Father John Azar, Pastor of St. John Chrysostom Melkite parish in Atlanta, is exploring the possibility of traveling to either Nashville or Middle Tennessee to celebrate Divine Liturgy. Anyone in that area who is interested is asked to get in contact with Father John or one of the parishioners at Saint John's. Contact info is on the Melkite Eparchial website .

Many years,

Neil

I read about this last night on the Eparchy's webpage!
I am very excited about the prospects!

WHEN DOES CHATTANOOGA HAVE ITS TURN???????
Much Love,
Jonn

I am curious about the mission that Fr. Azar was organizing in New Orleans. On the web page of St. John Chrysostom it says that it was suspended after hurricane Katrina. Anything new about it?

Neil-

Great news! I wish Father John success!

MarkosC

Haven spoken with the melkite deacon(or priest, I can't remember) who is helping out at the Byzantine Parish in New Orleans, I can tell you that at this time, for sure, Katrina has suspended all Byzantine activity.

The melkite mission was meeting in a Roman Catholic Chapel at a University. The campus was flooded and I don't think the chapel has been reopened yet.

Hmm. I thought they were meeting at Holy Name of Jesus Church on the Campus of Loyola University? That part of the city did not flood. However, the Byzantine (Ruthenian) Church (St. Nicholas of Myra) is on Carrollton Ave., and that part of the city definitely flooded. It is a shame. I really would like to attend the Divine Liturgy, but there are no other Byzantine Catholic Churches in our area. I live north of the city on the northshore of Lake Pontchartrain. I know there are enough people here to investigate if there is interest in the Byzantine Catholic Church because a large chunk of the population from the southshore (immediate New Orleans) ended up here. As it is, there are not enough Latin Rite Parishes to accomodate the people (Masses are beyond overflowing). Anyone with suggestions? (Sorry Neil. I didn't mean to hijack your thread. Perhaps I should have started a new thread.)

Idk, mabye the melkites do still meet?

Fr. John may want to contact Mary Grace at St. Georges. Earlier this year the Ruthenians had Divine Liturgy at her dauhters RC parish just outside Nashville, they journeyed over from the mission in Knoxville - East Seymore. I am sure they would be glad to open the doors for the Melkites also, and I know her children would be totally estatic, as a daughter and son who reside in Nashville with their families.

Needless to say, at St Georges, Fr. John is loved too Tell him Deacon Stan and Rose say hello.

Rugrat,

NP. You are correct, the Liturgy was indeed being served at Holy Name on the Loyola campus.

St John\'s website page devoted to the NO mission indicates that activity had been suspended in the wake of Katrina. It doesn't appear to have been updated recently, so it's difficult to know the current status. There are e-mail links on the page to several of those involved with the mission, an inquiry to one of them might be helpful.

Many years,

Neil