September 17, 2017

Exaltation (Elevation) of the Holy CrossExaltation (Elevation) of the Holy CrossExaltation (Elevation) of the Holy CrossExaltation (Elevation) of the Holy Cross September 14

TTTT his Feast is celebrated as one of the most important in the Church Year because it commemorates two events of great significance. After St. Helen had found at Jerusalem the cross upon which Christ was crucified, she built a church on Mount Calvary to hold the precious relic. The Christians held the Holy Cross in such regard that they soon began to celebrate this Feast in honor of the finding of the Cross. In the year 614, the Persians invaded the Empire and took Jerusalem, and sent the case containing the Cross back to their country. For fifteen years, the Greek emperor Heraclius waged war against the Persians, and finally in 629 defeated them, force them to make peace, and to restore the Holy Cross to him. It is said that the case containing the sacred relics was returned to him with the seals still unbroken. The Relics were replaced in the Church with great rejoicing, and to the original Feast in honor of the finding of the Cross was added another, in honor of its safe return to Jerusalem. A special feature of the Church Services on this day is the procession in which the Cross is borne aloft on a tray of flowers and placed in the midst of the Church; the Priest then elevates it to the four corners of the compass, blessing thrice with it as he does so, and praying that God will protect and preserve the President and the Civil Authorities of our Country and the Armed Forces, and guard and guide the Archbishop and clergy of the Church, and protect and preserve all His faithful people from every evil. The Gospel of St. John 19:6-35 is the story of the Crucifixion and it is read to remind the people that Christ suffered death upon the Cross for the salvation of all mankind, and that by His death He conquered Death and triumphed over all the world.

September 17, 2017 Issue 590

�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

Archdeacon Issa Rizkallah

313-690-2030

Deacon Dr. Dennis Bojrab Deacon Samer Hanna

Salim Sessine - Parish Council Chairman

Linda Lawson - Choir Director Stacey Badeen - Church Administrator Sonya Kassis - Parish Ministries

Coordinator Haitham Fakhouri - Communications

Richard Shebib/Sami Azzouz - Ushers

Dr. Tom Saba - Young Adults-

St. John Divine

Nancy Ghannam- Ladies Society

President Nicole Rumman & Natalie Samaan

Teen Soyo Co-Presidents

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

How magnified are Thy works, O Lord! In Wisdom hast Thou made them all.

Bless the Lord, O my soul!

The Reading is from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Galatians

Chapter 2:16-20

BBBB rethren, knowing that a person is not justified by the works of the Law, but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the Law: for by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified. But if, while we sought to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? God forbid! For if I build up again those things which I destroyed, I prove myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ lives in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself up for me.

THE GOSPEL

The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark

Chapter 8:34-9:1

TTTT he Lord said, “If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for My sake and the Gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” And He said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Kingdom of God come with power.”

The Antiochian Orthodox Basilica of St. Mary Page 3

Please visit www.saintmarylivonia.com for details about events and ac�vi�es happening

at the Basilica of Saint Mary. If you have any ques�ons regarding Youth and Outreach Events,

please contact Fr. Jim or Sonya Kassis at (734) 422-0010.

The Basilica of Saint Mary

……………………………………………….. Church School Begins!

The first day of church school is this week! Thanks to the dedica�on of volunteers in our parish, we have a

commi+ed, passionate group of teachers ready to serve the children and families of our community. Our

goal is to edify and enrich the soul of every child of God in our community through providing a loving, safe

atmosphere, and by helping them build up their faith by growing closer to God. While the teachers will be

there each week, your help is important as well. Parents, grandparents and rela�ves can provide a vital

support network as subs�tutes, teacher aides, and event helpers. To volunteer this school year, please

contact the Parish Ministries Coordinator.

A Student’s Prayer

Christ my Lord, the Giver of light and wisdom, who opened the eyes of the blind man and transformed the fisherman into wise heralds and teachers of the Gospel through the coming of the Holy Spirit, shine also in my mind the light of the grace of the Holy Spirit. Grant me discernment, understanding and wisdom in learning. Enable me to complete my assignments and to abound in every good work, for to You I give honor and glory. Amen

WE NEED YOUR INPUT!

