Death of Archbishop Joseph Raya.

Combermere, ON--A giant of the Byzantine Catholic rite and pioneer priest of Madonna House died June 10, 2005. Archbishop Joseph Raya was 88. The Melkite archbishop introduced thousands of Western Christians to the song, theology, and worship of the Christian East.

Born in Zahle, Lebanon, on August 15, 1916, Archbishop Raya was fond of recalling how Christian joy animated his life even while in the womb. He was ordained in 1941 and was sent to the United States in 1948. At his Birmingham, Alabama, parish, Father Raya defied public opinion and brought African-Americans into his church. He was twice beaten badly by the Klu Klux Klan.

In the 1960s he joined the civil rights movement, and was a friend of Martin Luther King Sr. and Jr., marching at the latter's side on several occasions.

In 1967 Father Raya was elected the new Archbishop of Akko, Haifa, Nazareth, and all Galilee. He was known for making bold steps to promote peace and justice. In August 1972, the Archbishop led 24,000 Arabs and Jews in the historic Peace March to the Knesset, demanding justice for villagers who had lost their homes and property. His vision of Arab and Israeli co-existence inspired some young people to establish houses of friendship in Israel.

Upon his return to North America, Archbishop Raya set up residence at Madonna House, Combermere, Ontario, where he wrote numerous articles for theological periodicals, composed music in the Greek and Arab traditions, and wrote poetry and books inspired by Byzantine spirituality. Despite a heart condition, he returned to war-torn Lebanon in 1985 to look after Christians whose lives were shattered by war, poverty, and hatred. To convince Christians to stay in the beleaguered land, he began planting thousands of trees and vineyards. The area was a crossroads for terrorists, and he survived three assassination attempts.

He returned to Combermere in 1990. The Divine Liturgy, which he celebrated every second Sunday, was the expression of his whole faith. In 2005 he was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.