From Syria to Detroit, a Journey of Faith: Father George Shalhoub's story

posted on: Dec 23, 2016

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DETROIT – A Religious Movement

Father George Shalhoub left his home in Damascus, Syria at age 12, but not by his own design.  His family sent him to the Balamand Monastery in Lebanon.  There a Bishop would take a young George under his wing, and this is where his religious journey began.

Father Shalhoub’s life he had been guided by family and mentors, up until he reached America.  He puts it plainly, “All my life has never been my choice,” said the Father, “ but I have done my best, everywhere I settled.”  His best was seen in Lebanon until 1971, that’s when his biggest move would come.  His pilgrimage took him from the middle east to Toledo, Ohio.  Now just a short drive away from his present home, his life was about to transform once again. Father George would marry his wife, Nouhad.   This, just like all previous life moves, was not something he had planned, it was instead, planned for him.  But 45 years later he and Nouhad are still together.  A week after the nuptials, George Shalhoub officially became Father George Shalhoub.  How is a man wearing vestments married? One might ask.  Well, Orthodox religions allow for married clergy.  It’s a detail that hasn’t gone unnoticed, “people, they said he’s the priest with the wife, they tell me.”

Higher Calling

February 6th, 1972 – a date clearly recalled by Father Shalhoub.  It’s easy to remember, that’s the date he and his wife moved to Detroit, with nothing but their clothes on their back.  His mission was to start a mission in Western Wayne County.  Without resources of any kind, the challenge was mountainous, “we struggled a lot, actually we borrowed money from the people” George said that wasn’t the only hurdle, “we didn’t have (any) money, no land, no church, no home, nothing.”

Eventually, along side a handful of parishioners, Father Shalhoub would build a community and find temporary houses of worship. Finally in 2002 St. Mary’s found it’s forever home, The Basilica of St. Mary’s Antiochian Orthodox Church in Livonia.

Congregation

The congregation is a collection of people from the middle east.  Father Shalhoub says the reason they worship at St. Mary’s is because there’s a feeling of comfort, “church reminds them of home, they see one another and there’s solidarity with each other. It lessens the anxiety of war.” For many that last part, the part about war is a perpetual reality for their homelands.  Places like Syria and more specifically Aleppo are still under siege.

In a community like St. Mary’s it is a harsh reality that is not forgotten, “it is a living holocaust, it is a genocide,” says Shalhoub. The church offers a space for likeminded people to congregate and build strength.  Harboring hope and support for each and everyone.

You Gotta Have Faith

Father George Shalhoub has a warm, stoic presence.  A thoughtful and well schooled man who seems proud of the spirit of his people, “we still sing our song, dance our dance and say our prayer and that is never forgotten.” His words echo the strong spirit of the people he preaches to.

His teachings reach beyond the parishioners of St. Mary’s.  He has four children and nine grandchildren.  We’re sure they all have learned their fair share off lessons throughout the years.