Metropolitan Antony (Bashir)

Metropolitan Antony (Bashir) (1898-1966)

Antony may be spelt Anthony, Antonius, Antonios, Antoun, Antoniy.

Early life of Antony Bashir

On 15 March, 1898, Antony Bashir was born to Joseph and Zaina Bashir, in Douma, Lebanon. His family was poor. Joseph worked primarily as a gunsmith. Antony was the third child to survive, of a total of 5 who survived. The surviving siblings were : 2 brothers, Joseph and Sabah, and 2 sisters, Adele and Najela.

After the birth of Joseph, Zaina Bashjir made a pilgrimage to the Monastery of Saint Anthony the Great in Tannourine, a small village near Douma. She made a vow to Saint Anthony that if God would send her a boy, she would call him Antony. A year later, a boy was born, who was taken to the monastery of Saint Anthony. There, in the Holy Dormition Temple of the monastery, he was baptised by his uncle, Priest Elias Khoury, and the child was named Antony.

Antony was, therefore, raised an Orthodox Christian by his parents and family, and he grew up in the bosom of the Antiochian Orthodox Church.

The village of Douma was at that time a predominantly Orthodox Christian village. There were 3 churches : Dormition Temple ; Saint George Temple, and Prophet Elias Temple. There was also the Monastery of Saint John the Baptist. Although the family was not considered to be wealthy, the family home was used as a village inn for people who came to visit from other regions. Thus, as a child, Antony and his whole family were in contact with people of different faiths, sects and religions.

Antony's sister Adele described Antony as being "an unusually intelligent and active baby". His mind and interests were extremely developed for his age, and he was always a leader in children's games and play.

Antony received his primary education in the Maskobian Primary School in Douma (organised with the assistance of the Russian Orthodox Church through the Imperial Russian Orthodox Mission in Syria).

In 1911, at the age of 13, Antony's parents sent him to study at the theological school at the Balamand Monastery in Koura (now in Lebanon), to prepare him for future Church service.

Higher education

Antony was a bright student who always craved knowledge. He completed the courses of the Balamand Orthodox Theological Seminary, and he graduated in 1916.

After this, Antony continued his education at the Baabda Law School in Lebanon and at the American University of Beirut.

Beginning of Church service

In 1915, Antony was assigned to serve as private secretary for Metropolitan Gerasim (Messara) of Lebanon, and he remained in this responsibility until 1920.

Diaconal ordination, 1916

On 16 April, 1916, Antony Bashir was ordained to the Holy Diaconate in Beirut by Metropolitan Gerasim (Messara).

Diaconal service

After the ordination, Deacon Antony Bashir worked actively for the Antiochian Orthodox Church in Lebanon.

Deacon Antony Bashir continued his studies at the American University of Beirut, and at the Law School of Baabda. There, he learned the English language, and he later taught Arabic literature.

Between the years 1915 and 1920, Deacon Antony collaborated with 2 leading scholars (Archbishop Paul (Abu-Adal al-Damashqi) of Jbeil, Batroun and dependencies) and Najib Khalaf in compiling the New Testament in Arabic. This translation (using texts from the Bible in the original Greek, Slavic, English and also a previously-existing Arabic edition) brought universal recognition as being the most accurate and complete Arabic version of the New Testament. However, this work was never published because the widow of Najeeb Khalaf would not release the manuscript.

By 1920, Deacon Antony had become known in the Arabic-speaking world. He taught at the American University of Beirut and Zahrat El Ekhon High School in Beirut. He studied civil law with Najib Khalaf, Raja Abu Haider and Wakim Iz el-Din. In addition, he was the publisher of the magazine "Al-Mara Aljadida" ("The New Woman"), where he posted his articles. The magazine was published by Muslim Julia Tomeh, who attempted to improve the status of women in the Islamic world.

At this time, he was serving as archdeacon and secretary to Metropolitan Gerasimos (Messara) while he accomplished these many other tasks. It is noteworthy that although the available biographies do not mention monastic tonsure, it must have occurred (probably even before the diaconal ordination), since "archdeacon" is a term used for monks, as are other titles that were borne by him in time.

