February 26, 2017

FORGIVENESS SUNDAYFORGIVENESS SUNDAYFORGIVENESS SUNDAYFORGIVENESS SUNDAY

(CHEESE FARE)(CHEESE FARE)(CHEESE FARE)(CHEESE FARE)

أحد مرفع الجب

SSSS unday of Forgiveness, the last of the preparatory Sundays before Great Lent, has two themes: it commemorates Adam’s expulsion from Paradise, and it accentuates our need for forgiveness. There are obvious reasons why these two things should be brought to our attention as we stand on the threshold of Great Lent. One of the primary images in the Triodion is that of the return to Paradise. Lent is a time when we weep

with Adam and Eve before the closed gate of Eden, repenting with them for the sins that have deprived us of our free communion with God. But Lent is also a time when we are preparing to celebrate the saving event of Christ’s death and rising, which has reopened Paradise to us once more (Luke 23:43). So sorrow for our exile in sin is tempered by hope of our re-entry into Paradise. The second theme, that of forgiveness, is emphasized in the Gospel reading for this Sunday (Matthew 6:14-21) and in the special ceremony of mutual forgiveness at the end of the Vespers on Sunday evening. Before we enter the Lenten fast, we are reminded that there can be no true fast, no genuine repentance, no reconciliation with God, unless we are at the same time reconciled with one another. A fast without mutual love is the fast of demons. We do not travel the road of Lent as isolated individuals but as members of a family. Our asceticism and fasting should not separate us from others, but should link us to them with ever-stronger bonds.

The Sunday of Forgiveness also directs us to see that Great Lent is a journey of liberation from our enslavement to sin. The Gospel lesson sets the conditions for this liberation. The first one is fasting—the refusal to accept the desires and urges of our fallen nature as normal, the effort to free ourselves from the dictatorship of the flesh and matter over the spirit. To be effective, however, our fast must not be hypocritical, a “showing off.” We must “appear not unto men to fast but to our Father who is in secret” (vv. 16-18). (Continued on page 2)

February 26, 2017 Issue 562

�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

O chant unto our God, chant ye. Clap your hands, all ye nations.

The Reading is from the First Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans

Chapter 13:11; 14:4

BBBB rethren, now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk becomingly, as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in chambering and licentiousness, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts. But as for the one who is weak in faith, receive him, but not for disputes over opinions. For one believes he may eat anything; but the weak person eats herbs. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. Who are you to be judge over the servant of a stranger? To his own master he either stands or fails; but he will be made to stand; for God is able to make him stand.

THE GOSPEL

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew

Chapter 6:14-21

TTTT he Lord said to His Disciples: If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father Who is in secret; and your Father Who sees in secret will reward you. Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

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(continued from page 1)

The second condition is forgiveness—“If you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you” (vv. 14-15). The triumph of sin, the main sign of its rule over the world, is division, opposition, separation, hatred. Therefore, the first break through this fortress of sin is forgiveness—the return to unity, solidarity, love. To forgive is to put between me and my “enemy” the radiant forgiveness of God Himself. To forgive is to reject the hopeless “dead-ends” of human relations and to refer them to Christ. Forgiveness is truly a “breakthrough” of the Kingdom into this sinful and fallen world. (Taken from goarch.org)

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.

Parish Ministries Updates

The Basilica of Saint Mary

Teens A(end Winter Camp and Adults A(end

Seminar with Father Constan�ne Nasr

On Friday, February 17 nearly 30 teens from the Basilica,

along with former campers and current college students,

and a couple volunteers made their way to the An�ochian

Village in Pennsylvania for their annual Winter Camp

weekend. They par�cipated in mini-camp sessions

including a4ernoon program, had a night-�me bonfire and

a great fellowship weekend all around.

On Saturday, February 18, the Basilica was proud to host Father

Constan�ne Nasr, Pastor Emeritus of St. Elijah Orthodox Church in

Oklahoma City to host our annual Marriage Seminar for engaged

couples and other interested parishioners. We were also joined

by members of neighboring parish, Holy Transfigura�on. The

nearly 30 a(endees enjoyed Fr. Constan�ne’s words of wisdom

and frank advice for those preparing to enter into the holy

sacrament of marriage. Fr. Constan�ne has been asked to speak

in Orthodox Seminaries and Parishes in the United States and

Canada, and has a podcast called “Spread the Word” on Ancient

Faith Radio. He has published five books to assist the Clergy: The

Bible in the Liturgy, Journey through the Divine Liturgy, Resource

Book for Mission and Evangelism, Memory Eternal: Selected

Eulogies, and A Prac�cal Guide for Priests and Pastors.

