Vladyka Seraphim: /* Service in North America */

2025-08-01T15:48:11Z

Service in North America

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:48, 1 August 2025
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	[[File:Screenshot 2023-03-15 at 23-41-06 Metropolitan Saba Esper 2.png]] [[File:Screenshot 2023-03-15 at 23-39-24 Metropolitan Saba Esper 2.png]]		[[File:Screenshot 2023-03-15 at 23-41-06 Metropolitan Saba Esper 2.png]] [[File:Screenshot 2023-03-15 at 23-39-24 Metropolitan Saba Esper 2.png]]

			==2025==

			Even before the arrival of Metropolitan Saba in North America, a phenomenon had begun, which was the noticeable increase of people (primarly, but far from exclusively, males) embracing the Orthodox Christian Faith. This approach to the Church was not experienced only in the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, but it was experienced amongst most of the other Orthodox Christian dioceses, including the Oriental Orthodox.

			By 2025, the number of such people had become so great that the existing parish communities were being affected. In July, 2025, Metropolitan Saba published his opinion (on "[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facebook Facebook]") about how to cope responsibly with the many new-arrivals :

			One of our priests described the influx of converts as a 'surge'. This requires us to be very
			discerning and thorough in our receiving inquirers. Let us be cautious not to rejoice merely in
			numbers at the expense of spiritual quality (and the health of our parishes).

			We also look forward to soon establishing a special ministry for the newly illumined. After their
			baptism or chrismation, they must be accompanied spiritually and pastorally for an extended
			period so that they may integrate into Church life with a pure Orthodox spirit. They must
			experience the parish as a Eucharistic community, a true fellowship, a genuine family of Christ,
			and acquire the Orthodox mindset and conscience.

			Orthodoxy, beloved, is not an ideology ; it is a way of life, founded on faith that has been
			articulated in doctrine so that it may be preserved and passed down by the faithful. There is a
			vast difference between doctrinal faith and ideological thinking.

Vladyka Seraphim at 16:54, 6 October 2023

2023-10-06T16:54:41Z

New page

[[File:Official photograph Met. Saba 2.png]]

'''Metropolitan Saba (Esber) (1959-____)'''

Saba may be spelt Sava, Sabbas.

Esber may be spelt Isper.

"The Orthodox Church of Antioch and All the East" is sometimes called "The Antiochian Orthodox Church" ; "The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East".

==Early life of Saba Esber==

In 1959, Saba Esber was born in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latakia Latakia], [https://www.britannica.com/place/Syria Syria], to an Orthodox Chrisian family.

Latakia, a port city on the east coast of the Mediterranean Sea, was formerly known as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laodicea_in_Syria Laodicea in Syria], or “Laodicea ad Mare” in the time of the Roman Empire, and as “Lazkiye” in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottoman_Empire Ottoman Empire].

The birth of Saba Esber took place only a little more than a decade after the end of the [https://www.britannica.com/place/Syria/The-French-mandate French Mandate] which regulated Syrian life after [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I World War I] and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dissolution_of_the_Ottoman_Empire fall of the Ottoman Empire], and with it the beginning of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syria#Independent_Syrian_Republic independence of Syria].

Saba Esber was raised to be an Orthodox Christian, and he grew up in the bosom of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_of_Antioch Orthodox Church of Antioch]. He received his primary and secondary education in his home city.

==Higher education==

Saba Esber entered the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tishreen_University Tishreen University] in Latakia, where he studied [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_engineering civil engineering]. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1984.

==Diaconal ordination, 1984==

In 1984, Saba Esber was ordained to the Holy [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Deacon Diaconate].

==Diaconal service==

After his diaconal ordination, Deacon Saba Esber studied [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theology theology] at the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/St._John_of_Damascus_Institute_of_Theology_(Tripoli,_Lebanon) Saint John of Damascus Institute], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Balamand University of Balamand], from which he graduated with a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bachelor_of_Theology Bachelor of Theology] degree in 1990.

==Presbyteral ordination, 1988==

In 1988, Deacon Saba Esber was ordained to the Holy [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Presbyter Priesthood].

