He is risen. Christ is truly risen!

Invited by Bishop McGrattan, I am taking this opportunity to write about my fellow pastor, Rev. Ephrem Kardouh, BSO. He belongs to the Basilian Salvatorian religious order in Lebanon and I believe many of you had been blessed by his fruitful ministry and presence in Calgary before his current pastoral assignment.  Currently, Father Ephrem works along with me in the Melkite parish of Lincoln, Rhode Island, USA.

The life of a priest is filled with unpredictability and unique tasks each day, from baptisms to anointings of the sick. A priest is called to be all things to all people, following St. Paul's teaching, "To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak. I have become all things to all, to save at least some" (1 Cor 9:22b). With a deep commitment to serve and glorify God, a priest works tirelessly to fulfill the spiritual needs of the people.

​Fr. Ephrem was ordained in 2013 by Eparchial Bishop of Newton for Melkites in the United States, Bishop Nicholas Samra. He was sent to Calgary at the time when the Canadian government announced it would open its door to 25,000 Syrian refugees. Fr. Ephrem played a crucial role in creating a welcoming home for Syrian refugees in Canada, working alongside the Calgary Catholic Immigration Services. In 2015, he started the community of St. Basil's Melkite Catholic Church in Calgary, while also serving as a healthcare minister for the Diocese of Calgary, providing pastoral ministry and sacraments to those in need in Calgary hospitals. Fr. Ephrem has fond memories of the kindness, generosity, faith, and love he experienced while serving in Calgary. In 2019, he accepted a pastoral move to St. Basil the Great Melkite Greek Catholic Church in Lincoln, Rhode Island, to assist his predecessor, Fr. Joe, who had been ill.

Father Ephrem arrived during a difficult time, with a rocky path to pastoral life due to COVID and a pending church roof problem that had persisted for four years. Nevertheless, he accepted the challenge, organized the Finance and Parish Advisory Councils, and dove deep into the issue. Now, two and a half years later, everything is thriving. Recently, we celebrated his 50th birthday on February 18th, with hopes and prayers for an incredible year ahead. May the next 50 years be even better than the first - he is now 18,262 days old!

To backtrack, Father Ephrem considered himself a pastor in training during his first ten months with us, which was a difficult transition from one church to another. He quickly discovered that there is so much about local church ministry that cannot be taught in the classroom, reminding us to keep it humble and have a mentor.

Despite changes being necessary in any profession, Father Ephrem approached his role with respect, competency, integrity, vision, and love for God. He followed the one-year rule, taking time to learn, listen, build relationships, and gain trust during his first year with us. After that, he took charge and continued to serve with his whole heart. 

He organized the most successful two-day festival on the church grounds in July 2021, as well as a Food Fair in October 2021 to generate more funds for the major maintenance expenditures. 

Father Ephrem has an incredible talent for capturing 100% of the parishioners with his inspiring homilies. His computer science skills are equally impressive - we are now known for having one of the best parish websites and electronic bulletins in the Eparchy. His weekly electronic bulletin, consisting of around twenty pages, is eagerly anticipated by parishioners as well as others.

One of his dreams also came true. He was able to receive an overwhelming response to begin Bible Study. These sessions are held every other Wednesday in person, and on Thursday, via zoom respectively. Total participants including many young people, as well as immigrants, number about 50. 
​
Creating a meaningful space for the community is important to Father Ephrem. He enhanced the Baptism Room by combining it with St. Elias Church, which was forced to close in December 2015 due to lack of attendance and later sold. The new space, now called St. Elias Chapel, is used for Divine Liturgy, Baptisms, and other small liturgical services throughout the week. This union of the two churches has brought the congregation together as a single corporate body once again.

We had just celebrated an incredible Holy Week in the Byzantine Melkite Church, first one after COVID intrusion, where we honoured the dramatic events of the Passion beginning with Palm Sunday and culminating in the joyous Resurrection. Palm Sunday Divine Liturgies were attended to the fullest, with grand processions featuring children carrying candles and palm branches - our symbols of victory. On Holy Wednesday evening, the Holy Oil of Penitents was blessed and used for anointment. Soon after, the Last Supper was commemorated in the Byzantine Melkite Church with the Washing of the Feet of 12 men representing the Apostles.

On Thursday, we remember the portrayal of Judas betraying our Lord, the suffering of the Lord, and His  crucifixion. It's similar to the Tenebrae service in the Latin Church, where one candle is extinguished after each of the six gospels (shortened from 12).

Friday is dedicated to commemorating the Funeral and Burial of Christ. In contrast to the Latin Church's tradition, the Byzantine Rite performs this ceremony with all the pomp and majesty due to a King. It is a magnificent liturgical service, second only to Easter Sunday. During the ceremony, 12 bearers carry the Tomb or Epitaphion, followed by 12 women carrying a shroud around the Church three times. Finally, the Epitaphion is displayed in the middle of the Church for veneration, and faithful parishioners approach to take a blessed carnation as a memory of Our Lord’s burial, giving off sweet fragrance.

The climax of Holy Week is the Divine Liturgy of Easter Sunday in the Byzantine Melkite Church. The processional part held in the Narthex of the church, called the Hajmah, reminds us of the Triumphal Resurrection of our Lord at dawn, and the opening of the gates of heaven to the liberated souls of the Just.

While the Latin Church sings the Alleluia during the Easter season, the Eastern Churches echo with the joyful hymn, "Christ is risen from the dead, and by his death, he has trampled upon death, and has given life to those who are in the tombs."

A priest has the sacred power to serve God's people, lead them to union with God, and teach them, shepherd them, offer pastoral care, spiritual guidance, and sanctify them through the Sacraments. There are two book ends in the life of a priest: Begin with prayer and end the day with prayer.

Father Ephrem has tirelessly and lovingly dedicated himself to the work and responsibilities of our Parish, with no days off in almost three years. Despite the immense workload, he remains committed to the needs of the people.

Since joining us, Father Ephrem has been profoundly touched by the faith, humility, love, and generosity of St. Basil's community. We pray that God will bless Father Ephrem in his ministry here for many more years to come!

Vertical Divider

Written by Rt. Rev. Exarch Joseph S. Haggar, Pastor-Emeritus, for Faithfully. 

Father Joe celebrated his 57 years of Ordination on March 13, 2023, and is truly called in the Eparchy, the “living history of our diocese." Did you know? On February 13, 2003, Fr. Joe received a personal phone call from St. Pope John Paul II, appointing him as Eparch of the Melkite Eparchy of St. Sauveur of Montreal and all of Canada, following the recommendation of His Beatitude Patriarch Gregory III and his Holy Synod.  However, due to his health condition, Father Joe respectfully declined the offer in person with His Holiness. May God bless Fr. Joe with health and happiness in his ministry. 
​
​Photos courtesy of St. Basil Parish, Rhode Island, USA