March 18, 2012 Elevation of the Holy Cross

أحد رفع الصليب

TTTT he Third Sunday of Lent is called ‘The Veneration of the Cross.’ At the Vigil of that day, after the Great Doxology (Matins), the Cross is brought in a solemn procession to the center of the church and remains there for the entire week—with a special rite of veneration following each service. It is noteworthy that the theme of the Cross which dominates the hymnology of that Sunday is developed in terms not of suffering but of victory and joy. More than that, the theme-songs (hirmoi) of the Sunday Canon are taken from the Paschal Service—’The Day of the Resurrection’ - and the Canon is a paraphrase of the Easter Canon. The meaning of all this is clear. We are in Mid-Lent, On the one hand, the physical and spiritual effort, if it is serious and consistent, beings to be felt, its burden becomes more burdensome, our fatigue more evident. We need help and encouragement. One the other hand, having endured this fatigue, having climbed the mountain up to this point, we begin to see the end of our pilgrimage, and the rays of Easter grow in their intensity. Lent is our self-crucifixion, our experience, limited as it is, of Christ’s commandment heard in the Gospel lesson of that Sunday: ‘If any many would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me’ (Mark 8:34). But we can not take up our cross and follow Christ unless we have HIS Cross which He took up in order to save us. It is His Cross, not ours, that saves us. It is His Cross that gives not only meaning but also power to others. This is explained to us in the synaxarion of the Sunday of the Cross: On this Sunday, the third Sunday of Lent, we celebrate the veneration of the honor-able and Life-’Giving Cross, and for this reason: inasmuch as in the forty days of fasting we in a way crucify ourselves...and become bitter and despondent and failing, the Life-Giving Cross is presented to us for refreshment and assurance, for remembrance of our Lord’s Passion, and for comfort… We are like those following a long cruel path, who become tired, see a beautiful tree with many leaves, sit in its shadow and rest for a while and then, as if rejuvenated, contin-ue their journey: likewise today, in the time of fasting and difficult journey and effort, the Life-Giving Cross was planted in our midst by the holy fathers to give us rest and refreshment, to make us light and courageous for the remaining task...Or, to give another example: when a king is coming, at first his banner and symbols appear, then he himself comes glad and rejoic-ing about this victory and filling with joy those under him; likewise our Lord Jesus Christ, who is about to show us His victory over death, and appear to us in the glory of the Resurrection Day, is sending to us in advance His scepter, the royal symbol—the Life-Giving Cross—and it fills us with joy and makes us ready to meet, inasmuch as it is possible for us, the King him-self, and to render glory to His victory...All this in the midst of Lent which is like a bitter source because of its tears, because also of its efforts and despondency, but Christ comforts us who are as it were in a desert until He shall lead us up to the spiritual Jerusalem by His Resurrec-tion...for the Cross is called the Tree of Life, it is the tree that was planted in Paradise, and for this reason our fathers have planted it in the midst of Holy Lent, remembering both Adam’s bliss and how he was deprived of it, remembering also that partaking of this Tree we no longer die but are kept alive… Thus, refreshed and reassured, we being the second part of Lent…”

Taken from “Great Lent” by Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann, St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press

FATHER GEORGE H. SHALHOUB

248-374-0591

March 18, 2012 Issue 316

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

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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 Dianne Farah-Church School Administrator Arwa Ansara-Asst. Church School

Administrator Richard Shebib/Sami Azzouz - Ushers George Chalhoub - Young Adults- St. John Divine Georgine Hayes - Ladies Society President Nicole Khamis - 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

O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance. To Thee, O Lord, have I cried, O my God.

The Reading is from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews Chapter 4:14-5:6

BBBB rethren, since we have a High Priest, Who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One Who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt Himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by Him Who said to Him, “Thou art My Son, today I have begotten Thee”; as He says also in another place, “Thou art a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”

THE GOSPEL

The Reading 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 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 Jesus 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 LENTEN PRAYER OF ST. EPHRAIM THE SYRIAN

O Lord and master of my life Take from me the spirit of sloth, faint-heartedness,

lust of power and idle talk. But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience,

and love to thy servant. Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own sins and not to judge my brother,

for Thou art blessed unto the ages of ages. Amen.

