Metropolitan Germanos (Shehadeh)

Metropolitan Germanos (Shehadeh) of Zahlé and Baalbek (1872-1934)

Germanos may be spelt Germanus, Jermanos, Germaine, German, Herman.

Shehadeh may be spelt Shihadah, Shehadé, Shehadi, Chehade, Chehadé, Chehadi, etc.

Zahlé may be spelt Zahle, Seleucia, Salafkia.

Baalbek may be spelt Heliopolis.

Early life

There is little that is easily available at present about the birth-name, birth-family or any other events in his life before 1904.

It is known that on 18 January, 1872, he was born into the Shehadeh family on the "Mazraat (farm) Al-Arab" in Beirut, in the Levant, the Syrian part of the Ottoman Empire.

It is to be remembered that the region now known as Lebanon did not become an independent state until 22 November, 1943. Before this, it was a province of Syria.

Episcopal nomination, 1904

Because he came to be nominated to be a bishop in 1904 (at age 32), it is necessary that he first have had sufficient education ; that he had been tonsured to be a monk (at which time he would have received the name "Germanos") ; that he had been ordained to the Holy Diaconate and to the Holy Priesthood.

Events leading towards his nomination

It is known that as a priest, Father Germanos had already been serving abroad amongst the émigrés who lived in South America.

 The Diocese of Salafakias was widowed for a period of five years from 1899 (after the death of the good 
 Antiochian scholar of the Holy Patriarchate Metropolitan Gerasimus (Yared)).  During this time, the 
 Patriarch and the Bishops sought to find a successor to carry out the burdens of the spiritual service 
 in the Bekaa Valley, and they found their candidate in South America, between Argentina and Brazil, in 
 the person of Father Germanus Shehadeh.  He had sobriety, prudence, modesty and intense protective care 
 for the churches of Argentina and Brazil, and dedication for the sake of their parishioners.  [...]
 The people of the Zahlé Diocese were pleased with him and commented on his leadership with the best hopes.

Episcopal ordination, 1904

On 12 September, 1904, Patriarch Meletius II (Doumani) of Antioch celebrated the Primatial Divine Liturgy in the Mariamite Cathedral of the Dormition in Damascus. He was assisted by a group of other bishops. During the Divine Liturgy, they ordained Archimandrite Germanos (Shehadeh) to the Holy Episcopate.

Bishop Germanos

Episcopal service

Bishop Germanos (Shehadeh) was immediately elevated to the dignity of archbishop.

Archbishop Germanos (Shehadeh) was assigned to serve as the Ruling Bishop (Metropolitan) of the Diocese of Salafkias/Seleucia (Maaloula, Baalbek and Zahlé), later known as the Diocese of Zahlé (Salafkias), Baalbek and Dependencies.

The Zahlé region is a mostly Christian area in the Beqaa Governorate of Lebanon, and it has a primarily agricultural economy. However, Metropolitan Germanos was also in the vanguard of nationalistic sentiments which he shared with those he met in North America.

On 17 May, 1905, Metropolitan Germanos accompanied Patriarch Meletius II (Doumani) on a pastoral tour that included the dioceses of Homs, Tripoli, and Hama.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, the Russian-Palestinian Imperial Association opened many Russian schools in the Archdiocese of Zahlé and Dependencies. All the funds came from senior Russian families, who contributed to building Temples and monasteries and opened many schools throughout the Antiochian Patriarchate, especially in Zahlé.

In 1907, the Zahlé Boys’ School, the Zahlé Girls’ School, the Muallaqa School for Boys and the Muallaqa School for Girls were mentioned in documents.

Arrival in the USA, 1914

In 1914, before Bishop (Saint) Raphael (Hawaweeny) reposed in the Lord (in 1915), Metropolitan Germanos (Shehadeh) arrived in the USA. He had made the journey by sea in order to raise funds for an agricultural school in his own Diocese of Zahlé.

