Although most Americans believe the myth that all
Arabs are Muslims, statistics show that the majority of Arabs in
Chicagoland are Christian.
There are several Arab Christian Churches in the
Chicago area, but the first one to serve the huge Christian Arab
population in the Southwest Suburbs with its own church building opened
10 months ago.
Father
Malek Rihani of the Church of the Virgin Mary said his church is open to
Christians of all faiths, but specifically caters to Orthodox
Christians. More than half of the services are conducted in the Arabic
language.
"We welcome everyone of the Christian Faith; however,
as an ancient Church who continues to follow the Canons of the early
centuries, we can offer the sacraments only to those of the Orthodox
Faith,
" said Father Malek.
"Our Bishop has always recognized Chicago is a large
town and needs several Arabic speaking churches. We’ve always had only
one Orthodox Church and there is a need for more."
Father Malek was ordained a priest three years ago,
and was always involved with St. George Orthodox Church in Cicero. When
no one took the initiative to start a second church, Father Malek said
he decided to become ordained.
Last
year, Father Malek said he was able to get St. Luke’s Church in Palos
Hills to allow him and others to begin services there.
"They were very gracious enough to allow us to use
their facilities after they were done with their services. We began our
services at 1 PM." Father Malek said.
"When we first asked to use their facilities, they
asked us how many people we thought might come. We said we hoped for
maybe 50. But on day one when we opened the services at St. Luke’s
Church, we had more than 300 people. People couldn’t even come in. And
there was no place to park. That proved to us that there is a tremendous
need and motivated us to keep on going."
Last December, with the backing of the strong Arab
Christian community in the Southwest Suburbs, he said he was able to
purchase the Church of the Virgin Mary at 12147 S. Cicero Ave in Alsip.
"The majority of our parishioners come from Oak Lawn
and Orland Park, although worshippers come from throughout the Southwest
suburbs," Father Malek said.
"We knew they were out there and there was only one
church. The need is there. And our church continues to show that we are
just beginning."
Rihani said parishioners include a variety of Arab
Americans from different countries. The majority are Jordanian but
include Palestinians, Syrians and Lebanese of the Orthodox Faith.
Christians are a minority in the Middle East but a
majority in the United States. There are about 7 million Muslims in the
United States, but only 22 percent are Arab. Of the estimated 4.5
million Arabs in the United States, the majority are Christian, data
shows.
The Church of the Virgin Mary held a founders’ day
picnic recently that drew more than 350 people. The celebration featured
a barbecue, Arabian music and a traditional Arabian Debka Folkloric
Dance Troupe, as well as other entertainment for families and kids.
"I love St. George Church, but St. Mary’s is so much
closer to our community here in the Southwest Suburbs," said one picnic
attendee named Issa. "Issa" commonly used as a name for Jesus, although
the more accurate Arabic Christian name for Jesus is "Yasou."
"Christians are a big community here in the Southwest
Suburbs but people take us for granted. Now, with our church, they may
be able to see us more and recognize that we are just as much a voice
here as others."
Father
Malek said he agrees that the church will only grow in coming years and
they have already started a program to raise funds to build an even
bigger church building to accommodate more parishioners.
Father Malek’s brother Saed Rihani is the Deacon at
the Church of the Virgin Mary. A Deacon is an ordained order of the
clergy who with the permission and direction of the ordained priest can
conduct services.
He also said they plan more programs, including to
address social issues such as domestic violence, gangs and drugs.
"The strength of our community has to do with family.
The community is not immune from the failings of the family. Drug abuse.
Physical abuse. Many issues. My goal is to start a Mens Ministry to get
men involved in recognizing their role as heads of the household,"
Father Malek said.
"We are open to help anyone, Christian or Muslim.
Muslims are welcome to come in for support," Father Malek said.
Father Malek said the Church already provides cultural
training to the youth and has a very successful Debka Folkloric Dance
Troupe. He said they will soon also begin a school in Arabic that will
have a Christian focus and flavor.
Services at the Church of the Virgin Mary are held
every Sunday, the Divine Liturgy at 10:30 AM. On Saturday, they have an
evening prayer service that begins at 5:30 PM. It is followed by
confessions.
END