Your Guide to St.Elias_St.Elias Maronite Church

THE IMMACULATE HEART
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THE ANNUNCIATION
Mary, lily of purity, studies the scriptures. The Angel
Gabriel announces: “ Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with
you” (Luke 1:28). The Virgin Mother responds: “ Let it be
done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).
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THE CRUCIFIXION
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ST. PAUL
Mary mourns at the side of the crucified Savior, “ I am the
sorrowful Mother” (Great Friday Litany). “ This is the King of the
Jews” (Luke 23:38). “ It was now about midday” (Luke 23:44), but
the sky has deep rich colors of darkness. The skull and crossbones
symbolize the name of ‘ Golgotha’ and the death of the sin of
Adam. The nails symbolize the wounds by which we were saved.
The scroll represents his 14 epistles and the sword his
martyrdom. The snake and the fire refer to Paul’s
shipwreck on Malta (Acts 28:3-5).
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ST. THERESA
OF THE
CHILD JESUS
St. Theresa is pictured behind the cloister wall, clutching
the Crucifix and holding roses. ‘ The Little Flower’ Carmelite Nun of Lisiex said: “ After death, I will drop
down from heaven a shower of roses.”
ST. ANTHONY
OF
PADUA
Franciscan Friar holding the Christ Child. The burning
heart and treasure chest above represent his great
charity. He is also known as a great preacher, possessing
the ‘ Lily of Purity.’ St. Anthony is also known for
restoring lost things to those asking his intercession.
St. Nimatullah
Hardini
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St. Nimatullah (1808-1858)
was an OLM monk in Kfifan,
where he learned to bind
books and teach children. He
was beatified in 1998 and
canonized in 2004.
Our Lady of Lebanon Grotto and St. Elias Columbarium
St. Elias Maronite Church
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ST. PHILIP,
THE
APOSTLE
Following Jesus, before the multiplication of loaves,
Philip was asked by the Master: “ Where shall we buy
bread for these people to eat?” (John 6:5). The loaf
symbolizes Philip’s witness to the miracle
of Jesus feeding 5000 people.
St. Rafka
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MARY, QUEEN
OF THE
UNIVERSE
Mary stands on the earth trampling the serpent in the
image of Revelation, but is pictured in the clouds of heaven here as our Queen -” Ave Maria” (Revelation 12:1ff).
Our mother was crowned as Queen in the Maronite Church.
ST. JOHN MARON
First Patriarch, 687 A.D., wears Patriarchal attire. The Syriac
Book “ of the Faith” symbolizes his teaching authority. This
window and the St. Maron window, both facing the front of
the church are patrons of the Maronite Church.
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St. Rafka (1832-1914), the
blind mystic of Lebanon, was
an example of redemptive
suffering in the OLM convent
in Jrabta. She was beatified in
1985 and canonized in 2001.
OF
MARY
Mary’s heart, a symbol of great love, is encircled by
roses, while being pierced with the sword of sorrows
(Luke 2, 35). The heart encircled by roses symbolizes
her queenship and love for her spiritual children.
836 8th Street South, Birmingham, Alabama 35205-4567
Rectory/Office 205-251-5057 • Church Hall 205-252-3867
www.stelias.org
Liturgy Schedule:
Daily: 8:00 am, Saturday: 5:00 pm, Sunday: 8:00 am and 10:30 am
Holy Days: 7:00 pm (eve) and 8:00 am
Confessions - Saturday: 4:00 pm or anytime upon request
Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon
Your Guide to St. Elias Maronite Church
18
History of St. Elias Maronite Parish:
What is the Maronite Church?
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1910
St. Elias Parish is established. Rev. Mobaarek Bellamais is
the first Pastor, The Church was named after Elijah, the patron saint
of the Lebanese village where the founding families originated.
1950
The Church is built at its present location.
First Divine Liturgy is celebrated at midnight on Christmas Eve.
1959
Church Hall is built.
1960
Golden Jubilee of St. Elias Parish is celebrated.
Church is dedicated. Rev. Joseph F. Abi-Chedid is
elevated to the rank of Chorbishop.
1962
Parish Rectory is built. His Beatitude Paul Peter Meouchi, Maronite
Patriarch, dedicated the church hall and rectory.
1969
Four Schoolrooms are built.
1972
St. Elias hosts the 9th Annual National Maronite Convention.