Although it did not affect the USA directly at the time, World War I had commenced in the year of this arrival in the USA. The beginning and the progress of that war certainly affected the homeland of Metropolitan Germanos, and it is possible that it provided another reason for his voyage at this particular time. In a government document, it is written :

 The period from the outbreak of World War I in 1914 to the granting of France's mandate over Syria 
 by the League of Nations in 1922 was marked by a complicated sequence of events and power politics 
 during which Syrians achieved a brief moment of independence.  Syrian intellectuals, many of them 
 graduates of European and European- or American-run universities, were urging the study of Arab history,
 literature, and language.  Also, groups of Syrians publicly demanded decentralisation of Ottoman
 administration and administrative reform.  As Ottoman governors such as Jamal Pasha suppressed them, 
 Syrians went underground and demanded complete Arab independence.  One of the first secret groups 
 to form was Al Jamiyyah al Arabiyah al Fatat (the Young Arab Society, known as Al Fatat, not to be 
 confused with the contemporary Al Fatah, or Fatah, of the Palestine Liberation Organisation – PLO), 
 of which Prince Faysal, son of Sharif Husayn of Mecca, was a member.  Another group was Al Ahd (the Covenant), 
 a secret association of Arab army officers. 
 
 Following the outbreak of World War I, Jamal Pasha determined to tighten his control over Syria.  Attacking 
 dissidents ruthlessly, he arrested Al Fatat members.  Twenty-one Arabs were hanged in the city squares of 
 Damascus and Beirut on the morning of May 6, 1915.  The event is commemorated as Martyrs' Day, a national 
 holiday in Syria and Lebanon.

Upon arrival in New York City, Metropolitan Germanos had received the blessing of Bishop Raphael (Hawaweeny) of Brooklyn to be present and to serve within the territory of his diocese, and to raise funds as he requested. Although it is not stated, his arrival in this manner would have required a prior arrangement through correspondence. Especially at that time, a bishop did not arrive on the territory of another bishop without a prior arrangement and mutual understanding.

On 27 February, 1915, Bishop Raphael (Hawaweeny) fell asleep in the Lord in Brooklyn, New York.

The repose of Bishop Raphael left the Diocese of Brooklyn widowed. After a period of mourning, the search began for a successor. During the approximately 2 following years, Metropolitan Germanos campaigned actively to become his successor as the leader of the Syro-Antiochian parishes in America. He claimed to be the representative of the Patriarch of Antioch (Gregory IV (Haddad)).

Those who shared his nationalistic sentiments, and who wanted to be under the jurisdiction of the Church of Antioch formed parishes under Metropolitan Germanos, by which he eventually formed his own rogue diocese in 1916. This group became the basis of the later split in the Syro-Antiochian mission.

Bishop Aftimios (Ofiesh) was eventually chosen to be the successor of Bishop Raphael (Hawaweeny), and he was ordained and installed in 1917. This choice came about despite the nationalistic sentiments that were being incited by Metropolitan Germanos amongst the Syrians who favoured Bishop Aftimios. It is clear that already Metropolitan Germanos was antagonistic towards the Russia-based administration of the Orthodox Church in North America (the Russian Mission in North America).

Metropolitan Germanos was by this time clearly and openly absent from his home Diocese of Zahlé without the blessing of the Patriarch and Holy Synod of Antioch in Damascus. Metropolitan Germanos remained in America despite many orders from the Antiochian Holy Synod in Damascus calling on him to return to shepherd his own diocese of Zahlé. Great patience was shown towards him. Under other conditions, such a bishop could have been deposed from being a bishop, but this did not happen in this case. Nevertheless, this matter kept returning to the table of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Church of Antioch.

On Sunday, 25 May, 1919, Metropolitan Germanos (Shehadeh) of Zahlé, assisted by Archimandrite Seraphim (Nassar), dedicated the Temple of Saint George in Lowell, Massachusetts. At that time, this newly-established community consisted of about 25 families.

