LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Very Reverend Father Michael Elli-
as upon the occasion of his 25th Anniversary to be celebrated on June
26, 2011

WHEREAS, The character and richness of religious and community life in
this noble Empire State is nourished and fulfilled through the faithful
concern and selfless devotion of those who would commit their energies
and purpose to the ministry of others; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to bring full recog-
nition and just tribute to those individuals who distinguish themselves
and the ministry through their unremitting commitment and preeminence of
service; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend the Very
Reverend Father Michael Ellias upon the occasion of his 25th Anniversary
to be celebrated on Sunday, June 26, 2011 at Bayard's in New York, New
York; and
WHEREAS, Son of Lucille and the late Joseph W. Ellias, Father Michael
Ellias graduated with honors from Valley High School in 1974, as a
member of the National Honor Society; and
WHEREAS, Father Michael Ellias studied Greek and Latin at Dickinson
College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and graduated magna cum laude with
departmental honors in 1978; he also accepted induction into Phi Beta
Kappa; he began a University Fellowship to study Patristics at The
Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where he received
his Master of Arts degree in 1981; and
WHEREAS, After working briefly as a consultant in the private sector
and as a computer systems analyst for the federal government, Father
Michael Ellias enrolled at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary
in Crestwood, New York, and graduated, cum laude, with a Master of
Divinity degree in 1985; he then worked as the seminary's informal
director of institutional advancement and secured the initial funding
for a permanent office, director and staff; and
WHEREAS, Father Michael Ellias married Laila M. Dalack in March 1985;
shortly after their marriage, His Grace Bishop ANTOUN ordained him to
the holy deaconate at his home parish of St. George Church in New Kens-
ington, Pennsylvania; Metropolitan PHILIP ordained him to the holy
priesthood at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Brooklyn, New York on Holy
Pascha, May 1, 1986; and
WHEREAS, In June 1986, the Metropolitan Archbishop assigned Father
Michael Ellias as the pastor of St. Elias Church in Sylvania, Ohio, and
subsequently appointed him spiritual advisor of SOYO, later the Fellow-
ship of St. John the Divine, for the Midwest Region, the largest region
of the archdiocese; and
WHEREAS, Father Michael Ellias was later transferred to St. George
Church of Boston, Massachusetts, the largest church of the Antiochian
Archdiocese; there he also served as the spiritual advisor for the Order
of St. Ignatius of Antioch in the New England Region and as the spiritu-
al director for the Antiochian students at, and as Antiochian liaison
to, Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Massachu-
setts; and
WHEREAS, In August 2002, Father Michael Ellias was transferred to the
pastorate of St. Mary's Church in Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his parochial responsibilities, Father Michael
Ellias is the Secretary of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese
of North America; he chairs the Archdiocese Department of Clergy Insur-
ance and Retirement and co-chairs the Department of Convention and
Conference Planning; and

WHEREAS, Father Michael Ellias also serves on the Boards of Trustees
of Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in
Brookline, Massachusetts, and of International Orthodox Christian Chari-
ties, the official charitable agency of the Standing Conference of
Orthodox Bishops in America; and
WHEREAS, Father Michael Ellias has brought to his ministry an over-
whelming spirit of charity and compassion, acting from vision and
enlightenment in conducting his administrative and spiritual duties,
while always displaying the highest standards of personal and profes-
sional integrity and dedication; and
WHEREAS, This distinguished man of God has always given enlightenment,
guidance and wisdom to the many entrusted to his care and has adminis-
tered abundantly and unstintingly to the spiritual and corporal needs of
all; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, and their two chil-
dren, Matthew and Marie, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his
life and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when a person
of such noble aims and accomplishments is brought to our attention it is
appropriate to publicly and jubilantly proclaim and commend that indi-
vidual for the edification of others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Very Reverend Father Michael Ellias upon the occasion of his
25th Anniversary to be celebrated on June 26, 2011, noting his unremit-
ting and compassionate faith and his exemplary service to God, man, and
his community, and extending to him the heartfelt best wishes of this
Legislative Body for a future of purposeful success and well-being; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Very Reverend Father Michael Ellias.