==Pastoral service==

While he continued his studies, Priest Saba Esber was assigned also to serve at the [https://www.google.com/maps/place/Church+of+the+Archangel+Michael+and+Gabriel/@35.518142,35.773485,15z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x1526adb78a8f91cd:0xe551d49834a0e625!8m2!3d35.5181419!4d35.7734853!16s%2Fg%2F1q6jzc9k_?hl=en-GB Church of the Archangel Michael in Latakia].

While he was a priest, he initiated the publication of the Orthodox magazine “Farah” for children in 1993, and the magazine “Farah” for the family in 1994. From 2010, he began publishing in the English language.

In 1994, Priest Saba Esber was elevated to the dignity of [https://orthodoxwiki/Archimandrite archimandrite].

'''Election to the Holy Episcopate, 1997'''

In 1997, Archimandrite Saba (Esber) was elected by the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Holy_Synod Holy Synod] of the Church of Antioch to become a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Bishop bishop].

==Episcopal ordination, 1997==

On 20 December, 1997, Archimandrite Saba (Esber) was ordained to the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Episcopate Holy Episcopate] in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mariamite_Cathedral_of_Damascus Mariamite Holy Dormition Cathedral] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damascus Damascus], Syria. He was ordained by [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Patriarch_Ignatius_IV_(Hazim) Patriarch Ignatius IV (Hazim)] of Antioch, together with other bishops of the Church of Antioch.

[[File:Patriarch Ignatius IV (Hazim).jpg]] '''Patriarch Ignatius IV (Hazim)'''

==Episcopal service==

Bishop Saba (Esber) was assigned to serve as a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Auxiliary_bishop Vicar-Bishop] to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignatius_IV_of_Antioch Patriarch Ignatius IV (Hakim)].

Then he was assigned to serve as a Vicar-Bishop in the [https://antiochpatriarchate.org/en/category/lattakia-and-dependencies/84/ Diocese of Latakia] and the Exarchate of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodorias_(province) Theodorias]. He served under [https://josephzeitoun-com.translate.goog/2018/06/__trashed-4/?_x_tr_sl=ar&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc Metropolitan Youhanna (Mansour)].

In 1999, he was elected by the Holy Synod of Antioch to be the Metropolitan of [http://ww1.antiochian.org/hauran/brief-history Bosra, Hauran and Jabal Al-Araba and Golan].

==Metropolitan of Bosra, Hauran and Jabal Al-Arab and Golan, 1999==

Bishop Saba (Esber) was enthroned to be Metropolitan of the Diocese of [https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/22 Bosra], [https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/hauran Hauran] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Jabal_al-Arab&redirect=no Jabal Al-Arab] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golan Golan] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/As-Suwayda As-Suwaydā].

[[File:Bosra Hauran Cathedral 2.png]] '''Church of Saint George in As-Suwaydā'''

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bosra Bosra] is an [https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/22 ancient city] with a very long history, and it began as a Nabataean city in the 2nd century BC. It is currently within the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daraa_District Daraa Distric]t of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daraa_Governorate Daraa Governorate] in southern Syria, in the [https://www.bing.com/search?q=hauran+region&cvid=a7898821ead1412aa388bcd31a75de65&aqs=edge..69i57.3336j0j9&FORM=ANAB01&PC=EDGEDSE Hauran Region]. The archdiocese itself includes officially the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Status_of_the_Golan_Heights Golan Region], an area claimed by Israel since 1967, and the area known as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jabal_al-Druze Jabal al-Arab]. The centre of the diocese is in the city [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/As-Suwayda As-Suwaydā], in the southernmost area of Syria. Long ago a part of what was known as [https://www.unrv.com/provinces/arabia.php Arabia Petraea] in the time of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Empire Roman Empire], this region was evangelised by the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Apostle_Timon Holy Apostle Timon] as Bishop of Bosra.

[[File:Saint George Church High Place As Susayda 2.png]] '''Holy Table, and High Place iconography, Saint George Church'''

Metropolitan Saba's episcopal service in the Hauran Diocese was exercised largely in the midst of extremely difficult circumstances, since the region over which he had presided had been particularly badly damaged and materially impoverished by the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_civil_war Syrian civil war] which began in about 2014 (and which was preceded by the so-called “[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_Spring Arab Spring]” uprisings which had begun in 2011 under foreign influence).

