Holy Cross Melkite Catholic Church | Eparchy of Newton
Bulletin of Sunday, January 28, 2024
Sunday of the Prodigal Son
January 28. Commemoration of our Holy Father Ephrem the Syriac.
Ephrem was born in the beginning of the fourth century in Nisibe of Mesopotamia. When ordained a deacon, he was appointed as teacher in his home town school, where he explained the Bible and the doctrine of faith with great diligence. After the death of Julian the apostate and the political treaty between the Byzantine Emperor Jovian and Sapor, King of Persia, the town of Nisibe was ceded to Persia. Many Christians, including Ephrem, emigrated to Edessa. Ephrem spent the rest of his teaching in Edessa in the so called "School of the Persians". He died in the year 373.
Ephrem is the author of the most beautiful and spiritually moving poems and hymns ever written in the Greek language. In recognition of his talents, many titles were given to him: "Prophet of the Syrians," "Elias of the Syrians," "Column of the Church", "Lyre of the Holy Spirit". Pope Benedict XV declared him Father and Doctor of the Universal Church in 1920.
Scripture Memory
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been purchased at a price. Therefore, glorify God in your body” (1 Cor 6:19-20).
“He said to him, ‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found’ ” (Luke 15:31-32).
We celebrate today’s Divine Liturgy for the repose of the souls of:
Nadia Sano (December 13, 2023). 40th Day Memorial.
Inaam Semaan Bottomley (January 16, 2024)
Hanna Abelnour (January 10, 2024)
Denise William Awad (January 1, 2024)
Nahil Ibrahim Hattar (December 26, 2023)
Khouriyeh Judy Handal (December 22, 2023)
Ramadan Shaban (December 14, 2023)
Florence Shaib (January 28, 2022)
Atallah Alasaad & Fouad Alasaad
Fawzi Tashman, Fedda Tashman, Saif Tashman & Lana Tashman
Samira Yaldo
Raymond Kishek
Naser Ibrahim & Tony Ibrahim
The health, safety, and blessings for:
Haitham Aranki
Lilian Khalil Hana
Vanessa Nissan
Charbel Saikali
Ibtisam Tashman
January Birthdays:
Reem Maqatish
Reem Mazawwi
Aida Ghaly
Lynn Wahib
Luna Hatter
Josephine Saullo
Eliana Hadaddin
For peace in Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Iraq, and all the troubled regions around the world
For vocations to the priesthood, monastic life, and lay parish ministries