By this time, in his homeland, in his diocese and in the Antiochian Patriarchate, the consequences of World War I continued to be felt. By this time, the Ottoman Empire was in its last years (and ended in 1922). The long-standing influence of the British and French military, political and economic interests in the Middle-East continued and increased. Societal turmoil was increasing. The partitioning of the Ottoman Empire had begun in 1915, and as it progressed, it produced various international conflicts. Ultimately, in the process of the partitioning, it was decided that every indigenous group of the former empire would be given its own state. This was not precisely achieved.

On 22 September, 1921, Archbishop Germanos (Shehadeh) (as he signed himself) submitted his formal application for permanent residence in the USA, with the clearly stated intention to renounce his former citizenship in the Ottoman Empire, and to become a citizen and resident of the USA.

1921 Declaration of Intention to become a citizen of the USA

The establishment of the "French Mandate" in 1923 (which lasted until 1946) produced more difficulties for the Orthodox Christians in the Middle-East. At the end of World War I, the French controlled much of Ottoman Syria, Lebanon, Alexandretta (Hatay) and portions of southeastern Turkey. This became fomalised by the establishment of the mandate system of the League of Nations on 29 September, 1923.

Controversies

Leadership of the nascent Ukrainian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church of Canada, 1919-1924

Meanwhile, in Canada, the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada (UGOCC) had been founded at an assembly in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on 28 December, 1918. The establishment of this entity (which took place soon after the Russian Revolution of 1917) included the rejection of the Russian Mission in North America of the Russian Orthodox Church. The new entity, which was in need of an episcopal leader, received help from Metropolitan Germanos. Under his supervision, the second assembly of the UGOCC was able to take place in Saskatoon on 27 November, 1919. Metropolitan Germanos then led this new entity, and he assisted in its formation and development from 1919 until 1924, when they were able to elect a bishop who was a Ukrainian. During this time, Metropolitan Germanos had retained a residence in the USA, but he had made various journeys north to Canada by railway.

In July, 1918, a confidential conference of disenchanted lay Greek Catholics from Manitoba, Saskatchewan
and Alberta created a Ukrainian Orthodox Brotherhood. This development would likely have been caused
by encounters similar to that described by Saint Alexis Toth in the book 'Orthodox America 1794-1976',
pp. 50-51. The goal of this meeting was to organise the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada.
Although the Ukrainian settlers who took part in the organisation of this ecclesiastical body were not
theologically educated, they were conscious of the canon law that no Church can exist without a bishop.
Therefore, the brotherhood contacted Archbishop Alexander (Nemolovsky), the Bishop of the
Russian Orthodox Mission in North America (and an ethnic Ukrainian), who initially had accepted
to become the Temporary Bishop of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada (UGOCC) and
to preside at its first Sobor. However, he later refused. This refusal, for whatever reasons,
had many consequences.

Regardless, the First Sobor took place on December 28, 1918, without the presence of a bishop,
and it led to the establishment of the first seminary in Saskatoon. The 2nd Sobor was held on
November 27, 1919, in the presence of the Antiochian Metropolitan Germanos (Shehadeh), who had
arrived and had become active in North America (without the blessing of his Holy Synod of bishops,
it must be remembered). Nevertheless, he had accepted to lead the UGOCC until the time when it
would have its own bishop. He led the Church for five years, until 1924.
(Canadian Orthodox Church History Project, no. 9a, p. 44).

Because of the irregularities regarding his presence in North America, the canonicity of the ordinations performed by Metropolitan Germanos at that time have been questioned.

Much of the success of Metropolitan Germanos amongst the Syro-Antiochians was based not only on his fine singing voice and great personal charisma, but also because he was well-known and related to many clergy and parishioners from the Zahlé region. As a later result, many of the parishes that followed Germanos eventually became part of the Antiochian Archdiocese of Toledo, Ohio under Metropolitan Samuel (David) (who also was from Zahlé).