Deacon Antony’s care for the Lord and His Church was deep in his heart. He was quite aware (through study and personal experience) of just how much the Orthodox Churches in the Middle East had suffered — not only because of the pressures of Islam, but also because of the pressures of both Roman Catholic and Protestant activities in the region. He was also aware of the value of the help given to the Antiochian Church by the Russian Church towards survival and recovery. The Russian Church was able to open schools and monasteries, build Temples and educate clergy, even while the Bolshevik Revolution was in progress (1917).

Financial poverty in the Church of Antioch from 1918

Despite the previous support from the Church of Russia, after the revolution of 1917 and the end of World War I in 1918, aid from Russia came to an end. The Church of Russia was deprived of income, and it was both forbidden and unable to send assistance abroad. As a consequence, the Church of Antioch came to be in desperate need of financial assistance. This need was increased by the fact that there had already been for more than 20 years a great westward emigration of Orthodox Christian believers from Syria and Lebanon.

After the end of World War I, a delegation led by William Chauncey (Charles) Emhardt (an officer of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States of America/PECUSA) was sent to investigate the status of the Episcopalian mission in Syria. It was in Syria that Patriarch Gregory IV (Haddad) of Antioch came into contact with Mr. Emhardt. In the Orthodox Diocesan Chancellory in Beirut, Metropolitan Gerasim met with Mr. W C Emhardt, and Deacon Anthony Bashir acted as an interpreter. Mr. Emhardt offered to help the Church of Antioch, provided that the patriarch would recognise the validity of the sacraments of the Episcopal Church. In return, the Episcopal Church would do everything possible to ease the financial burden of the Church of Antioch. Obviously, this condition was rejected by Patriarch Gregory.

Nevertheless, during the conversation, Mr. Emhardt mentioned that in September, 1922, there would be a general meeting of the Protestant Episcopal Church (much later renamed as the Episcopal Church) in Portland, Oregon, USA. It was implied that were a personal appeal made, some help might be forthcoming.

Because Patriarch Gregory IV (Haddad) (and with him the whole patriarchate) was in dire need, and because of the pastoral needs of the many émigrés, he tried to seek help from Christians in the West (where the Syrian and Lebanese Orthodox had settled). It was certainly required for the continued survival of the Church in Syria and Lebanon. After some consideration, Patriarch Gregory decided to accept the suggestion that he send a delegation to this assembly, and to ask for some sort of financial help.

Delegation to the USA ; transfer to the USA, 1922

Patriarch Gregory (Haddad) therefore sent a delegation to the USA. It was lead by Metropolitan Gerasimos (Messara). The delegation officially also included Archdeacon Antony Bashir, but they were unofficially accompanied by Archimandrite Victor (Abou-Assaley) (for the purpose of visiting his relatives in the United States, besides supporting the other two). Although the delegation’s travel and purpose were kept private, the news travelled ahead of them.

Upon their arrival in the USA, the delegates were welcomed by Metropolitan Germanos (Shehadi), who then resided in Brooklyn. They were also visited by Archpriest Basil Kerbawy, the official representative of Archbishop Aftimios (Abdullah Ofiesh) of Brooklyn, under the Russian Archdiocese. During their visitation, the delegation was exposed to the internal division within the Archdiocese and the Syrian Church in North America.

After a short stay in New York City, Metropolitan Gerasimos and Archdeacon Antony began their journey by railway across the USA to Portland, Oregon in order to attend the General Convention of the Episcopal Church. They were given a cordial and supportive welcome.

Following the meeting, Metropolitan Gerasimos and Archdeacon Antony began to tour the USA, Mexico and Cuba, where they extended their hand for financial assistance for the Hospital of Saint George and for the School of Peace in Beirut.

The delegation then returned to New York. Because of the extent of their travels, the situation of the parishes and potential parishes of the Arabic-speakers became clearer to them all, and some greatly-needed financial assistance was received.

Archdeacon Antony (Bashir), Metropolitan Gerasimos (Messara), and Archimandrite Victor (Abou-Assaley) upon their arrival in America in 1922

Presbyteral ordination, 1922

In 1922, upon their return to New York, Archdeacon Antony (Bashir) was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by Metropolitan Gerasimos (Messara) in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Pastoral service

Hieromonk Antony (Bashir) was immediately elevated to the dignity of archimandrite at the hand of Metropolitan Gerasimos (Messara) in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

At this time, Hieromonk Antony was given the responsibility of visiting the existing Syro-Arabic parishes, and establishing new parishes amongst the Syro-Arabs living in the USA and Canada. He was to pay special attention to those communities that did not yet have a permanent pastor.

