Archpriest Antony, and Khouria Lynn Gabriel

Archpriest Great Economos Antony Gabriel (1940-2022)

and

Khouria Lynn (born Georges) Gabriel (19__-20__)

Antony may be spelt Anthony, Antonios, Anton, Antoun.

Early life of Antony Gabriel

On 14 July, 1940, Antony Francis Gabriel was born to William A and Nettie H Gabriel in Syracuse, New York, USA. His elder brothers were Abraham, and Charles. Like his brothers, Antony was baptised into the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church, and raised in an Orthodox Christian family. They were all raised in the Saint Elias Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church in Syracuse, New York.

Interior of Saint Elias Church

Antony Gabriel completed his primary and secondary education in Syracuse, New York.

Higher education

Then Antony Gabriel entered Syracuse University, from which he graduated in 1959.

Immediately afterwards, he entered Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Christian Seminary in New York City, at age 19.

Union Theological Seminary

He completed his studies there immediately before its relocation from its former housing at Union Theological Seminary in Manhattan to the subsequent campus in Yonkers, New York. He studied under foundational professors such as Father Alexander Schmemann, Father John Meyendorff, Dr Veselin Kesich, Dr Nicholas Arseniev, and Professor Sergei Verhovskoy, and he shared a room with Thomas Hopko for a time (when he was yet a student).

It was during this period of time that he met his future wife.

He graduated from the seminary in 1962.

Marriage

On 6 November,1962, Antony F Gabriel was crowned in marriage with Lynn Georges, the first female seminarian of the Antiochian Church.

In time, they received from the Lord 3 children – daughter, Tamara, sons, David, and Mark, and in their families, 5 grandchildren – Ryan, Caitlin, Nicholas, and Seaira. (One, Jenna Lynch, preceded him in death, as did their nephew, Gabriel Rossy.)

Ordinations

Soon afterwards in 1962, Metropolitan Antony (Bashir) ordained Antony F Gabriel to the Holy Diaconate, and then to the Holy Priesthood.

Pastoral service

Phoenix, Arizona

Priest Antony Gabriel was assigned to serve in the Saint George Antiochian Orthodox Church at Phoenix, Arizona.

While he served there, progress was made towards the construction of the church school building and office.

Toledo/Sylvania, Ohio

Priest Antony Gabriel was transferred, and he was assigned to serve in the Antiochian Orthodox Church of Saint Elias at Toledo, Ohio.

He served in this community during the last years before moving to the suburb of Sylvania.

Montréal, Quebec, Canada

For several months in 1966, Priest Antony Gabriel was sent to care temporarily for the Faithful at Saint George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Montréal, Québec, Canada.

Cicero, Illinois

In the late autumn of 1966, Priest Antony Gabriel was transferred by Metropolitan Philip (Saliba), and he was assigned to serve in the Saint George Antiochian Orthodox Church at Cicero, Illinois.

Almost immediately, Father Antony set out to purchase a church building from the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago, with the kind assistance of their bishop, the Rt. Rev. James Montgomery. Saint George’s parish purchased the former Good Samaritan Episcopal Church in the northeast section of Oak Park, now Cicero. This building became the first permanent home for the parish.

Saint George's Church

Father Antony soon initiated a “SOYO” (Syrian Orthodox Youth Organisation), a Ladies Guild, a Brotherhood of Chanters and Altar Servers (known as the “Brotherhood of the Noble Joseph”), and a Choir.

In addition to the original members of Saint George’s, Orthodox Christians from a variety of ethnic backgrounds joined the parish, including Greeks, Serbs, and Russians, and also a few American converts to Orthodoxy became part of the Saint George family. Thus, the parish became in reality the first “Pan-Orthodox” parish in the Chicago area. In 1970, the parish hosted the Antiochian Archdiocesan Convention and developed the present format for these conventions.

In 1970-1971, Father Antony was responsible for the receiving of many who were fleeing “Black September” in the Kingdom of Jordan.

In addition, he was active in many ecumenical and civic organisations, including the “Conference of Race and Religions”.

While in Chicago, he gained scholarly recognition with certificates in Philosophy from the Dominican House of Studies ; in Urban Studies from the [Urban Training Centre] ; honours from Saint Vladimir’s Seminary, on the submission of a Thesis on Saint Ephraim the Syrian ; as well as from the Lutheran School of Theology in Syriac and Greek studies under Professor Arthur Voobus, world famous Syrianologist. The Syriac emphasis was of the Exegesis of Moshe bar Kepha’s Lukan narrative at Oxford University.

