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78S20202 MMS-D
By: Haggerty H.R. No. 96
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The congregation of St. George Antiochian Orthodox
Church of El Paso is celebrating the consecration of its new church
building on October 17, 2003; and
WHEREAS, St. George traces its roots back to 1947, when
citizens of Arabic descent organized to establish an Eastern
Orthodox church in El Paso; after meeting in a private home, the
group was offered the use of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church for
its services; at times it also used the Pro Cathedral Church of St.
Clement; and
WHEREAS, The Right Reverend Basilious Sedoui, from Damascus,
Syria, became the first pastor of the congregation and served until
1950, delivering his sermons alternately in Greek and in Arabic; as
more and more young people who could not speak Arabic came into the
church, a new priest, the Very Reverend Father Nicholas Husson, was
assigned to it, and he led the congregation from October 1950 until
his retirement in 1967; and
WHEREAS, In order to accommodate their growing membership,
the congregation purchased Westminster Presbyterian Church in 1950
and remodeled it to meet their needs, doing much of the carpentry
themselves; the building was renovated again in 1958, following a
fire, and in 1974 the congregation erected a church hall, gym,
kitchen, and classrooms; and
WHEREAS, The Very Reverend Father Jehad T. Michael has served
the congregants of St. George as pastor since 1991, and he has been
assisted since 1994 by the Reverend Father Robert Bethoney; and
WHEREAS, The life of this congregation is further sustained
and enriched by the contributions of a number of organizations,
including the Parish Council, Ladies Society, Fellowship of St.
John the Divine, Order of St. Ignatius, Teen SOYO, choir, church
school, and altar boys; over the course of the year, members also
sponsor a number of events designed to benefit both the church and
the wider community; and
WHEREAS, Through the tireless and dedicated efforts of many
individuals, the congregation of St. George has enjoyed a cherished
spiritual home for more than half a century, and it is a pleasure to
join in celebrating the consecration of its splendid new building;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Very Reverend Father Jehad T. Michael, the
Reverend Father Robert Bethoney, and the congregation of St. George
Antiochian Orthodox Church be congratulated on the occasion of the
consecration of their new church edifice and that they be extended
sincere best wishes for success in all their future endeavors; and,
be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church as an expression
of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.