During the course of his archpastoral labours in the Archdiocese of Bosra, Hauran and Jabal Al-Arab, from 1995 to 2006, Metropolitan Saba taught [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pastoral_theology Pastoral Care] and Introduction to the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Old_Testament Old Testament] at the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/St._John_of_Damascus_Institute_of_Theology_(Tripoli,_Lebanon) Saint John of Damascus Institute] at the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Balamand University of Balamand] at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tripoli,_Lebanon Tripoli], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lebanon Lebanon].

Earlier, [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Clerical_address Sayidna] Saba had established a publishing house in the diocese. Further, he established the “Al-Arabiya” magazine for adults, and he continued issuing the “Farah” magazine for children.

He has been writing a weekly article every Monday on his [https://www.facebook.com/BishopSabaIsper/ Facebook page]. He has also written on many topics in the magazines "Al-Nour" and "Patriarchy" and "Arab".

In the context of developing the resources and endowments of the diocese, Sayidna Saba established :
• 'Bread for All' project
• A charitable clinic in his diocese (Suwayda)
• A house for university students in As-Suwayda and Daraa (150 students)
• The House of Love for retirees with 48 studios
• Several agricultural projects in the diocese
• House of Spiritual Retreat (Beitanya)
• The Good Samaritan, a multifaceted charitable organisation for members of the Archdiocese displaced or otherwise affected by the recent wars
• A list of the most important books written in and translated from English for a living church

'''“Twinning” the diocese of Hauran with the Diocese of Wichita in the USA'''

[[File:Metropo;itan Saba 2.png]] '''Metropolitan Saba (Esber)'''

As part of his friendship with [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Basil_(Essey)_of_Wichita Bishop Basil (Essey)] of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Antiochian_Orthodox_Christian_Archdiocese_of_North_America Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America], Metropolitan Saba supervised a [http://ww1.antiochian.org/hauran programme of "twinning"] between parishes of the North American archdiocese and his own archdiocese of Hauran as part of a "sister diocese" relationship. Through this relationship (specifically with the [http://ww1.antiochian.org/wichita Diocese of Wichita], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wichita,_Kansas Wichita], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansas Kansas]), support was provided to the ancient diocese of Bosra, Hauran and Jabal Al-Arab so that it could have better resources for nurturing the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Introduction_to_Orthodox_Christianity Orthodox Christian Faith] in the Faithful. The Faithful of the Hauran diocese have long struggled to persevere despite [https://ar-m-wikipedia-org.translate.goog/wiki/سوريا_العثمانية?_x_tr_sl=ar&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc Ottoman] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persecution_of_Christians#Early_Middle_Ages Islamic oppression] ; but more recent warring increased the difficulty and deprived the diocese of some of its traditional territory through invasion.

'''Nomination to the North American Archdiocese, 2022'''

In 2022, Metropolitan Saba was included among the names on the nominating ballot for consideration for election by the Holy Synod of Antioch to be the next metropolitan-archbishop of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America.

==Metropolitan Archbishop of New York and the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, 2023==

On 23 February, 2023, the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Holy_Synod Holy Synod] of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_of_Antioch Church of Antioch] elected Metropolitan Saba to be transferred to the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America in order to fill the vacancy of metropolitan archbishop of North America.

[[File:Election of Metropolitan Saba 2.png]] '''Session of election, January, 2023'''

'''Decision of the Holy Synod, 23 February, 2023'''

