Background
Samra, Nicholas James was born on August 15, 1944 in Paterson, New Jersey, United States. Son of George H. and Elizabeth L. (Balady) Samra.
Samra, Nicholas James was born on August 15, 1944 in Paterson, New Jersey, United States. Son of George H. and Elizabeth L. (Balady) Samra.
Bachelor, St. Anselm College, 1966. Bachelor's Degree, St. John Seminary, Brighton, Massachusetts, 1970.
On Friday, January 16, 2015, he was appointed by Pope Francis to serve also as Apostolic Administrator of the Melkite Greek Catholic Eparchy of Nuestra Señora del Paraíso in Mexico City, which has Mexico City as its headquarters. He will serve in the wake of the death of the former eparch there until a permanent successor can be named, while retaining his duties as Eparch of Newton, in the United States.
Early life and priesthood
Samra was born in Paterson, New Jersey to George H. Samra and Elizabeth Balady Samra. He was ordained a priest for the Eparchy of Newton on May 10, 1970 and served as a pastor in Melkite parishes in Los Angeles, Chicago and New Jersey.
Bishop Samra earned the Bachelor of Arts at Saint Anselm College, Goffstown, New Hampshire, and a Bachelor of Divinity from Saint John"s Seminary in Brighton, Massachusetts.
Episcopate
On April 21, 1989, Pope John Paul II appointed Samra Auxiliary Bishop of the Eparchy of Newton and Titular Bishop of Gerasa. Archbishop Joseph Tawil consecrated and installed him on July 6 of that year.
Samra served as Auxiliary Bishop and Protosyncellus until he retired on January 11, 2005 to devote himself to scholarly work. In June 2011, the Synod of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church nominated him as Eparch of Newton to succeed Archbishop Cyril Salim Bustros, and Pope Benedict XVI appointed him to the position on June 15, 2011.
He has also published a multi-volume history of the Melkite Church and a book on the legacy of Archbishop Joseph Tawil.
He is the past president of the Eastern Catholic Association of the United States. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Scholarly Work.
Chaplain Police Athletic League Supporters, North Hollywood, 1970. Vicar general, corporation vice president, and regional bishop of Midwest region Diocese of Newton. Member Ecumenical Commission, Los Angeles, 1974—1978.
Member of United States Conference Catholic Bishops, Christian Churches Together in the United States of America, Catholic Archives Association.