Memory Eternal! His Grace, Bishop ELIAS (Najm)

Memory Eternal! His Grace Bishop ELIAS (Najm), Bishop of Apamea and Abbot of the Patriarchal Monastery of the Holy Prophet Elias in Dhour Shweir, Lebanon

It was with much sadness that we received the news of the falling asleep in Christ of our beloved brother, His Grace ELIAS (Najm), Bishop of Apamea, and Abbot of St. Elias Monastery in Dhour Shweir, Lebanon.  His Grace was born in the village of Agmeed Shouf, Lebanon.  He came from a priestly family.  His father was a priest in the town of Bhamdoun, Lebanon.  At the age of 14, he enrolled at the Balamand Seminary.  After 5 years at the Balamand, he was sent by the late Patriarch ALEXANDER III (Tahan) to the school of Halki, Turkey, where he studied theology.  After graduation he returned to the Patriarchate of Antioch, and was appointed Abbot of St. Elias Monastery where he served until his repose.  He was very friendly, humble and loved by all people.  We ask our brother hierarchs and beloved clergy and all faithful of this Archdiocese to remember him in their fervent prayers.  We extend our deepest sympathy to his family and relatives.  May his memory be eternal, and may his soul rest in peace.

Writing from Greece, Mano Arsenyadis reflects: "The falling asleep of His Grace Elias Najm has saddened me deeply. I'm an Istanbul Greek and the son of a Greek Orthodox priest. In early 50s  His Grace was a student in the Theological School of Halki and as a deacon was sent to different churches on Sundays. This is how my family and I met him and became great friends. We could not wait for him to visit, particularly at Easter when the Gospel was read in different languages. Of course we all became familiar with the Arabic version of it. He was supportive throughout the troubles in September 1955 when our house was burned down along with the church where my father was the priest. He was never tired talking to us children even when we asked him to repeat stories about his native Lebanon that he loved so much.

May your soul rest in peace Abuna."