1980
Rev. Fahad Azar is ordained to the Priesthood on June 28th.
1985
Diamond Jubilee Year.
1988
His Beatitude Nesrallah Peter Sfeir visits St. Elias in July.
1989
Rev. Paul Peter Boackle is ordained to the
Priesthood on September 30th.
1993
St. Elias hosts the 30th Annual NAM Convention.
Joseph R. Stephens and Samuel J. Wehby are ordained as Sub-Deacons.
1996
Multipurpose Building/Schoolroom addition is built.
1999
First Lebanese Food and Cultural Festival is held.
2000
90th Anniversary of founding of St. Elias, 50th year at present
location. John Paul Kimes is ordained to the Priesthood on July 20th,
Joseph Stephens is ordained as a Deacon on July 22nd.
Jubilee 2000 Gala Celebration is held on November 25th.
2007
Samuel J. Wehby is ordained as a Deacon on September 21st.
2008
10th Annual Lebanese Food & Cultural Festival is held.
2009
Faith. Family. Heritage. Capital Campaign kicked off on March 3rd.
Northside parking lot and interior church renovations are completed.
NAM Board of Directors Fall Meeting is held in October.
Bishop Robert Shaheen opened Centennial Year at Gala Celebration.
2010
100th Anniversary is celebrated. St. Elias hosts the 47th
Annual Maronite Convention. Grotto & Columbarium are completed
Rectory face & fountain are remodeled.
2012
Centennial Brick Walkway begins.
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THE SACRED HEART
OF JESUS
The physical heart of Jesus, encircled by the crown of thorns,
symbolizes His total love through suffering for all people.
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ST. MARON
St. Maron is the Father of the Maronite Church. Hermit,
Monk of Syria, he died in 410 A.D. The tent symbolizes the
hermetic, yet open air, lifestyle of prayer and penance,
which St. Maron founded. The Monastery of St. Maron was
built at the place where he died.
3
ST. ANNE
St. Anne, the Mother of Mary and patroness of mothers
and children, tenderly teaches Mary the scriptures.
God’s will is found in the scriptures.
JESUS,
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THE
GOOD SHEPHERD
AND THE LOST
SHEEP
ST. JOSEPH
The lily, a sign of purity, and the cedar tree show Joseph to
be a just and upright man. The carpenter’s tools represent
his workshop, where he taught and provided for Jesus.
“ The just man shall flourish like a palm tree, like a Cedar
of Lebanon shall he grow” (Psalm 92, vs.13).
The Arabic inscription on the banner
“ Houwatha hama lou llah” translates to “ This is the Lamb
of God” (John1:29). The butterfly is the symbol of new life.
The leather belt is used to bring the lost sheep home.
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ST. ELIAS, PROPHET AND
PATRON OF THIS CHURCH
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OUR LADY
OF
FATIMA
In 1917, Our Lady appeared to three children. Our Lady is
shown speaking to Francisco and Jacinta, imploring them
to recite the Rosary for the conversion of sinners. Lucia is
not shown since she lived until 2005.
ST. PETER
St. Peter is shown with the scrolls of his epistle and the keys
to his kingdom, which Jesus gave him first (Matthew 16:19).
The inverted cross depicts his crucifixion.
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THE AGONY
IN THE
GARDEN
After the Last Supper, Jesus in his agony prays at the
Mount of Olives, until his sweat becomes like drops of
blood as he awaits his betrayer (Luke 22:44). Pictured
in the background are the city of Jerusalem and the
Apostles Peter, James and John asleep.
ARCHANGEL MICHAEL
Michael, whose name in Hebrew means “ who is like God,”
is clothed in full armor with the sword of victory over the
dragon on whom he treads. The dragon symbolizes Satan
and evil (Revelation 12:7).
St. Elias, is clothed as a prophet of Mt. Carmel with scroll,
fiery sword and mantle. The Mount Carmel shield at the top
of the window is inscribed in Latin “ Zelo Zelatus sum pro
Domino Deo exercituum” meaning “ I have been most
zealous for the Lord, the God of Hosts” ( I Kings, 19:14).
The scroll held close to his heart represents his loyalty to
God. The sword of fire symbolizes the fire of God that came
upon his altar in response to prayer and fiery chariot. The
sword is the symbol of zeal that he fought for the lord.
The cloak and belt are signs of a prophet.