Feast Day of the Dormition celebrated August 14, 2006

Celebrate our feast day with us on August 14, 2006:

Monday
Vespers 7:00pm

Tuesday
Matins 9:00am
Divine Liturgy 10:00am

Patron Saint:  THEOTOKOS

      Why do we call her "The Theotokos."  "Theotokos" is a Greek word made up of two parts.  The prefix "Theo"means God and the word "tokos" means carrier or bearer in the womb (birth mother).  Then, The Theotokos is the carrier or bearer of God in her womb (birth mother).  The Ever-Virgin Mary was the carrier or bearer (birth mother) of Holy God the Son within the Holy Tranity/Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ, the son of God and the second person in the Holy Trinity.  The Theotokos carried God from Holy God the Son within the Holy Trinity/Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ's Incarnation (conception according to the Flesh) to His Nativity (birth according to the Flesh).  Therefore, Mary can rightly be called "Theotokos" or "God-bearer."

      The term "Theotokos" does not imply that Mary contributed anything to the divine nature of Holy God the Son within the Holy Trinity/Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ.  The term "Theotokos" merely affirms the belief that the person to whom she gave birth is without division both God and a human being.

      Most of the story of the life and the death of Thoeotokos is not in the Bible, but in other very early Christian writings.  Archbishop Joseph Raya tell is this way:  "According to a very early Christian legend, while the apostles were scattered all over the then-known world, preaching the Gospel, Mary remained in Jerusalem in the house of John (the Beloved Disciple).  Her love of God, like an ardent flame, burned steadily in her body.  Finally it was revealed to her that her life was about to end.  She wished to see the Twelve Apostles once more before she dies.  Each one of them was maraculously carried away from where he happened to be and borne on a cloud to the house on Mount Sion in Jerusalem where Mary was approaching death; every one of them, except Thomas.  They saw Christ Himself come down from heaven and recieve the soul of His Mother in His arms.  They took her holy body and placed it in the tomb prepared for it in the vale of Cedron, near Gethsemani.  Thomas arrived three days later, when all was over.  He wished to see for the last time the face of the woman who had been the Temple of God.  He went with the other apostles to the tomb, which they opened.  They found it empty, but heard an angelic concert.  (It is also said that the beautiful fragrance of flowers filled the empty tomb, and this is why we bless flowers on this day).  Mary herself appeared to them and confirmed the fact of her assumption to heaven."

Our Transfiguration:  Each one of us is called to be transfigured-changed by the power of Holy God so that we also may shine with divine love and grace.

The Great Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos:  Reminds us of our need to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in our own transfiguration toward the holiness and perfection that God created us to share with the Holy Trinity.  We work toward this transfiguration by prayer, fasting, and sharing the many gifts God has given us.

Ikon:  The ikon for The Great Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos shows The Theotokos lying on her deathbead, surrounded by eleven of the Apostles, and Holy God thw Son within the Holy Trinity/Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ receiving her soul in heaven.

Feast Day:  The Great Feast of Dormition of the Theotokos is a feast day.  The reason is that fasting is forbidden on all Great Feast days with the exception of The Great Feast of the Exalatation of the Precious and Lifegiving Holy Cross.

Feasting begins at the beginning of the Vespers of the Great Feast of the Dormition of The Theotokos (August 14 evening and August 15th).  Feasting ends just before the Vespers of the Holy Hieromartyr Eutyches.

History:  The Great Feast of the Dormition of The Theotokos became popular troughout the Byzantine Empire between 588 and 602.  Theodore I, Pope from 642 to 649, who was a Byzantine Christian from Jerusalem, introduced this feast to the Church of Rome and the West.

The Great Feast of the Dormition of The Theotokos is the oldest feast of the Mother of God.

The Western Church calls this feast "The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary."

Dormition: Is a Latin word meaning "Falling Asleep".

St. Mary's Troparion

In giving birth, you preserved your Virginity!  In falling asleep you did not forsake the world, O Theotokos! 

