Thank You From the Saliba Family

The Saliba family extends heartfelt thanks to his Beatitude Patriarch John X, Metropolitan Silouan, Patriarchal Vicar, the members of the Holy Synod of Antioch, the members of the Local Synod of the Self-Ruled Antiochian Archdiocese and its Board of Trustees, the Hierarchs of our extended Orthodox family from other jurisdictions in the United States and from around the world, Christian and Muslim religious leaders from a multitude of sects, Esteemed diplomats and members of the U.S. Congress, priests and laity in the United States, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Palestine for the heartfelt support, love and care you have shown us during this most difficult time that our family has endured, mourning the passing of our beloved brother and uncle, Metropolitan Philip of Thrice Blessed Memory. Words cannot describe the gratitude that we feel for the veneration and reverence expressed and bestowed in the various commemorations, eulogies and speeches honoring his great legacy and lifetime of tireless work for the glory of God, the growth of our Patriarchate of Antioch, our Archdiocese, and the good of our Arab community in the United States and abroad.

Special thanks goes to the parishes of the New York area, especially his beloved Cathedral of St. Nicholas Brooklyn and St Mary's of Bay Ridge, for the tremendous hospitality they showed us and the guests who attended the visitations and funeral services over a period of several days. You welcomed us all and comforted us in our hour of grief. Similarly, we thank the staff of the Antiochian Village for the manner in which you received, hosted and comforted the family as we laid our cherished brother and uncle in the holy and sacred soil of his beloved Village for all eternity.

Lastly, we wish to recognize the efforts of Noursat/Telelumiere for their extended coverage and tributes live via satellite of his life, funeral and 40 day commemoration services in the United States and Lebanon. You allowed our family and our community to experience the events mourning his death collectively in a very personal and intimate manner notwithstanding the great geographical distances.

We pray that God protects his legacy and that his successor preserves and builds upon the solid foundation that he left us and grows the seeds of his enduring work. Above all, that he zealously guards the Unity of our God protected Archdiocese of New York and all of North America.

May His Memory be Eternal!