Fr. Joseph was born and reared in an Orthodox Christian home in the quaint village of Tal Abbas Al- Gharbi, Akkar, Lebanon. His father, The V. Rev Fr. Khalil, was the priest of Tal Abbas’ St Mary Church...
Who We Are
To grow in Faith and share our Faith in God with the World around us
The Forty Holy Martyrs of Sebaste Church
The Forty Holy Martyrs of Sebaste Church part of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, the American branch of the ancient Church of Antioch where, “the disciples were for the first time called Christians.” {Acts 11:26} Thus our Church was not organized a few hundred years ago but traces its history in an unbroken chain back to the Apostles themselves. Since its founding by the Apostles Peter and Paul, the Church of Antioch has preserved without change or alteration the teachings of Christ to His Disciples. Because we are the Church of the New Testament, we believe that the Holy Scriptures are not merely human documents, but were divinely inspired and given to us by God to tell us the truth about God and our relationship with Him.
The Forty Holy Martyrs of Sebaste Church is a Christ-Centered Church. Members of the Orthodox Church believe that Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten Son of God. We believe that He is the full and complete revelation of God to humanity and the fulfillment of the law and the prophets. Finally, we believe that Christ is the perfect God and perfect man. That is He is God who became one of us to unite what we are with God, and that He conquered sin and death by His life-giving death and glorious resurrection.
Mission
Spread the word of God around the world
Spread the ancient & living Word of God by putting the Gospel into action and bearing witness in the world.
Vision
Molding believers, influencing the world
Our vision is to spread the True Word of God in our community by outreach and involvement.
Beliefs
Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God
The Forty Holy Martyrs of Sebaste Church is a Christ-Centered Church, that believes in Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God.
The History of our Church
Our Church is named in memory of the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste—A.D. 320
In 320, although St. Constantine ruled in the West, Licinius ruled in the Eastern part of the Roman Empire, Licinius, still a pagan, ordered his soldiers to renounce the Christian Faith. Forty members of the Thundering or Twelfth Legion stationed in Sebate in Lesser Armenia, now known of as Sivas in modern day Turkey, refused to abandon their faith, were tortured and went joyfully to their deaths. The names of the Forty Holy Martyrs are Acacius, Aetius, Aglaius, Alexander, Angus, Athanasius, Candidus, Chudion, Claudius, Cyril, Cyrion, Dometian, Domnus, Ecdicus, Elias, Eunoicus, Eutyches, Eutychius, Flavius, Gaisus, Gorgonius, Helianus, Heraclius, Hesychius, John, Lysimachus, Meliton, Nicholas, Pholoctemon, Priscus, Sacerdon, Servian, Sisinus, Smaragdus, Theodulus, theophilus, Valens, Valerius, Vivanus, and Zanthias. We celebrate the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste Feast Day is on March 9th. Those noble soldiers of the Master of all let us honor, for they were united by their faith as they passed through fire and water, and being enlisted by Christ they entered to divine refreshment. Now those pious warriors stand and intercede with Christ God for those who cry out. Glory to Him that hath given you strength. Glory to him that hath crowned you. Glory to Him that made you wondrous, Holy Forty Martyrs.
Mass Schedule
Saturdays
5:00 Pm – Great Vespers
Sundays
8:45 Am – Orthros
10:00 Am – Divine Liturgy
Thursdays
6:30 Pm – Divine Liturgy In Arabic