www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall What to see in Detroit

Hello all,
I may be travelling to Michigan in September, to do some talks at Central Michigan University.

As many of you know I am based in Portugal and have very limited access to Eastern Christian communities here.

So what would I be able to find in Detroit? I have already seen that there are Ethiopians, so that is a must. How about Christians from the Middle East? Any large communities? Would be great to get in touch with some, specially from Syria, possibly get some interviews done as well.

Looking forward to your suggestions!

(P.S. I still don't know exact dates, or even where abouts I'll be. Things are still very sketchy...)

Detroit and it's suburbs are home to the Chaldeans (the Cathedral of the Mother of God), the Maronites, the Syriacs (I think there is a mission around there), and one Syro-Malankara parish (Rev. Fr. Saji George, formerly in Chicago is the pastor).

Middle Eastern? LOL. The place is overrun with us (the Arab community dates from Henry Ford's pilgrimage to the Holy Land, where he came upon the Arab Christians, whom he did not existed. He thought that was the neatest thing, so he sponsored many to come work at the Ford factories. They called their cousins, who started a trend in the villages picked up by the Muslim inhabitants, and the rest is history).

All stripes are represented in MI (the Arab American Museum is in Dearborn, and has a lot on us).

Btw, MI also has a Western Rite Orthodox Parish-in Lincoln Park.

Btw, if you are in Central Michigan, you will be near Holy Dormition Monastery (OCA, Romanian) in Rives Junction.

Thanks!
The Henry Ford connection is very cool. A news story in and of itself! I'll look into it.

Hi IAlmisry, I tried to send you a private message, but you seem to be over your limit.

I travel next week. With all that is going on I think a visit to Dearborn to speak to members of the Syrian community is a must. Do you have any contacts or suggestions for me?

Thanks!
Filipe