St. Mary's
Antiochian Orthodox Church Newsletter * Nov-Dec 2015
St. Mary's Annual Church Party
Feast Day of Saint Barbara
Eid il Burbara
The Story of Saint Barbara:
Barbara and her father lived in Heliopolis which is now known as modern day Baalabek in Lebanon. Barbara's father was a wealthy man so he build a tower to hide Barbara because she was extraordinarily beautiful. Barbara had a profound interest in knowing God. One day a priest disguised as a merchant came to the city and after instructing Barbara of the mysteries of the Christian Faith, he baptized her. When her father learnt that she was a Christian he grabbed a sword and almost struck her with it. Barbara was afraid and fled, but her father began to chase after her. She ran to the hills and hid. Finally, her father found her and handed her over to the city where St. Barbara was tortured. Another woman Juliana was so moved by St. Barbara’s courage and denounced the torturers in a loud voice and as a result she too was seize. Both St. Barbara and Juliana were repeatedly tortured and beheaded. Barbara’s father was even the one that delivered the fatal blow to his own daughter. St. Barbara became a martyr because her life was taken for her belief in the Christian faith. She sacrificed her life for Christ. REFLECTION: How many of us would sacrifice our lives for our belief in Christ?
The Celebration of the Feast Day of St. Barbara at St. Mary's Antiochian Orthodox Church:
Adults and youth alike enjoyed the delicious sweet and savoury Burbara that was prepared with loving care by the St. Mary's ladies society. Kids squeeled with glee as they dressed up in costumes and brighly coloured masks. They were entertained with games planned by the St. John the Divine members.
Symbolic meaning of the costumes:
Unlike the pagan ritual of Halloween, our children attended church dressed up in costumes and masks in remembrance of Saint Barbara who wore costumes as various characters in a effort to disguise herself from her father and the Romans.
Byzantine Music & Arabic School
Announcements:
A Very Special Happy Birthday to...
- George Sleiman who celebrated on November 2nd
- Fadi Sleiman who celebrated on November 21st
- Susan Marar who celebrated on November 29th
- Shadi Barbara who celebrated on December 2nd
May God grant you many more years of health and happiness!
On Saturday, November 14, 2015 Vincenzo and Dimah LoManto Baptised their son Calogero Michael LoManto. May God bless baby Calogero as he continues to grow in Christ.