Archbishop Michael (Shaheen)

Archbishop Michael (Shaheen) (1924-1992)

Early life of Michael Shaheen

On 27 April, 1924, Michael George Shaheen was born in Canton, Ohio. His parents were Abouna (Priest) George and Khouria (Presbytera) Mary. He had a brother, George, another brother George, a sister, Sadie, and a sister Julia (who did not live past infancy), who were also born in Canton.

Michael George and his siblings were born at a time in which the parishes of the Arab-speaking people were yet cared for within the North American Diocese of the former Russian Mission of the Russian Orthodox Church (within which Bishop Raphael (Hawaweeny) had developed what was at that time called a Syro-Arab episcopate in order to care for these parishes). At the same time, they were all spiritually connected with the Orthodox Christian Church of Antioch, from whose territory in Syria-Lebanon the parishioners had emigrated to North America.

As children of an active parish priest, they all were raised in the bosom of the Orthodox Christian Church, and they became devoted, loving servants of Christ in the Church.

Bereavement, 1929

In October, 1929, Father George Shaheen fell asleep in the Lord suddenly and unexpectedly.

Michael received his primary education in Canton.

In 1935, the family moved to Qatana (Katana), Syria. There, Michael continued his secondary education in the Orthodox Christian schools of the Church of Anioch in both Qatana and Damascus.

Higher education

Michael entered the the National College of Choueifat in Lebanon, and the American University in Beirut, where he studied both the Arabic and French languages (along with other subjects). At that time, Beirut was no longer within Syria, since Lebanon was finally established as an independent country in 1943 (after his family had moved there, and before his return to the USA).

He also received some preparation for his possible service in the Church as a priest through his grandfather, Archpriest George Corey (Khoury).

Developments in the USA, 1936

The Toledo Archdiocese and Dependencies was formed during the development-period of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America as it gained its independence from the Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church of North America (the descendant of the Russian Mission, often called the "Metropolia") during the 1930s.

On 23 January, 1936, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Church of Antioch ratified the election and declared Archimandrite Anthony (Bashir) as their unanimous choice to be the Archbishop of New York.

However, indecision regarding the ordination by Metropolitan Theodosius (Abourjaily) of Archimandrite Samuel (David) to be a Vicar-Bishop re-ignited the divisions in the Syrian community, and the 2 Syrian Orthodox groups proceeded to follow independent courses of action which resulted in the formal establishment of 2 Syrian jurisdictions.

On 19 April, 1936, Archimandrite Antony (Bashir) was ordained to the Holy Episcopate in New York City by Metropolitan Theodosius (Abourjaily) and Archbishop Vitaly (Ustinov) of New Jersey (of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR)), under the jurisdiction and blessing of Patriarch Alexander III (Tahan) of the Church of Antioch.

At the same time, Archimandrite Samuel (David) was ordained to the Holy Episcopate in Saint George’s Syrian Orthodox Church in Toledo by Archbishop Adam (Philipovsky) and Bishops Leonty (Turkevich) and Arseny (Chahovtsov) of the Russian Metropolia.

Return to the USA, 1945 ; further education

Michael G Shaheen and his family returned to the USA after the end of World War II.

At that time, Michael fulfilled the obligatory military service for 2 years in the US Army, from which he was honourably discharged in 1947.

Michael then attended Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, and Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he majored in Religion. At Kent State University, he was instrumental in organising the Eastern Orthodox Youth Fellowship. In some respects, he was a pioneer of such university Orthodox Christian associations.

Diaconal ordination, 1951

At the Archdiocese Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, on 18 August, 1951, Metropolitan Samuel (David) ordained Michael G Shaheen to the Holy Diaconate.

Presbyteral ordination, 1951

At the same Archdiocese Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, on 19 August, 1951, Metropolitan Antony (Bashir) ordained Deacon Michael Shaheen to the Holy Priesthood.

Pastoral service

The Priest Michael Shaheen began to serve in parishes of the Antiochian Orthodox Church in North America.

In 1951, Abouna Michael Shaheen was assigned to serve the parish of Saint George in Lowell, Massachusetts.

In 1954, Priest Michael Shaheen attended the golden jubilee of Patriarch Alexander III (Tahan) of Antioch. in Damascus. At that time, on 1 July, 1954, he was elevated to the dignity of archimandrite by the patriarch.

