Father Julien Eliane

Father Julien Eliane, age 93, Pastor Emeritus of Saint Basil’s Melkite Catholic Church, Utica, New York, passed away very peacefully at Saint Joseph’s Nursing Home on Tuesday evening, February 8, 2011. Christened Alfred Eliane, he was born in Aleppo, Syria on October 1, 1917, the only son of Abdullah and Julia (Chaccal) Eliane. When he was only four years of age, Alfred enrolled in a school taught by Franciscan Nuns. From six to eleven years old, he attended a Greek Catholic School in his home city. After returning home with his father after a six month tour of South America, he entered Saint Anne’s Minor and Major Seminary in Jerusalem at twelve years of age and continued his studies and training for the next twelve years, mastering theology, history, and languages (Arabic, French, Greek, Latin, English, and some Hebrew). On July 20, 1943, at his priestly ordination at the hands of the late Most Reverend George Hakim, Bishop of Aleppo who later became Patriarch Maximos V of Antioch, he took the name Julien, in honor of his mother Julia and an aunt, Sister Julienne, a Nun of the Order of the Immaculate Conception, both of whom were instrumental in shaping his life. Father Julien returned to Aleppo to teach in the Melkite Catholic Schools and to preach in various churches in and around the city. He had come to know most Christian families in Aleppo, was a leader of the youth, and preached in various Churches. On Christmas Eve 1947, Father Julien arrived in Utica, the third Pastor of Saint Basil’s Melkite Church then on Third Avenue and Lansing Street. Father organized the Church Choir and had what he called the “great plan” – an absorbing determination that a “New Church” for his people would come into being. In June 1952, the present land site at the crossroads of Armory Drive, Sherman Drive, and Madison Avenue was purchased, and in November of 1953, the ceremony of the laying of the cornerstone took place. Leading his parishioners with an “indomitable spirit”, Father Julien industriously pushed forward. Within seven years after his arrival, this “great plan” became a reality. A beautiful edifice, the “new” Saint Basil’s, was dedicated in February of 1955 and within five years a mortgage-burning ceremony took place. In November of 1961, the Rectory was completed and dedicated. Numerous clubs and organizations have thrived at Saint Basil’s under Father Eliane’s tutelage: The Women’s Club, Saint Theresa’s Society, the Holy Name Society, Allepian Brotherhood, and the Sodality of Mary have all made their marks on the community. Father Julien’s speaking engagements on the subject of Eastern Catholics, in the spirit of Ecumenism, were made very popular with religious and civic organizations and have endeared him to the heart of our Sister Churches. Father Julien also taught French at Notre Dame High School for a short time. In 1968, he was elevated to the rank of Right Reverend Archimandrite (Monsignor) (A title that he never used, “I am Father Julien”) by the very same Bishop who ordained him, the late Patriarch Maximos V Hakim. Father Julien dedicated his entire Priesthood to Saint Basil’s Church, and his motto was always “In God I Trust”. Father Julien is survived by a nephew, Phillippe and Laura Subey and their children Marcel and Martine, of Gardiner, NY; an aunt, Antoinette Khayat, and cousins, Josette and Vincent Cuccia, all of Brooklyn; cousins Therese Artus of Queens, Henri Cassis of Manhattan, Laurice Maloof of Poughkeepsie, Maggy Tager, Cesar Eliane, Dr. Edouard Eliane, Janine Eliane, as well as their families, all of Lebanon, and Richard and Laurice Eliane of Canada. Father is predeceased by his sisters and their husbands, Victoire and Marcel Subey, Vanda and Joseph Cernius. Heartfelt appreciation is offered for the care and dedication of the following professionals who assisted Father during his illness: his team of physicians throughout the years, the Carmelite Sisters, and the entire staff of the St. Joseph’s Nursing Home who embraced his needs with compassion and dignity. The many acts of kindness and prayers from area clergy, parishioner, friends, and the Utica community are greatly appreciated and will be remembered. Visitors may pay their respects on Sunday, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Saint Basil’s Melkite Catholic Church on Madison Ave. Services for a deceased Priest will be held at 5:00 upon the conclusion of visitation. His Devine Liturgy will be celebrated on Monday at 11:00 with the funeral service for a deceased priest commencing at 12:00 Noon with the Most Reverend Archbishop Cyril Bustros, Eparch of Newton and Most Reverend Nicholas Samra, retired Auxiliary Bishop of Newton, officiating. Acts of sympathy in the form of a remembrance may be made to the St. Basil’s Melkite Catholic Church; envelopes will be available at the service. Entombment will take place in Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum.

Father Julien Eliane

October 1, 1917 - February 8, 2011