Metropolitan Samuel (David)

Metropolitan Samuel (David) (1893-1958)

John may be spelt Iohanna, Johanna, Ioannes, Joannes, Johan.

David may be spelt Daoud.

Husson may be spelt Husoon.

Early life of John David ("Husson")

On 26 August, 1893, John David "Husson" was born to David and Gazaly Haddad of Aita El-Foukhar, in the Beqaa Valley, Greater Syria (now Lebanon).

What, in some English texts, appears to be the family name or surname "Husson" of "El-Husson (meaning "preserve ; protect ; safeguard ; shield") is probably a mistake. Indeed, the surname "Daoud" is what is found usually as a family name in Aita El-Foukhar. The name "Husson" seems to be a nickname for the whole family, which has surnames such as "Daoud" within it.

The youngest of 4 boys and 1 girl, John David was raised as an Orthodox Christian in a faithful family, within the bosom of the Antiochian Orthodox Church. John David was chosen for the priesthood from an early age.

He received his primary education in his home village.

Higher education

After he had completed his primary education, John David was sent to study at the Balamand Seminary, at that time housed in the Balamand Monastery, of the Antiochian Orthodox Patriarchate.

His studies followed the custom of such people as Cantor and Professor Mitri el Murr (under whom he studied) and Metropolitan Germanos (Shehadi), since it was considered that knowing music and singing is an essential component of the liturgical and pastoral service.

Balamand Monastery

Soon, he was recognised for unusual musical talents and for his magnificent voice.

Diaconal ordination, 1908

John D Husson was ordained to the Holy Diaconate on 11 November, 1908 (aged 15 years).

Diaconal service

Deacon John Husson was tutored by both Patriarch Gregory IV (Haddad) and Metropolitan Zacarias of Hauran, and (as his professor, Mitry El-Murr had predicted) he excelled in "Byzantine" chanting.

Monastic tonsure

Some years afterwards, Deacon John was tonsured to be a monk and he was given the name Samuel.

Continued studies

Hierodeacon Samuel (David) continued his studies at the seminary. He graduated from Our Lady of Balamand Seminary in 1914.

Hierodeacon Samuel is reported to have continued his studies about Constantinopolitan ("Byzantine") Chant at the monastery, and that by 1920, he was said to have mastered the art of chanting.

Presbyteral ordination, 1920

On 17 June, 1920, Hierodeacon Samuel (David) was ordained to the Holy Priesthood (aged 27 years).

Pastoral service

Soon after this ordination, Hieromonk Samuel (David) was elevated to the dignity of archimandrite.

Transfer to the USA, 1920

In the latter part of 1920, Archimandrite Samuel (David) was sent to the USA.

He arrived in the USA in 1921, during a very chaotic period of Syrian Orthodox Church history in North America. Much of that chaos was a consequence of the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, which produced poverty and disorganisation in the Diocese of the Aleutians and North America. Until then, the "Syro-Arabs" had been given pastoral care within a special vicariate led by a vicar-bishop of the North American Diocese of the Church of Russia.

Archimandrite Samuel was assigned to serve as the pastor of the Cathedral of Saint George in Toledo, Ohio. At that time, it was the only Orthodox Temple in Toledo.

The new Cathedral of Saint George, Toledo, Ohio

At the time that Archimandrite Samuel began his pastoral service, there had already developed 2 differing factions amongst the Syrian people in the USA. On the one hand there was the so-called "Russy" faction which wished to remain part of the Russian Orthodox North American Diocese to which they and Saint Raphael (Hawaweeny) had belonged from the beginning. On the other hand there was the so-called "Antaky" faction, which wished to become affiliated directly with the Patriarchate of Antioch, the patriarchate of their homeland. There was yet a third faction which wished to be identified with Metropolitan Germanos (Shehadi), who remained in North America despite repeated calls from Damascus to return to his home diocese of Zahle and Baalbek in the French Mandate, which later became Lebanon.

