Antiochian Heritage Foundation
"You will be enriched in every way for great generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God" + 2 Cor. 9:11
What is the Antiochian Heritage Foundation and why was it created? It is a new approach to cultivate the tremendous talents which the faithful of this Archdiocese have. The dreams and visions are accomplished through the generosity and help of our philanthropists and humanitarians who believe in the growing need in our North American Archdiocese, in order to reaffirm their faith and rebuild their spiritual lives.
For donors, it is about leaving a legacy and ensuring that their gifts support the values and causes most important to them. These might also include the various projects for the Antiochian Village as well as the needs of the Archdiocese and its clergy. The aim here is to empower the Archdiocese and donors to fulfill their respective missions. A carefully structured, planned giving program reassures potential donors of the wisdom of their decisions.
The Antiochian Archdiocese, as the overseer of our people, tries to provide for all of our faithful the expected services needed for this and the next generation. A larger scale approach will help achieve the goals that will enrich our lives.
To accomplish this mission, Metropolitan Philip has chosen Economos Antony Gabriel as Chairman of this department. Click here to read His Eminence's letter of appointment.
Latest from the Department
Antiochian Heritage Foundation Launches Project in Naples, FL
Start Spreading the News — Exciting Project Is Launched in Naples
In Naples, Florida on February 17 and 18, the Department of Planning and Development met to continue discussions regarding the mission and goals of the Department. It was suggested and discussed that in order for us to adequately define whom we are, which is to save our history, the history of our Archdiocese, we would rename our organization. Thus, with the blessing of His Eminence PHILIP Saliba, we changed the name of the Department to the Antiochian Heritage Foundation. It was unanimously agreed that the name would best identify and describe us and what we are setting out to accomplish: to preserve our heritage.
Our Mission Statement is:
“The mission of Antiochian Heritage Foundation is to preserve the Antiochian heritage, which is to be passed on to future generations, by supporting our Hierarchs, Clergy, Churches and our programs, by encouraging the spiritual and financial commitment by the faithful.”
Our Goals are:
- Assist in the development and building of major and vital projects needed at the Antiochian Village
- Assist in securing a viable retirement fund for our Clergy.
- Assist in educating, motivating and inspiring our churches and their flock to develop programs and support existing programs which benefit and will benefit our Parishes and our Archdiocese.
Also, we intend to actively and immediately begin a search to contact the descendants/families of our deceased priests in order to honor them. Along with the Antiochian Orthodox Communities, we seek to achieve this aggressive, exciting effort which will ensure that their memories in this Archdiocese will never be forgotten. Please help us…
Preserving the Future of the Antiochian Archdiocese and the Legacy of Metropolitan Philip
The Archdiocese has another department?
How much does it cost?
What is it for?
What’s in it for me?
Even before these questions, maybe you asked, “Why do we need an Archdiocese? Our church is doing just fine on its own.” This is the very reason and purpose for this Department – to “re-energize” the Laity of our Archdiocese regarding the Hierarchal nature of our faith and its relevance to our future viability in this country.
V. Reverend Economos Antony Gabriel, Chair of the Department offers the following:
“What is so unique about the Antiochian Archdiocese is that it was established by the Laity. In 1885 St. Raphael came to the United States, consecrated in 1904 in Brooklyn, and then proceeded to establish 30 parishes. He died young as did other Bishops that succeeded him. Metropolitan Philip is the longest serving Bishop in the history of the Archdiocese. The legacy of this Archdiocese will be that we have embraced the spirit of going forward; standing still is death. We must continue to do everything in our power which comes from God to continue our forward progress not for our own glory or the glory of the Metropolitan, but for the glory of God and in honor of our founders who came to this country penniless. When Metropolitan Anthony died in 1966 the Archdiocese consisted of 66 parishes. Now we have 265 parishes. If the Church is not a missionary Church then it is dead. The ministry of the Laity is more important than that of the Priests. The Priests are confined to the parish, but the Laity has the whole world as its parish.”
On October 6, 2011 members of the Department of Planning and Development met with Metropolitan Philip at the Archdiocese to discuss the strategy behind the Department’s exciting plans to re-energize the visions and legacy of the Metropolitan Philip and our God-protected Archdiocese.