You were translated to life, O Mother of life and by your prayers you delivered our souls from death. 

Weekly Bulletin

Variations in the Divine Liturgy

Parish history

The History of St. Mary's Antiochian Orthodox Church

      In the late l950's in the West Palm Beach area, there was a small handful of Orthodox Christian families, approximately fifteen, who realized the need for a local Orthodox Parish to fulfill their spiritual needs, along with those of their children and all future generations.

      At the Syrian Lebanese American Club on November 17, 1959 there was an organizational meeting, in which the Very Rev. Fr. Michael Husson from St. George of Miami presided.  At this time, an Orthodox Mission was officially begun in West Palm Beach and it was named St. Mary's according to the recommendation of our late Metropolitan Antony Bashir.

      Following the meeting, liturgical services were celebrated at the Syrian Lebanese American Club by the lated V. Rev. Fr. Abraham Zaine.  After the arrival of our first full time priest, Fr. John Newcome, services were held in downtown West Palm Beach at the Carefree Theater.

      Through the support of our local Orthodox families, and friends within the community, and other Orthodox support beyond the geographical limits of West Palm Beach, land was purchased and construction began on the church.  It was subsequently sold and a new parcel of land was purchased which is the present site of our St. Mary's.

      On Friday, April 4, 1963 the late Very Reverend Father Wakeem Dalack arrived replacing Father Newcombe.  Construction had already commenced and through the untiring efforts and leadership of Father Dalack and his dedicated parishioners, the church was finally completed and our first Divine Liturgy was celebrated during the Holy Pascal period in 1965.  On occasion and in the absence of Father Dalack, the late Father Anthony Stangry assisted Father Dalack in celebrating the liturgy.  When Father Dalack announced his retirement, a testimonial was given in his honor.  Father Basil Wagner replaced Father Dalack and served our parish until he was subsequently replaced by Father Nicholas Neyman.

      Father Neyman was instrumental in the formation of the Day Care Center as a community service and also to assist the fund raising efforts of our church.  The center displayed a high degree of projected success and based upon these projections immediate steps were taken to acquire the property located immediately south of where our church stands.  Through the untiring efforts of many of the parishioners and friends we were able to transform this unique donation into our first Day Care facility.

      Approximately a 1 1/2 year hiatus transpired without a permanent spiritual leader following Father Neyman's transfer to California.  A new graduate and ordained Priest, Rev. Fr. Elia Shalhoub was assigned as an interim Priest from May 20th to August 10, 1980.  If it were not for the untiring and unselfish efforts of Father Michael Lobo we would not have had any spiritual guidance.  Father Lobo traveled from Miami to West Palm Beach every Sunday during this period until the fall of 1981 when the Very Reverend Father Paul Moses was assigned to St. Mary's.

      Father Moses rendered invaluable assistance to Khouryie Hilda who had taken over the administrative duties of our Day Care Center.  With the acquisition of the adjacent property we also transformed this former residence to what was to become known as Day Care Center II.  This conversion lasted approximately one year and was accomplished by the many dedicated members and friends who sacrificed every weekend keeping the overall cost of conversion to a minimum.

      At the semi-annual General Assembly meeting in May 1984, the congregation gave serious consideration and authorized the expansion, as the need arises, of a future building to be known as Angels Ark III.

      Following Fr. Paul Moses' retirement, Fr. Michael Lewis was assigned as our pastor, where he served us for ten years.  Fellowing Fr. Michael's transfer, we received, again, a newly ordained Priest Fr. Simeon Corona, who served us for only two years.  Following Fr.Simeon's transfer, Fr. James Barkett was assigned and he served for almost four years.  Following Fr. James departure, we were assigned, again, an interim pastor, Fr. Nicholas Bargott, who served us for six months until our present pastor, the Very Reverend Fr. Elia Shalhoub was assigned to shepherd our flock.

