Vladyka Seraphim at 22:53, 2 July 2024

2024-07-02T22:53:30Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:53, 2 July 2024
Line 1:		Line 1:


	[[File:Archbishop-Nathaniel-(Popp).jpg]]		[[File:Archbishop-Nathaniel-(Popp).jpg]]
Line 213:		Line 214:




	~~Please send your suggestions, additions, corrections or contributions to this address :~~

	~~info@orthodoxcanada.ca~~



	[[Category:Bishops]][[Category:ROEA]][[Category:OCA]]		[[Category:Bishops]][[Category:ROEA]][[Category:OCA]]

Vladyka Seraphim: /* 30th anniversary of episcopal service, 2014 */

2023-02-27T15:27:15Z

30th anniversary of episcopal service, 2014

New page

[[File:Archbishop-Nathaniel-(Popp).jpg]]

'''Archbishop Nathaniel (Popp) (1940-____)'''

William may be spelt Vasile, Vasily, Basil.

==Early life of William George Popp==

William George Popp was born on 12 June, 1940, in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aurora,_Illinois Aurora, Illinois], USA. William was the third of 5 children in the family of Joseph and Vera Popp (born Boytor), who were immigrants from the county of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satu_Mare Satu Mare] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romania Romania].

He was raised in a pious family of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romanian_Greek_Catholic_Church Romanian Greek Catholic Christians].

==Higher education==

In 1958, after completing his primary and secondary schooling, William entered the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benedictine_University Saint Procopius College] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisle,_Illinois Lisle, Illinois]. It was a “Pontifical Eastern Rite Centre” (operated by Benedictine monks), where he studied the history, origins, and purposes of the Greek Catholic Church. The Centre later became the “Benedictine University”.

After his graduation in 1962, William was called by the Romanian Greek Catholic bishop, [http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bcristea.html Vasile Cristea], to go to [https://www.britannica.com/place/Rome Rome], [https://www.britannica.com/place/Italy Italy], to study at the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontifical_Gregorian_University Pontifical Gregorian University] and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontifical_Greek_College_of_Saint_Athanasius Athanasium Greek College]. There, he studied the rites, canons, and the spiritual life of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine_Rite Byzantine Rite].

During these college years, William witnessed the activities of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Vatican_Council Second Vatican Council] and he travelled through Germany and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greece Greece], including [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Athos Mount Athos]. It was at Mount Athos, Greece, that William first visited an Orthodox Church and he considered the thought : “If only the monks were not Orthodox”. Although he was spiritually deeply moved, his internal conflict with history and loyalty to the “[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Catholic_Churches Unia]” caused him to keep Orthodoxy at a distance. It was on Mount Athos, however, that one of the spiritual fathers “bestowed” on him the name “Nathaniel”.

==Ordinations, 1966==

When he had completed his studies in 1966, William was ordained to the Holy Diaconate on 17 July, 1966, in the summer chapel "San Anatolia" in Colle de Tora by Greek Catholic Bishop Vasile Cristea.

He was then ordained to the Holy Priesthood in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romanian_Church_United_with_Rome,_Greek-Catholic Romanian Greek Catholic (Uniat) Church] on 23 October, 1966, by Bishop Vasile Cristea, at the "San Salvadore" Greek Catholic Church in Coppele, Rome.

==Pastoral service==

After returning to the USA in January, 1967, he was appointed to be the assistant priest in the parish of [http://www.stmichaelromanianchurch.org/Pages/default.aspx Saint Michael], in Aurora, Illinois.

As Father Popp entered into parish life, the spirituality and theology of his Orthodox experiences began to rise up in importance for him. Within months, he sought entrance into the Orthodox Church. Having no practical experience in the American Orthodox situation, he visited former classmates from Rome who had also embraced Orthodoxy, in order to take advice.

Through the parish priest of [http://www.smroc.org/ Saint Mary’s Cathedral] parish in Cleveland, Ohio, Father Popp was introduced to [[Archbishop Valerian (Trifa)]] of the [http://www.roea.org/ Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America].

[[File:Archbishop Valerian (Trifa) 2.png]] '''Archbishop Valerian (Trifa)'''

==Entry into the Orthodox Church, 1968==

On 15 February, 1968, under the guidance of Archbishop Valerian, Father Popp was examined by the Episcopate Council, and he was received into the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Introduction_to_Orthodox_Christianity Orthodox Christian Faith] by Archbishop Valerian (Trifa) at Saint Mary’s Chapel (Nativity of the Theotokos Chapel) at the "Vatra" (the Episcopate headquarters, whose name means "hearth") in Michigan.