Whereas the 'Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America',
which constitutes one of the Archdioceses of the See of Antioch, became vacant
after the resignation of His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph Zahlaoui ;
And whereas His Beatitude [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Patriarch_John_X_(Yazigi) Patriarch JOHN X], by virtue of the Basic Statute and the
Internal Regulations of the See of Antioch, had appointed His Eminence
[https://orthochristian.com/86609.html Metropolitan Antonios (Al Souri)] of [https://www.antiochpatriarchate.org/en/category/zahleh-baalbek-and-dependencies/77/ Zahleh, Baalbek, and Dependencies] as
Patriarchal Vicar for this Archdiocese ;
And whereas His Eminence Metropolitan Antonios (Al Souri) had called for a Special
Convention of the Archdiocese, which nominated, according to the Vicar’s official
correspondence of 14 January, 2023, three candidates listed as follows, in
alphabetical order by first name : [http://ww1.antiochian.org/BishopJohn Bishop John Abdalah], [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Nicholas_(Ozone)_of_Brooklyn Bishop Nicholas Ozone], and
Metropolitan Saba Isper ;
And whereas His Eminence the Patriarchal Vicar has submitted a report to the Holy
Synod in which he presented the current situation of the Archdiocese and the
expectations of her Faithful, based on his pastoral visits throughout the Archdiocese
and the deliberations of the Special Convention ;

And whereas the Holy Synod has taken note of the petition submitted by the 'Legal
Committee' in the name of the Special Convention of the Archdiocese, considering
Metropolitan Antonios (Al Souri), Metropolitan of Zahleh, Baalbek, and
Dependencies, and Patriarchal Vicar for the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Antiochian_Orthodox_Christian_Archdiocese_of_North_America Archdiocese of New York and All North America],
an 'eligible candidate', as received by His Beatitude on 16 January, 2023 ;

Be it resolved by the Antiochian Holy Synod Fathers to :

⁃ Commend the efforts made by the Patriarchal Vicar, Metropolitan Antonios
(Al Souri), which had a positive resonance among the faithful of the
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese in North America ;
⁃ Express thankfulness to the Auxiliary Bishops, Clergy, Board of Trustees, and the
Archdiocesan Special Convention for their openness and co-operation with the
Patriarchal Vicar during the period in which the Archdiocese was vacant ;
⁃ Acknowledge the leading role played by the Antiochian Orthodox Christian
Archdiocese in North America, and the bonds formed by her Faithful with their
Mother Church ;
⁃ Establish a Joint Committee to articulate a future vision for the role of this
Archdiocese and her witness, and to examine her administrative structure and
internal regulations, in order to harmonise her legal, organisational, and
administrative status, being an Archdiocese as all the Archdioceses of the See of
Antioch, with the provisions of the Basic Statute of the See of Antioch and its
internal regulations, and with the decisions of the Holy Synod of Antioch which
oversees the work of the Archdioceses of the See of Antioch. The conclusions and
recommendations reached by the Joint Committee shall be submitted to the Holy
Synod of Antioch in order to take the appropriate decisions thereon.

‐Accept and confirm the names of the three candidates nominated by the Special
Convention of the Archdiocese held on 13 January, 2023, and take note of the
position of Metropolitan Antonios who thanked the Special Convention for
nominating him while appealing not to be considered a candidate, having been the
Patriarchal Vicar who oversaw the nomination procedure.

[[File:Antiochian Orthodox Holy Synod 2023 2.png]] '''Holy Synod of the Church of Antioch, February, 2023'''

On 23 February, 2023, Patriarch John X (Yazigi) sent [https://antiochian.org/regulararticle/1525 an official letter] to the Antiochian Archdiocese in North America in order to inform them of the decision.

On 24 February, 2023, Metropolitan Saba (Esber) wrote his [https://antiochian.org/regulararticle/1527 first archpastoral letter] to the Antiochian Archdiocese in North America.

On Sunday afternoon, 12 March, 2023, the clergy of the Diocese of Bosra, Hauran and Jabal Al-Arab and Golan prepared a farewell dinner and programme of gratitude for their beloved archpastor.

[[File:Metropolitan Saba 2.png]]

==Service in North America==

By mid-March, 2023, Metropolitan Saba (Esber) had arrived in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City New York], and he had begun to familiarise himself with the operation of the archdiocese at its [https://www.antiochian.org/regulararticle/341 headquarters] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Englewood,_New_Jersey Englewood], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Jersey New Jersey].

Very quickly after the announcement of the election, such items as the 2 following appeared on the internet :

[[File:Screenshot 2023-03-15 at 23-41-06 Metropolitan Saba Esper 2.png]] [[File:Screenshot 2023-03-15 at 23-39-24 Metropolitan Saba Esper 2.png]]

– Vicar-Bishop to [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Patriarch_Ignatius_IV_(Hazim) Patriarch Ignatius IV (Hazim)] 1997.

