St. Michael Antiochian Orthodox Church in Beaumont is honored to announce that His Eminence Metropolitan SABA (Isper), Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of all North America, will preside over the Divine Liturgy this Sunday, January 25th, at 10:00 AM. All parishioners, friends, and visitors are warmly invited to join us for this historic and joyous occasion.
About Metropolitan SABA
His Eminence Metropolitan SABA was elected by the Holy Synod of Antioch on February 23, 2023, in Balamand, Lebanon, to lead the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. He was formally enthroned on May 13, 2023, at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Brooklyn, New York, in the presence of his brother hierarchs, clergy, and faithful from across the continent.
Born in Latakia, Syria in 1959, Metropolitan SABA holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Tishreen and a bachelor’s degree in theology from the St. John of Damascus Institute of Theology at the University of Balamand. His Eminence is fluent in both Arabic and English.
A Pastor’s Heart
Metropolitan SABA is known throughout the Orthodox world as an authentic pastor who lived among his flock during some of the most difficult years in Syrian history. Before coming to North America, he served as Metropolitan of the Archdiocese of Bosra, Hauran, and Jabal al-Arab in Syria, where he was the first bishop in generations to actually reside with the people of his diocese.
During his time in Syria, His Eminence established numerous charitable works including a medical clinic, university dormitories for 150 students, retirement housing, the Bethany Spiritual Retreat Center, and “Bread for All”—a program distributing food to the poor regardless of religion. Through “The Good Samaritan” organization, he provided support for parishioners displaced or affected by the Syrian war.
Scholar and Teacher
His Eminence served as an instructor of Pastoral Care and Introduction to the Old Testament at the St. John of Damascus Institute of Theology from 1995 to 2006. He has authored numerous books on pastoral life and theology, and has translated works by Metropolitan Kallistos Ware, Metropolitan Anthony Bloom, Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeyev, and Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko from English into Arabic.
Metropolitan SABA founded the Orthodox Christian magazine Farah for children and families, and established Al-Arabiya magazine for adults. He continues to author weekly spiritual articles that reach the faithful throughout the Archdiocese.
The Hauran Connection
Prior to his election as Metropolitan of North America, His Eminence co-founded The Hauran Connection with the Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America. This charitable project has raised more than $1 million since 2007 to support Orthodox Christianity in the ancient Christian lands of Syria, creating a bridge of love and support between American and Syrian Orthodox faithful.
A Special Visit
His Eminence’s patron saint is St. Saba (Sabbas) the Sanctified, commemorated on December 5th. We are deeply blessed to welcome our Metropolitan to St. Michael Church as he continues his pastoral visits throughout the Archdiocese.
Please join us in welcoming His Eminence Metropolitan SABA to Beaumont. This is a wonderful opportunity to receive the blessing of our chief shepherd and to experience the fullness of our Orthodox faith together as a community.
