Today in Wheeling History: April 24--Father Wladimier Akiki, who later served as pastor of Our Lady of Lebanon Church in Wheeling from 1974 to 1977, was ordained a priest in Lebanon (1949).
Born on May 3, 1911, in Boston to Stephen and Takle Sakri Akiki, Wladimier Akiki returned to Lebanon with his family in 1921. There, he enrolled in the Oriental Seminary to begin his religious education. As a deacon, he served as a missionary assistant throughout North and Southern Syria, including Damascus, where he ministered to Muslim villages.
Missing his homeland, Akiki returned to the United States in 1937, joining the faculty at the University of Detroit. He briefly ventured into publishing with an Arabic newspaper called "Al-Ittahad." When this business failed, he returned to Lebanon in 1939, where he taught at Deir Chir Seminary while furthering his theological studies. His dedication culminated in his ordination as a priest on April 24, 1949.
Following his ordination, Father Akiki served numerous parishes in Lebanon, including Zabbougha, Baktoota, Biskinta, and Ain Aboo, before becoming the spiritual director at the convent of Antoora. At the request of Archbishop William O'Brady of St. Paul, he was assigned to St. Maron's in Minnesota, where he served as pastor from 1959 to 1968. He later ministered at St. George's in San Antonio, Texas, and St. George's in Dover, New Hampshire.
Father Wladimier Akiki served Our Lady of Lebanon Church in Wheeling, West Virginia, from October 1974 to July 1977, before retiring to his home village in Lebanon. His life represents the dedication of Maronite priests who served Lebanese immigrant communities across America, preserving their religious and cultural heritage.
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://tinyurl.com/26zhxfnv), Our Lady of Lebanon Church (https://tinyurl.com/5n9a5d8m), Wheeling Intelligencer/Wheeling News-Register (https://tinyurl.com/4haswtna)
Photo caption and credit: Our Lady of Lebanon Church at 2216 Eoff Street in Wheeling (Google Maps)
Born on May 3, 1911, in Boston to Stephen and Takle Sakri Akiki, Wladimier Akiki returned to Lebanon with his family in 1921. There, he enrolled in the Oriental Seminary to begin his religious education. As a deacon, he served as a missionary assistant throughout North and Southern Syria, including Damascus, where he ministered to Muslim villages.
Missing his homeland, Akiki returned to the United States in 1937, joining the faculty at the University of Detroit. He briefly ventured into publishing with an Arabic newspaper called "Al-Ittahad." When this business failed, he returned to Lebanon in 1939, where he taught at Deir Chir Seminary while furthering his theological studies. His dedication culminated in his ordination as a priest on April 24, 1949.
Following his ordination, Father Akiki served numerous parishes in Lebanon, including Zabbougha, Baktoota, Biskinta, and Ain Aboo, before becoming the spiritual director at the convent of Antoora. At the request of Archbishop William O'Brady of St. Paul, he was assigned to St. Maron's in Minnesota, where he served as pastor from 1959 to 1968. He later ministered at St. George's in San Antonio, Texas, and St. George's in Dover, New Hampshire.
Father Wladimier Akiki served Our Lady of Lebanon Church in Wheeling, West Virginia, from October 1974 to July 1977, before retiring to his home village in Lebanon. His life represents the dedication of Maronite priests who served Lebanese immigrant communities across America, preserving their religious and cultural heritage.
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://tinyurl.com/26zhxfnv), Our Lady of Lebanon Church (https://tinyurl.com/5n9a5d8m), Wheeling Intelligencer/Wheeling News-Register (https://tinyurl.com/4haswtna)
Photo caption and credit: Our Lady of Lebanon Church at 2216 Eoff Street in Wheeling (Google Maps)
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