==Monastic tonsure, 1968==

In 1968, the Priest William Popp was [https://orthochristian.com/101607.html tonsured] to be a [https://www.orthodoxwiki.org/Monk monk] by Archbishop Valerian (Trifa) in Saint Mary’s Chapel at the "Vatra". He was given the name Nathaniel.

Afterwards, he resided in a monastic community for several years.

==Pastoral service==

In 1975, the Hieromonk Nathaniel (Popp) was assigned to be the priest of the [http://www.holycrosshermitagepa.org/ Holy Cross Church] in Hermitage, Pennsylvania.

On 20 September, 1980, a Special Electoral Congress of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America called Father Nathaniel to become the Vicar-Bishop to Archbishop Valerian.

==Episcopal ordination, 1980==

On 15 November, 1980, in the Romanian Orthodox Saint George Cathedral in Southfield/Detroit, Michigan, the Hieromonk Nathaniel (Popp) was ordained to the Holy Episcopate. He was ordained by [[Metropolitan Theodosius (Lazor)]] of Washington ; [[Archbishop Valerian (Trifa)]] ; [[Archbishop Kyrill (Yonchev) |Bishop Kyrill (Yonchev)]] ; [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Dmitri_(Royster)_of_Dallas Bishop Dmitri (Royster)] ; [[Metropolitan Christopher (Kovacevic) |Bishop Christopher (Kovačević)]] ; [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Boris_(Geeza)_of_Chicago Bishop Boris (Geeza)] ; and [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Mark_(Forsberg)_of_Boston Bishop Mark (Forsberg)].

[[File:VTEC intronareNathaniel.jpg]] '''Episcopal ordination'''

==Episcopal service==

Bishop Nathaniel (Popp) was assigned to serve as the Bishop of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dearborn_Heights,_Michigan Dearborn Heights], Michigan, and the Vicar-Bishop to Archbishop Valerian (Trifa).

[[File:Bishop Nathaniel (Popp) 2.png]] '''Bishop Nathaniel (Popp)'''

Bishop Nathaniel (Popp) served as the Vicar-Bishop bishop until 1984, when Archbishop Valerian retired.

==Bishop of the Romanian Episcopate, 1984==

On 17 November, 1984, Bishop Nathaniel (Popp) was elected and assigned to become the Diocesan Bishop of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Romanian_Orthodox_Episcopate_of_America_(OCA) Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America] (ROEA).

After that time, including all his other duties, Bishop Nathaniel made systematic pastoral rounds of the many parishes of the Romanian Episcopate in the USA and Canada. He made his first canonical visit to [[Regina SK Saint Nicholas Romanian Orthodox Church 1901 |Saint Nicholas]]’s Church in [https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/regina/ Regina], [https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/saskatchewan/ Saskatchewan], at the time of his first parish visitations to Western Canada. He said that it was appropriate that he should start his Canadian visit as a bishop here, since Saint Nicholas Romanian Orthodox Church was the first organised parish in North America.

In 1987, Bishop Nathaniel (Popp) sanctified the first Temple of the [[Calgary AB Nativity of the Ever-Virgin Mary (Saint Mary) Romanian Orthodox Church 1969 |Nativity of the Ever-Virgin Mary Parish]] in [https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/calgary/ Calgary], [https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/alberta/ Alberta] during the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy. He later sanctified the new Temple when it was constructed.

Under Archbishop Nathaniel’s direction, the ROEA came to the aid of their brothers and sisters in Romania immediately after the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romanian_Revolution fall of communism in 1989], and the Episcopate continues until this day to petition concerning their rights.

In 1994, Archbishop Nathaniel made a pilgrimage to visit all parts of [https://www.britannica.com/place/Romania Romania].

In 1995, at the invitation of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teoctist_Ar%C4%83pa%C8%99u Patriarch Teoctist (Arăpașu)] of Romania, he was a guest of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_of_Romania Romanian Patriarchate] for the festivities celebrating the 110th Anniversary of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Autocephaly autocephaly] of the [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_of_Romania Church of Romania], and the 70th Anniversary of the establishment of the Romanian Patriarchate. From this time also, the ROEA resumed a relationship with the Church of Romania, with Archbishop Nathaniel working for a greater understanding between the 2 Romanian dioceses in North America.

