Similar Names, but That's Where Similarity Ends

Merchisedec Reyes

In last week's issue of the Niagara Falls Reporter, our police blotter had an item about Melchisedec Rodriguez, a man with an unusual first name.

Melchisedec was arrested and charged with second-degree criminal contempt, and, what's worse, pretending to be someone he was not, for criminal purposes, a charge called "false impersonation."

The publication of the arrest of 26-year-old, Melchisedec Rodriguez caused a problem for another man who has a similar first name, 36years old, Merchisedec Reyes of Niagara Falls.

While very few people seem to know Melchisedec Rodriguez, perhaps because he goes about impersonating other people, so he's hard to get to know, a lot of people know Merchisedec Reyes.

Merchisedec Reyes is disabled, is a frequent blood donor, a grandfather of seven, and, according to his wife, he donated one of his kidneys to save the life of a three-year-old girl.

As his wife said, Merchisedec Reyes "would give anyone the shirt off his back providing they are willing to help themselves."

Meantime, because the name is uncommon, people who know Merchisedec are expressing regret or confusion over the report that he got arrested.

Actually, the names of both men are derivations of Melchizedek, a priest and King of Salem, mentioned in the Book of Genesis, who brings out bread and wine and blesses Abram and El Elyon.

According to the Letter to the Hebrews, Jesus Christ is identified as a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.

Merchisedec Reyes, who once gave a kidney to save a child, contacted the Reporter to clarify and undo the confusion experienced by his friends, well wishers and neighbors.

He was not arrested but is alive and well and living in Niagara Falls, N.Y.