www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Anthony Aneed

Incognitus,

This query strikes me as something that either you or Charles Bramson may be best able to answer.

In 1934, Sophronios Bishara, Archbishop of the Syrian Orthodox Mission of the North American Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church (and Archbishop of THEOCACNA) consecrated sub conditione an Anthony (or Antoine) Joseph Aneed, identified as a Melkite Patriarchal Exarch. In 1946, Aneed was enthroned as "Patriarch" Antonius Joseph I of some "Byzantine Catholic" church and held that and various other "hierarchical" posts from then until his death in 1970. His name appears in the "Apostolic Succession" claimed by episcopi vagante of various independent "Catholic" and "Orthodox" churches throughout the quarter-century in between, as the "Greek Melchite" lineage.

Am I correct in presuming that this is the same person as Exarch Anthony J. Aneed, an early (1915-1921) pastor of St. George's (Melkite) in Milwaukee (WI) and, subsequently, founding pastor (1929) of St. Ann's (Melkite) in New London (CT) (from which he departed in 1934)? (And, if so, where was he between departing St. George's in 1921, supposedly to go to Connecticut, and founding St. Ann's in 1929 ?)

Many years,

Neil

Good Grief! I never met nor spoke with nor was in contact with Anthony Aneed personally; probably some older clergy of the Eparchy of Newton could tell you more than I know. But what little I have, I will give. The best source I'm aware of is Peter Anson's *Bishops at Large*; check Anthony Aneed in the index (he's there, I assure you). He claimed to have been consecrated by Archbishop Agapios Riashi - a relative of Aneeds and a Greek-Catholic hierarch from the Middle East who visited Aneed for a time. However, Aneed only began to assert this claim after Kyr Agapios Riashi was dead, so I wouldn't necessarily believe it. I have the impression that Aneed moved to California, and was associated with any number of the vagantes over the ensuing decades. Since one of the characteristics of the vagantes is endlessly "reconsecrating" each other, it is just possible that the consecration you mention could have some vaguely factual basis, but again I would doubt it. I would also doubt that he had any real parishes. Sorry not to be more helpful.

Incognitus

Incognitus,

LOL, I wasn't suggesting that you had. It was only that you obviously have an excellent grasp of obscure historical detail (e.g., our earlier discussion on Ofeish, THEOCACNA, and the Living Church).

I've known of Aneed, his claim of episcopal consecration, and his vagante connections for a long time, but (for some unknown reason) never really pursued any info on him, despite my interest in that topic. A couple nights ago, in reading something on our Milwaukee parish's website, I chanced on the fact that he was an early pastor there (they style him "Exarch" in quoting from his book on EC and the Milwaukee parish - I presume it to have been an ad honorem grant of the title, as with Elias Skaff, and John and William Haddad, all of blessed memory, among others). I started looking further and found the New London connection. Then, I got lazy and decided that you or Charles Bramson might be ready sources of data.

Thanks for the info on Kyr Agapios Riashi; the on-line info I found had indicated Aneed's claim of episcopal consecration was through Kyr Athanasios Sawoya (Beyrouth & Gebeil). I'll check Anson's book, as you suggested.

Many years,

Neil

Dear Neil,
If Aneed held the title of Exarch at all (which I don't know), it could only have been honorific, as with those whom you mention. Do they still drink Schlitz in Milwaukeee?
Incognitus

Incognitus,

I had to do a web search to see if it was even still made; I haven't seen it in years (and have never been to Milwaukee). Actually, they closed in 1999 - and, despite Pabst, Miller, and Schlitz, among others who called Milwaukee home -

"In only one year in Milwaukee history - 1889 - was brewing the major industry here."

A History of Milwaukee and Wisconsin Breweries [chiptin.com]

Many years,

Neil

Neil - you're making me sad - I've not been to Milwaukee in many years, but my pleasant memories of that town include some good beer.
Was thinking of you just last night - some friends and I, including the local O'Neil, had a sinfully delicious dinner and since we all share an interest in the Eastern Churches that was the general topic of most of the conversation. No beer, though, just wine and other legal beverages.
Incognitus

Am very interested in Father Aneed. Working on a history that includes his pastorate. Would love to get any and all information on him.

Off topic--what ever happened to Incognitus??

I wouldn't be surprised if he is still among us, albeit being so incognito that you will never know it is him!

Paul,

I can't write any detail at present (exhausted - just back from driving 16 hrs straight) and won't be online tonight. However, I will be in touch either Wed or Thurs with some info and some suggestions as to other possible sources.

And, by the way, welcome to the Forum. Always pleased to have another Melkite among us.

Many years,

Neil

Paul,

Here's what I can come up with on Father Aneed on a quick search of my materials:

1879 - Born 2/27 in Beirut
1908 - Secretary to Archbishop Athanasios Sawoya
1909 - Ordained priest 6/11 at Monastery of St George (? Salvatorian) by Abp Sawoya
1910 - Exarch of the Archeparchy of Beyrouth & Gebeil by Abp Sawoya
1911 - NY, serving in NYC (St George ?) & Brooklyn (Virgin Mary ?)
1911 - Abp Sawoya visits NY - Ordains him as 'Asst Bishop'
1915 - Milwaukee, pastoring St George's and during his tenure there writes a history of the Melkites in the US to that time.
1918 - Abp Messmer (? sp) of Milwaukee grants him authority to use title of Exarch
1921 - leaves for New London, CT - arrives there that year according to some sources, but according to others, ...
1929 - St Ann's history reports his arrival
1934 - Reportedly, departs for CA
1934 - ordained sub conditione (to the episcopacy or the presbyterate?) in NYC by Abp Sophronios Bashra of the Syrian Russian mission

thereafter, he serves (the Syrian Russian mission) in NY until 1942
1942 - goes to SF
1944 - founds his own church - The Byzantine Orthodox Catholic Church (I believe that was the original phrasing)

1970 - dies leaving a wife, Helen - not sure when or where he married - but believe in CA, as I think that was his base from the mid-40s until his death.

Now, much of the above is Aneed's version of events. There are different versions of who named him Exarch (and I don't doubt that someone did, albeit as a ecclesiastic dignity, not as an episcopal ordination) - Abp Sawoya or Abp Agapios Riashi. I've also seen claims that had the title bestowed in Beirut and others that had it bestowed in NYC (which would match up to the 'Asst Bishop' claim).

I suspect that Bishops John or Nick could provide some details on him. Bishop John (I believe) may have actually met him; Bishop Nick has undoubtedly researched him in his work on the history of the Melkites in America.

If you haven't happened to look at the Clergy Necrology on the eparchial calendar, please do - you'll find Exarch Anthony Joseph Aneed recorded on it - 3 days ago - August 24, May his memory be eternal. (Let it never be said that the Melkites do not remember their deceased clergy, no matter how far afield they've gone.)

See: Biographical Sketch of Anthony Joseph Aneed [thedegree.org] - composed by Bertil Persson, a historian of sorts of the various 'Independent' Catholic & Orthodox Movements. And, if you can get your hands on a copy of Bishops at Large by Peter Anson, there's info there as well. Anson's book, long out-of-print, has recently been reprinted (as it's out of copyright, I presume) and can be had rather inexpensively through Amazon and elsewhere.

If I can answer anything more, I'd be happy to do so, as you've been of help to me on several occasions in the past with regard to issues on the eparchial website.

Many years,

Neil