Please visit our website at www.stmarylivonia.com and

click the link on the homepage to take a brief survey

about church school. Your input is valuable as we plan for

the future of our church school program. Thank you!

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

September 17: First Day of Church School and Procession with the Holy Cross

September 29: Ladies Society Fashion Show

October 6: First SOYO mee�ng/event

October 8: SOYO Officer Installa�on

October 15: Thanksgiving Canned Food Drive Begins-Compe��on between the classes

October 29: Annual Trunk-N-Treat

Page 4 The Antiochian Orthodox Basilica of St. Mary

PRAYER CORNER memorials

IIII am the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in Me shall never die.” (John 11:25)

Sept. 17th - 40 day memorial in loving memory of Sami Oudeh offered by the family,

Thank You

“A Vigil Light is Burning” In Loving Devotion

FFFF or The Health and Well Being Of:

Natalie Cameron, Phiebe Musallam, Dina

Gikas

IIII n Memory Of: Joseph Michael

Mouaikel, George Abodeely,

HOLY BREAD OF OBLATION

HHHH oly Bread of Oblation

is offered by the families, for the

month of September, in loving

memory of:

Fred Ajlouny

Hanna S. Ajlouny

Ghazzi El Haj

Fred Essa

Aouni Fakhouri

Jalileh Fakhoury

Adil Ghannam

Jad Harb

Mona Jaghab

Issa and Hanna Khoury

Tanios and Wahiba Mecherfe

Shawky Mousa

Jano Saad

Hala Sackllah

Martha Sackllah

Leo Snage

HHHH oly Bread of Oblation

is offered by the families, for the

month of September, for the health

and well being of:

Samira Ajlouny

Harb Family

Dalal, John, Rami and

Reina Khoury

Noel, Patricia, Sharon, Elizabeth,

Michelle and their families

Musallam Family

LLLL ord, You are the physician of

our souls and body. We pray You

grant the following parishioners

good health and blessings:

Metropolitan PAUL Yazigi,

Archbishop Youhanna Ibrahim,

Bishop ANTOUN, Bishop

DEMETRI, Nazih, Linda, Nadia

Ayoub, Samir Faris, Dr. George

Zureikat, Fr. Anthony Sabbagh,

George Elias Gharib, Marcus, Marie

Abouassaly, Rob Nader, baby Hanna

Alrabady, Suad Jameel,

TTTT he following parishioners and

friends of the Basilica of St.

Mary have given special donations

to the Church in the past few

weeks:

$200-In loving memory of Issa and

Hanna Khoury and for the health

and well being of children offered

by Dalal Khoury,

$200-In loving memory of Georges

Nicola Lebbos offered by Souheil

and Nouhad Khalife,

$300-In loving memory of Basim

Naim Warra offered by his wife

Ferial Warra and family,

$500-For the health and well being

of newly baptized Hailee Kris

offered by parents Christopher and

Ashley (Warra) MacFarland,

$500-For the health and well being

of Moses Medvich offered by his

godfather Jeremiah Boyd,

$1000-For the health and well

being of newly baptized Edward

Robert Ansara offered by his great

grandfather Andrew Ansara, OUR NEW ARRIVALS

CCCC ongratulations and best

wishes to Michael and Mary Rafka

on the birth of their baby girl,

Tatiana. Proud grandparents are

Ghassan and Fadia Rafka and

Abdelmaseeh and Rita Bakhos.

May God bless parents,

grandparents and child.

Condolences

TTTT he clergy and

parishioners at the Basilica of

St. Mary extend their deepest

sympathy to Raymond and Julie

(Salah) Borg and the entire Borg

family on the passing of their

beloved father George (the late

Mary) Borg in Toronto.

TTTT he clergy and

parishioners at the Basilica of St.

