Clergy Information

Rev.
Fr. Samuel Haddad, pastor

Fr. Samuel was assigned as pastor of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in
Beckley, WV, on September 1^st, 2002, his first assignment as priest and pastor.  He was Ordained to the Holy Deaconate on August 16^th, 2002, and to the Holy Priesthood on August 17^th 2002.  On July 18^th, 2002, Fr. Samuel earned a Master of Arts in Applied Orthodox Theology from the University of Balamand/Antiochian House of Studies, the culmination of a number of years of study.  He is married to Kh.
Loretta Jett Haddad, who serves St. Nicholas Church as chanter and choir member and active in the work of the Antiochian Women (AOCWNA) regionally and in the parish.

History of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Beckley, WV

The History of

St. Nicholas

Antiochian Orthodox Church

Beckley, West Virginia

Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church of
Beckley , WV came about in response to the needs of many individuals who came to
Beckley to become part of the economy that was built around the local coal mines. Organized in 1943, with the late Metropolitan Antony Bashir of blessed memory presiding at the first meeting, the church grew quickly. A year later a lot for the church was purchased at the present site on South Heber Street. Despite the shortages generated by World War II, then still raging, the community began to build a church, first with the lower portion, which now serves as the Church Hall. After the War ended, the post-war boom led to economic improvement and by 1957 the second story, the church proper, was completed. The church was dedicated by Metropolitan Anthony, on June 23 of the same year. In 1965 the current rectory was purchased.

In October of 1967, Metropolitan Philip Saliba, who succeeded the late Metropolitan Antony in 1966, consecrated the church, placing into the Holy Table the relics of St. Sebastian the Martyr. Two years later, the mortgage was burned and in 1970 the church hail was remodeled.

During the intervening years the decline of the coal industry around the nation took its toll on
Beckley as well. The resulting economic short fall was felt by every one including the parish. Many young people left
West Virginia after completing their education. In some cases whole families, chose to move out of state rather than see their businesses dissolve in front of them. As a result the community slowly decreased in size. Since 1993 the community has begun to recover. St. Nicholas Church, the only Orthodox Church in
Beckley, has opened its arms to all who wish to embrace the faith of the apostles, who were “first called Christians in
Antioch .” (Acts 11:26 ).

Several pastors served the spiritual needs of the community in the intervening years. Chief among them were the founding pastor, Fr. Michael Hubak, Archimandrite Basil Kazan, and the late Very Reverend Economos Zacharia Nasr who was appointed pastor in 1970. He was followed by Frs. Thomas Galloway, Vladimir Demschuk, Paul Nemr, Archimandrite Denis Lajoie, and Reverend
Michael Tassos . On September 1, 2002 , the Reverend
Father Samuel Haddad was assigned as the current pastor.

Some Important Dates:

October 23, 1943 - The frist meeting with Metropolitan Anthony Bashir presiding

February 1944 - Lot purchased on Heber Street for $8500.

1948 - Church hall was completed (basement) at a cost of $37,500. Permanent priest being assigned by the Archdiocese.

1956 - Under the spiritual guidance of Father Michael Hoback, construction of the new church commenced.

March 1957 - Church completed at the cost of approximately $50,000.

June 23, 1957 - New church consecrated by His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony Bashir.

Early 1965 - Meeting room and office were donated by a parishioner and dedicated by His Eminence Anthony Bashir.

September 1965 - Brick house on 105 Lilly Street was purchased as a parish house at a cost of $21,000.

October 8, 1967 - His Eminence Metropolitan Philip Saliba blessed the 12 beautiful, newly installed stained glass windows. At this time the holy Altar table containing the Holy Relics of Saint Sebastian, an early martyr of the Church was consecrated.

August 31, 1969 - Final mortgage was burned in the church. This was the first time that the church was free of debt since 1956.

Spring, 1970 - The interior of the church was completely remodeled at a cost of $7,000.

