2100 W. Frontage Rd. • Palatine, IL. 60078

Volume 17 - NO. 1/2 Jan./Feb. 2002

H.H. Pope Shenoda IIIPope of Alexandria and Patriarch

of the See of St. Mark

The Consecration of St. Mary Church

Part Two

At 8:45 a.m., H.H. Pope Shenouda III arrived to St. Mary Church where he was warmly received.

H.H. and the accompanying Bishops consecrating the alter in St. Mary’s name.

H.H. Pope Shenouda III’s procession to the nave of the church.

Upon entering the nave of the church, the congregation stood in awe, welcoming H.H. arrival.

H.H. consecrating the service vessels.

H.H. reciting the prayers of consecration .

H.H. consecrating St. Mary’s icon.

One of the Bishops consecrating the crucifixion icon.

H.H.’S Historic Pastoral Visit to St. Mary Church.

The procession was lead by the deacons singing and enchanting the Coptic hymns.

On Saturday Apri l 28th, 2001 H.H. Pope ShenoudaIII, consecrated the alter, the icons and the service vessels in the name of St. Mary

church . This was followed by the Divine Liturgy service.

Participated in the ceremony: H.G. Bishop Serapion, H.G. Bishop Picenti, H.G. Bishop David, Rev. Fr. Mikhail E. Mikhail, Rev. Fr. Takla Azmy, Rev. Fr. Samuel T. Samuel, and Rev. Fr. Rowais Awadalla. Also among the participants were deacon Dr. Sarwat Bassily, deacon Dr. Atef Maquar, and deacon Bishoy Mikhail.

After the Divine Liturgy service, H.H. the Pope congratulated the congregation and gave them memorabilia.

H.H. the Pope choosing the lamb. This was followed by the Procession of the lamb.

H.H. puting the lamb on his head and circling the alter.

H.H. pouring the wine in the chalice while recitingthe thanksgiving prayer.

H.H. covering the oblation with the prospherine.

H.H reading the Holy Gospel.

H.H. delivering the sermon.

The congregation listenining attentively to H.H ‘s sermon.

Santtification of

the bread and

the wine.

H.H. giving the Holy

Communion to the children.

The church priest, receivng the Holy Communion from H.H. the Pope.

H.H. concluding the service by blessing the congregation.

The Divine Liturgy

The Ninevites’ FastIt starts on Monday February 25th, and lasts for 3 days. The church will hold a daily Divine Liturgy service from 1:00 to 3:45 p.m.The Great LentIt starts on Monday, March 11th and lasts for 55 days. Every Wednesday, starting from March 20th to April 24th, a Divine Liturgy service will be held from 1:00 to 3:45 p.m.