Mary extend their deepest

sympathy to Bashar (Maye),

Bassam, Salwa, the grandchildren

and the entire Moussa family on

the passing of their beloved father,

Elyas Mousa.

May their memories be eternal.

Senior Heritage Fellowship

Welcome Back!

Our next luncheon will be held on:

Date: Thursday, September 28th

Place: Cultural Center East Room

Time: 11:00am Bible Study with

Fr. Jim

11:30-Lunch

Menu: Fish Roasted Potatoes,

Coleslaw, Dessert and

Coffee followed by Bingo

and Social Hour.

We look forward to seeing everyone!

The Antiochian Orthodox Basilica of St. Mary Page 5

18100 MERRIMAN ROAD � LIVONIA, MICHIGAN 48152

Return service requested

Dated Material

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

LIVONIA, MI PERMIT NO. 413

visit our website: www.saintmarylivonia.com

The Antiochian Orthodox Basilica of St. Mary

THANK YOU

We wish to thank the following for their kind and generous dona�ons/loans towards the purchase of 6.2 acres of land (for a

cost of $180,000) from the Livonia Board of Educa�on, which will bring approximately 22.2 acres your church will own. Your

Parish Council and Finance Commi+ee are purchasing the land for future genera�ons to have adequate land to expand for the

future. Please send in your form or call the church office if you would like to par�cipate. We have received approximately

$83,000 and are in need of $97,000 more to pay for the land. We thank those who have made the commitment and asking

God’s grace to influence you to do the same.

Mr. and Mrs. Fares Abdallah Mrs. Naimeh Abdelnour Mr. and Mrs. Jeries Abukhader

Mr. and Mrs. Nadim Ajlouny Mr. and Mrs. Elie Akel Mr. and Mrs. Wafi AlBarshini

Mrs. Evelyn Aneed Mr. and Mrs. Fouad Ansara Mr. Kevin Ansara

Mr. and Mrs. Nicola Antakli and family Dr. and Mrs. Suleiman Assaf Dr. and Mrs. Elie Banna

Mr. and Mrs. Nabeeh Beshara Mrs. Haifa Cataineau Mr. and Mrs. George Chalhoub

Mr. and Mrs. Zahi Dababneh Dr. and Mrs. Shukri David Dr. and Mrs. Nabeel El Amir

Mrs. Sabah Fakhouri Mr. and Mrs. Nidal Fakhoury Mrs. Rozalin Fakhoury

Mr. and Mrs. Bishara Freij & family Mr. Sami George Mr. and Mrs. George Ghareeb

Mr. and Mrs. Buolus Ghraib Mr. and Mrs. Donald Hayes Mr. Christopher Holwey

Ms. Aida Kakish Mr. and Mrs. Jamal Kakish Mr. and Mrs. Abe Karam

Dr. and Mrs. Christopher Kellogg Mr. and Mrs. Fadi Khalife Mr. and Mrs. David Khoury

Fr. and Mrs. Jim King Cameron & Lila (Shalhoub) Lippert Mr. and Mrs. Jim Lusko

Mr. and Mrs. Norman Mashni Mr. and Mrs. Nazih Moaikel Mr. and Mrs. Robert Mourad, Sr.

Dr. and Mrs. Hassan Nemeh Mr. and Mrs. Awni Qaqish Dr. and Mrs. Maher Rabah

Mr. and Mrs. Alton Root Mr. and Mrs. Waleed Saad Mrs. Janice Saba

Dr. and Mrs. Souheil Saba Mr. and Mrs. Issa Salloum Mr. and Mrs. George Samra

Mr. and Mrs. Keith Sears Mr. Salim Sessine Mr. and Mrs. Jamal Shahin

Drs. Alex & Melissa Shalhoub Fr. and Mrs. George Shalhoub Michael Shatara & Donna Haddad

Mr. and Mrs. Edward Snage Mr. and Mrs. Ghassan Souri Dr. and Mrs. Nabil Sultani

Drs. George & Jennifer Zacur