Safe Travels, Father Jim!

On Monday, February 20, Fr. Jim King, his wife Kh.

Audrey, nearly 40 parishioners from the Basilica and

other parishes around the country embarked on the

first ever Holy Land Pilgrimage Trip hosted by the

Basilica. They will spend nearly two weeks “Walking

Where Jesus Walked,” exploring various sites in the

holy ci�es of Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Galilee and more.

We wish them safe travels and an edifying

experience. God Bless you all as you traverse the land

of your ancestors!

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) Feb. 26th - 9 day memorial in loving memory of Mary Harb Melof offered by her sisters Samia Harb and Hanan and Husam Ajluni,

Feb. 26th - 40 day memorial in loving memory of Adil Easa Ghannam offered by his wife Laurice Ghannam and family, March 5th - 40 day memorial in loving memory of Tawfik Ansara offered by the family, March 5th - 40 day memorial in loving

memory of Fahida (Barakat) Leon offered by the Leon family,

Thank You

“A Vigil Light is Burning”

FFFF or The Health and Well Being Of: Jeffrey Wolenter, Phiebe Musallam,

Danielle,

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 February, in loving memory of:

Azeezeh and Julia Harb

Isa Hasan

Easa B. Khoury

Mary Harb Melof William Nader

Ibrahim Rizkallah

Amjad George Saba Boulos Jiries and Helen Boulos Saba

Hala Sackllah

Salman and Fada Sweis Naim and Jaleeleh Warra

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

Jeries and Malak Abukhader, their children and grandchildren

Naimeh Khoury

Dee Snage

Norman, Johnny and Ronny Warra and families

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, baby Mary Bardakjian, Marie Abouassaly, Linda, Nancy Rizqalla, Haifa Zayed, Hope Sabbagh, Samir Faris, Sahar Abdallah, Nazih, Laila and Anton Hassan, Basim Warra, Rachel,

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-In loving memory of Abdelnour Abdelnour offered by Tahir and Fadwa Mansour, $50-In loving memory of Fouad Kazaleh offered by Tahir and Fadwa Mansour, $100-For the health and well being of Mike Chalhoub offered by his wife Venise Chalhoub, $100-In loving memory of Michael Francuck offered by his son Mark Francuck, $200-For the health and well being of newly baptized Adam Sam offered by parents Sam and Madonna Jaghab, $500-For the health and well being of newly baptized Noah Victor offered by parents Dr. Victor and Angie Faris, $1000-For the health and well being of newlyweds Drs. George and Jennifer Zacur, $4100-In loving memory of Adil Easa Ghannam offered by family and friends, Schedule of Prayers for

Great Lent

أوقات الص<ة أيام الصوم

اLربعيني المقدس

Great Compline Service, Monday night at 7:00 pm

ى صYة النوم الكبر -يارب القوات مساًء. 7:00الساعة ا_ثنينيوم

Pre-Sanctified Liturgy, Wednesday night at 7:00 pm

القدسات السابق تقديسھا -البروجيازميني مساًء. 7:00الساعة ا_ربعاءيوم

Salutation/Akathist service (Madayeh), Friday night at 7:00pm

صYة مديح السيدة العذراء مريم -المدائح .مساءً 7:00كل يوم جمعة الساعة

March is Ladies Month

Our ladies will be ushering and reading the Epistle during the month of March. March 5th: Ushers - Malvina Bayyouk, Jamileh El-Fakhoury, Naimeh Faris, Gail Hutchison, Nahla Imseeh, Adla Kash, May Kort, Marlyne Musleh, Sahar Qaqish, Isabelle Sultani, Hilda Warra, Sue Warra, English Epistle Reader: Sahar Qaqish

Arabic Epistle Reader: Isabelle Sultani

The Antiochian Orthodox Basilica of St. Mary Page 5

18100 MERRIMAN ROAD � LIVONIA, MICHIGAN 48152

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The Antiochian Orthodox Basilica of St. Mary

MILLIONAIRE’S PARTY!!! No need to drive downtown<Come for a fun evening at

St. Mary’s Cultural Center 18100 Merriman Rd. Livonia, MI. 48152

Saturday March 11, 2017 - 7 PM - 11:30 PM

Tickets - $35 - includes buffet dinner CA$H BAR

Craps ~ Blackjack ~ Roulette ~ Let It Ride ~ Wheel of Fortune ~ Poker For info please contact:

Bob Harb - 867-1683

Tony Chalhoub - 734-347-3333

Lew Ansara - 248-417-7600

Michel Khoury 734-845-8227

Denise Boumaroun - deniseboumaroun@gmail.com