A less-considered element in this tension is the fact that by then the matter of national identity had grown considerably. It was only with the end of World War I that Syria and other near-eastern countries were able to achieve an independent identity apart from the Ottoman Empire of which they had been part for hundreds of years. Further, despite the fact of the de-facto distance of the Russian Orthodox Metropolia in North America from the Moscow Patriarchate (caused by the Soviet authorities), this diocese was perceived popularly nevertheless to be "under" the Patriarch of Moscow. This mis-perception persisted for many decades. On the contrary, by this time, the Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church of North America (or "Metropolia") perceived herself to belong now to the continent on which she had been present since 1794.

In 1924, Patriarch Gregory IV (Haddad) assigned Archbishop Victor (Abou-Assaley) to lead the North American flock (including Canada and Mexico) for the Patriarchate of Antioch. Archimandrite Samuel (David) was leading another group from Toledo, Ohio, where he lived. Both began to visit parishes in all 3 countries.

In 1932, when the time came for the sanctification of the new Saint Elias Antiochian Orthodox Temple in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, it was Archimandrite Samuel (David) of Toledo, and Archpriest Gabriel Barrows of Boston, Massachusetts who served for this sanctification.

The sudden repose in 1933 of Priest Joseph Kacere in Iowa in a car accident (along with his mother and his son), and the injuring of other family members softened some of the tension amongst the parties as the Faithful rallied around the bereaved family and parishioners. Archimandrite Samuel was amongst the many who travelled to participate in the funeral and interment (which was, ironically, in the parish cemetery newly-purchased under Abouna Joseph's leadership).

Bereavement, 1933

In 1933, Archimandrite Samuel (David) was bereaved at the falling-asleep in Christ of his mother, Gazaly David. She reposed in Toledo, Ohio.

After the Funeral Services for the Burial of a Lay-person, her body was interred at the Forest Cemetery in Toledo, Ohio.

On 19 April, 1934, Metropolitan Victor (Abou-Assaley) fell asleep in the Lord. This event produced a search for a successor.

Election of a bishop, 1935

During part of 1934 and part of 1935, various conversations and considerations were engaged in a search to determine God's will about a successor to Metropolitan Victor. Under the guidance of Metropolitan Theodosius (Abourjaily) of Tyre and Sidon (later Patriarch of Antioch Theodosius VI), 3 archimandrites were put forward as candidates for archbishop and leadership of the Syrian Orthodox in North America. These candidates were Archimandrites Samuel (David), Agapios (Golam), and Antony (Bashir). A fourth candidate, Archimandrite Ananias Kassab, had withdrawn his name from consideration.

In an election conducted on 10 November, 1935, Archimandrite Antony received the majority vote. Archimandrite Samuel was in second place in the vote, and it was decided that he should become the future Metropolitan Antony’s first (that is, primary) Vicar-Bishop.

On 23 January, 1936, the Holy Synod of the Church of Antioch ratified the election and declared Archimandrite Antony (Bashir) as their unanimous choice to be Archbishop of New York. However, indecision regarding the ordination by Metropolitan Theodosius (Abourjaily) of Archimandrite Samuel (David) to become Vicar-Bishop re-ignited the divisions in the Syrian community, and the 2 Syrian Orthodox groups soon proceeded to follow independent courses of action which resulted in formally establishing 2 Syrian jurisdictions (see the book "The First Hundred Years : A Centennial Anthology Celebrating Antiochian Orthodoxy in North America").

There was an additional background factor in this division, namely the entity called the "American Orthodox Catholic Church". This entity had been established in 1927 by by the "Metropolia" for the purpose of attempting to provide for the needs of converts to the Orthodox Christian Faith and for the needs of non-Russian-speaking Orthodox Christians in North America. It was led by Archbishop Aftimios (Ofiesh). This entity ended in 1934 or 1940 (depending on sources).

On 19 April, 1936, Archimandrite Antony (Bashir) was ordained in New York to the Holy Episcopate by Metropolitan Theodosius (Abourjaily) and Archbishop Vitaly (Maximenko) of New Jersey (ROCOR), under the jurisdiction of the Patriarch of Antioch.

Episcopal ordination, 1936

At the same time in 1936, Archimandrite Samuel (David) was ordained to the Holy Episcopate in Saint George’s Syrian Orthodox Church in Toledo, Ohio, by Archbishop Adam (Philipovsky), Bishop Leonty (Turkevich) and Bishop Arseny (Chahovtsov) of the Russian Metropolia.