During his years of pastoral parochial service, Abouna Michael served in parishes in Indianapolis, Indiana, and in Canton, Ohio.

In 1956, Archimandrite Michael (Shaheen) was assigned to serve the Parish of Saint George in Montréal, Québec, Canada. There, he was also assigned to serve as Dean of Canada by Metropolitan Antony (Bashir). During the time he was serving there, the building adjacent to the Temple served as his home. Later, it became the parish office.

Saint George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Montréal (exterior, interior)

While he was serving in Montréal, the University of Saint Andrew in Scotland awarded him an honourary Doctor of Divinity degree.

On 31 January, 1960, the brother of Archimandrite Michael (Shaheen), Deacon George F Shaheen, was ordained to the Holy Priesthood at Saint George's Orthodox Church in Montréal, Québec.

In 1960, Archimandrite Michael (Shaheen) organised with the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) the first telecast of an Orthodox Divine Liturgy from Saint George's Church.

Priest George F Shaheen and his wife Khouria Marguerite (born Haddad) served in the Parish of Saint George for many years, as did his son, Priest Michael Shaheen and his wife Khouria Adma after him.

In 1962, Archimandrite Michael (Shaheen) was visiting in Syria and Lebanon when decisions of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Church of Antioch made changes in the direction of his life.

Episcopal ordination, 1962

On 11 February, 1962, Archimandrite Michael (Shaheen) was ordained to the Holy Episcopate in Damascus, Syria, by Patriarch Theodosius VI (Abourjaily) and 11 metropolitans of the Church of Antioch.

Episcopal service

Bishop Michael (Shaheen) was assigned to serve as Bishop of Toledo (Ohio), and as Vicar-Bishop to Metropolitan Antony (Bashir).

Bishop Michael was the first person who was born in North America to be ordained to the Holy Episcopate by the Church of Antioch, and Saint George's Temple in Toledo, Ohio became the cathedral. There, he was greatly loved.

In July, 1962, Bishop Michael (Shaheen) had travelled again to Damascus on a pilgrimage. At that time, in accordance with another decision of the Holy Synod of Bishops, on 22 July, 1962, Bishop Michael was elevated to the dignity of archbishop, and he was given the title “Metropolitan Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Toledo, Ohio”. He was recognised as the successor to Metropolitan Samuel (David). This elevation by the Holy Synod of Antioch had occurred without the previous knowledge of Bishop Michael. Rather, it had come to pass because the parishioners and the administration of the Toledo Diocese had specifically requested this from the patriarch.

Saint George Cathedral, Toledo, Ohio (exterior, interior)

Metropolitan Archbishop Michael (Shaheen) then led this diocese. It was written that the diocese consisted mainly of clergy and parishioners from the Zahle region of Lebanon. However, the diocese was, in fact, comprised of people from Aitha, Kafir, Damascus, Zahle, Beirut, Latakia, Tripoli and Kirby, people who set aside the clan-mentality of their homeland in order to work together. Nevertheless, because of circumstances, the diocese remained a relatively small entity.

In 1973, Archpriest George F Shaheen invited Metropolitan Philip (Saliba) to visit Saint Michael's Church in Louisville, Kentucky in order to begin a conversation about the potential unification of the 2 dioceses into one entity. This undertaking was with the full knowledge and blessing of Metropolitan Michael (Shaheen). The fruit of this first of many conversations was seen 2 years later.

Unification of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, 1975

On 24 June, 1975, Metropolitan Michael (Shaheen) of Toledo signed the Articles of Reunification with Metropolitan Philip (Saliba) of New York, which thus formed a united Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. This occurred at a general assembly of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese.

With the ratification of the Articles by the Holy Synod of the Church of Antioch on 19 August, 1975, Archbishop Michael was recognised as Auxiliary-Archbishop with Metropolitan Philip (Saliba) as the Metropolitan-Primate. Metropolitan Michael became the Auxiliary-Archbishop of the unified Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America in 1975.

Metropolitan Philip (Saliba) and Archbishop Michael (Shaheen) at the reconciliation

This act of reconciliation ended 40 years of tensions and divisions in the Church, and it united more than 150,000 members into a united Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese.

Repose, 1992

In Toledo, Ohio, Archbishop Michael (Shaheen) reposed in Christ suddenly and unexpectedly in his sleep (from a heart-attack) on 24 October, 1992.