Priests That Have Served St. Nicholas Church

Starting with the most recent:

·
Fr. Samuel Haddad

· Fr.
Michael Tassos

· Fr. Michael Clancy

· Fr. Dennis Lajoie

· Fr. Paul Nimmer

· Fr. Vladimir Demchuck

· Fr. Tom Galloway

· Fr. Zacharia Nasr

· Fr. Basil Sedaka

· Fr. John Corey

· Fr. Constantine Massoud

· Fr. Massabni

· Fr. Elias

· Fr. Athanasius Emert

· Fr. Basil Kazan

· Fr. John Sakab

· Fr. John Newcomb

· Fr. Michael Hobeck

· Fr. John Khourey

· Fr. Mahfooth

· Fr. Habib

St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

Patron of our Parish
Feast Day - December 6th

Troparion of St. Nicholas, in the Fourth Tone

Thy works of justice did reveal thee to thy community as a canon of faith, the likeness of humility and the teacher of abstinence, O father and great Bishop Nicholas. Wherefore by humility thou didst achieve exaltation, and by thy meekness wealth; intercede therefore with Christ that He will save our souls.

The Life of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker
The Prologue from Ochrid (4 vols.), by Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic, Lazarica Press,
Birmingham, England, 1985

The holy hierarch of Christ, Nicholas grew up in the
land of
Lycia. He was born in the town of
Patara and was given the name Nicholas, which means conqueror of nations. After his birth, while still in the baptismal font, he stood on his feet for three hours, supported by no one, by this rendering honour to the Holy Trinity, of Whom he later would show himself to be a great servitor and intercessor. Growing with the years, the youth grew also in knowledge, perfecting himself in the virtues, in which he was taught by his pious parents. When the time came to learn the divine Scriptures, St Nicholas, by the force and accuteness of his mind and the help of the Holy Spirit, in a little time attained much wisdom and successes in book-learning such as befits a good pilot of Christ's ship and a skillful shepherd of rational sheep. St Nicholas preserved true chastity, with a pure mind always contemplating on the Lord and assiduously visiting the temple of God, following the Psalmist, who said: I have chosen to be an outcast in the house of my God. An old man, if he shows youthful inclinations is a laughing-stock to everyone; on the other hand, if a youth has the disposition of an old man, he is esteemed by all with wonder. Inappropriate is youth in old age, but excellent and worthy of esteem is old age in youth.

St Nicholas accepted the priestly rank, through the laying on of hands by his uncle Bishop Nicholas of Patara. St Nicholas added labors to labors; keeping vigil and remaining in unceasing prayer and fasting, he, being mortal, strove to imitate the bodiless ones. Having obtained his parents' inheritance, St Nicholas distributed it to the needy. For he paid no attention to temporal riches. His hand was outstretched to the poor, on whom it poured alms richly, as a water-filled river abounds in streams. It is to this period of his life that the famous story of providing a dowry for the three daughters of a local man who had fallen on hard times belongs. The natural father was tempted to resort to the immoral earnings of his daughters for income, the true and priestly father, spirtiually aware, saved the situation as quietly as possible.

After his visit to
Palestine, St Nicholas came back to his fatherland. He came to the monastery founded by his uncle and called Holy Sion. He hoped to spend the remaining time of his life here without going out. But God showed him a different way. And so, once, the saint, standing at prayer, heard a voice from on high: "Nicholas, if you desire to be vouchsafed a crown from Me, go and struggle for the good of the world". Hearing this, St Nicholas was terrified and began to ponder over what this voice desired and required of him. And again he heard: "Nicholas, here is not the field in which you must bring forth the fruit I expect; but turn back and go into the world and let My name be glorified in you".

Then St Nicholas realized that the Lord needed him to go into the service of people for their salvation.

At that time the bishop of this city, John, the archbishop and foremost hierarch of the entire
land of
Lycia, died; and the bishops of
Lycia gathered to elect a successor. Those assembled devoted themselves to prayer and fasting. The oldest present received revelation of God's will. A man in an image of light told him to go to the doors of the Church during the night and observe who will enter before everyone else. 'This", he said, "is my choice; receive him with honor and install him as archbishop; the name of this man is Nicholas". Thus in meek demeanor and by virtue of the revealed name, Nicholas was recognized, received with joy and eventually persuaded to accept the Archepiscopal throne.

