanon. At that time, the Theological Seminary was situated in the Monastery of Our Lady of Balamand. There, he met his lifelong friend, known today as Bishop Antoun (Khouri) of Miami.

Balamand Monastery

Abdullah finished his schooling at the Balamand Seminary in 1947, and he went on to further his studies at the Orthodox Secondary School in Homs (formerly Emesa), Syria (from 1947-1949).

Diaconal ordination, 1949

On 6 August, 1949, Abdullah was ordained to the Holy Diaconate, and at that time he was given the name Philip.

Diaconal service ; further education

Deacon Philip Saliba was immediately assigned to serve as Secretary to Patriarch Alexander III (Tahan) of Antioch and all the East. He continued in this responsibility until 1953.

During this time, he continued his studies at Assiyah College in Damascus, Syria (from 1949-1951), after which he returned to Lebanon.

In 1952, at the Balamand Seminary, he was assigned to be the Dean of Students and Lecturer in Arabic Language and Literature.

In 1953, Deacon Philip Saliba was given the blessing to go to England to pursue further studies at Kelham Theological School at Kelham in Nottinghamshire, and at the University of London.

Kelham Hall

Transfer to the USA, 1956

Deacon Philip then moved to the USA (having been given the blessing to do so), where he embarked upon his life’s work. This was accomplished through the help of Metropolitan Samuel (David) and the Priest Emil Hanna.

At first, he continued his theological studies at the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts in 1956. However, he left there later in 1956 in order to earn a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, which he received in 1959.

Meanwhile, he served as deacon at the nearby Church of Saint George in Detroit.

Presbyteral ordination, 1959

On 1 March, 1959, Deacon Philip was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by Metropolitan Antony (Bashir) of New York.

Pastoral service

Priest Philip Saliba was assigned to the pastorate of the Church of Saint George in Cleveland, Ohio, where he served from 1959 to 1964.

Saint George Antiochian Temple, Cleveland

While serving in this capacity, Abouna Philip carried to completion the building of an educational and cultural centre for the parish. He also served in many religious and civic posts while he was in Cleveland, amongst them the Eastern Orthodox Welfare Council, the Television and Radio Commission of the Cleveland Area Church Federation, and the Mayor’s Civic Committee.

Father Philip Saliba then went on to complete his theological education at Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in Crestwood, New York. There, he received the Master of Divinity Degree in 1965.

In March of 1966, the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, meeting in a special convention, nominated the Priest Philip Saliba to succeed the late Metropolitan Antony (Bashir) as Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of all North America. He was still a priest, and only 35 years of age.

In July, 1966, the Patriarchal Vicar for the widowed See of New York, Metropolitan Ilyas (Kurban), Archbishop of Tripoli, Lebanon, raised the priest Philip Saliba to the dignity of archimandrite.

Archimandrite Philip (Saliba) was elected to become a bishop by the Holy Synod of the Antiochian Patriarchate on 5 August, 1966.

Episcopal ordination, 1966

On 14 August, 1966, Archimandrite Philip (Saliba) was ordained to the Holy Episcopate by Patriarch Theodosius VI (Abourjaily) and other bishops of the Church of Antioch at the Monastery of the Prophet Elias in Dhour El Choueir, Lebanon.

Holy Prophet Elias Monastery, Dhour El Choueir

Episcopal service

Bishop Philip (Saliba) was immediately elevated to the dignity of archbishop.

Metropolitan Philip was enthroned at his Cathedral of Saint Nicholas in Brooklyn, New York, on 13 October, 1966.

Since the Israeli-Arab conflict of 1967, Metropolitan Philip (Saliba) inaugurated a number of fund-raising campaigns to provide food, shelter and medical assistance to Arab refugees and victims of the war. Under his leadership, the Antiochian Archdiocese undertook numerous charitable campaigns to aid victims of disasters in the USA and throughout the world.

In 1968, Metropolitan Philip established a $100,000 Trust Fund to provide scholarships to Arab refugees studying in the fields of science, medicine, economics and technology.

During his years as the senior bishop of the Antiochian Archdiocese, Metropolitan Philip (Saliba) accomplished multiple major achievements for the North American flock, including the founding of the "Antiochian Orthodox Christian Women of North America" (1973) ; the "Order of Saint Ignatius of Antioch" (1975) ; and the "Saint Stephen’s Course in Orthodox Theology" (1980).