Sojourn in Mexico, 1923

In 1923, Archimandrite Antony requested a leave of absence in order to join his mother and several members of his family in Chihuahua, Mexico. The requested leave, however, was primarily in order to write and translate the works of Khalil Gibran, the most noted Lebanese poet and artist of the 20th century.

Although he had made some critical comments (as is usual in translation work), Khalil Gibran wrote to Archimandrite Antony :

 Only you could have tailored such a beautiful Arabic garment for my prophet.

Return to the USA, 1924

After about 2 years of independent work, Archimandrite Antony (Bashir) was called from Chihuahua to return and assist the newly-ordained Archbishop Victor (Abou-Assaley) of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese in North America. There, for the next 13 years, he was active organising societies, building churches, and serving Syrian (Arab) parishes of the “unchurched Syrians in America”.

In 1924, Archimandrite Antony (Bashir) was assigned to his first parish of Saint George in Vicksburg, Mississippi. After a short period, he was given the responsibility of visiting and serving communities in the Midwest.

In 1927, he was assigned to the pastoral responsibility at the Church of Saint George in Terre Haute, Indiana. It was because of his co-ordinating efforts that the parish was even able in the beginning to be organised as a parish. Through his encouragement, a pledge system for all parishioners was established, in order to provide a steady income. Other financial aid was drawn from the proceeds of many parish social functions. The example of his sincere devotion and commitment to the Orthodox Faith and the care of the people resulted in his being loved in return, and his example was followed.

In 1930, he was transferred to the Church of Saint George, Detroit, Michigan. In this place, he behaved in a similar manner, and there was a similar response.

Administrator of the Antiochian diocese, 1934

Upon the repose of Metropolitan Victor (Abou-Assaley) of New York in 1934, Archimandrite Antony (Bashir) became the administrator of the parishes that had been under Metropolitan Victor's omophor, until a successor should be named. In this capacity, he provided much needed leadership to the Syrian communities which until then had no effective structure to unite them.

Local nomination, 1936

In 1936, a general assembly of the diocese was convened for the purpose of nominating a candidate to become the bishop to the Holy Synod of the Church of Antioch. The Church of Antioch had sent from Damascus Metropolitan Theodosius (Abourjaily) of Tyre and Sidon in order to supervise the process.

Amongst the candidates proposed were : Archimandrite Antony (Bashir) ; Archimandrite Samuel (David), and Archimandrite Agapius (Gholam). At that time, all 3 lived in the USA. After an intensive dialogue and negotiations regarding the unity of the Antiochian Faithful in the USA and Canada, it was decided that Archimandrite Antony (Bashir) would be ordained Archbishop of New York and All North America, and that Archimandrite Samuel (David) would be ordained Vicar-Bishop of Toledo (Ohio). (This agreement was never implemented.)

In 1936, (after transatlantic communication) Archimandrite Antony (Bashir) was chosen and elected by the Holy Synod of the Church of Antioch to become a bishop.

Episcopal ordination, 1936

On 19 April, 1936, Archimandrite Antony (Bashir) was ordained to the Holy Episcopate in the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas in Brooklyn, New York. He was ordained by Metropolitan Theodosius (Abourjaily) of Tyre and Sidon and the ROCOR Archbishop Vitaly (Maximenko) of Jersey City.

Episcopal service

Bishop Antony (Bashir) was immediately elevated to the dignity of archbishop, and he was assigned to be the Archbishop of New York within the jurisdiction of the Patriarch of Antioch.

Continuing division, 1934

Regardless of the previous agreement, however, on the same day (19 April, 1934) in Toledo, Ohio, bishops of the Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church in North America (which had had an Arabic-speaking Vicariate since the 1904 episcopal ordination of Bishop Raphael (Hawaweeny)), Archbishop Adam (Philipovsky), Bishop Arseny (Chahovtsov) and Bishop Leonty (Turkevich) ordained Archimandrite Samuel (David) as Bishop of Toledo, Ohio. This caused confusion and schism amongst the Faithful of the Patriarchate of Antioch in the USA and Canada. As a result, the leadership of Archbishop Antony (Bashir) was recognised by about 30 of the parishes.

