October 26, 2014

The Holy Great-Martyr Demetrius

TTTT his glorious and wonderworking saint was born in Thessalonica of noble and devout parents. Implored of God by childless parents, Demetrius was their only son, and so was raised and educated with great care.

Demetrius’ father was a commander in Thessalonica. When his father died, Emperor Maximian appointed Demetrius as commander in his place. As he appointed him, Maximian, an opponent of Christ, particularly recommended that he persecute and exterminate the Christians in Thessalonica. Demetrius not only disobeyed the emperor but openly confessed and preached the Lord Jesus Christ in the city of Thessalonica. When the emperor heard of this he became furious with Demetrius. Then, when he was returning from battle against the Sarmatians. Maximian stopped at Thessalonica to investigate the matter. The emperor summoned Demetrius and questioned him about his faith. Demetrius openly acknowledged his Christian faith to the emperor and also denounced the emperor’s idolatry. Maximian cast Demetrius into prison. Knowing what was awaiting him, Demetrius gave all his goods to his faithful servant Lupus to distribute to the poor, and joyfully awaited his imminent suffering for Christ the Lord. An angel of God appeared to him in prison, saying, “Peace be to you, O sufferer of Christ; be brave and be strong!” After several days, the emperor sent soldiers to the prison to kill Demetrius. The soldiers found the saint of God at prayer and ran him through with lances. Christians secretly took his body and honorably buried it. Healing myrrh flowed from the body of the martyr of Christ, curing many of the sick. Soon, a small church was built over his relics. An Illyrian nobleman, Leontius, was afflicted with an incurable illness. He hastened, with prayer, to the relics of St. Demetrius and was completely healed. In thanks-giving, Leontius erected a much larger church on the site of the old church. The saint appeared to him on two occasions. When Emperor Justinian wanted to translate the relics of the saint from Thessalonica to Constantinople, flaming sparks sprang from the tome and a voice was heard: “Stop, and do not touch!” And thus, the relics of St. Demetrius have remained for all time in Thessalonica. As the protector of Thessalonica, t. Demetrius has appeared many times, and on many occasions has saved Thessalonica from great calamity. His miracles are without number. The Russians considered St. Demetrius to be the protector of Siberia, which was conquered and annexed to Russia on October 26, 1581. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please join us in welcoming Robert Bruttell, President of the

InterFaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit, as he recognizes Fr. George for his work and commitment

in building community and living in peace together.

FATHER GEORGE H. SHALHOUB

248-374-0591 October 26, 2014 Issue 441

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

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“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 Salem Samaan - Parish Council Chairman Linda Lawson - Choir Director Stacey Badeen - Church Administrator Christina Stavros - Pastoral Ministries

Coordinator Richard Shebib/Sami Azzouz - Ushers Dr. Tom Saba - Young Adults- St. John Divine Irene Saba - Ladies Society President Gloria Sultani - 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

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THE EPISTLE

The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord.

O God, hear my prayer.

The Reading is from the Second Epistle of St. Paul to St. Timothy Chapter 2:1-10

TTTT imothy, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus; and what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier on service gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to satisfy the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will grant you understanding in everything. Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descended from David, as preached in my gospel, the gospel for which I am suffering and wearing fetters like a criminal. But the word of God is not fettered. Therefore, I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus with its eternal glory.

THE GOSPEL

The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke Chapter 8:26-39

AAAA t that time, Jesus arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee. And as He stepped out on land, there met Him a man from the city who had demons; for a long time he had worn no clothes, and he lived not in a house but among the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him, and said with a loud voice, “What hast Thou to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beseech Thee, do not torment me.” For Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. [For many a time it had seized him; he was kept under guard, and bound with chains and fetters, but he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the desert.] Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion”; for many demons had entered him. And they begged Jesus not to command them to depart into the abyss. Now a large herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside; and they begged Jesus to let them enter these. So He gave them leave. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned. When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they fled, and told it in the city and in the country. Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. And those who had seen it told them how he who had been possessed with demons was healed. Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gadarenes asked Jesus to depart from them; for they were seized with great fear; so He got into the boat and returned. The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with Jesus; but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your home, and declare all that God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city all that Jesus had done for him.