In September, 1975, Father Antony was transferred away from Cicero. He left behind an irreversible heritage of dedication, energy, and the pursuit of excellence.

Washington, D.C.

In September, 1975, Father Antony was transferred to the pastorate of Saint George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Washington, D.C. He served in this parish for 2 years.

Saint George's Church

In 1976, Father Antony was a founding member and the first chaplain of The Order of Ignatius of Antioch. He also organised the Department of Conventions and Conference Planning ; he created the Antiochian Heritage Foundation, and he lectured on Antiochian Church history at the Antiochian House of Studies.

Montréal, Québec, Canada

In 1977, Priest Antony Gabriel was transferred, and he was assigned to serve at Saint George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Montréal, Québec, Canada.

In Montréal, Father Antony facilitated the welcome and relocation of many Lebanese refugees from their homeland's “uncivil war” (as Father Antony called it), in the 1980s. He did the same for Syrian refugees fleeing the war in their homeland in the 2010s. Saint George’s Church doubled in size to 1,000 families during his tenure as pastor.

Saint George's Church

Moreover, Father Antony was one of those who helped in the establishment of Saint Mary’s Antiochian Orthodox Church in Montréal.

He established, and for years lectured on, the first course on Orthodox Mysticism, “Eastern Orthodox Mysticism and Contemporary Literature”, at McGill University.

Archpriest, Economos, Great Economos

It was such service in Montréal and the other parishes he served that earned him elevation to Archpriest and the title “Economos” (Treasurer, a term from the Patriarchate of Constantinople) by Metropolitan Philip (Saliba), and to “Great Economos” by Metropolitan Joseph (Al-Zehlaoui).

Father Antony often accompanied Metropolitan Philip (Saliba) to the Middle-East for meetings and for other reasons.

50 years (marriage and priesthood)

In late 2012, Sayidna Philip (Saliba) led the celebrations of Father Antony’s 50th Anniversary of ordination to the Holy Priesthood.

While he served at Saint George’s Church in Montréal, Father Antony’s service was for some years contemporary with the service of the Archpriest Joseph Shaheen at Saint Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church in Montréal.

Father Antony organised Clergy Associations, including “Action for Peace”, with participants from the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim faiths. During the “‘Uncivil’ War” in Lebanon, he guided Christian-Muslim religious leaders responsible for the “fast-track” into Canada for refugees fleeing the war ; and he was active in receiving 10,000 immigrants (regardless of religion).

In every city, he gained attention for such concerns by serving as moderator at many media events, by hosting his own radio programmes, and by appearing on many national television broadcasts of Holy Services in English, French, and Arabic.

In Montréal, he expanded Saint George’s from a 500-family parish into one of more than 1,000 families, with multiple pastoral services to give solace to those in special need. Saint Mary’s Church in Montréal developed out of Saint George’s, the oldest Antiochian parish in Montréal, which serves persons from Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Antioch, and Palestine, as well as native-born Antiochian Orthodox, and converts. Therefore, services became tri-lingual, with emphasis on English (this in a zealously Francophone province, but possible in Montréal).

A global Legacy Fund was established in order to continue his humanitarian organisations caring for the elderly, poor, and afflicted. He instigated community action, whereby food, money, jobs, and homes were supplied by parish members. His Syrian Refugee Programme serves as a model in North America.

A first in the Antiochian Archdiocese was his Family Services project, which included a full-time psychologist to serve pressing needs of parishioners.

He travelled many times on missions to the Middle-East, for Synodal meetings (at Damascus, Beirut, or elsewhere) along with Metropolitan Philip (Saliba), the accounts of which were published in “THE WORD” over the years.

Writing and publishing were a major element in his life. His book, “Gabriels Dragon”, was published in which he described his journey to recovery against all odds from metastatic colon cancer. Later, he wrote “Silence, a Diary of Suffering and Redemption”, which chronicled his 6 weeks in a coma, kidney failure, and a host of health obstacles. The “Handbook for the Order of Saint Ignatius” was published under his auspices as the first National Chaplain. After 10 years of research, he authored a definitive history of the Antiochian Archdiocese, “Ancient Church on New Shores : Antioch in North America”.

For many years, Father Antony lectured at the Antiochian House of Studies, in which he traced the historical development of the Church, as well as pastoral matters, and ancient Syriac spirituality.

As chairman of the Antiochian Heritage Foundation, he raised public awareness of the heritage of the Eastern Church, as well as raising funds for projects designated by the Metropolitan. As the recipient of numerous awards for humanitarian work, he was listed in “The Who’s Who In World Religions”. He received the “Gold Antonian Medal” from Metropolitan Philip, and “The Knights of the Cedars Of Lebanon”.