In the ensuing years, Archbishop Antony (Bashir) brought organisation and unity to the Antiochian community and pursued reconciliation of the division in the Syrian community that followed the other episcopal ordination (of Bishop Samuel (David)).

In part through his efforts, the Orthodox Church was recognised as being the fourth most important church in the USA, and he worked tirelessly to achieve this goal in co-operation with other Orthodox hierarchs. He was instrumental in the movement that led to the stamping of "Eastern Orthodox" (E.O.) on the insignia of Orthodox Christian men and women in the USA military.

In 1937, Sayidna Antony became the first Orthodox hierarch to open a session of the [U.S. House of Representatives] with prayer. He also had a friendly relationship with the President of the USA, Franklin D Roosevelt.

In the context of American culture, Sayidna Antony recognised early the need to introduce the English language, and the need to accept converts into the Church. This understanding and disposition resulted in his ordaining many to the Holy Priesthood. He began actively to introduce the English language into all spheres of life of the diocese he led, and to publish printed materials in English.

In an interview with the "Brooklyn Daily Eagle" on 4 February, 1939, Sayidna Antony said :

 The Syrian Orthodox Church is narrow in its dogma and doctrine, clinging to the Apostolic Nicene creed and to the
 Seven Ecumenical Councils of the Church.  We cannot change that.  We acknowledge Christ as our only head.
 
 But we are living in America and in the twentieth century and must make our Church conform as far as we can 
 to the American way of living and meet the demands of the rising American generation, which clings to the old
 religion but is no longer interested in retaining the old Arabic of their fathers.  For the old people and our 
 older priests we still use the Arabic, but a Church that would cling to the old exclusively would die with the 
 generation that demanded it.
 
 We are new to America and there are no rules of jurisdiction to apply to us.  Our Church laws antedate
 America, but our Syrians become Americanised more quickly than almost any other race.  We are gradually 
 transforming the ritual into English, keeping, of course, the ceremonial traditions of the Church.  Our 
 Sunday Schools are wholly in English.  
 
 Some of the older priests do not understand English, but most of them accept the new orders without question. 
 I am drawing young Americans into our priesthood.  I have ordained eight young Americans as priests within the 
 last two years.
 
 We have to cater to the old, who grow fewer each year, but it is to the younger generation that the Church 
 looks for its continuance.  Our young people call themselves Americans, not Syrians.  

Archbishop Antony (Bashir) successfully led the splintered members associated with the Church of Antioch into an efficient, tightly-knit, and financially sound organisation.

Nurturing of Orthodox Christian young people

Sayidna Antony's work with young people was aimed at nurturing the Orthodox Christian Faith in their hearts, and enabling them to grow in their desire to serve the Lord within the Church (whether as lay-persons or ordained). To that end, he saw to the development of educational and social programmes.

With the assistance of Charles Haider (of Lawrence, Massachusetts), and of any believers from communities in New England, he founded an Orthodox youth organisation in 1938 called the "Federation of Syrian Antiochian Orthodox Youth". In 1939, this organisation received a new name "The Orthodox Catholic Frontier". To establish unity at the national level, the "Syrian Orthodox Youth Organisation" (SOYO) was established in 1951. Under the leadership of Sayidna Antony, it became the first religious organisation dedicated primarily to the spiritual growth and unity of youth in the Antiochian Archdiocese in North America. Thanks to this movement, new Sunday schools were created, choral festivals were held, liturgical music was translated into English, and financial assistance for charitable purposes and missions was formed. This organisation began to publish the first magazine for Orthodox youth, "Orthodox American".

He actively encouraged young men born in the USA to enter a seminary in order to prepare for priesthood. He also invited young people from Syria and Lebanon who spoke their native Arabic to serve in parishes in the USA and Canada. His diocese did not have its own seminary, and most seminarians were enrolled at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Seminary in Brookline, Massachusetts, and/or then at Saint Vladimir's Theological Seminary in New York City. He not only paid for the tuition, accommodation and meals of seminarians, but he also supported the seminaries morally and materially.

"Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas" (SCOBA)

Archbishop Antony (Bashir) also recognised the need for Orthodox co-operation. He was, therefore, instrumental in the organisation in 1942 of the “Federated Orthodox Greek Catholic Primary Jurisdictions in America”, and its re-organisation into the more effective “Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas” (SCOBA).

