Justin Najmy
Encyclopedia
Justin Najmy was the first bishop
for the United States in the Melkite Greek Catholic Church
. Appointed exarch
for the newly-created Melkite diocese
in the United States, Bishop Najmy served for two years before his death at age 70.
before his appointment as apostolic exarch on January 27, 1966. Najmy was consecrated titular bishop of Augustopolis-in-Phrygia
by Archbishop Athanasios Toutoungi on May 29, 1966. The following month he was formally enthroned. He established his episcopal see at the Church of the Annunciation
in suburban Boston
, which became the cathedral
for the newly-created Diocese of Newton.
Bishop Najmy was not serve as exarch for long. He died of a heart attack on June 11, 1968 and was succeeded by Joseph Tawil
. He is buried parish Cemetery of St. Basil the Great in Cumberland, Rhode Island
.
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
for the United States in the Melkite Greek Catholic Church
Melkite Greek Catholic Church
The Melkite Greek Catholic Church is an Eastern Catholic Church in full communion with the Holy See as part of the worldwide Catholic Church. The Melkites, Byzantine Rite Catholics of mixed Eastern Mediterranean and Greek origin, trace their history to the early Christians of Antioch, Syria, of...
. Appointed exarch
Exarch
In the Byzantine Empire, an exarch was governor with extended authority of a province at some remove from the capital Constantinople. The prevailing situation frequently involved him in military operations....
for the newly-created Melkite diocese
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
in the United States, Bishop Najmy served for two years before his death at age 70.
Biography
Justin Abraham Najmy was born April 23, 1898. He was ordained a priest of the Basilian Alepian Order on December 25, 1926. Moving to the United States, he served as pastor of St. Basil the Great Church in Central Falls, Rhode IslandCentral Falls, Rhode Island
Central Falls is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 19,376 at the 2010 census. With an area of only , it is the smallest and most densely populated city in the smallest state, and the thirty-second most densely populated incorporated place in the United...
before his appointment as apostolic exarch on January 27, 1966. Najmy was consecrated titular bishop of Augustopolis-in-Phrygia
Phrygia
In antiquity, Phrygia was a kingdom in the west central part of Anatolia, in what is now modern-day Turkey. The Phrygians initially lived in the southern Balkans; according to Herodotus, under the name of Bryges , changing it to Phruges after their final migration to Anatolia, via the...
by Archbishop Athanasios Toutoungi on May 29, 1966. The following month he was formally enthroned. He established his episcopal see at the Church of the Annunciation
Church of the Annunciation
The Church of the Annunciation , sometimes also referred to as the Basilica of the Annunciation is a church in Nazareth, in modern-day northern Israel.-History:...
in suburban Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, which became the cathedral
Cathedral
A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
for the newly-created Diocese of Newton.
Bishop Najmy was not serve as exarch for long. He died of a heart attack on June 11, 1968 and was succeeded by Joseph Tawil
Joseph Tawil
Archbishop Joseph Tawil was the Melkite Greek Catholic eparch for the United States, teacher and theologian...
. He is buried parish Cemetery of St. Basil the Great in Cumberland, Rhode Island
Cumberland, Rhode Island
Cumberland is a town in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States, incorporated in 1746. The population was 33,506 at the 2010 census.-History:...
.