LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the Centennial Celebration of St.
Michael's Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church of Geneva, New York to be
celebrated July 2-5, 2015

WHEREAS, Religious institutions, and the many spiritual, social and
educational benefits they confer, play a vital role in the development
of the moral fabric of a responsible citizenry; and
WHEREAS, It is the tradition of this State and Nation to pay tribute
to those institutions and individuals who have contributed to the
ethical and spiritual values of their communities; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the Centennial Celebration of St. Michael's Antiochian Orthodox
Christian Church of Geneva, New York, to be celebrated on July 2-5,
2015; and
WHEREAS, The organization of St. Michael's Antiochian Orthodox Chris-
tian Church began in 1912 with the presence of and a blessing from Bish-
op (now Saint) Raphael Hawaweeny, and was officially incorporated under
the laws of New York State in 1915; this same year, the first church
building of the parish was constructed by the hands of her parishioners
and consecrated for worship of the Holy Trinity in the Orthodox Faith
under the omophorion of Metropolitan Archbishop Tikhon, soon to be the
Patriarch of Moscow and Protomartyr of the Communist Yoke; after the
Soviet government compromised the Holy Patriarchal see of Moscow, St.
Michael's came under the omophorion of the Patriarch of the ancient see
of Antioch, home of Sts. Peter and Paul, wherein the disciples were
first called Christians (Acts 11:26), and which was the ancient spiritu-
al home of the Syrian immigrant-founders of this parish; and
WHEREAS, In 1912, the first permanent pastor of St. Michael's Antioc-
hian Orthodox Christian Church was The Reverend Fr. Daniel A. George,
who came from Syria by way of Wilkes-Barre, in anticipation of the
consecration of the first church; in 1915, he formally became pastor
with the civil incorporation of St. Michael's as a parish; and
WHEREAS, For 43 years, the parishioners of St. Michael's Antiochian
Orthodox Christian Church worshipped at the Temple on Geneva Street,
which was built next to the Geneva Fire Station, and as the city grew,
its site was needed for expansion; accordingly, the city purchased the
building and lot for the Fire Department, which allowed the parish to
erect a more expansive and suitable space for worship; the last service
in its first Temple was celebrated on November 16, 1958, under the
pastoral direction of The Reverend Fr. Michael Buben; and
WHEREAS, In addition, St. Michael's Antiochian Orthodox Christian
Church owned a large house located at 98 Genesee Street, on the corner
of Genesee and Lafayette Streets, which was used as a rectory, class-
room, and meeting space; for a year, the congregation used this house
for celebration of the Divine Mysteries, until the beginning of
construction of a new Temple on that parcel; and
WHEREAS, Through the kindness and generosity of the Vestry of St.
Peter's Episcopal Church, St. Michael's Antiochian Orthodox Christian
Church was able to conduct its services in their parish hall during
construction; this arrangement continued for two years until the new
church was completed; and
WHEREAS, On November 26, 1961, Metropolitan Antony Bashir, on behalf
of the Patriarch of Antioch, consecrated and blessed St. Michael's
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church's new Temple, to the glory of
Almighty God, the Holy Trinity, and reaffirmed the heavenly patronage of
the parish by the great Archangel Michael; and

WHEREAS, From 1963 until 1995, The Very Reverend Fr. Gabriel White
served as Priest and Pastor of St. Michael's Parish, making his tenure
the longest of all of the clergy who have served this parish to the
present; and
WHEREAS, On October 5, 1980, Metropolitan Philip Saliba ordained the
first Deacon of St. Michael's Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church, John
Jabara, a man of immense character and love; he faithfully and selfless-
ly served as deacon for 10 years; and
WHEREAS, Today, St. Michael's Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church has
been under the luminous direction of Priest and Pastor, The Very Rever-
end Fr. Gregory-Lazarus Murphy, since 2002; sharing his ministry with
his wife, Khourieh Suzanne Murphy, who serves as parish choir director,
protopsaltis, diocesan director of Sacred Music, and officer of the
Antiochian Women on the National Board; and
WHEREAS, At present, St. Michael's Antiochian Orthodox Christian
Church stands humbly, prayerfully, meditatively, and joyfully; and
WHEREAS, St. Michael's Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church stands on
the threshold of tomorrow, by God's Grace, prepared to meet the chal-
lenges of the coming decades while retaining that spiritual resolve
which characterizes its past; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of
enduring religious institutions and to bring such institutions to the
attention of the people of this Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the Centennial Celebration of the St. Michael's Antiochian
Orthodox Christian Church of Geneva, New York to be celebrated on July
2-5, 2015; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Very Reverend Fr. Greaory-Lazarus Murphy and the Parish
Council of St. Michael's Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church, Geneva,
New York.