Episcopal service

Although the ordination of Bishop Samuel by the bishops of the "Metropolia" may have been an attempt to restore communion of Syrian parishes under the jurisdiction of the "Metropolia", it formed instead a rival Antiochian jurisdiction that seemed to compete with the Antiochian Archdiocese of Archbishop Antony in New York.

In 1938, Bishop Samuel was excommunicated by the Church of Antioch for causing disorder. However, he was received back in communion in 1939 by the Antiochian patriarchate (under Patriarch Alexander III (Tahan)) that also declared him to be the archbishop of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Toledo and Dependencies. This created a situation in which the Antiochian synod seemed to play the 2 factions against each other. It is perhaps more likely that the bishops were struggling to find ways in which all the Arabic-speaking Orthodox might at least be kept together in communion with the Patriarchate of Antioch.

The group led by Sayidna Samuel, which consisted mainly of clergy and parishioners from the Zahle region of Lebanon, became more ethnically and regionally defined and remained a small and insular group. However, the Archdiocese of New York under Archbishop Antony grew. The use of English began to be introduced into the Church services, and the diocese began to expand its horizons.

Sayidna Samuel (David) travelled far and near, and he worked hard for Antiochian Orthodoxy in the USA. His humility, gentle nature, golden voice and generosity gained him many friends and followers. His popularity amongst the clergy was tremendous. He extended much help to many theological students in Lebanon, in Athens and in Halki (near Constantinople).

In 1841, Bishop Samuel (David) was elevated to the dignity of archbishop.

World War II (1941-1945)

At the entry of the USA into World War II in 1941, Archbishop Samuel encouraged young people to volunteer for military service.

Other archpastoral activities

After the war, in 1945, both Archbishop Samuel (David) and Archbishop Antony (Bashir) were present in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, for the Altar Feast-day of Saint Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church. There were also present well-known and respected Cantors (chanters) who sang on this occasion.

Saint Elias Antiochian Temple, Ottawa, Ontario

Archbishop Samuel brought to the USA several deacons at his own expense, and he sponsored their education towards the Holy Priesthood. He also led the campaign for rebuilding the Saint George Church in Aita, Lebanon.

On 29 October, 1953, the Holy Synod of Antioch under Patriarch Alexander III (Tahan) considered him to be a full member of the Holy Synod. In the summer of 1955, Archbishop Samuel had made a pilgrimage to the Mother Church of Antioch for the first time since he left his fatherland. He was received with love, and many honours (both civil and ecclesiastical) were showered upon him.

In 1955 (during his visit to Lebanon), he donated the cost of a room at the Saint George Hospital in Beirut, in order to care for the needy patients of his home village. At the famous shrine of the Virgin Mary at Saidnaya in Syria, he donated complete new quarters that stand as a memorial to his good deeds to this day. At the Patriarchal headquarters in Damascus, he built and completely furnished special quarters for the patriarch. These are only a few of the many charitable and noble causes which this true man of God fulfilled.

On 6 September, 1955, the Holy Synod took the opportunity to elevate him to the dignity of metropolitan.

In 1956, Metropolitan Samuel (David) was instrumental, with the help of the Priest Emil Hanna, in bringing the Priest Philip (Saliba) to North America from Lebanon.

Metropolitan Samuel (David) was the recipient of numerous citations of honour.

Repose, 1958

On Tuesday, 12 August, 1958, Metropolitan Samuel (David) reposed in Christ in Toledo, Ohio (aged 65 years).

He reposed peacefully in a chair beside his bed, with the Holy Gospel Book in his hand.

On Tuesday, 19 August, 1958, the Funeral Services for the Burial of a Hierarch were offered at Saint George's Cathedral in Toledo, Ohio. The service was presided over by Bishop Polyefktos (Finfinis) of the Greek Diocese of Pittsburgh ; Bishop Ezekiel (Tsoukalas) of the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Chicago ; and Bishop Mark (Lipa) of the Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America in Boston, Massachusetts. There were also 20 priests assisting.

