F rom time immemorial, the Church has celebrated the Most-holy Theotokos as the patroness

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1 AL-NOUR The Light of Christ October 2, 2011 Issue 291 FATHER GEORGE H. SHALHOUB PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY: THE ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX BASILICA OF ST. MARY Merriman Road Livonia, Michigan Office: (734) Sunday Services Confession: 8:30AM Matins: 9:00AM Divine Liturgy: 10:00AM St. Mary s Cultural and Banquet Center (734) And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. Acts 11:26 Daily Confession by Appointment - Call the Church Office October 2, 2011 THE PROTECTION OF THE MOST-HOLY THEOTOKOS October 1 F rom time immemorial, the Church has celebrated the Most-holy Theotokos as the patroness and protectress of the Christian people, who, by her intercessory prayers, implores God s mercy for us sinners. The help of the Most-holy Mother of God has been clearly shown numerous times, to individuals and to nations, in peace and in war, in monastic deserts and in densely populated cities. The event that the Church commemorates and celebrates today confirms the Theotokos consistent protection of Christian people. On October 1, 911, during the reign of Emperor Leo the Wise, there was an All-night Vigil in the Blachernae Church of the Mother of God in Constantinople. The church was full of people. St. Andrew the Fool-for-Christ was standing in the rear of the church with his disciple Epiphanius. At four o clock in the morning, the Most-holy Theotokos appeared above the people, holding her omophorion outstretched as a protective covering for the faithful. She was clothed in gold-encrusted purple, and shone with an ineffable radiance, surrounded by apostles, saints, martyrs and virgins. St. Andrew said to Blessed Epiphanius: Do you see, brother, the Queen and Lady of all praying for the whole world? Epiphanius replied: I see, Father, and am struck with amazement! The Feast of the Protection was instituted to commemorate this event, and to remind us that we can prayerfully receive the unceasing protection of the Most-holy Theotokos in any time of difficulty. Taken from: Prologue of Ohrid The Antiochian Orthodox Basilica of St. Mary Fr. George Shalhoub - Pastor Fr. Jim King - Director of Youth & Pastoral Outreach Programs Deacon Issa Rizkallah 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 Dolly Matta - Ladies Society President Anthony Massad - Teen Soyo President Lina Nunu - Arabic School Keith Rowe - Cultural Center General Manager

2 Page 2 THE EPISTLE The Lord will give strength to His people. Bring to the Lord, O sons of God, bring to the Lord honor and glory. The Reading is from the Second Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 6:1-10 B rethen, working together with Him, then we entreat you not to accept the grace of God in vain. For He says, At the acceptable time I have listened to you, and helped you on the day of salvation. Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We put no obstacle in any one s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, tumults, labors, watching, hunger; by purity, knowledge, forbearance, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as imposters, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything. THE GOSPEL The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke Chapter 6:31-36 T he Lord said, As you wish that men would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

3 L PRAYER CORNER ord, you are the physician of our souls and body. We pray You grant the following parishioners good health and blessings: Dominic, Al Ingram, Yvonne Nona, HOLY BREAD OF OBLATION H oly Bread of Oblation is offered for the month of October in loving memory of Ibrahim Hanania, Jamileh Hanania, Yusef Hanania, Suad and Ayman Dirbas, oly Bread of Oblation is H offered for the month of October in loving memory of Hanna Zarou offered by his wife Helen Zarou and children, H oly Bread of Oblation is offered in loving memory of Charles T. Watson III by Francine Azzam, Christian Education Our Christian Education Department now has a Facebook page - The Basilica of St. Mary Church School - which will have information related to Sunday School classes, Wednesday Family Nights and the Adult Educational Institute. UPCOMING EVENTS FOR ST. MARY PARISHIONERS Oct Fall Spiritual Retreat Antiochian Village Oct. 29-Senior Heritage trip to Birch Run/Frankenmuth Nov. 12-Grand Banquet Page 3 T Thank You 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 newly baptized Ethan Gregory Avery offered by his godparents Marcos Damino and Randa Jaslove, $100-In loving memory of Hanna Zarou offered by his wife Helen Zarou and children, $100-In loving memory of Charles T. Watson III offered by Francine Azzam, $100-For the health and well being of Jaad Nicholas on the occasion of his Chrismation, $200-For the health and well being of newly baptized Christian Karim Bayyouk offered by his godfather Salim Bayyouk, $200-In loving memory of Ibrahim Hanania, Jamileh Hanania, Yusef Hanania and Suad and Ayman Dirbas, $400-For the health and well being of newly baptized Yarah Wisam Janini offered by her parents, Wisam and Sandra Janini, $2000-In loving memory of Charlie Jaghab offered by family and friends, T Condolences he clergy and parishioners at the Basilica of St. Mary extend their deepest sympathy to Said and Labeeba Qaoud and the entire Qaoud family on the passing of their beloved son, Issa Qaoud. May his memory be eternal. memorials I am the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in Me shall never die. (John 11:25) Oct. 2nd - 40 day memorial in loving memory of Michael Yousef Abukhader offered by the Abukhader family, Oct. 2nd - 1 year memorial in loving memory of Kamel Azzouz offered by Oct. 9th - 1 year memorial in loving memory of Naim Kawwas offered by Oct. 16th - 40 day memorial in loving memory of Elias Nakhleh Ansara offered by his wife Samira Ansara and children, Oct. 23rd - 1 year memorial in loving memory of Yacoub Kassis offered by Oct. 23rd - 1 year memorial in loving memory of Carla Heikkinen offered by Bill Gabriel and family, A Vigil Light is Burning In Loving Devotion or The Health and Well Being F Of: n Memory Of: Joseph Michael I Mouaikel; George Abodeely; Maxine Koury, Ken Biedron, Rami Ayoub, Karem Abboud, 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 click on multimedia and go to videos Last few week s sermons: Faith Unpracticed is No Faith at All The Way of the Cross Who Loves the World? Prepare Like an Athlete

4 Page 4 Week of October 2, 2011 Please visit our website for details about all the Basilica of St. Mary events and activities.

5 Page 5 The Basilica of St. Mary s annual GRAND BANQUET Saturday, November 12, 2011 St. Mary s Cultural Center Cocktails and Appetizers beginning at 6:30pm Dinner at 7:30pm Live Entertainment and Dancing to follow. $ per person For reservations, please contact Sandy Bojrab at: sbojrab@me.com visit our website: MERRIMAN ROAD LIVONIA, MICHIGAN Return service requested NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID LIVONIA, MI PERMIT NO. 413 Dated Material