Source: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
On Tuesday, October 16, 2012, His Beatitude IGNATIUS IV, Patriarch of Antioch and all The East arrived in the United States for a short stay which included several official functions. He was met at the airport by His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP, Primate of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, and a contingent of over 30 clergy and laity. His motorcade was escorted by officers from the Passaic County Sherriff’s Department to the Archdiocese Headquarters in Englewood, New Jersey where His Beatitude resided during his stay in this area.
On Thursday October 18, 2012, an historic meeting of educators from Lebanon and the United States was held under the chairmanship of His Beatitude Ignatius IV at the Antiochian Archdiocese headquarters in Englewood, New Jersey. The following people attended and participated in this meeting:
His Beatitude Ignatius IV Patriarch of Antioch and all The East
His Eminence Metropolitan Philip, Primate of the Antiochian Archdiocese in North America
His Grace Bishop Nicholas, Bishop of Brooklyn and Assistant To the Metropolitan
Dr. Elie Salem, President of the University of Balamand
Dr. Nadim Karam, Vice President and Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Balamand
Dr. Michel Najjar, Vice President and Dean of the Civil Engineering Faculty of the University of Balamand
Dr. Walid Moubayed, Chairman of the Civil Engineering Department And Dean of Admissions of the University of Balamand
Rev. Dr. Jospeh Allen, Director of the Antiochian House of Studies
Rev. Dr. Michel Najim, Senior faculty member of the Antiochian House of Studies
Rev. Dr. David Hester, Senior faculty member of the Antiochian House of Studies
Mr. Fawaz El-Khoury, Vice Chairman of the Antiochian Archdiocese Board of Trustees
The goal of the meeting was to set in motion the next phase of the cooperative effort between the University of Balamand in Lebanon, and the Antiochian House of Studies in North America whereby the two institutes of higher learning will award advanced degrees, such as the PhD. The two institutes of higher learning have been jointly offering a Master Degree in Applied Orthodox Theology since the year 2001 with great success. The next focus will be on PhD degrees in theological disciplines, followed by an expansion into other disciplines.
His Beatitude Patriarch Ignatius IV opened the meeting by saying that it is his vision to “extend the reach of the Orthodox Faith through education and to insure that this education touches the lives of people in positive ways”. He thanked His Eminence Metropolitan Philip for the strong work that has been done in the Archdiocese of North America, especially by the Antiochian House of Studies in educating the faithful.
His Eminence Metropolitan Philip welcomes His Beatitude to North America, and praised His Beatitude as a man of vision, especially in the area of education. He noted the courage that His Beatitude displayed in founding the University of Balamand in 1988, in the face of the very unstable situation during that year.
Dr. Elie Salem summarized the work of the University of Balamand, and the enormous strides that the University has made, becoming a premiere institute of higher learning which is recognized around the world for the quality of education, and the openness to people of all cultures and backgrounds.
Rev. Dr. Joseph Allen summarized the work of the Antiochian House of Studies, indicating that had broken new ground being known as a “theological school without walls” due to the nature of its focus on distance learning.
The meeting concluded with the naming of a planning committee to work out the details of implementation, and a strong commitment to the continuing cooperation between the University of Balamand, and the Antiochian House of Studies.
On Friday evening, October 19, 2012, His Beatitude attended a dinner and ceremony which honored His Excellency Issam M. Fares, former Deputy Prime Minister of Lebanon and founder of the Fares Foundation. His Beatitude bestowed upon Mr. Fares the Order of Saints Peter and Paul, the highest award granted by the Patriarchate of Antioch. The dinner was held at the New York Palace hotel and attended by more than 200 guests.
On Sunday, October 21, 2012, His Beatitude presided over the divine services at the Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Brooklyn, New York.
On Monday, October 22, 2012, His Beatitude departed for Houston, Texas.