According to the research of Archpriest Anthony Gabriel, after the repose of Saint Raphael (Hawaweeny), at the time of the funeral, Metropolitan Germanos began to campaign to become the saint’s successor as the leader of the Syro-Antiochian parishes in America. He raised questions about the citizenship and about the ordination of the saint. He also wrote letters in which he claimed to be the official representative of the Patriarch of Antioch (which he was not), that the tensions amongst the Antiochians were the fault of the Russian bishops, and that it was he who could bring peace amongst the divided Antiochians. Tensions were increased through his nationalistic opinions. Before the episcopal ordination of Bishop Aftimios (Ofiesh), Metropolitan Germanos tried to persuade him to submit to the Patriarchate of Antioch, but he would not. He also tried by various circuitous means to postpone or halt the episcopal ordination. Those Syrians who wanted to be directly under the jurisdiction of the Church of Antioch formed parishes under Metropolitan Germanos, and he eventually formed his own rogue diocese in 1916. Such Syrians tended to be those who rejected all but their own authority.

Syrian Holy Orthodox Greek Catholic Mission in North America 1916, 1918

In 1918, Metropolitan Germanos (Shehadeh) incorporated the diocese he established in 1916 as “The Syrian Holy Orthodox Greek Catholic Mission in North America”. This group became the basis of the later split in the Syro-Antiochian mission. These activities took place at the same time as the general rise in nationalism in society. Metropolitan Germanos remained in the USA despite many orders from the Antiochian Holy Synod in Damascus which called on him to return to shepherd his own diocese of Zahlé.

Nevertheless, he remained in the USA where he tried to persuade parishes to move to the Patriarchate of Antioch. Such a change would usually require a formal agreement between bishops. However, in the context of the Protestant-minded majority of the USA and also the drastic and catastrophic changes that had occurred in Russia in 1917, it became possible for some time that parishes might make such choices independently. It was particularly possible when certain bishops were not following the established and generally-practiced protocols of administration. Canonical prohibitions of such actions were not being enforced at the time.

Much of the support for Metropolitan Germanos amongst the Syro-Antiochians was based not only on his fine singing voice and great charisma, but also on the fact that he was well-known and in some way related to many clergy and parishioners who had emigrated from the Zahlé region to the USA. As a result, many of the parishes which followed Metropolitan Germanos eventually became part of the Antiochian Archdiocese of Toledo, Ohio under Metropolitan Samuel (David), who also was from Zahlé. This diocese was reconciled with the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese many years later, and it became the Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest. Nevertheless, disturbances amongst the parishes of the former Antiochian Archdiocese of Toledo did not end immediately.

In 1923, Patriarch Gregory IV (Haddad) of Antioch sent a letter that recalled Metropolitan Germanos to Syria. He ignored it. Archbishop Alexander (Demoglou) of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese wrote decrees against Metropolitan Germanos' presence in North America. He ignored them. The consequences of the Russian Civil War, the extreme pressure by the Soviets against the canonical Russian Orthodox Church, the near impossibility of communication by this Church with her membership outside the USSR, and the various disagreements amongst the émigrés made it almost impossible for the patriarchs of Moscow and Antioch to agree on a solution to the confusion in North America.

In this environment (especially after he received American citizenship), Metropolitan Germanos (and certain others) were at liberty to do as they pleased. As divisions had developed amongst the Russian-speakers, so amongst the Arabic-speakers also, divisions developed.

By 1924, Patriarch Gregory IV (Haddad) had organised the establishment of Antiochian authority in North America. Contrary to the hope of Metropolitan Germanos, the patriarch blessed the ordination of Metropolitan Victor (Abou-Assaley) to lead the Antiochian flock. Metropolitan Germanos continued within his own group to try to achieve greater influence in the Antiochian environment in North America. He was unsuccessful.