Healing a division, 1975

On 24 June, 1975, Metropolitan Philip and Archbishop Michael (Shaheen) of Toledo, Ohio, accomplished the administrative and jurisdictional unity of the Antiochian Orthodox faithful in North America. This unity was ratified by the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate on 19 August, 1975. The canonical act, issued by Patriarch Elias IV (Mou’awad), named Metropolitan Philip (Saliba) as Primate of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. Archbishop Michael retired as Vicar-Archbishop.

Metropolitan Philip with Fathers Alexander Schememan and Cyril Stavrevsky of Saint Vladimir's Seminary

In 1977, Metropolitan Philip established a $500,000 endowment fund for the support of the Orthodox Theological Academy of Saint John of Damascus at the University of Balamand in Tripoli, Lebanon, which is the sole remaining Orthodox seminary in the Middle East.

Metropolitan Philip had a keen interest in Middle Eastern affairs and he was recognised as an expert in this field. As a student at Wayne State University, he served as President of the Arab Student Federation ; and in Cleveland, he was a member of the Committee on American Policy in the Near East. During the course of his life, he met with United States Presidents, Dwight D Eisenhower, Lyndon B Johnson, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan, as well as with Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II, and many other world leaders on behalf of a just and durable peace in the Middle East. He served as chairman of the Standing Conference of American-Middle Eastern Christian and Moslem Leaders which represents the 2,000,000 Americans of Arabic heritage.

Antiochian Village established, 1978

In 1978, Metropolitan Philip purchased the land for and founded the "Antiochian Village" retreat center and summer camp, where the Antiochian House of Studies programme (founded 1992) is held.

Antiochian Village

In 1981, the Trustees and faculty of Saint Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary awarded Metropolitan Philip the degree of Doctor of Divinity, “honoris causa”.

Section : Autonomy for the Antiochian archdiocese

On 5 May, 1986, the Metropolitan’s Alma Mater, Wayne State University of Detroit, Michigan, awarded him an honourary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.

In conjunction with the 100th Anniversary of the Statue of Liberty in 1986, Metropolitan Philip was one of the few Americans chosen to receive the cherished “Liberty Award” which was presented to him by Mayor E Koch of New York City on 1 July, 1986.

Reception of “Evangelical Orthodox Church” parishes and clergy, 1987

In February, 1987, some 2,000 Evangelical Christians embraced the canonical Orthodox Church and the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. These 2,000 persons constituted the majority of the Evangelical Orthodox Church. This was made possible through the combined leadership of the evangelical churches and of Metropolitan Philip. They brought with them their strong desire to bring Orthodoxy to America. The group was renamed as the “Antiochian Evangelical Orthodox Mission”.

On 21 May, 1994, Metropolitan Philip (Saliba) received the Ellis Island Medal of Honour.

On 20 May, 1995, The Holy Cross School of Theology bestowed upon Metropolitan Philip, the Honourary Doctor of Divinity Degree in recognition of the sterling leadership he has provided to the Antiochian Archdiocese and Orthodoxy at large.

Autonomy (self-rule) for the Antiochian Archdiocese

In 2003, a truly historic event occurred under the leadership of Metropolitan Philip. The Holy Synod of Antioch granted the request by the Archdiocese of North America for the status of a self-ruling archdiocese. In conjunction with this event, the archdiocese established an archdiocesan structure (with subsidiary dioceses), and elected 3 new Diocesan Bishops. These bishops were ordained to the Holy Episcopate by His Beatitude Ignatius IV in the Patriarchal Cathedral in Damascus, Syria.

On 26 May, 2007, Metropolitan Philip was awarded the Doctor of Divinity “honoris causa” by Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox Seminary in South Canaan, Pennsylvania.

On 27 September, 2007, Metropolitan Philip was awarded the Lebanese Order of Merit by President Emile Lahoud of Lebanon.

Within Canada, Metropolitan Philip (Saliba) had at first inherited several parishes in eastern Canada, namely in Montréal, Québec ; Ottawa, Ontario ; Toronto, Ontario ; Windsor, Ontario. This number steadily increased until there were parishes and missions in many of the larger urban centres between Vancouver, British Columbia and Halifax, Nova Scotia. In more recent years, parishes of western Canada came to be served by Archbishop Joseph (Al-Zehlaoui) of Los Angeles and the West. The parishes of eastern Canada came to be served by Bishop Alexander (Mufarrij) of Ottawa, Upstate New York and Eastern Canada.