He believed that Orthodoxy is not tied to any sacred language. He perceived that all languages are a creation of God, and that using them in worship is necessary. Under his leadership more than 30 books on Orthodox history, doctrine, dogmatics, traditions, prayers and music were translated into English by himself and others

In 1957, Sayidna Antony founded the English-language magazine "The Word", which he personally edited. In doing this, he acted in the same spirit as did his predecessor, Saint Raphael (Hawaweeny) in 1904, when he began publishing the ancestor of this magazine in Arabic.

In 1957, he described the position of his diocese and Orthodoxy in general as follows :

 Orthodoxy is a freedom-loving, democratic Faith. [. . .] It is at its best in our free America.  Our people 
 are part and parcel of America, gladly giving their treasure and the blood of their sons to safeguard its free 
 institutions which are the reflection of the freedom they find in their Faith.  If the best of Byzantium has 
 survived, it is in the United States, and if there is an Orthodox political ideal, it is enshrined in the 
 Constitution and the Declaration of Independence [of the USA]. 

In due time, the title of Archbishop Antony (Bashir) was changed. He was elevated to the dignity of metropolitan.

As the diocesan bishop, his full title was "Metropolitan of New York and the Antiochian Archdiocese of America" (AOCA).

In the late 1950s, in advance of the 1960 establishment of the "Standing Committee of Orthodox Bishops in the Americas", there was another meeting of the "Federated Orthodox Greek Catholic Primary Jurisdictions".

Meeting of the Federated Orthodox Greek Catholic Primary Jurisdictions

Of the 12 persons pictured, some are at present identified : 1. Bishop Germanos (Polyzoides) of Nyssa, Greek Archdiocese ; 2. Priest George Grabbe, ROCOR Chancellor ; 5. Bishop Demetrios (Makris) of Olympus, Greek Archdiocese Chancellor ; 6. Metropolitan Antony (Bashir), Antiochian Archdiocese ; 7. Archbishop Michael (Konstantinides), Greek Archdiocese ; 8. Metropolitan Leonty (Turkevich), Russian Metropolia ; 9. Bishop Bohdan (Shpylka), Ukrainian Archdiocese.

Missionary activities ; the Western Rite

In 1958, the letter of Metropolitan Antony (Bashir) to Patriarch Alexander III (Tahan) resulted in the approval of a Western Rite throughout the patriarchate.

In 1961, Metropolitan Antony ordained the former members of the “Society of Clerks Secular of Saint Basil”, and they became the original basis of the Antiochian Western Rite Vicariate. Metropolitan Antony assigned Father Alexander Turner to be the first Vicar-General of the AWRV.

Sayidna Antony believed that many people from other denominations in North America would convert to Orthodoxy, who considered Roman Catholicism "too rigid" and Protestantism "spiritually unsatisfactory". Metropolitan Anthony said: "Orthodoxy is democratic, which Americans like, and we have the apostolate, liturgy and tradition of the Fathers". He also believed that Latin America was ripe for Orthodox missionary endeavour.

In the 1950s, various Anglican and Old Catholic parishes had begun to appeal to Metropolitan Antony with a request to join them to the Orthodox Christian Church while preserving the "Western Rite" (referring to the existence of Western Orthodox parishes in Europe). Metropolitan Antony came to the conclusion that parishes wishing to become Orthodox could become Orthodox in all respects, while preserving all Western liturgical rites, devoted rites and customs that do not contradict the Orthodox Faith, which were derived from the Western custom that originated before the schism of the eleventh century.

On 31 May, 1958, Patriarch Alexander III (Tahan) of Antioch, after consulting with the heads of the Local Orthodox Churches, issued a decree permitting the establishment of Western Rite Orthodox parishes. In August of 1958, Metropolitan Antony issued an edict establishing general and preliminary rules for the Western Rite in his diocese. According to the edict, the parishes and communities that wanted to preserve the Western Rite had to profess the full acceptance of the Orthodox doctrine. The edict forbade bi-ritualism (that is, the possibility that a cleric could serve in both "Byzantine" and Western Rites). The laity of one rite was prescribed to obtain special permission to visit the parishes of another rite. The liturgical rites used in the annexed communities were subject to mandatory consideration by the theological commission, which in 1958 included professors of the Saint Vladimir Seminary of The Orthodox Church in America (OCA) : Archpriest Alexander Schmemann, and Priests Paul Schneirla, Stefan Upson, and John Meyendorff.

