The title Archinamandrite was conferred on Father William F. Haddad, pastor of St. John’s Melkite Church, Atlanta, by Bishop Joseph A. Najmy, Apostolic Exarch for Melkites in the United States, during his recent visit to Atlanta.

The announcement was made by Bishop Najmy during the divine liturgical service, Sunday, April 16 honoring the bishop’s visit and the Silver Jubilee of Father Haddad. The title corresponds to Right Reverend Monsignor in the Roman Rite and gives Msgr. Haddad the special spiritual director, confessor, and advisor to priests of the Melkite Rite.

It was at the urgent request of the Melkite priests in this country and of Msgr. Haddad’s parishioners that the honor was bestowed. It came as a surprise to him and to the large congregation assembled for the liturgical service, said Msgr. Joseph Raya, Birmingham, Ala., who was present for the ceremonies. Msgr. Raya is Archinamandrite of Jerusalem and Dean of Melkites in the Southeast.

“It was with great enthusiasm and joy the people received the news,” said Msgr. Raya, “and Archbishop Hallinan accepted the announcement and expressed his approval and congratulations at the banquet following the ceremonies.” The appointment was first approved by Patriarch Maximos IV Saigh, Patriarch of Antioch, Alexandria, and Jerusalem, and a Cardinal of the Catholic Church.

Among many guest who attended the Silver Jubilee and welcomed Bishop Najmy to Atlanta were Msgr. Haddad’s former classmates from the new England area; Father Lucian Maloof, pastor of the Melkite Cathedral in Boston, Mass., Father Cyril Haddad, pastor of the Melkite Church in Chicago, Ill., and Msgr. Haddad’s relatives from Detroit, Mich.