Metropolitan Philip (Saliba) also served as the Vice-Chairman of the Standing Conference of the Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA). Metropolitan Philip then served as First Vice-Chairman of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America. Metropolitan Philip served for many years as Vice-President and Vice-Chairman of Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary’s Board of Trustees. He also served as Chairman of the Orthodox Christian Education Commission, one of the components of the SCOBA.

Because of his weakening health, Metropolitan Philip sometimes received medical treatments in Florida, and he sometimes spent extra time in the winter in that state.

Metropolitan Philip (Saliba), 2012

Repose, 2014

On Wednesday, 19 March, 2014, Metropolitan Philip (Saliba) fell asleep in the Lord in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, because of a heart-attack.

On Wednesday, 26 March, 2014, at 12:00 noon, the coffin with the body of Metropolitan Philip (Saliba) was received at Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Brooklyn, New York. Trisagion Prayers were served at various times on this and the following days.

Saint Nicholas Antiochian Cathedral, Brooklyn, New York

On Friday, 28 March, 2014, at 7:00 p.m., the Funeral Service for the Burial of a Hierarch was served in the cathedral. Eight bishops served, in the presence of many more.

On Saturday, 29 March, 2014, at Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Brooklyn, New York, the Memorial Divine Liturgy was served, followed by a final Trisagion.

After the Funeral Services and the Mercy Meal, his body was transported to the "Antiochian Village" in Ligonier, Pennsylvania.

On Monday, 31 March, 2014, at 12:00 noon, the interment services took place at the Antiochian Village Cemetery. Bishop Gregory (Tatsis) led the service at the cemetery, along with Protopresbyter Frank P Miloro, Diocesan Chancellor, Clergy of the Johnstown Deanery, and Seminarians.

Grave and Cross-marker of Metropolitan Philip

— Archbishop of New York, Metropolitan of North America 1966-2014. Preceded by : Metropolitan Antony (Bashir). Succeeded by : Metropolitan Joseph (Al-Zehlaoui).

Reflections

Metropolitan Philip (Saliba), the Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of All North America, was the primate of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America from 1966 to 2014. He was the longest-serving Orthodox bishop in American history at that time.

For more than 40 years, Metropolitan Philip led the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. During those years, the archdiocese more than tripled in size, from about 65 parishes to about 250 parishes and missions.

He was preceded in death by his brother Shahid Saliba and his sister Nazira Kfouri, and he was survived by his eldest brother Nassif Saliba of Shreen, Lebanon, by his younger brother and sister-in-law Dr. Najib Saliba and Elaine Saliba of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, and by numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews and god-children in the USA and in Lebanon.

Archpriest Joseph Allen said of Metropolitan Philip that "he could address the parliaments of the world and the widows of the world with complete ease". Moreover, with a sense of humour, he once quipped that he had outlived most of the surgeons who had in the 1970s (after open-heart surgery) told him that he would live only a few more years. He also enjoyed the fact that some children who, unable to pronounced his title, "Your Eminence," would address him as "Your M&Ms".

Archpriest Demetrios Makoul commented that the modern term "strategic planner" would describe his talent for seeing what had to be done and finding ways to accomplish the tasks.

The "Pittsburgh Post-Express" of 22 March, 2014 reported :

 He insisted the archdiocese modernise its operations, create a clergy retirement program, a women's organisation 
 and new parishes and monasteries.  Following his predecessor's lead, he fostered the use of English rather than
 Arabic in liturgies'.  
 
 His favourite song used to be "The Impossible Dream"', Kweilin Nassar of Pittsburgh recalled of his early goals – 
 but he made many of them realities.  
 
 Ms. Nassar said Metropolitan Saliba was open to change.  After she wrote an article questioning why no women were
 on the archdiocese's board, he began appointing some at the next convention.  'And then he looked at me from the 
 podium and said, "Is that better, Kweilin ?" He was responsive when there were things that made sense and he 
 knew it would be better'.

