Metropolitan Philip Saliba

Overview

Metropolitan Philip (Saliba) was born on June 10, 1931, in Abou-Mizan, Lebanon. After theological studies he emigrated to the United States, where he was ordained and served in the Antiochian Archdiocese.

In 1966 he was elected Metropolitan of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, an office he held for nearly half a century. Under his leadership the Archdiocese expanded dramatically in parishes, clergy, and institutions, founding the Antiochian Village in Pennsylvania (1978) as a centre for camping, conferences, and heritage.

He is especially remembered for the 1987 reception of the Evangelical Orthodox Church — some two thousand former evangelical Protestants — into canonical Orthodoxy, which made the Archdiocese a notable home for converts. He reposed on March 19, 2014, after nearly forty-eight years leading the Archdiocese.

Life in Brief

1. 1931

   Born in Lebanon

   Philip Saliba is born on June 10, 1931, in Abou-Mizan, Lebanon. source ↗

2. 1950s

   Studies and emigration to the United States

   After theological studies he emigrates to the United States and is ordained to serve in the Antiochian Archdiocese. source ↗

3. 1966

   Elected Metropolitan

   He is elected Metropolitan of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. source ↗

4. 1978

   Antiochian Village founded

   He establishes the Antiochian Village in Bolivar, Pennsylvania, as a camp, conference, and heritage centre for the Archdiocese. source ↗

5. 1987

   Reception of the Evangelical Orthodox

   He receives the Evangelical Orthodox Church — some two thousand former evangelicals — into canonical Orthodoxy through the Archdiocese. source ↗

6. 2014

   Repose in the Lord

   Metropolitan Philip reposes on March 19, 2014, after nearly half a century leading the Archdiocese. source ↗

Works by Metropolitan Philip

• Editorials and addresses in The Word magazine — His pastoral writing as Metropolitan; individual published titles should be verified.

About Metropolitan Philip

• Antiochian Archdiocese — memorial materials — Memorial accounts and remembrances published by the Archdiocese.

Historical Significance

Metropolitan Philip is remembered as the architect of the modern Antiochian Archdiocese in North America — under whom it grew dramatically and, through the reception of a large body of former evangelicals, became a notable home for converts to the Orthodox faith.

Related Figures

• St Raphael of Brooklyn — The first Orthodox bishop consecrated in North America, of the same Antiochian tradition.
• Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America — The jurisdiction he led from 1966 until his repose.
• The Antiochian Village, Bolivar, Pennsylvania — The camp and conference centre he founded in 1978.