In line with the contents of H.H. Moran
Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas Apostolic Bull {Message}
of March 1999, to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the
departure of Mor Michael Rabo {St. Michael
the Great} from this earthly life to the heavenly chambers
{1199-1999}. V. Rev. Fr. Boutros
Touma Issa called the community members of St. Ephraim Syrian Orthodox
Church, Perth
Western Australia to
participate in the celebrations of such a great occasion in our Syrian
Orthodox history.
On
Sunday 23rd May 1999, the faithful listened to the
contents of the Apostolic Bull mentioned above, and following the
Holy Mass a brochure was distributed {in English
and Syriac} for the faithful that included, in points,
the life and achievements of Mor Michael Rabo, together with the schedule
of the proposed monthly gatherings to celebrate this occasion.
It was decided to hold religious gathering
the first Friday of each month commencing 4th June 1999
up to 5th November 1999. Further, it was decided to hold
a Church celebration on 7th November 1999 and a lunch for
church members on Sunday 14th November 1999.
Further, it was decided to distribute simple
gifts in commemoration of the celebration to each of the families
that participated in the celebrations. With the recent opportunity
offered by Australia
Post, we were able to issue Local Australian Stamp with MOR Michael
Rabo's portrait, a copy of this stamp will be distributed to each
of the families that participated in the celebrations.
Therefore: -
- THE FIRST RELIGIOUS GATHERING: was held on Friday 4th June 1999.
V. Rev. Fr. Boutros Touma Issa explained to those present the plan
for the celebration programme. He also talked about MOR Michael
Rabo. During this, gathering copies of the Apostolic Bull {In
English} were distributed to those present.
- THE SECOND RELIGIOUS GATHERING: was held on Friday 2nd
July 1999. V. Rev. Fr. Boutros Touma Issa talked briefly about the
history of Mor Barsawmo Monastery, and the services of Monk Michael
then {Mor Michael Rabo};
then he talked about the great Syrian Saint Mor Barsawmo the Primate
of the Hermits after whom the Monastery was named. During this gathering
copies of the Syrian areas map was distributed to those present.
- THE THIRD RELIGIOUS GATHERING:
was held on Friday 6th August 1999. In an attempt from
V. Rev. Fr. Boutros Touma Issa to engage the community in these
celebrations, provided Mr. H. B. with the historical resources,
thus he prepared a talk about the history of MOR Barsawmo Monastery
and the impact of MOR Michael Management on this Monastery as a
head of the Monastery and Patriarch.
This talk was edited by V. Rev. Fr. Boutros Touma Issa prior
to being conveyed to the community members. During this gathering
copies of the talk were distributed to those present.
- THE FOURTH RELIGIOUS GATHERING: was held on Friday 3rd
September 1999. V. Rev.
Fr. Boutros Touma Issa, and in an another attempt to encourage the
community to participate, extracted a miracle from Mor Michael Rabo's
Chronicle Journal by Mor Michael Rabo, and requested Miss S. N.
to read to the audience on his behalf. Then, V. Rev. Fr. Boutros
Touma Issa talked about MOR Michael Rabo's visits to Jerusalem.
During this, gathering copies of the talks were distributed to those
present.
- THE FIFTH RELIGIOUS GATHERING: was held on Friday 1st
October 1999. V. Rev. Fr. Boutros Touma Issa talked about MOR Michael
Rabo the Historian. A brief of the contents of Mor Michael Rabo's
Chronicle Journal to give those present an idea of what is exactly
covered by this Chronicle Journal.
- THE SIXTH RELIGIOUS GATHERING:
Friday 5th November 1999, and during the sixth religious
gathering in this series " The 800th Anniversary
of the departure of Mor Michael Rabo from this earthly life the
heavenly chambers", V. Rev. Fr. Boutros Touma Issa talked about
the final hours of this Saint's earthly life. Further, he talked
about the spiritual values behind the celebrations held in commemoration
of this great saint by the faithful Syrian Orthodox people. Towards
the end of this gathering V. Rev. Fr. Boutros Touma Issa presented
the families who participated in these religious gatherings and
activities with commemorative presents as follows:-
A framed personal
portrait of MOR Michael Rabo
Rosette of
MOR Michael Rabo's portrait with the colours red and yellow
An Australian
45 cents stamp with MOR Michael Rabo's portrait stamped on it
- THE SEVENTH RELIGIOUS GATHERING:
Sunday 7th November 1999, and during the Holy Mass V.
Rev. Fr. Bourtos Touma Issa read the Apostolic Bull that was issued
by H. H. Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas on the occasion of the
800th anniversary of the departure of MOR Michael Rabo from this
earthly life to the heavenly chambers. This was followed by special
prayer for Mor Michael Rabo Where a chair carrying the personal
portrait of Mor Michael was especially placed for the occasion resembling
Mor Michael Rabo. Then V. Rev. Fr. Boutros Touma Issa thanked all
those who participated in these activities, and expressed thanksgiving
to God the Almighty praying to keep our beloved Patriarch H.H. Moran
Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas the Supreme Head of Our Holy Syrian Orthodox
Church in the best of health always. Sunday 7th November
1999 and following the holy mass all were invited to the Church's
hall for their morning tea as participation from community members