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PRAYER CORNER memorials

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

Oct. 26th - 1 year memorial in loving memory of Gubran Moaikel offered by the family,

Thank You

“A Vigil Light is Burning” In Loving Devotion

FFFF or The Health and Well Being Of:

IIII n Memory Of: Joseph Michael Mouaikel, George Abodeely, Nawal Fakhouri,

HOLY BREAD OF OBLATION

HHHH oly Bread of Oblation is offered by the families, for the month of October, in loving memory of:

Albert Abdelnour Ibrahim Hanania

Dr. James Kawwas Naim Kawwas Patricia Mason

Jerry Shauqi Mughannem Amjad George Saba

Boulos & Helen Saba Elias, Sandra & Eddie Salem

Nahil Jalil Warra Jean York

HHHH oly Bread of Oblation is offered by the families, for the month of October, for the health and well being of:

Abdelnour Abdelnour Mughannem 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, Zaki Tams, Najla, Fr. John, Pheibi Musallam, Fr. Kamal, Fr. Joseph Purpura, Nahida Farhat,

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

Mary have given special donations to the Church in the past few weeks: $50-For the health and well being of Abdelnour Abdelnour and in loving memory of Albert Abdelnour offered by Naimeh Abdelnour, $50-In loving memory of Suad Saman offered by Rami and Carmen Fakhoury, $50-In loving memory of Suad Saman offered by Rose Marie Kircos, $100-In loving memory of parents Boulos J. and Helen B. Saba and Beloved nephew Amjad George Saba offered by the family, $100-In loving memory of Suad Saman offered by Naiem and Fahdeh Ayoub, $100-In loving memory of sister Evelyn George Naser’s one year memorial offered by Nabih and Leila Hanna, $100-In loving memory of Evelyn Naser and Nogola and Hanna Nafal offered by Basel, Renay, Nina, Nadia and Sommer Nafal, $200-In loving memory of James Safadi offered by Victor and Raida Safadi, $500-In loving memory of sister Suad Saman offered by Fuad and Afaf Saleh, $500-In loving memory of Pam Khoury Ajlouny, towards Food for the Hungry, offered by her parents Peter and Wisam Khoury, $1370-In loving memory of Frank Fayez Madany offered by family and friends,

Upcoming Events for St. Mary Parishioners

Oct. 26th - Trunk-n-Treat-4pm Oct. 30th - Senior Heritage Luncheon Nov. 1st - Grand Banquet Nov. 16th - St. Mary’s annual Thanksgiving Dinner

TTTT he clergy and parishioners at the

Basilica of St. Mary extend their deepest sympathy to Lisa and Robert Kallil and their family on the passing of her beloved mother, May Twigg.

May her memory be eternal.

Condolences

Ladies Society News

St. Mary’s annual Thanksgiving Dinner will be on Sunday, November 16th immediately following Liturgy. Cost is $12.00 adults, $8.00 ages 5-10 and under 5 is free. For reservations, please contact Sahar Qaqish at 734-223-1575 or Nahla Chahin at 734-507-9318.

Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday, November 2nd. Set your clocks BACK

one hour before bedtime Saturday night.

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Please visit www.saintmarylivonia.com for details about events and activities happening at the Basilica of Saint Mary. If you have any questions regarding Youth and Outreach Events,

please contact Fr. Jim or Ms. Christina Stavros at (734) 422-0010.

HAPPENINGS

@ the Basilica of Saint Mary ……………………………………………

“If you don’t feel like praying, you have to force your-“If you don’t feel like praying, you have to force your-“If you don’t feel like praying, you have to force your-“If you don’t feel like praying, you have to force your-

self. The Holy Fathers say that prayer with force is self. The Holy Fathers say that prayer with force is self. The Holy Fathers say that prayer with force is self. The Holy Fathers say that prayer with force is

higher than prayer unforced. The higher than prayer unforced. The higher than prayer unforced. The higher than prayer unforced. The

kingdom of Heaven is taken by force. (kingdom of Heaven is taken by force. (kingdom of Heaven is taken by force. (kingdom of Heaven is taken by force. (Matt 11:12)Matt 11:12)Matt 11:12)Matt 11:12)” ” ” ”

- Saint Ambrose of Optina

!!! UPCOMING EVENTS !!!

Every Wednesday at 10:00a: MOTHER TODDLER GROUP Every Wednesday at 7:00p: TEEN SOYO MEETING Every Sunday at 10:00a: CHURCH SCHOOL MONTH OF OCTOBER: YOUTH MONTH! October 31-Nov 2 TEEN SOYO FALL GATHERING November 1 THE GRAND BANQUET

The St. Romanos Byzantine Youth Choir @ the Basilica is underway! Back Row: Michael Said, Chris Chahin, Rachel Ansara, Christine Kakish. Middle Row: Christina Stavros-Director, Diana Kakish, Dalia Almasarweh,

Nura Abojamra, Melia Almasarweh, Anya Ghannam. Front Row: Issa Hosari, Jenna Bahu, Emma Genig, and Talia Ghannam.

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The Antiochian Orthodox Basilica of St. Mary GRAND BANQUET

His Eminence Metropolitan JOSEPH

His Grace Bishop ANTHONY The clergy and Parish Council of

The Basilica of St. Mary cordially invite you to the

Dedication of the Pantocrator – the Dome and to our annual Grand Banquet

Saturday, November 1, 2014

Invitations have been mailed. Deadline for reservations - Monday, October 27, 2014