He was born on May 13, 1950, to a devout family from Jezzine, which was blessed with numerous religious vocations. 

A former student at the Christian Brothers School and at the St Anne seminary in Rayak, he graduated in Management from St Joseph University, and in theology and liturgy from the Pontifical University of the Holy Spirit in Kaslik (Lebanon). In 1976, he joined the Salvatorian Order and was ordained on August 4, 1979. 

Bishop Hajjar was director of studies at the St Sauveur seminary, assistant director of the Foyer de la Providence (social center) in Salhieh-Saïda (Lebanon), rector of the St Sauveur minor seminary and assistant of the Basilian Salvatorian Order. During the war, he fulfilled numerous religious and pastoral missions at several parishes in the stricken areas. 

He was the director of “Foyer de la Providence” since 1989, before accepting to serve as assistant pastor at Sts Peter & Paul’s parish in Ottawa. He arrived in Canada in December 1995.

His election as Eparch of the Greek Melkite Catholics in Canada was confirmed by His Holiness Pope John-Paul II. He was consecrated a bishop on August 6, 1998.

He won the affection and esteem of all those who got to know him, because of his pastoral zeal, his generosity, his wisdom and his tireless efforts in uniting his diverse flock. He paid particular attention to the youth and to the preparation of the World Youth Day 2002 in Toronto.

MAY HIS MEMORY BE ETERNAL
(1950 - 2002)
Article from the TorontoStar Newspaper