The Funeral Services for the Burial of a Bishop were offered in Saint George's Cathedral, Toledo, Ohio.

After the completion of the funeral services, the body of Archbishop Michael (Shaheen) was interred on the grounds of the cathedral, near the entrance.

— Metropolitan Archbishop of Toledo 1958-1992. Preceded by : Metropolitan Samuel (David). Succeeded by : Bishop Demetri (Khoury).

Reflections

What is seen from the references in comments by many people is that Archbishop Michael (Shaheen) was a pastoral, unassuming and humble man.

Archbishop Michael (Shaheen) was decorated by the Syrian Arab Republic for his humanitarian efforts during the wars of the Middle East, and he received the Order of Mount Sinai for assisting Arabic orphanages of the Church abroad.

The younger brother of Archbishop Michael (Shaheen), Archpriest George Shaheen, served in the Antiochian Archdiocese of North America until his repose in 2007. One of the parishes he served was Saint Mary's Antiochian Orthodox Church on Gouin Boulevard in Montréal (where he was serving when his brother reposed in 1992).

In 2003, Fred Mark Shaheen wrote the following in the article, ‘Archbishop Michael (Shaheen) : Bishop of the People, Man of Peace’ in “The Word” (the periodical magazine of the Antiochian Archdiocese) :

He he left behind him a legacy of humility, gracious hospitality, Christian charity and, perhaps
most important of all for the Church, a legacy of peace. As the first American-born hierarch
consecrated in the Antiochian Archdiocese, Archbishop Michael was truly a ‘bishop of the people’.
Those who knew him well remember him as unusually personable and friendly for a man of such high
rank in the Church. On feast days as well as throughout the year, Archbishop Michael’s home was
always open to anyone who wanted to come over and visit.

Being fluent in both Arabic and French, his commitment to worshippers' being able to pray in a language
they understand prompted the publication of the Divine Liturgy in French and Arabic parallel texts, and
also of the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in English. Throughout his life, Archbishop Michael involved
himself in many worthy civic and humanitarian affairs. He was decorated by the Syrian Arab Republic
for his outstanding humanitarian efforts, which included the establishment of programmes to give much
needed assistance to the orphans of Saydnaya and Saint Panteleimon, and to the monastic community of
Ma’aloula. Works of Christian mercy initiated by Archbishop Michael continue even today. In recognition
of his service on behalf of orphanages within the Patriarchate of Antioch, Archbishop Michael was
inducted into the Order of Mount Sinai. Eulogising the late Archbishop, His Eminence Metropolitan Philip
called this man’s contribution to the peace and unity of the Archdiocese, ‘more precious than gold and
silver ; and more precious than all the buildings of this world and all the property therein’. In the
New Testament, the Apostle Paul teaches us what it means to have the mind of Christ : ‘Let nothing
be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better
than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests
of others’ (Philippians 2:3-4).

Ultimately, Archbishop Michael’s commitment to the message of the gospel is apparent in his willingness
to sacrifice the prestige of a title for the greater good of Christ’s Church. Archbishop Michael’s
humility, charity, and love of peace bore good fruit when his efforts toward the establishment of one
united Antiochian flock in North America became a reality in 1975. This is the most important legacy
he leaves us, and it is indeed priceless. May his memory be eternal !

References

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.

‘Archbishop Michael (Shaheen) : Bishop of the People, Man of Peace’ in “The Word”, vol. 47, no. 1 (Jan., 2003), p. 5.

Orthodoxwiki biography

Religion Wiki 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.

Garrett, Paul D,‘Metropolitan Antony Bashir’, published in “The Word” magazine (February, 1988) pp. 10-14. (Article no longer available on the Internet).

Saint Silouan the Athonite Antiochian Orthodox Christian Mission, “The History of the Antiochian Archdiocese of America” (Article no longer available on the Internet).

Obituary published in "The Montréal Gazette" on 31 October, 1992.

Obituary of Archbishop Michael (Shaheen)

Obituary of Archpriest George Shaheen

Orthodoxwiki brief biography

Historical reference

Patriarch Theodosius VI (Abourjaily)

Patriarch Alexander III (Tahan)

Metropolitan Antony (Bashir)

Metropolitan Philip (Saliba)

Bishop Mark Maymon

Saint George Parish "Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese History"

Saint George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Toledo, Ohio, web-site