Metr. Saba Welcomes Metr. Jacob to Antiochian Village

ENGLEWOOD, NJ — Metr. Saba welcomed Metr. Jacob of the Antiochian Archdiocese of Buenos Aires and All Argentina to the Antiochian Village this week, where the visiting hierarch is participating in the biennial Clergy Symposium and joined a series of liturgical services and pastoral events with clergy, campers, and staff.

A highlight of the visit came on July 20, when Metr. Saba celebrated the Hierarchal Divine Liturgy at Ss. Peter and Paul Church and ordained Dcn. Adam Murphy to the holy priesthood. Murphy, a former Antiochian Village camper and staff member, will become pastor of St. Elias Church in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 1.

One of his sponsors was his father, Archpriest Gregory Murphy, who was himself ordained at the Antiochian Village in 2002. In his homily, Metr. Saba urged the new priest to imitate the courage and faith of the Prophet Elias. “You will be a shepherd. You will serve your people, who are the sheep of Christ, so you have to love them as Christ loves us and sacrificed Himself for our salvation,” he said.

The previous day, Metr. Jacob celebrated the Hierarchal Divine Liturgy and preached on Christ’s command to let one’s light shine before others, emphasizing that good words must also be spoken with love. Later, the two Metropolitans presided at Great Vespers for the feast of the Prophet Elias and held an extended question-and-answer session with campers, discussing suffering, miracles, repentance, and perseverance in the Christian life.

Previously, the UOJ reported that record attendance marked the 71st Diocese of Ottawa Parish Life Conference in Montreal.