On 24 April, 1999, Bishop Nathaniel made a pastoral visit to the mission of the [[Ottawa ON Holy Bishop Nicholas Romanian Orthodox Church 1989 |Holy Bishop Nicholas]] in Ottawa, Ontario, in order to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the mission. The parishioners were very grateful for this visit.

==Archbishop of the Romanian Episcopate, 1999==

On 20 October, 1999, the Holy Synod of [http://oca.org/ The Orthodox Church in America] elevated Bishop Nathaniel (Popp) to the dignity of archbishop.

In May, 2003, Archbishop Nathaniel travelled to Romania, where he was awarded an Honourary Doctorate from the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Oradea University of Oradea] (near the border with [https://www.britannica.com/place/Hungary Hungary]).

In 2009, the 40th anniversary of the parish of the Nativity of the Ever-Virgin Mary in Calgary, Alberta, was celebrated during an hierarchical visitation by Archbishop Nathaniel (Popp).

On 18-19 July, 2010, Archbishop Nathaniel (Popp) visited the parish of the Nativity of the Ever-Virgin Mary in Calgary, Alberta, as usual, but after major renovations had been undertaken. These transformed the appearance of the Temple.

[[File:20180817 St Marys Calgary 25July2010Archbishop Nathaniel BlessingSS.png]] '''Archbishop Nathaniel at Saint Mary's, Calgary'''

==30th anniversary of episcopal service, 2014==

On 8 November, 2014, in the [https://www.rocathedral.org/ Cathedral of Saint George], in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit Detroit], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michigan Michigan], after Vespers, there was a Service of Thanksgiving offered on the occasion of celebrating 30 years since the enthronement of Archbishop Nathaniel (Popp) as the Bishop of Detroit and the Romanian Episcopate. Afterwards, there was offered a reception with a programme.

[[File:20180816 Archbishop Nathaniel visits SKS.png]] '''Archbishop Nathaniel with clergy and others in Regina'''

'''Other pastoral visits'''

On 11 June, 2015, along with the Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL) Board, Archbishop Nathaniel (Popp) visited [http://www.projectmexico.org/ Project Mexico] & St Innocent Orphanage”.

[[File:Project-Mexico-1S.jpg]] [[File:Project-Mexico-3S.png]]

[[File:Project-Mexico-5S.png]] '''Project Mexico'''

On 5-6 November, 2016, Archbishop Nathaniel (Popp) visited the parish of [[Winnipeg MB Saint George’s Romanian Orthodox Church 1962 |Saint George]] in [https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/winnipeg/ Winnipeg], [https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/manitoba/ Manitoba]. At that time, he blessed the newly-renovated Temple, and he ordained a priest who was assigned to serve the parish.

[[File:20180624 Archbishop Nathaniel grave Fr PopaS.png]] '''Archbishop Nathaniel at the grave of Father Glicherie Popa, [[Lennard MB Saint Elijah the Prophet Romanian Orthodox Church 1902 |Lennard]] Manitoba'''

From 11-23 July, 2019, Archbishop Nathaniel (Popp) made an archpastoral visit to the [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Calgary_AB_Nativity_of_the_Ever-Virgin_Mary_(Saint_Mary)_Romanian_Orthodox_Church_1969 Parish of the Nativity of the Theotokos] in Calgary, Alberta, in the context of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the parish, which was being marked at that time.

— Bishop of Dearborn Heights 1980-1984. Preceded by : ___. Succeeded by : [[Bishop Irineu (Duvlea)]].

— Vicar-Bishop of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America.

— Bishop of Detroit 1984-1999. Bishop of the Romanian Episcopate 1984-1999.

— Archbishop of Detroit 1999-____. Preceded by : [[Archbishop Valerian (Trifa)]]. Succeded by : ____.

— Archbishop of the Romanian Episcopate 1999-____. Preceded by : [[Archbishop Valerian (Trifa)]]. Succeeded by : ___.

[[File:Archbishop Nathaniel4.jpg]]

==Reflections==

Archbishop Nathaniel (Popp) presides over the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America, which is a non-territorial diocese of The Orthodox Church in America.

Archbishop Nathaniel is also the founder and president of the [http://www.orthodoxdetroit.com/ Saint Andrew’s House - Centre for Orthodox Christian Studies] in [https://www.britannica.com/place/Detroit Detroit], [https://www.britannica.com/place/Michigan Michigan].

