[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 53 (Wednesday, April 2, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E497]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE LIFE OF METROPOLITAN PHILIP SALIBA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 2, 2014

  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Metropolitan 
Philip Saliba, who led the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church in 
North America for nearly 50 years and who passed from this life on 
March 19, 2014. Metropolitan Philip was the longest-serving bishop in 
any branch of Orthodoxy in the United States and leaves behind a 
tremendous legacy of service to the Orthodox Christian community.
  Metropolitan Philip began leading Antiochian Orthodoxy in 1996 and 
frequently visited St. George Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral in Toledo 
and St. Elias Antiochian Church in Sylvania. His leadership will be 
greatly missed, as he played a key role in inspiring unity among 
Orthodox churches during his tenure. His compelling vision for unity 
was noted by The Toledo Blade, where he was quoted as saying: ``As long 
as we are fragmented and known by Antiochians and Greeks and Serbians 
and Bulgarians and Russians, we will have no impact as a church on this 
country''.
  His eminence is remembered fondly for his personal warmth and 
compassion and has been described by his parishioners as a 
``visionary''. One of the metropolitan's many accomplishments includes 
the founding of a church camp, Antioch Village, in Bolivar, 
Pennsylvania, which flourished under his direction. Indeed, he was 
lauded for this achievement, and for his other successful endeavors in 
expanding the reach of the church.
  A staunch advocate for inclusion, Metropolitan Phillip welcomed 
converts without connections to the church's Middle Eastern roots and 
expanded the role of women in the church. He insisted on the creation 
of a women's organization and appointed women to the archdiocese's 
board. The metropolitan also urged the church to modernize in other 
capacities, by using English during liturgies and by beginning a clergy 
retirement program.
  Under his purview, the number of parishes in the diocese quadrupled 
in size--a true testament to the significant impact of his leadership. 
Indeed, his imprint on the Orthodox Christian community will live on, 
as will his memory. To his brothers Nassif and Najib Saliba, and all 
those whose lives he touched, we offer our heartfelt sympathy. We hope 
that they draw comfort in the days ahead and in the memories of this 
extraordinary man and the gift of his life.

                          ____________________