– Vicar-Bishop in the Metropolis of Latakia 1998.

– Metropolitan of Bosra, Hauran and Jabal Al-Arab and Golan 1999-2023. Preceded by : ____. Succeeded by : ____.

– Metropolitan of New York and the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of America 2023-____. Preceded by : [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Joseph_(Al-Zehlaoui) Metropolitan Joseph (Al-Zehlaoui)]. Succeeded by : ____.

==Reflections==

During the more than 20 years of his archpastoral service in the Metropolis of Bosra, Hauran and Jabal Al-Arab and Golan, Metropolitan Saba (Esber) was diligent in his paternal and pastoral care for the spiritual flock under his [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Omophorion omophor]. He was for the rational sheep a careful guide on the path of the True Faith, and he used both education and practical social care to help them keep on the straight path, and to nurture and strengthen them. He was a very clear guide, whose diligent labours bore fruit in the Faithful.

==Writings==

Metropolitan Saba (Esber) has translated numerous books and articles into Arabic, and he has served as author and editor of many other articles. Many of these can be found in English (automatic translation) on the web-site of the Archdiocese of Bosra, Hauran, Jabal al Arab and Golan under the title “[https://www-orthodoxhauran-com.translate.goog/%D9%83%D9%84%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%B3%D9%82%D9%81?start=220&_x_tr_sl=ar&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc Bishop’s Words]”.

He is the author of the following publications (which may be read in translation on the web-site) :

• "Words from the Heart"

• "For the Sake of a living Church"

• "Contemporary Christian Reading of the Old Testament"

• "Condolences, my People"

• "Beware of Idols"

• "His Path to Him"

• "On the Way to Salvation", 4 volumes

• "Orthodox Spirituality"

He is the translator (from English into Arabic) of the following :

• "Saint Raphael of Brooklyn"

• "[https://books.google.ca/books/about/The_Mystery_of_Faith.html?id=1PwtAAAAYAAJ&redir_esc=y The Mystery of Faith]" (Hilarion Alfeyev)

• "[https://store.ancientfaith.com/the-lenten-spring/ The Lenten Spring]" ; "[https://books.google.ca/books/about/The_Winter_Pascha.html?id=8cMbX80Blr0C&redir_esc=y The Winter Pascha]" ; and "[https://store.ancientfaith.com/products/Orthodox-Faith-4-Vol.-Set.html A Brief History of the Church]" (Thomas Hopko)

• "[https://books.google.ca/books/about/From_Baptist_to_Byzantium.html?id=cSNZPgAACAAJ&redir_esc=y From Baptist to Byzantium]" (James Early)

• "[https://www.librarything.com/work/325218 The Truth of Our Faith]" (Elder Ilia Cleopa)

• "In Love" (Olivier Clement)

• "[https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/805619 Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk]" (Nadezhda Gordotsky)

• "[https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/746974 Saint Seraphim of Sarov]" (Valentin Zander)

• "[https://www.isbns.net/author/Theodore_Stylianopoulos A Year of the Lord]" (5 vols.) (Theodore Stylianopoulos)

• "[https://itunesu-assets.itunes.apple.com/itunes-assets/CobaltPublic4/v4/bf/a4/4c/bfa44c21-94f2-c478-43cb-3e90e9ae2ca6/cc2543afc377bbfff9e638492dad038d3123cd8f4f1d2b7e88bc2393c7bde49d-4560770398.pdf Spiritual Talks, My Journey to Orthodoxy]" (Kallistos Ware)

• "[https://throughthegraceofgodorthodoxchristianity.wordpress.com/metropolitan-anthony-bloom-why-i-believe-in-god/ Why I Believe in God]" (Anthony Bloom)

==References==

[https://www.antiochpatriarchate.org/ar/category/%D8%A8%D8%B5%D8%B1%D9%89-%D9%88%D8%AD%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%88%D8%AC%D8%A8%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A8/69/ Official biography] (in Arabic)

[https://www.antiochpatriarchate.org/en/category/bosra-hauran-and-jabal-al-arab/69/ Church of Antioch biography]