He has continued to be an active member of the Synod of Bishops of The Orthodox Church in America, and he has represented the OCA in numerous events both in North America and Europe.

Archbishop Nathaniel participates actively in inter-Orthodox conversations and activities, and he has been a very vocal supporter in general of visible Orthodox unity. He is an active participant in the [http://assemblyofbishops.org/ Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in North and Central America].

The Romanian Episcopate includes more than 2 dozen parishes in Canada, some of which had their beginnings more than a century ago in the [http://archdiocese.ca Archdiocese of Canada] during its earliest days, when it was a part of the "[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/The_“Russian_Mission”_in_North_America Russian Mission]". Thus, Archbishop Nathaniel (Popp) actively participates in the [http://www.gometropolis.org/clergy/canadian-conference-of-orthodox-bishops/ Canadian Council of Canonical Orthodox Bishops].

Having served as a bishop for more than 40 years, he has shone as one having a heart for monastic life and for helping those who are oppressed. In Christ, he led the flock entrusted to him with determination and love. The dignified, patient and Christian manner in which Archbishop Nathaniel has led this flock has borne fruit in the historical facts : the Romanian Episcopate multiplied in size during the years of his paternal archpastorate ; under his omophor, monastic life slowly and steadily progressed in a healthy manner.

[[File:Nathaniel-small 1.jpg]]

'''Honours :'''

• Honourary Doctorate University of Oradea, Romania (May, 2003)

==References==

[http://www.orthodoxia.ch/en/name/51/show Wyrwoll, Nikolaus ed., “Orthodoxia 2014-2015" (Regensburg : Ostkirchliches Institut, 2015). ISBN 978-7245-1959-1.]

[http://oca.org/holy-synod/bishops/the-most-reverend-nathaniel OCA biography]

[http://roea.orthodoxws.com/biography1.html ROEA official biography]

[http://orthodoxwiki.org/Nathaniel_(Popp)_of_Detroit Orthodoxwiki biography]

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathaniel_Popp Wikipedia biography]

[https://biserica-org.translate.goog/ro/compendium/nathaniel-popp.htm?_x_tr_sch=http&_x_tr_sl=ro&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc Holy Trinity Parish, Los Angles, biography]

'''Additional information :'''

[https://www.facebook.com/Archbishop-Dr-Nathaniel-Popp-33424676305/ Facebook page]

[https://www.roea.org/ The Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America web-site]

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Romanian_Orthodox_Episcopate_of_America_(OCA) Orthodoxwiki article about the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America (OCA)]

[https://www.roea.org/deaneries2.html Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America : Deaneries (Canada)]

[https://www.roea.org/parishes.html?type=details&id=97 Romanian Orthodox Deanery of Canada Centre, Fort Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan]

[http://roeacw.ca/ Romanian Orthodox West Deanery of Canada (Dean : Father Nicolae Lapuste)]

[https://www.roea.org/vatraromaneasca75thanniversaryalbum.html Photos of the 75th Anniversary of the Romanian Episcopate, 2013] (pdf)

[https://roea.org/eventsgallery.html “Visit of His Eminence, Archbishop Nathaniel with the Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL) Board to Project Mexico & St Innocent Orphanage” 11 June 2015]

[https://roea.org/public/ss/gallery.php?ssid=108&s=1#(mb-grid_108|popup)=/images/EventsGallery/2015/Project-Mexico/Project-Mexico-5.jpg Photos of the visit to Project Mexico]

[https://www.roea.org/files/Pastoral%20Letters/2018/Pascha_2018_ENG.pdf 2018 Resurrection Pastoral Letter]

[http://www.cleveland.com/religion/index.ssf/2010/09/romanian_orthodox_archbishop_n.html "Cleveland Plain Dealer" article on 30th anniversary]

[http://ocl.org/abp-nathaniel-popp-the-servant-of-all/ OCL article "The Servant of All"]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOC8Iu7cqWs Saint Vladimir's Seminary interview]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NfPTOpOD2s Council of Eastern Orthodox Youth Leaders of America: FEATURE Participant Archbishop Nathaniel Popp]

Please send your suggestions, additions, corrections or contributions to this address :

info@orthodoxcanada.ca

[[Category:Bishops]][[Category:ROEA]][[Category:OCA]]

Archbishop Nathaniel (Popp) - Revision history

Vladyka Seraphim at 22:53, 2 July 2024

Vladyka Seraphim: /* 30th anniversary of episcopal service, 2014 */