George Garmo
Encyclopedia
Mar George Garmo (1921–1999) was the Archbishop
of the Chaldean Catholic
Archeparchy of Mosul (Mausiliensis Chaldaeorum) in Iraq
from September 14, 1980 until his death on September 9, 1999.
near Mosul, Iraq. George Garmo entered the Chaldean
Patriarchal Seminary
in 1934; in 1939 he left to Rome
to further his studies. While in Rome
, George Garmo was ordained a priest
on December 8, 1945. He received a Ph.D in Divinity
and a Masters Degree in Philosophy
from the Pontifical Urbaniana University
in Rome.
priests in Iraq. As Rev. Garmo was studying to receive a Ph.D in philosophy, he was requested by the Patriarchate to return to Iraq to minister to the growing Chaldean Patriarchal Seminary
, which at the time lacked an extensive Theology
and Philosophy department and staff. Rev. Garmo returned to Iraq
in the summer of 1947, where he would spearhead the new and improved Philosophy and Theological studies at Chaldean Patriarchal Seminary the following year. Following his first year as a teacher, in 1949 he was elevated to rector of the Seminary, in which capacity he served until September 1960. During his tenure as Seminary Rector, Garmo was assisted by Patriarch
Mar Raphael Bidawid
before his elevation to the Patriarchate.
appointed Garmo as pastor of Mother of God Parish
in Southfield, Michigan
. In 1964, while serving as pastor
of Mother of God Church
, Garmo began fundraising drives, with the help of the Parishioners and Parish council he was able to purchase a 9 acres (36,421.7 m²) plot of land in Southfield on Telegraph Road. After the completion of the church, he continued fundraising with the members of the Chaldean Iraqi American Association of Michigan (CIAAM) to raise funds to transfer ownership of 3 acres (12,140.6 m²) of the church's 9 acres (36,421.7 m²) property to the CIAAM to build a Chaldean social club, which would become Southfield Manor. Mother of God Cathedral
still stands on this property today. In 1964, Garmo was transferred back to Baghdad
to serve for two years before he returned to Southfield. On September 27, 1966, Garmo was again appointed Pastor of Mother of God Church and Jacob Yasso Associate Pastor.
Under Garmo's supervision as Pastor of Mother of God Church there were many significant milestones for the Parish and the Chaldean community. In July 1972, the community celebrated the groundbreaking of a newly built Mother of God Parish, as well as a social hall that was dedicated by Patriarch Mar Paul II Cheikho
on May 15, 1973. In September 1976, a convent
for the Chaldean Sisters was opened on the church's property. Also, while serving as Pastor for Mother of God Church on September 1977, Garmo received Sarhad Yawsip Jammo
as an Associate Pastor, who later be named the first bishop of the St. Peter the Apostle Diocese in the US. On April 25, 1979 Garmo began building a new and larger Mother of God Church adjacent to the still standing church which would be converted to the present church's rectory. The new church was completed and dedicated on September 13, 1980 by Patriarch Mar Paul II Cheiko.
.
Archbishop George Garmo was the Principal Co-Consecrator of:
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
of the Chaldean Catholic
Chaldean Catholic Church
The Chaldean Catholic Church , is an Eastern Syriac particular church of the Catholic Church, maintaining full communion with the Bishop of Rome and the rest of the Catholic Church...
Archeparchy of Mosul (Mausiliensis Chaldaeorum) in Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
from September 14, 1980 until his death on September 9, 1999.
Biography
He was born Georges Francis Garmo on December 8, 1921 in Tel KeppeTel Keppe
Tel Keppe , is one of the largest formerly Assyrian towns in Iraq. It is located in the Ninawa Governorate, less than 8 miles North East of Mosul in northern Iraq.-Etymology:...
near Mosul, Iraq. George Garmo entered the Chaldean
Chaldean Catholic Church
The Chaldean Catholic Church , is an Eastern Syriac particular church of the Catholic Church, maintaining full communion with the Bishop of Rome and the rest of the Catholic Church...
Patriarchal Seminary
Seminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
in 1934; in 1939 he left to Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
to further his studies. While in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, George Garmo was ordained a priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
on December 8, 1945. He received a Ph.D in Divinity
Divinity
Divinity and divine are broadly applied but loosely defined terms, used variously within different faiths and belief systems — and even by different individuals within a given faith — to refer to some transcendent or transcendental power or deity, or its attributes or manifestations in...
and a Masters Degree in Philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
from the Pontifical Urbaniana University
Pontifical Urbaniana University
The Pontifical Urbaniana University or Pontifical Urban University is a pontifical university under the authority of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.-History:...
in Rome.