The holy hierarch lived out of the word of Scripture: "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father Who is in heaven". He was indeed "an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in love, in spirit, in faith and in purity". His clothing was simple, his food fasting fare - he ate once each day in the evenings. His door was open all day as he made himself available for the needs of the people. He ruled diligently and wisely, being in his person a father to orphans, a merciful giver to the poor, a comforter to the mourning, a helper to the wronged, indeed a great benefactor to all.

St Nicholas was also among the 318 fathers in the council of Nicea in 325 AD, and in his zeal stood courageously against the teachings of Arius. Together with the holy fathers of the council he affirmed and taught all the dogmas of the Orthodox faith.

His miracles are known to all the ends of the earth. He fell asleep in the Lord on December 6th, 343 AD. May the Triune God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be glorified in him and may his holy name be extolled by the lips of all unto the ages. Amen

The Women of the Holy Myrrh Bearers

St. Nicholas Orthodox Church

Beckley, WV

Women of the

Holy Myrrh Bearers 

The long-standing organization of our parish, the Women’s Auxiliary, was revised under the enthusiastic leadership of
Fr. Samuel Haddad.  Fr. Samuel considers a vibrant women’s organization to reflect positively on the church as a whole.  An informal meeting was held in early 2003 in the parish house to discuss the re-development of the women’s organization. 

The first meeting was held on March 16, 2003, in the church hall during coffee hour.  Fr. Samuel, who led the meeting, opened with a prayer.  Several issues were discussed and decided upon.  A leadership election was held.  It was decided that the women would meet on the third Sunday each month.  Finances were also discussed. 

On March 23, 2003, Fr. Samuel announced the name chosen by Bishop Demetri for the women’s organization as “Women of the Holy Myrrh Bearers.”  After the Divine Liturgy, the organization was formally inaugurated, and each woman was presented an icon lapel pin with the Women of the Holy Myrrh Bearers on it. 

The main aim and purpose of our organization is to conduct humanitarian endeavors, support on-going projects of the Antiochian Women, to provide community outreach ministry to help the less fortunate members of our society, and most importantly to help in the activities of our parish. 

A brief report on the humanitarian activities of the Women of the Holy Myrrh Bearers follows: 

v    In May 2003, we sent a check for $150 to the Treasurer of Midwest AOCWNA (Antiochian Orthodox Christian Women of North America) as our contribution to the Orphanage Fund (which helps the Orthodox orphanages, including one in
Guatemala).  On July 12^th we conducted a rummage, baked goods and hot dog sale in the church hall.  Everyone participated and the response was overwhelming.  The proceeds ($1,000) from the sale were earmarked as funds for various charitable projects, including a pledge of and additional $500 contribution to the Orphanage Fund.  In August, we sent school supplies for 150 children in the Romanian orphanage, through Reader Timothy.  Most of the supplies were donated.   

v    October was “Breast Cancer Awareness Month”.  Mammograms for five indigent women were arranged free of charge through the services of Appalachian Regional Hospital in
Summers 
County.   

v    A winter coat drive was conducted by the organization.  A good number of coats and jackets were collected and delivered to Helping Hands for distribution to the needy. 

v    As our Christmas project, we supported the “Operation Christmas Child” project of Samaritan’s Purse.  This operation is headed by Mr. Franklin Graham.  Shoe boxes, containing toys, school supplies, hygiene items, etc., for boys and girls around the world who are suffering as a result of war, natural disaster, poverty, illness or neglect, were prepared and delivered to the center in North Carolina. 

v    An amount of $100 was set aside as a discretionary fund for use by Father to buy food for needy persons who come to our church for help. 

v    This year’s Baklava sales were quite encouraging.  The women’s organization is donating $5,000 to the Capital/Building Fund.  We request the Parish Council earmark $3,874 for the Chairlift Project (to complete the fund raising goal).  The remainder of the monies contributed to this fund may be used according to the Parish Council’s discretion. 

We have a functioning organization in place now.  Hopefully, next year we will be able to accomplish even more.  We thank God for all the blessings He has bestowed upon us.  Sharing with others and bringing happiness to the needy is our aim. 

Anna Thomas, President
Women of the Holy Myrrh Bearers
St. Nicholas Orthodox Church - Beckley, WV