August 14, 2011

THE DORMITION OF THE MOST HOLY MOTHER OF GODTHE DORMITION OF THE MOST HOLY MOTHER OF GODTHE DORMITION OF THE MOST HOLY MOTHER OF GODTHE DORMITION OF THE MOST HOLY MOTHER OF GOD

(August 15th)

TTTT he Lord who, on Sinai, gave the Fifth Commandment: “Honor thy father and thy mother”, showed by His own example how one must reverence one’s parents. Hanging in agony on the Cross, He remembered

His mother, and, indicating the Apostle John, said to her: ‘Woman, behold thy son!’, and to John: ‘Behold thy mother!’ And, with this concern for His mother, He breathed His last. John had a home on Sion in Jeru-salem, where he settled the Mother of God and left her to pass her remaining days on earth. By her prayers, her kindly advice, her meekness and patience, she was of immense help to her Son’s Apostles. She spent virtually the rest of her life in Jerusalem, often going round the places that reminded her of the great events and the great works associated with and performed by her Son. She especially visited Golgotha, Bethlehem and the Mount of Olives. Of her journeys farther afield, her visit to St. Ignatius the God-Bearer is recorded, as are those to St. Lazarus the Four-days-dead, Bishop of Cyprus, to the Holy Mountain, to which she gave her blessing, and her stay in Ephesus with John during a fierce persecution of Christians in Jerusalem. In old age, she often prayed to her Lord and God on the Mount of Olives, on the spot from which He ascended, to take her from this world. One day, the Archangel Gabriel ap-peared to her and revealed that she would enter into rest in three days’ time, and the angel gave her a palm-branch to be carried in her funeral procession. She returned home with great joy, with the heartfelt hope that she would see Christ’s Apostles once more in this life. The Lord fulfilled her desire and all the Apostles, brought by angels and clouds, gathered together at John’s house on Sion. It was with great joy that she saw the Holy Apostles, and she encour-aged, advised and upheld them, then peacefully gave her soul into God’s hands without the slightest physical pain or struggle. The Apostles took the coffin containing her body, from which an aromatic fragrance arose, and ac-companied by many Christians, took it to the Garden of Gethsemane, to the grave of SS. Joachim and Anna. By God’s providence, they were hidden from the wicked Jews by a cloud. A Jewish priest, Antony, touched the coffin with his hand, intending to overturn it, but at that moment an angel of God cut off both his hands. He cried out with the pain, begging the Apostles’ help, and was healed in confessing his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. (cont. on page 2)

FATHER GEORGE H. SHALHOUB

248-374-0591

August 14, 2011 Issue 284

�18100 Merriman Road � Livonia, Michigan 48152 � www.saintmarylivonia.com � Office: (734)-422-0010 �

Sunday Services

Confession: 8:30AM

Matins: 9:00AM

Divine Liturgy: 10:00AM

St. Mary’s Cultural

and Banquet Center

(734) 421-9220

Daily Confession by Appointment - Call the Church Office

“And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” Acts 11:26

The Antiochian Orthodox Basilica of St. Mary

Fr. George Shalhoub - Pastor Fr. Jim King - Director of Youth & Pastoral Outreach Programs Deacon Issa Rizkallah

313-690-2030 Deacon Dr. Dennis Bojrab Robert Harb - Parish Council Chairman Linda Lawson - Choir Director Stacey Badeen - Church Administrator Arwa Ansara, Andria Bojrab, Audrey King, - Co- Church School Superintendents Richard Shebib/Sami Azzouz - Ushers George Chalhoub - Young Adults- St. John Divine Dolly Matta - Ladies Society President Anthony Massad - Teen Soyo President Lina Nunu - Arabic School Keith Rowe - Cultural Center General Manager 734-421-9220

The Light of Christ

AL-NOUR

PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY:

THE ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX BASILICA OF ST. MARY

Page 2 The Antiochian Orthodox Basilica of St. Mary

THE EPISTLE

Make vows to the Lord thy God and perform them. In Judah God is known; His Name is great in Israel.

The Reading is from the First Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 3:9-17

BBBB rethren, we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and another man is building upon it. Let each man take care how he builds upon it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any one builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay or straw, each man’s work will become manifest; for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work which any man has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.

THE GOSPEL

The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew Chapter 14:22-34

AAAA t that time, Jesus made the Disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. And after He had dismissed the crowds, He went up on the

mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone, but the Disciples’ boat by this time was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. But when the Disciples saw Jesus walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately He spoke to them, saying, “Take heart, it is I; have no fear.” And Peter answered Him, “Lord, if it is Thee, bid me come to Thee on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out His hand and caught him, saying to him, “O man of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “Truly, Thou art the Son of God.” And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(continued from page 1)

It was left to the Apostle Thomas, who was delayed, again by God’s providence, to reveal a new and glorious mystery about the Holy Mother of God. He arrived on the third day, and desired to embrace the body of the Holy and Most Pure. When the Apostles opened her grave, he found only the winding-sheet—the body was not in the grave. That evening, she appeared to the Apostles, surrounded by a multitude of angels, and said to them: ‘Rejoice; I will be with you always!’ It is not known exactly how old the Mother of God was at the time of her falling-asleep, but the prevailing belief is that she had reached the age of sixty. The Prologue from Ochrid