In 1961, Metropolitan Antony added to the Orthodox Church the first 3 parishes, where the divine service according to the Roman rite was preserved.

Metropolitan Antony at Pascha, 1961

Metropolitan Antony, 1965, after the Divine Liturgy at a diocesan convention

Founding the Balamand Saint John of Damascus Institute of Theology

It was Metropolitan Antony (Bashir) who, towards the end of his life, organised the foundation of the Saint John of Damascus Institute of Theology at the University of Balamand, in Tripoli, Lebanon, which replaced the seminary that was formerly situated within the Monastery of Our Lady of Balamand. The actual construction was begun by the Holy Synod of Antioch in 1966.

Illness

In November, 1965, Metropolitan Anthony was regularly treated at New York Memorial Hospital for a disease of the lymphatic system, but this did not prevent him from performing his duties.

He last celebrated divine liturgy on 30 January, 1966, at Saint Mary's Church in Brooklyn, New York.

On 7 February, he became so ill that he decided to seek additional treatment. The next day, he flew to Boston, accompanied by Father Paul Schneirla, and he was admitted to New England Baptist Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.

On 15 February, the local priest of the diocese led by him served the Mystery of Holy Unction for him, and anointed him. He then gave Holy Communion to Sayidna Antony.

Repose, 1966

Metropolitan Antony (Bashir) reposed in the Lord in Worcester, Massachusetts on 16 February, 1966, as a consequence of complications caused by lymphosarcoma.

After the Services for the Burial of a Hierarch, his body was interred at a cemetery in in that city.

Later, his body was transferred to the cemetery at the Antiochian Village, near Ligonier, Pennsylvania.

— Metropolitan of New York (AOCA) 1936-1966. Preceded by : Metropolitan Victor (Abou-Assaley). Succeeded by : Metropolitan Philip (Saliba).

Reflections

The following is a brief summary on the Antiochian Orthodox web-site :

 The Lebanese-born Bashir had achieved renown as a writer and translator of Arabic literature 
 before coming to America in 1922 as his patriarch's representative to the General Convention of 
 the Episcopal Church. Following ordination that year to the priesthood, he served a variety of 
 parishes and as a roving missionary across the Midwest while continuing to acquaint the Arab 
 world with Western thought and vice versa through translations. Consecrated bishop in New York 
 in 1936 by one faction of Russian hierarchs the same day as a rival candidate, Samuel David, 
 was elevated in Toledo, his episcopacy was conceived in conflict and saw the final separation 
 of the Syrians from the Russian jurisdiction. Though supported by his patriarch, Bashir had to 
 overcome tragic ethnic division, doing so chiefly through energy and administrative prowess. He 
 created a youth-oriented 'Society of Orthodox Youth Organizations' (SOYO), shifted the 
 archdiocesan magazine, 'The Word', to an English format, and instituted a Western Rite to 
 accommodate converts. He also possessed a keen vision of what American Orthodoxy as a whole 
 ought to be and pushed to achieve it. He was an early advocate of the use of English and of 
 comprehensive religious education programs, and was the inspirational force behind the 
 formation in 1938 of the Federation of Primary Jurisdictions of the Orthodox Greek Catholic 
 Churches in America, precursor to SCOBA, which latter body he served as vice president from its 
 formation in 1960 until his death.  

In 1967, Priest George Rados (in Terre Haute, Indiana) wrote about Metropolitan Antony on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of Saint George Parish :

 Thanks to his constant efforts and the example of others, the parish was organised.  With his support, 
 a bail system was created for all parishioners in order to ensure a stable income.  Other financial 
 assistance was received from many church social functions, such as dinners, dances, auctions and lotteries. 
 He was respected and loved by his people for his sincere devotion and commitment to the Orthodox Faith 
 and care for our people.  

In a 1972 interview, Priest Mose Nassar, Saint George's Parish in Detroit, Michigan, described Father Antony "as a bright star of his time".

Metropolitan Antony (Bashir), the Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of All North America, was the ruling bishop of the North American archdiocese of the Church of Antioch from 1936 to 1966. As Metropolitan Archbishop of New York and North America, he oversaw 75 parishes by the end of his life.

Sayidna Antony served as the representative of the Patriarchate of Antioch to the “United Christian Conference on Life and the World”, in Edinburgh, Scotland ; and to the “World Conference on Faith and Order” in Oxford, England (1938).