ص�ة التوبة للقديس افرام السرياني أيھا الرب وسيد حياتي .أعتقني من روح البطالة والفضول وحب الرئاسة

والك�م البطال . وأنعم علي أنا عبدك بروح العفة واتضاع الفكر والصبر والمحبة .

نعم ياملكي والھي ھب لي أن أعرف ز9تي , ,9 أدين أخوتي فانك مبارك الى دھر الداھرين آمين .

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)

Thank You

OUR NEW ARRIVALS

“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;

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:

There is No Happiness in Sin

Like Nathanial, Come and See

By: Fr. Jim King

Forgiveness By: Fr. George Ajalat

Arm Yourself with a Good Defense

By: Fr. Jim King

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

Paul, Aziz, & Suham Rizqalla Leila Zahweh Ghannam

Richard Ajlouny Hanna Michael Ajluni

Jason Zogaib

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

James, Nancy, Paul, Nicholas and Christopher Rizqalla

Husam Ajluni

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

the following parishioners good health and blessings: Anthony Salah, Colleen Ansara, Corinne Haddad, Al Ingram, Leila Hanna Saba,

CCCC ongratulations and best wishes to Amel and Christina Hujdurovic on the birth of their baby girl, Milla Grace. Proud grandparents are Tony and Diana Ansara and Ziad and Jovanka Hujdurovic. Proud great grand-mother, Samira Ansara. May God bless parents, grandparents and child.

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

Mary have given special donations to the Church in the past few weeks: $150-For the health and well being of newly baptized Samir Michael offered by his parents, Dr. Ayham and Maria Ashkar,

Condolences

TTTT he clergy and parishioners at the

Basilica of St. Mary extend their deepest sympathy to Chuck (Carolyn), John (Annie), Tina (Wayne) Probst, Dean (Martha), Eileen, Wanda and the entire family on the passing of their beloved mother/sister, Lynette Massab. May her memory be eternal.

Ladies Society

The Ladies Society is hosting their annual Lenten Luncheon on Sunday, March 25th immediately following Liturgy. Cost is $8.00 per person. Age 5 and under are free. Please call Ayda Mughannem at 734-464-1872 if you are bringing a dish to pass. The Ladies will be selling tickets on Sundays after the service.

March is Ladies Month

During the month of March, our Ladies will be reading the Epistle in English and Arabic and ushering.

March 18th:

Epistle Readers: Maha Khalil - English

Marcelle Razook - Arabic Ushers: Malvena Bayyouk Mimi Khamis Elizabeth Shaheen Sue Warra Rimondah Khoury Marlyne Musleh Georgette Haddad

ARABIC SCHOOL NEWS Arabic class will be cancelled on Sun-

day, March 25th, due to the Ladies Society Lenten Luncheon.

The last day of class will be Sunday, April 1st with a pizza party.

Thank you.

Lina NunuLina NunuLina NunuLina Nunu

Arabic School Director

SAVE THE DATE

WINE TASTING PARTY FRIDAY APRIL 20, 7:00 PM. TICKETS $50.00 PER PERSON TICKETS ON SALE SUNDAYS AFTER CHURCH-- BY LADIES SOCIETY OR CONTACT: VIOLET KHOURY--248-477-1167 ; ZENA ANSARA 248- 477-7668 GEORGINE HAYES 248-489-5717

Page 4 The Antiochian Orthodox Basilica of St. Mary

Week of March 18, 2012

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

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EASTER FLOWERS

IIII F YOU ARE INTERESTED IN CONTRIBUTING FOR FLOWERS, PALMS, OIL, CHARCOAL AND INCENSE FOR USE DURING HOLY WEEK AND EASTER

SUNDAY, PLEASE FILL OUT THE FORM BELOW AND GIVE IT TO ONE OF THE USHERS OR PLACE IN THE COLLECTION TRAY. NAME:_____________________________________________________ AMT. $__________

FFFF OR THE HEALTH AND WELL BEING OF: ______________________________________________________________________________________

IIII N MEMORY OF: __________________________________________________________________

على كل من يرغب بالتبرع من أجل الورود, البخور, النخيل, والزيت, والفحم, والنبيذ, خ�ل عيد الشعانين وجناز المسيح وعيد الكبير يرجى

كتب اMسماء من أجل صحة_______________ من اجلي راحت نفوس__________________