News
Parish Life Conference Season Begins June 5
There is still time for you to register for your diocese's "family reunion" this summer, your regional Parish Life Conference (PLC)! The theme for this year, "The End of History...The Last Judgment," will be the focus of the Creative Festivals, a highlight of the conferences. Youth and organizational meetings, spiritually edifying speakers and services, and social events for kids and adults alike, all make the PLCs one of the Archdiocese's most established and popular traditions. Visit the Conventions and Conference Planning page for full information.
First up is the Diocese of Wichita PLC, kicking off on June 5 in Kansas City. St. Basil Orthodox Church hosts the PLC at the Westin Kansas City Hotel in downtown Kansas City, "one of America's Best downtowns" according to Forbes magazine.
Memory Eternal! + The Right Rev. Archmandrite George Chalhoub
Memory Eternal! + George Chalhoub, 1930 – 2013
The Right Rev. Archmandrite George Chalhoub fell asleep in the Lord on Holy Tuesday, April 30, 2013.
He was born in Douma, Lebanon in 1930 to Wadih and Bahije, the second of eight children. From his childhood he felt the call to the priesthood and was responsible for starting the Youth Movement in Douma. On January 4, 1952, he left his home to enter the Balamand Monastery and school. In that same year, he was tonsured a reader during Great Lent, and on August 6, The Feast of Holy Transfiguration, he was ordained a deacon by the hand of the late Metropolitan Elia Karam of Mount Lebanon at the Church of Holy Transfiguration in Dhour Chweir while spending the summer at St. Elias Patriarchal Monastery.
In 1953, he became the deacon for the late Patriarch Theodosius VI, Metropolitan of Tripoli at that time. In 1956 when the Metropolitan was elected as Patriarch of the see of Antioch, Deacon George accompanied him to the Patriarchate in Damascus to serve as his personal secretary.
On March 12, 1959, he was ordained to the priesthood and elevated to the rank of Archmandrite by the Patriarch at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Damascus, and was the given the title of Protosangelos of the Patriarchate.
Annual Florida Festival Continues Cathedral's Diamond Jubilee
Saint George Cathedral of Coral Gables, FL, is presenting their Annual Middle Eastern Festival Friday, February 22—Sunday, February 24, 2013. The Cathedral began celebrating its 60th anniversary in November of 2012, and continues with this event. Saturday, February 23 will coincide with the actual and exact 60th anniversary of the parish's founding. The Festival will feature Middle Eastern delicacies and American classic cuisine, a petting zoo and kids corner, live entertainment and a raffle.
"The community is very excited and working hard for this," noted Fr. Fouad Saba. "Many new families are joining and attending now, and our children are excited about this day. Therefore, a time capsule will be sealed on that day during the Festival, with all the children participating."
Added Fr. Fouad, "St. George Cathedral is now on Facebook. Please find and 'like' St. George Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral in Coral Gables, Florida, to receive news and updates on our latest events!"
Read about the Cathedral's anniversary celebration in November, 2012.
Blessed Name's Days to Bishops Antoun and Anthony!
January 17th is the celebration of St. Anthony the Great and the name's days of His Grace Bishop Antoun of the Diocese of Miami and of His Grace Bishop Anthony of the Diocese of Toledo. May God grant them many years!
APOLYTIKION OF ST. ANTHONY THE GREAT, TONE 4
Thou didst become like the zealous Elijah in his condition, and followed John the Baptist in his upright ways, becoming a dweller in the wilderness and an establisher of the universe by thy prayer, O Father Anthony. Wherefore, intercede thou with Christ God to save our souls.
Report on a Joyous Coral Gables Anniversary Celebration
View the Diamond Jubilee celebration photo gallery
View the Diamond Jubilee Video Slideshow
By Ernestine Ede and Justin Sayfie
On November 16-18, 2012, St. George Cathedral of Coral Gables, FL, began a year-long celebration of her Diamond Jubilee (60th Anniversary) with a weekend to remember.