In recognition of his humanitarian work, the Government of Canada awarded him the Silver and Gold Jubilee Medals from Queen Elizabeth II. He received the “Cross of the Cedar” from Metropolitan Elia (Karam), and he was recognised by the Province of Québec, and the City of Montréal through the National Assembly.

Bereavement

On 12 September, 1995, William A Gabriel, father of Father Antony, fell asleep in the Lord.

After the funeral obsequies, his body was interred at the Oakwood Cemetery, Syracuse, Onondaga County, New York.

Bereavement

On 9 July, 2003, Nettie H Gabriel, mother of Father Antony, fell asleep in the Lord.

After the funeral obsequies, her body was interred at the Oakwood Cemetery, Syracuse, Onondaga County, New York.

Grave-marker for William and Nettie Gabriel

Bereavement

On 15 February, 2017, Charles E Gabriel, brother of Father Antony, fell asleep in the Lord.

After the funeral obsequies, his body was interred at the Oakwood Cemetery, Syracuse, Onondaga County, New York.

Grave-marker for Charles E Gabriel

Bereavement

On 5 February, 2021, Abraham W Gabriel, brother of Father Antony, fell asleep in the Lord.

After the funeral obsequies, his body was interred at the Oakwood Cemetery, Syracuse, Onondaga County, New York.

Retirement

In 2015, Archpriest Great Economos Antony Gabriel was given the blessing to retire from active service. He was the longest serving pastor in Montréal.

Tucson, Arizona

In retirement, he and Khouria Lynn moved to Tucson, Arizona, where he took part in the liturgical and social life at Holy Resurrection Antiochian Church.

Crisis

In 2018, Father Antony Gabriel suffered a physical and spiritual crisis, as described in the following news report by Cision PRWeb :

 TUCSON, Ariz. (PRWEB) January 15, 2018 -- Economos Antony Gabriel has 
 been in ministry for 50 years, but no event has brought him closer to God than when he suffered a near two-month 
 coma.  His complex medical conditions served as a spiritual test for Gabriel.  He shares how he faced this test in life 
 and faith with his new book, ‘Silence : A Diary of Suffering and Redemption’.
 
 ‘Silence’ follows the six weeks Gabriel was in a coma and chronicles his suffering through a dreamlike state.  The 
 book explores his journey as he faced his own mortality while still providing counsel to others around him. 
 Gabriel’s medical journey is complimented by his internal reflections, focusing on the faith and wisdom he garnered 
 throughout the healing process. 
 
 ‘Silence’ serves as an inspirational and spiritual guide to readers who are facing complications in life, and 
 encourages them to continue to persevere. 
 
 ‘I wrote Silence to give solace to any person undergoing the vicissitudes of Life’, Gabriel said.  ‘Through my own 
 recovery, I learned that the anguish I faced was a gift.  It allowed me to appreciate life and God’s love more fully 
 than ever before.  It allowed me to grow closer to my Saviour as I put my existence in His hands and trusted that he 
 would provide for me through my fear, terror and frustration’.

Repose

On 2 November, 2022, Archpriest Great Economos Antony Gabriel fell asleep in the Lord at Tucson, Arizona.

On Sunday, 6 November, 2022, a Memorial (Trisagion) Service was offered at Saint George’s Orthodox Church of Montréal, following the 10:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy.

Memorial prayers were offered at Tucson, and then his body was transported to Syracuse, New York.

On Friday, 18 November, 2022, visitation time was available from 4-6:30 p.m., at Saint Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church, 4988 Onondaga Road, Syracuse, New York.

On Friday, 18 November, 2022, at 6:30 p.m., the Memorial Trisagion Prayers were offered at 6:30 p.m.

On Saturday, 19 November, 2022, at 10:30 a.m., the Funeral Service for the Burial of a Priest was offered at Saint Elias Church.

Following the funeral obsequies, the body of Father Antony Gabriel was transported to the Oakwood Cemetery, Syracuse, Onondaga County, New York, for interment, following another offering of the Trisagion Prayers.

Reflections

No single clergyman from the Antiochian Archdiocese has had greater impact on the church's image in Canada and the United States than Economos Antony Gabriel. He gained this opportunity by being the youngest student to enter St. Vladimir's Seminary at age 19, graduating in 1962, and that year becoming one of the youngest to be ordained by the Archdiocese.

To the benefit of communicants and of society at large, he marked his 54th year of church service in 2016. The focus of his service throughout North America in a half century was 40 years in Canada with the Diocese of Ottawa, Eastern Canada and Upstate New York.