Melkite Bishop Samra marks 50 years

By Susan Bailey
CFP Correspondent
Melkite Bishop Nicholas J. Samra, Catholic Eparchial Bishop of Newton, celebrated the 50th year of his ordination as a priest, and the 30th year of his ordination as bishop on Oct. 3.
In the bishop’s honor, the solemn Divine Liturgy was celebrated at Our Lady of Annunciation Melkite Catholic Cathedral in West Roxbury, which was filled with clergy, family, friends and faithful Melkites from around New England.
Among the approximately 17 bishops and 70 clergy in attendance were Melkite Patriarch Youseff (Joseph) Absi, Patriarch of Antioch, Alexandria, Jerusalem and All the East; Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States, and Bishop McManus from the Diocese of Worcester.
The celebration concluded with a dinner reception in the parish hall.    
Bishop Nicholas was ordained a priest on May 10, 1970 at St. Ann Melkite Church, Paterson, New Jersey, (now in Woodland Park, New Jersey), by Archbishop Joseph Tawil, then Apostolic Exarch of the Melkites in the United States.
On July 6, 1989 he was ordained bishop, also at St. Ann’s, by Archbishop Joseph Tawil, Eparchial Bishop of Newton. Bishop Nicholas was appointed Eparchial Bishop of Newton on June 11, 2015, by Pope Benedict XVI and enthroned by Metropolitan Cyril R. Bustros, Archbishop of Beirut, representing Patriarch Gregory III.
Of Bishop Nicholas’ many fruitful years of ministry, Father Philip Raczka, protosynchellos (vicar-general) of the Eparchy of Newton and rector of Annunciation Melkite Catholic Cathedral, said, “Bishop Nicholas is a modern-day Father of the Church. He loves the Lord, his people and Church with all of his heart. He is not just an administrator but also an excellent liturgist and preacher. He is a leader of his people in spirituality and fidelity to the teachings of Christ. He is a theologian and teacher. The celebration of the solemn Divine Liturgy was the most fitting testimony to his dedication and ministry.”
During the Divine Liturgy the bishops, priests and deacons intoned a blessing known as the “Ton Despotin” for Bishop Nicholas: “For our Master and leader, beloved of God, many years O Master.”