LOS ANGELES, CA – The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America celebrated a historic milestone on December 7, 2025, honoring The Very Reverend Father Michel Najim, Economos, for his exceptional 33 years of dedicated service to St. Nicholas Cathedral in Los Angeles and the broader Orthodox community.
A Ministry of Faith, Education, and Pastoral Care
Metropolitan SABA, Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of All North America, together with Bishop Anthony of Los Angeles and the West, paid tribute to Fr. Michel’s remarkable journey of service that began long before his retirement as Dean of St. Nicholas Cathedral in 2020.
“For 33 years, you ministered to souls and guided them closer to Christ,” wrote Metropolitan SABA in his official letter of commendation. “You baptized and married many, comforted families in times of loss, counseled and guided countless others, and lived the theology that you have taught.”
A Scholar and Theologian
Fr. Michel’s contributions extend far beyond parish ministry. Throughout his distinguished career, he has served the Church as an educator, theologian, and pastor, advising patriarchs and bishops while shaping the next generation of Orthodox faithful and clergy.
His academic achievements include:
- Teaching at and serving as dean of Balamand University
- Elevating the Antiochian House of Studies to new heights
- Working tirelessly to translate important texts into English for the edification of clergy and faithful alike
Even in retirement from active parish ministry, Fr. Michel continues these vital academic pursuits, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to Orthodox theological education and spiritual formation.
The Heart of a Pastor
Bishop Anthony, who expressed regret at being unable to attend the celebration in person, reflected on Fr. Michel’s gifts through the lens of the Parable of the Talents. “You took the talents you were given for the building up of His Church,” Bishop Anthony wrote, praising Fr. Michel’s use of his God-given abilities, skills, and resources throughout his ministry.
The bishop highlighted the profound impact of Fr. Michel’s pastoral work: from sermons and hospital visits to Holy Sacraments of Baptism, Chrismation, Confession, and Marriage. “You were the chef who served up and seasoned God’s Word for spiritual sustenance,” Bishop Anthony noted, emphasizing how Fr. Michel taught the faithful to have faith and remain steadfast in their devotion to Christ.
Living Incarnational Theology
Both hierarchs emphasized that Fr. Michel’s ministry exemplifies the incarnational theology at the heart of the Antiochian Orthodox heritage. “The theology of the Church is written for the care and healing of the human soul,” Metropolitan SABA observed, noting how Fr. Michel’s 33 years of ministry reflected this profound truth through his guidance, counsel, and spiritual leadership.
Family and Community Support
The celebration also recognized Khourieh Eva, Fr. Michel’s wife, whose faithful support throughout his labors has been instrumental to his ministry. Metropolitan SABA expressed profound gratitude to both Fr. Michel and Khourieh Eva “for all that you have done in service to the Patriarchate of Antioch and the Archdiocese of North America.”
A Message of Peace and Joy
In his closing remarks, Bishop Anthony quoted from Philippians 4:4-7, offering a blessing that captures the spirit of Fr. Michel’s ministry: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Looking Forward
As the community honored Fr. Michel’s past service, both Metropolitan SABA and Bishop Anthony expressed their prayers for continued service to the Church in the years ahead. “We join them in praying that God may grant you and Khourieh Eva many more years of continued service to the Church you love so deeply,” Metropolitan SABA concluded.
The celebration marks not an ending, but a recognition of a life dedicated to serving Christ and His Church, and a hope for continued ministry in whatever forms God may lead.
The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America serves Orthodox Christians throughout the United States and Canada, with its roots tracing back to Antioch, where “the disciples were first called Christians” (Acts 11:26).
APPENDICES
Appendix A: Letter from His Eminence Metropolitan SABA
ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN ARCHDIOCESE
OF NORTH AMERICA
His Eminence The Most Reverend
Metropolitan SABA
Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of All North America
Prot. no.: 595/2025
December 7, 2025
To: The V. Rev. Fr. Michel Najim, Economos
Beloved in Christ, Fr. Michel,
Greetings to you and to Khourieh Eva on this historic day in the life of your ministry. Although circumstances did not allow for a proper celebration when you retired as Dean of St. Nicholas Cathedral in Los Angeles in 2020 due to the pandemic, it is truly fitting that the community you served for 33 years—as both assistant priest and dean—honors you now.
Over the course of many decades, you have served the Church faithfully as an educator, theologian, and pastor. You have advised patriarchs and bishops, taught at and served as dean of the Balamand University, elevated the Antiochian House of Studies to new heights, and worked tirelessly to translate important texts into English for the edification of clergy and faithful alike. Thanks be to God, you continue many of these academic pursuits even in retirement from active parish ministry.
Yet for all who are called to serve, the role of pastor and shepherd to the flock entrusted to us remains the highest calling of all. As you know better than most, the theology of the Church is written for the care and healing of the human soul, so that through God’s grace and mercy we may be made worthy of the heavenly Kingdom. For 33 years, you ministered to souls and guided them closer to Christ. You baptized and married many, comforted families in times of loss, counseled and guided countless others, and lived the theology that you have taught. This is the mark of a true theologian and reflects the incarnational theology that stands at the heart of our Antiochian Orthodox heritage.
For this, we offer our profound gratitude—to you, to Khourieh Eva who has faithfully supported you in your labors, and to your entire family—for all that you have done in service to the Patriarchate of Antioch and the Archdiocese of North America. Above all, we thank you for your devoted pastoral care of the faithful at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Los Angeles. As they honor you today, we join them in praying that God may grant you and Khourieh Eva many more years of continued service to the Church you love so deeply.
Wishing you all of God’s blessings, I remain,
Your Father in Christ,
SABA
Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of all North America
Appendix B: Letter from The Right Reverend Bishop ANTHONY
ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN ARCHDIOCESE
OF NORTH AMERICA
His Eminence The Most Reverend Metropolitan SABA
Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of All North America
The Right Reverend Bishop ANTHONY Diocese of Los Angeles And The West
December 7, 2025
Hierarch Ambrose of Milan
Fr. Michel,
Glory to Jesus Christ!
I am so sorry I could not be with you on this most auspicious occasion. The celebration of your 33 years of ministry at our beloved St. Nicholas Cathedral is long overdue.
Fr. Michel, you were blessed with many talents from God. Christ told the story of the Parable of the Talents (Matthew, chapter 25, verses 14-30) to show how talents represented spiritual gifts, abilities, skills, and resources that God gives all of us according to our ability. You took the talents you were given for the building up of His Church.
It might have been in a sermon, a moment of guidance, a hospital visit, a Holy Sacrament of Baptism, Chrismation, Confession, or Marriage. There might have been a positive impact you had in comforting a grieving family, or a funeral in pointing all to the passing from this temporary world into the eternal life. Thank you for being a kind of leader who pointed people to the Heavenly Kingdom. You were the chef who served up and seasoned God’s Word for spiritual sustenance. To the best of your ability and always with God’s help, you taught all to have faith and be faithful in our Crucified and Resurrected Lord.
As St. Paul beautifully said in his letter to the Philippians chapter 4, verses 4-7 I say now to you Fr. Michel, Khouriya Eva, and your family: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
May God grant you many years Fr. Michel!
Yours in Christ,
+Bishop Anthony
+Bishop ANTHONY
Bishop of Los Angeles
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
Some photo from the event
