Eulogy for the V. Rev. Fr. George Shaheen
By: Fr. George Shalhoub
Saturday, February 17, 2007
St. George Cathedral
You Are A Priest Forever
Your Grace, beloved community of St. George Cathedral, Reverend
Fathers,
We are gathered the day before forgiveness Sunday to bid farewell to
a great husband, a compassionate dad, a humble priest and a much loved
brother and Jiddo. As we just heard in this morning;s Gospel, Jesus
commanded us to pray in simple words; fast in simple fashion and keep a
treasure of simplicity. Today, we are asked to remember the simple thing in
the midst of the magnitude of what a priest is.
Who is Fr. Shaheen? He was called and chosen from his mother’s
womb to be a servant. He did not aspire for a job. He was called by Grace,
as his father before him and his brother, the late Archbishop MICHAEL. His
sons and daughter also responded and said, “Here we are Lord. Send us.”
Dwell on the simple thing. It is so befitting to raise up today what Fr.
Shaheen raised up for almost half a century on behalf of his people; the Holy
Korban (Bread of Oblation). This morning we offer, on his behalf and
proclaim, “Holy things are for the Holy.”
I do recall, with vividness, how the Shaheen family was living when I
came to Toledo, Ohio in the first part of 1971. There were infants and
toddlers living almost exclusively in the home of his late brother, the
Archbishop. The house was full of life and energy. They were like other
kids, but more. They were taught to love and to respect. Look at them now.
They are men and women who walk with dignity and honor for the simple
thing.
Beloved, what makes a priest a shepherd? Not his books, yet they are
needed; not his degrees, yet they are of benefit; not his eloquence, even if
recommended. What makes a priest a shepherd is his attitude; “Let this mind
be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:5) to walk, not
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behind his people, but to carry his people around his shoulders and heart to
lead them beside still waters; to be a model of holiness that speaks with his
heart and not only his mouth. A shepherd responds to God’s invitation, not
in boastfulness, but in humility. He sets out his feet to climb the mountain of
the Lord. The simple thing.
Fr. George and Marguerite were the closest of friends, inseparable for
almost 50 years in all their ways. He not only loved his wife, he honored her.
Therefore, their children rose and called her blessed.
“How beautiful upon the mountain are the feet of Him who bring
good tidings and peace.” (Isaiah 52:7) A good shepherd lays his life for his
people in the language he can communicate to them. He knows his sheep
and his sheep know him. He is not a stranger. Therefore, a shepherd is called
to speak many languages perfectly.
In addition to Greek, Arabic and English, Fr. George spoke the
language of prayer. A shepherd always prays like a tax collector and not like
the Pharisees. He prays for you and you don’t even know it.
He speaks the language of patient and kindness.
He speaks the language of forgiveness.
He speaks the language of love and suffering.
You could not make Fr. George angry. There was no resentment in his
heart. He was secure with God. He spoke the language of love, yet Fr.
George was far from being a perfect priest. This is what makes an Orthodox
priest a shepherd, not only quoting Scripture, but living the Scripture. And in
this, lies the total experience of our Holy Church.
Fr. George was a learned man. He had a good measure of intellectual
capacity and a scholarly gift, but he also knew that unless good virtues are
translated; walking with the poor, healing the brokenhearted, cheering the
grieving person, igniting the light in a darkened soul or seeking the lost, you
are not be able to say, “For this my son was dead and is alive again, he was
lost and is found.” (Luke 15:24)
Fr. George was among the first pioneers of missionary priests of
Arab-American descent to go to Holy Cross Seminary. His generation of
priests built this Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese. He was
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passionate about his priesthood. His love flew from the foundation of his
soul because he was convinced that, “God’s word was always a lamp to his
feet and always a light to his path.” (Psalm 119:105)
To Marguerite, Christine and Fr. John
Lorraine and John, Fr. Michael and Adma
Fr. Fred and Michelle and all your family
To the family of your late brother George, especially the most loving
sister anyone could wish for, Sadie,
and all the Shaheens,
We do recall and treasure the simple thing.
You are a priest forever……..
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