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saba_(Esber) Wikipedia biography]

[https://antiochianprodsa.blob.core.windows.net/websiteattachments/01-Biography%20Met.%20Saba%20Isper.pdf Curriculum Vitae]

[https://orthodoxia.ch/en/name/80/show Orthodoxia.ch Orthodoxia service record]

'''Additional information :'''

[https://antiochian.org/home Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America web-site]

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Antiochian_Orthodox_Christian_Archdiocese_of_North_America Orthodoxwiki article about Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America]

[https://www.antiochpatriarchate.org/en/home/ Church of Antioch web-site]

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_Orthodox_Patriarchate_of_Antioch Wikipedia article about the Church of Antioch]

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_of_Antioch Orthodoxwiki article about the Church of Antioch]

[https://www.antiochpatriarchate.org/en/category/bosra-hauran-and-jabal-al-arab/69/ Archdiocese of Bosra, Hauran, Jabal al Arab and Golan of the Orthodox Church of Antioch]

[https://www.orthodoxhauran.com/ Archdiocese of Hauran web-site] (in Arabic)

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Archdiocese_of_Bosra-Hauran,_Jabal_al_Arab_and_Golan#:~:text=The%20Archdiocese%20of%20Bosra-Hauran%2C%20Jabal%20al%20Arab%20and,the%20early%20centuries%20of%20the%20Orthodox%20Christian%20Church. Orthodoxwiki article about the Archdiocese of Bosra-Hauran, Jabal al Arab and Golan]

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antiochian_Greek_Christians Wikipedia article about Antiochian Greek Orthodox Christians]

[https://araborthodoxy.blogspot.com/search/label/Met.%20Saba%20%28Esber%29 Some Writings by Metropolitan Saba (Esber) in English translation]

[https://www.facebook.com/BishopSabaIsper/ Metropolitan Saba's Facebook page] (mostly in Arabic)

[[Patriarch Elias IV (Muawad)]]

[[Patriarch Ignatius IV (Hazim)]]

[[Patriarch John X (Yazigi)]]

[[Metropolitan Philip (Saliba)]]

[[Metropolitan Joseph (Al-Zehlaoui)]]

[http://ww1.antiochian.org/hauran/brief-history Brief History of the Archdiocese of Bosra-Hauran]

[https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/22 Unesco Historical Site Ancient City of Bosra]

[https://josephzeitoun-com.translate.goog/tag/المتروبوليت-سابا-اسبر/?_x_tr_sl=ar&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc Eulogy by Metropolitan Saba about Deacon Espero Jabbour, as reported by Dr. Joseph Zeitoun]

[https://ocpsociety.org/news/metropolitan-saba-esber-responds-to-the-patriarchate-of-jerusalems-statement/ Metropolitan Saba (Esber) Responds to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem’s Statement] (19 July, 2015)

[https://www.antiochpatriarchate.org/en/page/his-beatitude-patriarch-john-x-visits-metropolitan-saba-esper/2458/ His Beatitude Patriarch John X paid a visit to inquire after His Eminence Saba (Esber), Metropolitan of Bosra, Horan, and Jabal Al Arab, at the Archdiocese in As-Suwayda] (24 April, 2021).

[https://antiochian.org/regulararticle/1524 Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese Biography of His Eminence Metropolitan Saba] (Thursday, 23 February, 2023)

[https://antiochian.org/regulararticle/1525 Letter of Patriarch John X to the Antiochian Archdiocese] (Thursday, 23 February, 2023)

[https://antiochian.org/regulararticle/1526 Holy Synod Elects Metropolitan Saba to lead Archdiocese of North America] (Thursday, 23 February, 2023)

[https://antiochian.org/regulararticle/1527 Letter of Metropolitan Saba to Antiochian Archdiocese] (Friday, 24 February, 2023)

Video : [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aO_2mVS4chw Metropolitan Saba (Esber) Paschal Message] (19 April, 2020)