After the funeral services were completed, the body of Metropolitan Samuel (David) was interred at the Forest Cemetery in Toledo, Ohio.

Grave-markers for Metropolitan Samuel and for his mother at the Forest Cemetery, Toledo, Ohio

— Bishop of Toledo 1936-1941. See created.

— Archbishop of Toledo 1941-1955.

— Metropolitan of Toledo 1955-1958. Succeeded by : Archbishop Michael (Shaheen).

Reflections

Metropolitan Samuel (David) will long live in the hearts of countless people who dearly loved him. May his blessed memory serve as an inspiration to all.

His funeral services were the largest ever held in the city of Toledo. The entire area of the city near the cathedral was blocked off as multitudes of admirers and friends came to pay their respects. The funeral procession to the Forest Cemetery consisted of scores of automobiles.

Although his body was interred in the cemetery, it was intended that after the construction of a new cathedral in Toledo, Metropolitan Samuel's body would be transferred to the crypt of that building.

Metropolitan Samuel (David) was a sincere and gentle person who remained throughout his life at heart a villager. Economos Anthony Gabriel wrote :

 His real strength was his love for the Church, the Divine Liturgy and his magnificent voice.  In later 
 years, he recorded the most famous and best-loved liturgical hymns which were sold throughout North 
 America.  Sayidna Samuel David utilised the literary skills of Ananias Kassab and the solidity of the members of 
 the David family as well as other powerful laymen.  His generosity abides in the lives of today's 
 churchmen whom he sponsored with his family resources to these shores.

With regard to his well-known singing voice, it was written of him by a choral group that :

 Very few sources mention Archbishop David's singing voice until 1941.  It was then, for the first time, 
 the press noted his singing rivaled that of the late Metropolitan Germanos Shehadi.  Between 1945 and 
 1953, David published several Arabic-language prayer books and distributed them to a host of Arabic-speaking
 Orthodox churches around the globe.  He recorded at least an eight disc, 12 song-set possibly for Gennett 
 Records in Richmond, Indiana.  Sources don't place Samuel David in Indiana until November, 1948.  He was in 
 Indianapolis to perform a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy and to officiate at a wedding.

The proceeds from the sale of all Sayidna Samuel's records were turned over to the charitable causes of the Antiochian Orthodox Church.

Reconciliation of dioceses

In 1975, the "Toledo group", under the leadership of Archbishop Michael (Shaheen) of Toledo, finally merged with the New York diocese under the leadership of Metropolitan Philip (Saliba) of New York as the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America.

Awards

• Order of Saint Mark, conferred by the Patriarch of Alexandria

• Order of the Holy Sepulchre from the Patriarch of Jerusalem

• Order of Saints Peter and Paul from the Patriarch of Antioch

• The Academy of Music in Egypt conferred upon him the highest honours for his great musical achievements that are evident in the 2 beautiful albums he recorded.

Arab America photos of recordings by Sayidna Samuel (David)

Writings

Various publications

Between the years 1945 and 1953, Archbishop Samuel (David) published many prayer books and distributed them free to all Arabic-speaking churches in the world. Most notable amongst these are :

• 'The Book of Epistles'

• 'The Book of Needs'

• 'The Complete Service of Holy Easter'

• 'Prayers and Laudations for our Most Blessed Lady the Theotokos'

• 'The Great Services of the Eulogies of Christ (sung usually on Great Friday Evening)'

• 'The Prayer of the 'Holy Unction'

The last book he published was the "Divine Liturgy of Saints John Chrysostom and Basil the Great, complete, for Use by Priests and Choirs"

References

Orthodoxwiki biography

Almoutran biographical article

Additional information :

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), pp. 194-195. ASIN : B000ZLZAUE.

“The Word” magazine (June, 1978), p. 13.

"The Word" magazine of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America

Death dates

“Metropolitan Samuel David of Toledo”

Syrian Lebanese Diaspora Sound article : "An Antiochian Schism : Metropolitan Samuel David" (20 November, 2018)

Antiochian Archdiocese history

History of the Antiochian Archdiocese of North America by Saint George's Church, Toronto

Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America

Wikipedia article about the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America

1936 "Time" magazine article

Video of Metropolitan Samuel (David) singing