Awards :

For his many charitable deeds and renowned humanitarian concern, Metropolitan Philip was commended and decorated by many governments. Some of these awards include :

State awards :

• The Commander's Badge of the Lebanese Order of the Cedar

• The Order of Civil Merit of the Syrian Arab Republic, 1st degree

Church awards :

• The Order of the Bush Unburned from the Archbishopric of Mount Sinai

• The Cross of Lebanon from the Archdiocese of Mount Lebanon

• The Order of Saint Mark from the Patriarchate of Alexandria and all of Africa

Writings

• “Feed My Sheep: The Thought and Words of Philip Saliba - On the Occasion of His Twentieth Year in the Episcopacy”, ed. Joseph J Allen (Crestwood, NY : SVS Press, 1997). ISBN 10 : 0881410667. ISBN 13 : 978-0881410662.

• “Out of the Depths Have I Cried: Thoughts on Incarnational Theology in the Eastern Christian Experience”, ed. Joseph J Allen (Brookline, MA : Holy Cross Orthodox Press, 1979). ISBN 10 : 0916586324. ISBN 13 : 978-0916586324.

• 1966 There was no Room for Him

• 1976 Blessed is the Nation Whose God is the Lord

• 1979 Christmas Eve

• 1983 I have fought the good Fight delivered at the funeral of Father Alexander Schmemann

• 1984 Orthodoxy in America: Success and Failure

• 1985 The Orthodox Church in North America: Mission and Evangelism

• 1998 The Future of the Arab World: A Vision

• “And He Leads Them: The Mind and Heart of Philip Saliba”, ed. Joseph J Allen (Conciliar Press, 2001). ISBN 1888212292.

• 2006 Metropolitan Philip’s Eulogy of Ernest J Saykali

• 2006 Reflection of Metropolitan Philip on his 40th Anniversary

• 2007 Metropolitan Philip’s Address at the 48th Archdiocesan Convention General Assembly

• 2007 Metropolitan Philip’s Address at Saint Tikhon’s Seminary Commencement

• 2009 Metropolitan Philip address Archdiocesan Convention

• 2012 Metropolitan Philip : “Patriarch Ignatius IV – An Incarnational Theologian”

• 2013 Metropolitan Philip’s Address to the Archdiocesan Assembly

• 2013 Metropolitan Philip : “Arab Spring or Toledo?”

Metropolitan Philip was also the author of "The Eucharist in the Primitive Church", and of some of poems and meditations. He also wrote many articles and monographs in the fields of theology and Middle Eastern affairs. Fluent in English and Arabic, and having a knowledge of French and Greek, Metropolitan Philip translated many literary works into Arabic.

References

Orthodoxwiki biography

Antiochian Archdiocese biography

Wikipedia biography

Additional information :

Allen, Joseph J, ed., “And He Leads Them : The Mind and Heart of Philip Saliba”, (Conciliar Press, 2001). ISBN 1888212292.

Boosahda, Elizabeth, “Arab-American Faces and Voices : The Origins of an Immigrant Community” (Austin, TX : University of Texas Press, 2003). ISBN-10 : 029270920X. ISBN-13 : 978-0292709201.

Corey, George S, Gilquist, Peter E, Mackoul, Anne Glynn, Sam, Jean, Schneirla, Paul, eds., "The First One Hundred Years : A Centennial Anthology Celebrating Antiochian Orthodoxy in North America" (Englewood, NJ : Antakya Press, 1995). BX738.A753F57.

Panchenko, Constantin A, “Arab Orthodox Christians under the Ottomans : 1516-1831”, translated by Samuel and Brittany Noble (Jordanville, NY : Holy Trinity Seminary Press, 2016). ISBN : 978-1-942699-08-8.

Tarasar, Constance J, ed., "Orthodox America 1794-1976 : Development of The Orthodox Church in America" (Syosset, NY : The Orthodox Church in America Department of History and Archives, 1975). ASIN : B000ZLZAUE.

"Monomachos" obituary

"Al-Mohajer" (The Emigrant) obituary

Orthodox Christian Laity obituary

Bishop Gregory (Tatsis) of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of the USA offers Condolences on the Repose of Metropolitan Philip

‘Metropolitan Philip (Saliba) and Christian Orthodox Unity in America’ in “The Washington Report on Middle East Affairs”

"Pittsburgh Post-Gazette" obituary, 22 March, 2014, p. 9.

Findagrave reference

Patriarch Theodosius VI (Abourjaily)

Patriarch Ignatius IV (Hazim)

Patriarch John X (Yazigi)

Metropolitan Antony (Bashir)

Metropolitan Joseph (Al-Zehlaoui)