Mission in Patriarchate Seminary In Iraq
During this time there was a scarcity of educated CatholicRoman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
priests in Iraq. As Rev. Garmo was studying to receive a Ph.D in philosophy, he was requested by the Patriarchate to return to Iraq to minister to the growing Chaldean Patriarchal Seminary
Seminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
, which at the time lacked an extensive Theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
and Philosophy department and staff. Rev. Garmo returned to Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
in the summer of 1947, where he would spearhead the new and improved Philosophy and Theological studies at Chaldean Patriarchal Seminary the following year. Following his first year as a teacher, in 1949 he was elevated to rector of the Seminary, in which capacity he served until September 1960. During his tenure as Seminary Rector, Garmo was assisted by Patriarch
Patriarch
Originally a patriarch was a man who exercised autocratic authority as a pater familias over an extended family. The system of such rule of families by senior males is called patriarchy. This is a Greek word, a compound of πατριά , "lineage, descent", esp...
Mar Raphael Bidawid
Raphael I Bidawid
Mar Raphael I Bidawid † was the patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church from 1989-2003. He was also a Syriac scholar.-Life:He was born on April 17, 1922 in northern Iraqi city of Mosul into an ethnic Assyrian family, and took his school and seminar training in Mosul...
before his elevation to the Patriarchate.
Mission In USA
Patriarch Mar Paul II CheikhoPaul II Cheikho
Mar Paul II Cheikho † was the patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church from 1958-1989.-Life:He was born on November 19, 1906 in Alqosh and was ordained a priest on February 16, 1930...
appointed Garmo as pastor of Mother of God Parish
Parish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
in Southfield, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. In 1964, while serving as pastor
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
of Mother of God Church
Church Body
A local church is a Christian religious organization that meets in a particular location. Many are formally organized, with constitutions and by-laws, maintain offices, are served by pastors or lay leaders, and, in nations where this is permissible, often seek seek non-profit corporate status...
, Garmo began fundraising drives, with the help of the Parishioners and Parish council he was able to purchase a 9 acres (36,421.7 m²) plot of land in Southfield on Telegraph Road. After the completion of the church, he continued fundraising with the members of the Chaldean Iraqi American Association of Michigan (CIAAM) to raise funds to transfer ownership of 3 acres (12,140.6 m²) of the church's 9 acres (36,421.7 m²) property to the CIAAM to build a Chaldean social club, which would become Southfield Manor. Mother of God Cathedral
Cathedral
A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
still stands on this property today. In 1964, Garmo was transferred back to Baghdad
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
to serve for two years before he returned to Southfield. On September 27, 1966, Garmo was again appointed Pastor of Mother of God Church and Jacob Yasso Associate Pastor.
Under Garmo's supervision as Pastor of Mother of God Church there were many significant milestones for the Parish and the Chaldean community. In July 1972, the community celebrated the groundbreaking of a newly built Mother of God Parish, as well as a social hall that was dedicated by Patriarch Mar Paul II Cheikho
Paul II Cheikho
Mar Paul II Cheikho † was the patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church from 1958-1989.-Life:He was born on November 19, 1906 in Alqosh and was ordained a priest on February 16, 1930...
on May 15, 1973. In September 1976, a convent
Convent
A convent is either a community of priests, religious brothers, religious sisters, or nuns, or the building used by the community, particularly in the Roman Catholic Church and in the Anglican Communion...
for the Chaldean Sisters was opened on the church's property. Also, while serving as Pastor for Mother of God Church on September 1977, Garmo received Sarhad Yawsip Jammo
Mar Sarhad Yawsip Jammo
Mar Sarhad Yawsip Hermiz Jammo is a prelate of the Chaldean Catholic Church who presides over the Eparchy of St. Peter The Apostle in the United States. He has been the bishop of this diocese since its inception on July 25, 2002. His bishopric currently sits at St. Peter's Chaldean Catholic...
as an Associate Pastor, who later be named the first bishop of the St. Peter the Apostle Diocese in the US. On April 25, 1979 Garmo began building a new and larger Mother of God Church adjacent to the still standing church which would be converted to the present church's rectory. The new church was completed and dedicated on September 13, 1980 by Patriarch Mar Paul II Cheiko.
Archbishop of Mosul
On September 14, 1980 Garmo was consecrated Archbishop of Mosul by the Chaldean Patriarch. He served as Archbishop of Mosul until September 9, 1999 when he died of cancerCancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
.
Episcopal lineage
Archbishop George Garmo was Co-Consecrated By:- Mar Raphaël I Bidawid †
- Bishop Abdul-Ahad Sana
Archbishop George Garmo was the Principal Co-Consecrator of:
- Archbishop Stéphane Katchou
- Bishop Ibrahim Namo Ibrahim
- Bishop Youssef Ibrahim Sarraf
- Archbishop Jibrail KassabArchbishop Jibrail KassabHis Excellency Archbishop Jibrail Kassab is a prelate of the Chaldean Catholic Church who presides over the Eparchy of Saint Thomas the Apostle of Sydney in Australia. He has been the bishop of this diocese since its inception on 21 October 2006. His bishopric currently sits as St. Thomas the...
External links
- Kaldu.org - Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle website
- Catholic Hierarchy.org