March 27, 2011 Elevation of the Holy Cross ا����� �ر �أ�

T 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 honorable 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, con-tinue 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 27, 2011 Issue 266

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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 Maha Khalil - Parish Council Chairwoman Linda Lawson - Choir Director Stacey Badeen - Church Administrator Arwa Ansara, Andria Bojrab, Audrey King, - Co- Church School Superintendents Richard Shebib/Sami Azzouz - Ushers George Chalhoub - Young Adults- St. John Divine Dolly Matta - Ladies Society President Anthony Massad - 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

B 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 T 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.”

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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.

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The Antiochian Orthodox Basilica of St. Mary Page 3

PRAYER CORNER memorials

I am the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in Me shall never die.” (John 11:25) April 3rd-6 month memorial in loving memory of Kamel Azzouz offered by the family, April 3rd-1 year memorial in loving memory of Fakhri Zayed offered by his wife Susan Zayed and family, April 10th-6 month memorial in loving memory of Yacoub Kassis offered by his wife, Nadia, children and family, April 10th-6 month memorial in loving memory of Naim Kawwas offered by his wife Lily Kawwas and family, April 10th-1 year memorial in loving memory of George Ansara offered by the family,

Thank You

OUR NEW ARRIVALS

“A Vigil Light is Burning” In Loving Devotion

F or The Health and Well Being Of: Yasmin Oudeh,

I n Memory Of: Joseph Michael Mouaikel; George Abodeely;

Maxine Koury, Ken Biedron, Fahdah Sweidan,

HOLY BREAD OF OBLATION

Sermon On-Line If you missed Fr. George’s

sermon last Sunday, you can now listen to him on the internet at

www.messagefortoday.com or

you can see the full Liturgy at www.stmarylivonia.com

click on multimedia and go to videos

Last few week’s sermons:

Look Deeper

Heaven is Open to Us By: Fr. Jim King

Ground Zero:

The Meaning of Forgiveness

Seeing Christ in Other People By: Fr. Paolo Dall’Oglio

H oly Bread of Oblation is offered, by the families, for the month of March for the health and well being of: Sylvia Hanania and her grandchildren, Alex, Andrew and Jacob Shawky Mousa Khouri and Loutfi families H oly Bread of Oblation is offered, by the families, for the month of March in loving memory of:

Mousa Ghannam Yacoub Ghannam

Mark Musa Ghannam Butros Jaghab

Leila Zahweh Ghannam Anwar George

Ayman, George, Saleem, Azeezeh and Suad Dirbas

Musa Rabah Nicole Marie Shammas

Michel Khouri Dibeh Sabra

L ord, you are the physician of our souls and body. We pray You grant the following parishioners good health and blessings: Nicola, Susan, Faris Kakish, Jalil, Charlie, Mark Mancinotti, Shawky Mousa, Pat,

C ongratulations and best wishes to Drs. Michael and Nevin Ajluni on the birth of their baby girl, Ella Serene. Proud grandparents are Ray and Rhonda Ajluni and Mehmet and Kudret Oksuz. May God bless parents, grandparents and child.

T 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 Ellia Mariam on the occasion of her churching offered by parents, Abe and Angela Leon, $200-For the health and well being of newborn Ella Serene offered by grandparents, Ray and Rhonda Ajluni, $500-For the health and well of newly baptized twins, Laura and Theresa offered by parents, Mr. and Mrs. Rabih Ghafari,

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR ST. MARY PARISHIONERS

March 31st - Senior Heritage Lunch April 1, 8, 15 - Adult Education Lenten Series April 3rd - Lenten Luncheon April 9th - Soul Saturday

March is Ladies Month

Epistle Readers: Marlyne Musleh-English Isabelle Sultani-Arabic Ushers: Naimeh Faris, Nabelah Ghareeb, Nadia Salah, Sue Warra, Lily Hassan, Marlyne Musleh, Hala Sultani, Lina Matta,

Page 4 The Antiochian Orthodox Basilica of St. Mary

Week of March 27, 2011

Mother/Toddler Ministry Group Learning about St. Patrick and Celebrating His Life

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

Join us every Wednesday morning in the Activity Center from 10:00am-11:30pm for fellowship, singing, prayer, snack, and learning about our

Orthodox Christian faith.

Call Fr. Jim King for details. 734-422-0010

The Antiochian Orthodox Basilica of St. Mary Page 5

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