      The heritages of our parishioners include:  Russian, Ukrainian, Greek, Lebanese, Syrian, Armenian, Yugoslovian, Bulgarian, and American to name a few.  Our church is recognized as an Antiochian Church, with a  Pan Orthodox setting, with services in English.  Our present facilities include a multi-purpose recreation hall where it is rented out to various organization in the community on an everyday basis.  We have tried to exemplify the good neighbor image in making our facilities available for everything from a meeting hall to banquet and hafli activities.  We have ample parking facilities available and additional land for future expansion which we pray will be necessary in the foreseeable future.

      With the guidance of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the goals projected will be obtained by our dedicated members and friends, expanding on the foundation established by our present members and those who have departed before us. 

Parish Clergy

PICTURE

V. Rev. Fr. Elia Shalhoub

Date of Birth:  October 28, 1954 to Wadih & Bahije Shalhoub

Place of Birth: Douma, El-Bartroun, Lebanon

Date of Marriage:  January 7, 1980 to Odette Rahbani

Graduate School:   St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, Crestwood, New York, M. Div. in Theology 1980

College:  University of Thesalonike, Modern Greek 1977, Saint John of Damascus Theological Academy, Koura, Lebanon Major in Philosophy 1976

Senior High & Junior High School:  Balamand Ecclesistical School - Koura, Lebanon

Elementary:  Orthodox School of Annunciation, Beirut & Douma Public School, Lebanon

Languages: Arabic, English, Greek and some French

For the last twenty-five years, I have been blessed with my beloved wife Odette, to serve the communities of St. Mary's of West Palm Beach, where we started in 1980 and where we are now, St. Antonias of Halifax, N.S., Sts. Peter & Paul of Charlottestown, PEI, St. George of Toronto, St. Mary of Mississauga, Ontario, and St. George Cathedral of Coral Gables, Florida.

Through the grace of God and the love and trust of our beloved Metropolitan and Hierarchs of this God protected, self-rules Archdiocese of North America, I have been able to sreve faithfully to the best of my ability these communities who were entrusted to my care an help them to reach God the Father through my fatherhood as their priest.

I am so thankful to my beloved Khouryee Odette who dedicated her life to serve God with me.  To my family, especially to my late beloved parents who were a great inspiration to me, and to all my brothers and sisters, and their families for their love and support. 

PICTURE

Arch Deacon Rev. Joseph Harb

Date of Birth:  December 15, 1939

Date of Marriage:  November 28, 1965

Children and Grandchild:  Two Children and One Grandchild

Arch Deacon Joseph Harb has served the Orthodox Church for more than three decades.  He is a child of Ramaiah, Palestine.  He came to the Orthodox Church in Cleveland, Ohio.

Joseph Harb was blessed to be a Subdeacon in 1987.  Subdeacon Joseph Harb was ordained to the holy Diaconate in 1993.  He served his home, St. George in Cleveland.  From 1995 through 2000 he served as the "Bishop's Deacon" traveling almost full time with Bishop DIMITRI throughout the Midwest.

Besides his vast experience as a "Bishop's Deacon" Arch Deacon Joseph has served with distinction at many churches.  All the priests of the Midwest, as well as, Florida and California will attest to his devotion and character.  He has served specifically for Archpriest Fr. Lou Mahshie in Akron since 200 and regularly served "during the season" at St. Mary's in West Palm Beach.  At St. Mary's he has served with Frs. Michael Lewis, Simeon Corona, James Barkett and, finally, Archpriest Elia Shalhoub.  He helped see St. Mary's through times of turmoil and crisis.  He has served with heart and distinction whenever and whereever called upon.

He serves, to this day, from coast-to-coast.  He regularly takes trips to California to help his old friend and father, Simeon Corona, during house blessing season and beyond.

In the year 2004 Deacon Joseph Harb was eleveated to Arch Deacon.