The Antiochian Orthodox Basilica of St. Mary Page 3

PRAYER CORNER memorials

IIII am the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in Me shall never die.” (John 11:25) Sept. 11th - 1 year memorial in loving memory of Nicola Shaya offered by his wife Doris Shaya and family,

Thank You

“A Vigil Light is Burning” In Loving Devotion

Condolences

FFFF or The Health and Well Being Of:

IIII n Memory Of: Joseph Michael Mouaikel; George Abodeely;

Maxine Koury, Ken Biedron,

HOLY BREAD OF OBLATION

Sermon On-Line

If you missed Fr. George’s sermon last Sunday, you can now listen to him or you can see the full Liturgy at

www.saintmarylivonia.com click on multimedia and go to videos

Last few week’s sermons:

Sharing Your Gift With Others

By: Fr. Jim King

The Meaning of Mercy Why, Without Accepting God’s Mercy and Sharing with Others,

Life is Impossible

No One is Denied the Gift of God (Epistle of St. Paul 12:6-14)

Make Church Your Reality

By: Fr. Jim King

Who is Worthy of God’s Love? (Matthew 8:5-13)

HHHH oly Bread of Oblation is offered for the month of August in loving memory of Samir and Nadia Ansara by their children and grandchildren,

HHHH oly Bread of Oblation is offered for the month of

August in loving memory of Abdallah Harb by his wife, Wadad Harb,

HHHH oly Bread of Oblation is offered in loving memory of George Curis by his wife Millie Curis and family,

LLLL ord, you are the physician of our souls and body. We pray

You grant the following parishioners good health and blessings: Mona, Zain, Elias, Max, Jalil Ghannam, Samir Salah, Michel Ghareeb, Suheil Ajluni, Pat Kassab,

TTTT he clergy and parishioners at the Basilica of St. Mary extend their deepest sympathy to Rosette (Dr. Roger), David, Jr. (Suha), Fred (Judy), the grandchildren and the entire Gazale family on the passing of their beloved father/Sedo David Gazale, Sr. may his memory be eternal.

TTTT he clergy and parishioners at the

Basilica of St. Mary extent their deepest sympathy to Della (Ara) Topouzian and her daughter Aline on the passing of their beloved mother/grand-mother, Tina Melki. May her memory be eternal.

TTTT he clergy and parishioners at the

Basilica of St. Mary extend their deepest sympathy to Hanna, Evelyn, Hanan, Saliba, Issa and the entire Saba family on the passing of their beloved father, Abdullah Saba from Palestine. May his memory be eternal.

TTTT he following parishioners and friends of the Basilica of St.

Mary have given special donations to the Church in the past few weeks: $100-For the health and well being of Rozalin, Clara, Samer, John, Jim Leith and Zaid Fakhoury, $150-In loving memory of Tina Melki offered by friends,

From the Heart

Faith is a mover of mountains, and there’s

nothing that God cannot do, So start out today with faith in your heart and climb till

your dream comes true!

Lord, Thou hast been our

dwelling place in all

generations. Before the

mountains were brought

forth, or ever Thou hadst

formed the earth and the

world, from everlasting to

everlasting Thou art God.

Psalm 90:1-2

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR ST. MARY PARISHIONERS Aug. 15th - Dormition Monastery Sept. 10th - Altar Boy Training

Page 4 The Antiochian Orthodox Basilica of St. Mary

Week of August 14, 2011

Please visit our website for details about all the Basilica of St. Mary events and activities. www.saintmarylivonia.com

Our Antiochian Village campers pause for a picture with Fr. George and Fr. Jim before loading their buses bound for Western Pennsylvania. This year we had over 100 campers attending camp.

Altar Boy Training Reminder Please register by Sept 7th

Who : Boys ages 9yrs. and older

When : Saturday, Sept 10th (10:00am – 4:00pm)

Where: Church + Paradise Park

Cost : $25.00 (Includes : Training + Lunch + Paradise park 2.5 hr pass + 1 Gokart race)

Adults : volunteers are needed to help with transportation (Call if you are available to help drive (313) 544-0244.

We hope to see all of you there. Call to register today (313) 544-0244

The Antiochian Orthodox Basilica of St. Mary Page 5

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The Antiochian Orthodox Basilica of St. Mary FALL FEMME FASHFALL FEMME FASHFALL FEMME FASHFALL FEMME FASH

September 29, 2011September 29, 2011September 29, 2011September 29, 2011 St. Mary’s Cultural CenterSt. Mary’s Cultural CenterSt. Mary’s Cultural CenterSt. Mary’s Cultural Center

Social Hour Social Hour Social Hour Social Hour ---- 5:005:005:005:00----7:00pm7:00pm7:00pm7:00pm

Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner ---- 7:00pm7:00pm7:00pm7:00pm

Cost: $50.00 per personCost: $50.00 per personCost: $50.00 per personCost: $50.00 per person

For reservations, please contact :

Zena Ansara (248-417-4415) - zansara@twmi.rr.com

Sahar Qaqish (734-223-1575) - saharq734@gmail.com

Isabelle Sultani (248-310-1107) - izzygsul@gmail.com