Archpriest Joseph and Khouria Diane Shaheen

Archpriest Joseph M Shaheen (1932-2003)

and

Khouria Diane (born Davis) Shaheen (1934-20__)

Khouria is also written as Presbytera, Preoteasa, Popadia, Matushka, Dobrodijka, &c.

Early life of Joseph Masid Shaheen

On 12 May, 1932, Joseph Masid Shaheen was born in Canton, Ohio, USA. Son of Masid and Margaret (Esber) Shaheen, Joseph was born into an Antiochian Orthodox Christian family, and he was baptised and raised as an Orthodox Christian by his family in Saint George’s Antiochian Orthodox Church in Canton.

Saint George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Canton, Ohio

Joseph received his primary and secondary education in his home city, at Gibbs Avenue Elementary School, and in McKinley High School (1950).

Higher education

Joseph then furthered his education by entering Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, for his first year of study.

Then he transferred to the American University in Washington, DC.

In 1955, Joseph received a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Political Science and Public Administration.

In February, 1958, Joseph enrolled in Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in New York City, New York. He graduated in June, 1960, with a Master of Theology(MTh) degree.

In the meantime, he met Diane R Davis of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Marriage

On 21 June, 1959, Joseph M Shaheen was crowned in marriage to Diane R Davis.

In due time, they received from the Lord 3 children, namely Rebecca, Joseph, and Philip.

Ordinations

On 13 September, 1959, Joseph M Shaheen was ordained to the Holy Diaconate by Metropolitan Antony (Bashir) at Saint George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Washington, DC.

On 20 September, 1959, Deacon Joseph Shaheen was ordained to the Holy Presbyterate by Metropolitan Antony (Bashir) at Saint George’s Antiochian Orthodox Church in Canton, Ohio.

Saint George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Washington, DC

Pastoral service

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

After his ordination in 1959, Priest Joseph Shaheen was assigned to serve as pastor at Saint George’s Antiochian Orthodox Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He served there for a year, until 1960.

Saint George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Philadelphia (Upper Derby), Pennsylvania

Indianapolis, Indiana

In 1960, Priest Joseph Shaheen was transferred, and he was assigned to serve as pastor of Saint George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. He served there until 1969. He was Pastor during the building of the new Temple, which was completed in 1962.

Saint George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Indianapolis, Indiana

Montréal, Québec

In 1969, Priest Joseph Shaheen was transferred, and he was assigned to serve as pastor of Saint Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church in Montréal, Québec, Canada. He served there until 2000.

Saint Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church, Montréal

Father Joseph and the Parish of Saint Nicholas also hosted the Antiochian Archdiocese’s National Convention in Montréal in 1974.

He was Pastor at Saint Nicholas Church during the major renovation that took place in 1996.

During his tenure in Indianapolis and Montréal, he hosted Regional Conferences 4 times.

Archpriest

On 30 October, 1977, during the period of Father Joseph’s service in Montréal, Metropolitan Philip (Saliba) elevated him to the dignity of Archpriest. In the Antiochian custom, this is the highest dignity given to a married priest.

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

Naples, Florida

In 2000, Archpriest Joseph Shaheen was transferred, and he was assigned to serve as pastor of Saint Paul’s Antiochian Orthodox Church in Naples, Florida.

Saint Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church, Indianapolis, Indiana

He served there until 2017.

When moving to Naples, he might have retired ; instead, he supported the construction of the new Temple there. Ground was broken for the beautiful new Temple in October of 2004, and its construction was completed in 2006. “St. Paul represents many decades of Fr's Church building knowledge and expertise from the sanctuary to the narthex. His influences in the design of the iconostasis, the beautiful iconography, and the magnificent windows all have his trademark of excellence upon them”.

Retirement

In 2017, Archpriest Joseph Shaheen was given the blessing to retire from active pastoral service.

He remained in Naples for the rest of his life.

Towards the end of his days in this life, Father Joseph Shaheen entered the Avow Hospice residence.

Repose

On Friday, 4 August, 2003, at the Avow Hospice in Naples, Florida, Archpriest Joseph Shaheen fell asleep in the Lord.

On Thursday, 10 August, between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., at Saint Paul Orthodox Church (2425 Rivers Road, Naples, Florida, 34120) there was a time of visitation, and then the serving of the Funeral Service for the Burial of a Priest.

On Friday, 5 August, at 9:00 a.m., the Memorial Divine Liturgy was offered at Saint Paul’s Church. This was followed by the serving of a final memorial service (Trisagion).

After the completion of the funeral obsequies, the body of Archpriest Joseph Shaheen was taken to the Palm Royale Cemetery at Naples, Florida, for interment.

Father Joseph was survived by his wife of 64 years, Khouria Diane, and by their children Rebecca, Joseph, and Philip, and their families. In addition to his parents, Father Joseph was preceded in death by his brother, Frederick Shaheen.

Arrangements were in the care of Shikany’s Bonita Funeral Home.

Reflections

During the years of his active service, Father Joseph participated in either the construction or the major renovation of 3 of the parishes. Moreover, throughout his pastoral service, he was actively involved in the development of the North American archdiocese of the Antiochian Orthodox Church.

In addition to his pastoral duties, he served as spiritual advisor for regional chapters of Teen SOYO, the Fellowship of Saint John the Divine (now Young Adult Ministry), and the Order of Saint Ignatius of Antioch.

Father Joseph served as Ecclesiarch at the National Conventions of the Archdiocese from 1971 to 2010, in which he supervised the operations of the hotel chapels.

He was the National Spiritual Advisor to NAC SOYO from 1988 to 1992.

He was the Clergy Advisor to the Regional Teen Organisation, the Regional Fellowship Organisation (for young Adults), and the regional advisor to the Order of Saint Ignatius of Antioch.