He had founded the “Syrian Orthodox Youth Organisation” (SOYO) (1951).

He had served as Vice-President of the “Standing Conference of Orthodox Bishops in the Americas” (1960-1966).

He had been the first Orthodox hierarch to join the “National Council of the Churches of Christ” (1960), of which he was also named National Vice-President.

Sunday, 16 April, 1961, the CBS Television Network presented the richness of Holy Week services by making a film of Holy Week and Pascha services in the parish of Saint George, Little Falls (at that time Paterson), New Jersey. The film was later televised. The film captured the procession of the Cross on Holy Thursday, the Lamentations of Holy Friday, and the Resurrection and Orthros Service of All-holy Pascha.

Writings

• "al-Kalimat" ["The Word"] (Edited : 1905-1915)

• "The Prophet" by Kahlil Gibran (Translated into Arabic)

• "Sand and Foam" by Kahlil Gibran (Translated into Arabic)

• "The Made Man" by Kahlil Gibran (Translated into Arabic)

• "The Forerunner" by Kahlil Gibran (Translated into Arabic)

• "Jesus, the Son of Man" by Kahlil Gibran (Translated into Arabic)

• "The Earth of Gods" by Kahlil Gibran (Translated into Arabic)

• "The Words of Gibran" (Translated into Arabic)

• "Why I am a Christian" by Frank Crane (Translated into Arabic)

• "Life of Christ" by Giovanni Papinni (Translated into Arabic)

• "The Simple Life" by Charles Wagner (Translated into Arabic)

• "The Man Nobody Knows" by Bruce Barton (Translated into Arabic)

• "Today and the Future Day" by A. Brisbane (Translated into Arabic)

• "One Year in Mexico"

• "The Year to Success"

• "Read and Think by the Master Thinker"

• "The Greek Orthodox Church"

• "al-Marah al-Jadidah" ["The New Woman"] (edited : political journal)

• "al-Khalidat" ["The Immortals"] (edited : literary periodical)

• "Majallat al-Kalimat" ["The Word Review"] (contributor)

• "The Word" (re-established, in English)

References

Garrett, Paul D, 'Metropolitan Antony Bashir', published in “The Word” magazine (February, 1988) pp. 10-14. Available as "Lest We Forget : the Administravive Legacy of Antony Bashir (1936-1966)"

Nasr, Constantine, "The Antiochian Missionary, Metropolitan Antony Bashir" (unpublished M.Div. thesis, Saint Vladimir's Seminary).

Archdiocese biography

Orthodoxwiki biography

Russian Wikipedia biography

Orthodox Encyclopedia biography

Additional information :

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.

Namee, Matthew, “The Death of Metropolitan Antony Bashir”

Nasr, Constantine, "Antony Bashir " Metropolitan & Missionary" (Yonkers, NY : St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, 2012). ISBN : 978-0-88141-406-6.

Nasr, Constantine, 'Metropolitan Antony Bashir, 1898-1966', published in "The Word" magazine (Oct. 1995) vol. 39, no. 8, pp. 11-16.

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.

Stokoe, Mark &Kishkovsky, Leonid, “Orthodox Christians in North America 1794-1994”.

Tarasar, C J, gen. ed., "Orthodox America 1794-1976 Development of the Orthodox Church in America", (Syosett, New York : The Orthodox Church in America, 1975).

Archdiocese photo

Orthodoxwiki article about the Church of Antioch

Antiochian Orthodox Christian Diocese of North America

Wikipedia article about the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Diocese of North America

Orthodoxwiki article about the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Diocese of North America

“The Word” magazine

Antiochian Orthodox Patriarchate history of the Balamand Monastery

Metropolitan Antony about the Western Rite

Patriarch Gregory IV (Haddad)

Patriarch Alexander III (Tahan)

Metropolitan Victor (Abou-Assaley)

Metropolitan Gerasimos (Messara)

Metropolitan Philip (Saliba)

Metropolitan Theodosius (Abourjaily)

Archbishop Vitaly (Maximenko)

"Project Canterbury : Historical Contact of the Eastern Orthodox and Anglican Churches" by William Chauncey (Charles) Emhardt, (New York: Department of Missions and Church Extension of the Episcopal Church, 1920).