Removal/retirement from the Diocese of Zahlé and Baalbek, 1924

The prolonged absence of Metropolitan Germanos (Shehadeh) from his home diocese caused many difficulties, and he was forced by the Patriarchate of Antioch (Grevory IV (Hadad)) to resign from his responsibility in Zahlé and Baalbek in 1924.

It may be that this change left the metropolitan in the official status of "unassigned" or "retired". Regardless, he continued his activities in the USA as before for another 9 years.

Return to Syria, 1933

Metropolitan Germanos finally returned to his homeland in 1933.

Repose, 1934

On 7 April, 1934, Metropolitan Germanos (Shehadeh) reposed in Christ (aged 61 years) in Beirut, Lebanon, in Syria.

— Bishop of Zahlé and Baalbek, Lebanon, Syria 1907-1924. Preceded by : Metropolitan Gerasimos (Yared). Succeeded by : Metropolitan Neben (Saba).

— “Protector Bishop” of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada 1919-1924.

— Bishop of the precursor diocese to the Diocese of Toledo, “The Syrian Holy Orthodox Greek Catholic Mission in North America” 1916-1933.

Reflections

Metropolitan Germanos (Shehadeh) was clearly an intelligent, gifted and capable person.

Further, it is likely that he had a very good education. It is likely that because of this education he was aware of the history of the Antiochian Orthodox Patriarchate, and that he had a deep concern for her welfare. For similar reasons, he cared about the strength and welfare of the émigrés in the Western Hemisphere, and not only those from Syria.

It is true that he acted beyond the bounds of correct canonical behaviour ; however, as is characteristic, the Lord has made the best from whatever were his mistakes ; divisions were eventually healed, and the Orthodox Church has grown stronger.

By making recordings of Orthodox Christian hymns and chants in large number, Metropolitan Germanos (and other clergy and cantors who did likewise) provided a valuable legacy in North America. In an environment where there were no formal schools in which such singing was taught, the recordings showed learners just how to intone the hymns of the services. These recordings enabled many others to learn how to lead the singing in services for a good many years.

Writings

Selected Recordings of Byzantine Church Music composed by Metropolitan Germanos (Shehade) (1916-1933) :

• “Byzantine Cherubic Hymn” (Baidaphon, c. 1925), 78 RPM, Baidaphon # B 084371/72. ASIN : B019UX82Y8. Baidaphon ; Amazon

• "Your Nativity, O Christ" / “Miladek Ayouha” (Shellac, 10") ; (Baidaphon # B 083938, B 083948. Unknown [date])

• "Today is the Day of Resurrection" / “Alayoum Yom” (Shellac, 10") (Baidaphon # B 084373, B 084374. Unknown date)

• “My new Country : A Prayer for the United States” / “"Watani Eljadid" / Doua Liwilayat” (Shellac, 10") (Baidaphon # B 084321, # B 084353. Unknown date)

• "The creatures captures/day commented on the stage" / “Inal Baraya/Alyoum Oulika” (Shellac, 10") (Baidaphon # B 084368. Unknown date)

• "Blessed are you, O Christ, Glory to God in the Highest" / “Moubarak Anta/Almajd Lillah”) (Shellac, 10") (Baidaphon # B 083939, # B 084376. Unknown date)

• "Iza Ma Chahdtoumouni" (Shellac, 10") (Baidaphon # B 083945, # B 083946. Unknown date)

There is a large number of other recordings. Some are by "Baidaphon", some are by "Saidaphon", and there are others (up to a possible total of 250) made by various companies which are being researched.

References

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.

Orthodoxwiki biography

Additional information :

Bishops of the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Zahlé, Baalbek and Dependencies

Discography : vocal recordings

Baaidaphon recording company

Namee, Matthew : “This Week in American Orthodox History (April 2-8)”

History of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America

"Metropolitan Germanos (Shehadi) : The beloved golden-voiced Priest" by Richard M Breaux

Saint Raphael (Hawaweeny)

Patriarch Meletius II (Doumani)

Patriarch Gregory IV (Haddad)