September 15, 2019

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 15, 2019 Issue 694

�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 - Pastor of Youth & Pastoral Outreach Programs

Archdeacon Issa Rizkallah

313-690-2030

Deacon Dr. Dennis Bojrab Deacon Samer Hanna

Elie Akel - Parish Council Chairman

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

Coordinator Bill Lawson - Olive Awad

Administrative Assistants

Richard Shebib/Sami Azzouz - Ushers

Dr. Tom Saba - Young Adults-

St. John Divine

Joanne Kharsa - Ladies Society President Serena Rumman- Teen Soyo President Lina Nunu-Matta - Arabic School Abeer Samaan - Montessori School Director - 734-743-5601

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 8:34-38; 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

The Basilica of Saint Mary

Please visit www.saintmarylivonia.com for details about ministry ac�vi�es and events happening at the Basilica of Saint Mary. If you

have any ques�ons regarding Youth and Outreach Ministries, please contact Fr. Jim King or Sonya Kassis at (734) 422-0010.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

September 15: First Day of Church School

September 27: Ladies Society Wine Tas�ng

October: An�ochian Youth Month

Church School Open House and

Ministries Fair & Happy Birthday Fr. George

The Antiochian Orthodox Basilica of St. Mary Page 5

PRAYER CORNER memorials

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

Sept. 22nd - 40 day memorial in loving

memory of Kimal Fuad Khoury offered

by the family, Sept. 29th - 40 day memorial in loving

memory of Renee Salwa Hallal offered

by her sister Ruwaydah Hallal, brother Aziz Hallal and family,

Thank You

“A Vigil Light is Burning” In Loving Devotion

FFFF or The Health and Well Being Of:

Mary Lusko, Natalie Cameron,

IIII n Loving 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:

John S. Ajlouny

Fred Essa

Adil Ghannam

Irene Harb

Jad Harb

George and Wadia Shami

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, Frederick Abiaad, Mary Tawfiq Qassis, Hala Kashou, Samira Shahin, Jalileh Mansour, Rima Ajlouny, Marie Sessine, Anthony Hanna, Mariam Sweis,

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 newborn Michael Joseph, parents Joseph and Nicole and sister Juliet offered by grand-parents Michael and Feryal Obeidi, $100-In loving memory of Latifa Hanna offered by Milad and Rita Ibrahim, $100-In loving memory of Jad Harb, Irene Harb, and George and Wadia Shami offered by Rima Harb, $200-For the health and well being of Joseph and Michael, on the occasion of their birthday offered by parents Jorge and Jacqueline Nicolas, $200-Anonymous donation for the needy, $1000-For the health and well being of newlyweds Randy and Christa Hanley offered by parents Fr. George and Nouhad Shalhoub,

Condolences

T he clergy and parishioners at the Basilica of St. Mary extend their deepest sympathy to wife Diana Khashan Freij, children Adil Freij, Atef Freij, Amal (Eddie) Ayyash, Angel (Dr. David) Salah, the grandchildren and great grandchildren and the entire Freij family on the passing of Samir Saliba Freij.

T he clergy and parishioners at the Basilica of St. Mary extend their deepest sympathy to his wife Rose Cook, children Diana (Ron) Bateh, Dr. Paul (Dr. Cathy) Cook, Samar (Dr. Steven) Ajluni, Dr. Samir (Dr. Dannette) Cook, Nadim (Omniah Ebeid) Cook, the grand-children, sisters Naimeh Khoury and Naijla Balat and their families and the entire Cook family on the passing of Issa Boulus Cook.

May their memories be eternal.

OUR NEW ARRIVALS

CCCC ongratulations and best wishes to Joseph and Nicole Obeidi on the birth of their baby boy Michael Joseph. Proud grandparents are Michael and Feryal Obeidi and Jack and Dina Ghannam.

May God bless parents, grandparents and child.

Senior Heritage News

The Seniors are planning a trip to Windsor and the Duty Free Shop on Thursday, September 26th.The bus will leave the church at 10:00am. Cost is $35.00 per person. Seating is limited. Please contact Ayda Mughannem at 734-464-1872 to reserve. Passports are required!

Condolences

T he clergy and parishioners at the Basilica of St. Mary extend their deepest sympathy to children Emeel (Elizabeth) Ajluni, Dr. Steven (Samar) Ajluni, Karen (Dr. Joseph) Timpone, the grandchildren, brothers late Nasif (Jeanette) Ajluni, late Karim (late Suheila) Ajluni, Dr. Anis (Claire) Ajluni, sisters Karimeh (late Aziz) Kassis, Farida (late Musa) Rabah and the entire Ajluni family on the passing of Catherine Farid Ajluni, wife of the late Suheil M. Ajluni.

May her memory be eternal.

Page 6 The Antiochian Orthodox Basilica of St. Mary

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The Antiochian Orthodox Basilica of St. Mary

Thought for the Day

Love is never meant to express I love you or you love me……. Love, however, is when you need someone you find him in front of you and when you are in trouble, will stand by you, and be patient with you. When you cry, he will wipe your tears. In summary, love is always expressed in action and not always in words.

~Anonymous~

Church School News

♦ Church school teachers are still needed for the middle school and preschool classes!

♦ Substitute teachers are also needed! (To volunteer, please contact the church office at 734-422-0010)

♦ Meet your teachers at a Church School Open House and enjoy a ministries fair on September 8, 2019!

♦ First day of church school is September 15, 2019 when we will also celebrate the Elevation of the Holy Cross.