Video : [https://www.facebook.com/BishopSabaEsber/videos/%D8%B9%D8%B8%D8%A9-%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B9%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%B4%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%A8%D9%88%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%AA_%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%A7_%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A8%D8%B1-%D8%B9%D9%86-%D9%83%D9%8A%D9%81-%D9%86%D8%B1%D9%89-%D9%85%D9%84%D9%83%D9%88%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%85%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A3%D9%84%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%A7-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D9%85%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%86%D8%A9/1103255143635728/ Homily of Metropolitan Saba (Esber) delivered in the City of Izra : “How do we see the Kingdom of Heaven ?”] (Sunday, 18 September, 2020)

Video : Talk by Archbishop Saba (Esber) “[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZqhcAPov28 You are the SALT of the World !]” (2021) (with English subtitles)

Video : [https://www.facebook.com/BishopSabaEsber/videos/%D8%B1%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A9_%D8%B4%D9%83%D8%B1_%D9%88%D8%AA%D8%B7%D9%85%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%A2%D9%A7%D9%83%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%88%D9%84-%D9%A2%D9%A0%D9%A2%D9%A1/2797578970543374/ Message of Thanks and Reassurance after a Fire at the Metropolis] (27 December, 2021)

Video : [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yI9QwYJAqeQ Homily of Metropolitan Saba (Esber) at the Divine Liturgy on Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross] (27 March, 2022)

Video : [https://www.facebook.com/BishopSabaEsber/videos/%D8%AD%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%AB-%D9%84%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B9%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%B4%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%A8%D9%88%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%AA_%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%A7_%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A8%D8%B1-%D8%A8%D8%B9%D9%86%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AE%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B5-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D8%B2%D8%A1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AB%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AB-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%87%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%A1-/1534870633577730/ Talk by Metropolitan Saba (Esber) entitled “Salvation : the Passions, Part 3”]) (29 March, 2022)

Video : [https://www.facebook.com/BishopSabaEsber/videos/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%87%D8%AC%D9%85%D8%A9-%D9%88%D9%82%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B3-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D8%B5%D8%AD-%D9%8A%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A3%D8%B3%D9%87-%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AD%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%A8%D9%88%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%AA-%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A8%D8%B1/389441586411970/ Matins and Liturgy of Pascha were presided over by His Eminence, Metropolitan Saba (Esber)] (23 April, 2022)

Video : [https://www.facebook.com/BishopSabaEsber/videos/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%AD_%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%85_%D8%AD%D9%82%D8%A7_%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%85-%D9%86%D8%B4%D8%A7%D8%B7%D8%A7%D8%AA_%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%81%D9%8A%D9%87%D9%8A%D8%A9_%D9%85%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%B3_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%AD%D8%AF%D8%A8%D8%A8%D8%B1%D9%83%D8%A9-%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B9%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%B4%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%A8%D9%88%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%AA_%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%A8/1392674114507611/ With the Blessing of the Diocese’s Patron Metropolitan Saba (Esber), Sunday School recreational Activities were held in all Parishes] (24 May, 2022)

Video : [https://www.facebook.com/BishopSabaEsber/videos/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B3-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D9%84%D9%87%D9%8A-%D9%8A%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A3%D8%B3%D9%87-%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B9%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%B4%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%A8%D9%88%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%AA-%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A8%D8%B1-%D8%AE%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B3%D9%8A%D9%82%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%8A/1759995921015608/ The Divine Liturgy is presided over by the Patron of the Archdiocese, Metropolitan Saba (Esber), at the end of the Byzantine Music and Hymn Course] (11 September, 2022)

[[Category:Bishops]] [[Category:AP]] [[Category:AOCA]]

Metropolitan Saba (Esber) - Revision history

Vladyka Seraphim at 02:05, 11 July 2026

Vladyka Seraphim: /* Service in North America */

Vladyka Seraphim at 16:54, 6 October 2023

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:05, 11 July 2026
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	Saba may be spelt Sava, Sabbas.		Saba may be spelt Sava, Sabbas.

	Esber may be spelt Isper.		Esber may be spelt Esper, Isper.

	"The Orthodox Church of Antioch and All the East" is sometimes called "The Antiochian Orthodox Church" ; "The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East".		"The Orthodox Church of Antioch and All the East" is sometimes called "The Antiochian Orthodox Church" ; "The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East".