The festivities began on Friday evening. Saint George Cathedral was adorned with long ribbons of red and white satin streaming from the center archway of the altar and the bells were joyously ringing in jubilation at the arrival of the Metropolitan’s motorcade at the front of the Cathedral. Our pastor Fr. Fouad Saba, the members of the parish council, and the faithful of St. George Cathedral had for several months eagerly awaited the arrival of His Eminence Metropolitan Philip, His Eminence Archbishop Joseph, His Grace Bishop Antoun and His Grace Bishop Nicholas. The Cathedral was also honored to have in attendance The Very Rev. Dr. Paul Nadim Tarazi, Fawaz El-Khoury, the vice chairman of the Archdiocese Board of Trustees, and Mrs. Mary Winstanley O’Connor, the North American chair for the Order of St. Ignatius. In addition, a special honor was bestowed on the Cathedral with the arrival of Maronite Bishop Mounir Khairallah of Batroun, Lebanon.
St. George Cathedral in Miami Celebrates 60 Years
St. George CathedralA busy Commencement Weekend of November 16-18, 2012 begins a year-long celebration of St. George Cathedral's sixty years of ministry in the Miami community. His Eminence Metropolitan Philip will preside over the weekend's events, which begin Friday evening, November 16, with a welcome reception. On Saturday, November 17th, the Grand Banquet will kick off at 6:00 p.m. at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel. Distinguished hierarchs and guests will enjoy the music of renowned singer Osama Neimy, and violinist Gaby Dahrie.
Additionally, on Saturday during the day, a Youth Luncheon for His Eminence Metropolitan Philip and visiting hierarchs will be held with the students of Sunday School, members of SOYO and the Fellowship of St. John, in the Cathedral Hall.
Finally, on Sunday, November 18th, Metropolitan Philip will preside at the Divine Services beginning with Orthros at 9:30 a.m., followed by the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at 10:30 a.m. The induction of new members into the Order of St. Ignatius will take place immediately after Liturgy. Everyone is invited to enjoy a Thanksgiving Luncheon to be held following the services, at the Cathedral Hall.
Memory Eternal! + Paul Saba
MEMORY ETERNAL! Paul Saba, 88, of Largo, Florida, passed away on August 15, 2012. Paul was born in Cleveland, Ohio on October 1, 1923 to Gabriel and Pauline (Asha) Saba. Paul was a member of the Order of St. Ignatius and a founding member of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, St. Petersburg, Florida. A veteran of the US Air Force, Paul was currently attending Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, Safety Harbor, Florida. He was very active in the Orthodox Church and was president of the SOYO club several times.
Memory Eternal! + Nabiha Nasr
Fr. Fouad Saba writes:
Glory to Jesus Christ who is the Resurrection and the Life! Glory forever!
St. George Cathedral in Coral Gables, Florida is saddened to inform you of the passing into eternal life of the handmaid of God, Nabiha Nasr, early this morning, August 29, 2012, at the age of 94. Nabiha, late widow of Jules Nasr, and matriarch of the Nasr family, was mother to five children, twelve grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren. St. George Cathedral offers her sincerest condolences to her children, Michel (Cathedral Council President), Aimee, Mouna, Gretta, Sally, and their families. May the loving God who gave His only Son, grant rest to his handmaiden, Nabiha, with the Saints, and may He bless and comfort the Nasr family with his Grace.
The following arrangements have been made:
Report from the Diocese of Miami Parish Life Conference
The Twentieth Annual Parish Life Conference (PLC) of the Diocese of Miami and the Southeast, hosted by St. Philip Antiochian Orthodox Church of Davie, Florida was held from June 13-17, 2012 at the Ocean Sky Resort and Hotel at Fort Lauderdale’s famous beaches. Just under 300 people registered at the Conference, and considering the present state of the economy, the PLC turned out to be a resounding success.
His Grace Bishop Antoun presided over the Conference, joined by the Keynote speaker, His Grace Bishop Anthony, Bishop of Toledo and the Midwest. The Very Reverend Father Elia Shalhoub, Dean of the Clergy in our Deanery, was the Host Pastor, and the Conference was chaired by Deborah Khoury and co-chaired by Diane Perez.
The theme of the conference came from St. John of Damascus, one of the great theologians of the Church who stated: “The Bible Fills us with Eternal Joy”.