A BREIF TRANSLATION OF THE MIRACLE BY MOR BARSOWMO SHARED WITH FAITHFUL AS PART OF THE ST. EPHRAIM SYRIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH, PERTH AUSTRALIA'S ACTIVITIES UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF V. REV. FR. BOUTROS TOUMA ISSA IN LINE WITH H.H. MORAN MOR IGANTIUS ZAKKA I IWAS'S APOSTOLIC MESSAGE OF MARCH 1999, WITH REGARDS TO THE COMMEMORATION OF MOR MICHAEL RABO AT THE 800TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEPARTURE OF THIS SAINT FROM THIS EARTHLY LIFE TO THE HEAVENLY CHAMBERS. MOR MICHAEL RABO TALKS ABOUT ONE OF THE MANY MIRACLES RENDERED BY MOR BARSOWMO THE HEAD OF THE SYRIAN HERMITS

At the last gathering, we visited the incident when Jusleen and his companions attacked Mor Barsowmo Monastery. Later and towards the end of last week's lecture we came to know what was the fate of this Jusleen with the help and support of the prayers and miracles of Mor Barsowmo.

Today we will talk about another of the many miracles rendered by Mor Barsowmo that forms part of the great history book of Mor Michael Rabo, the miracle took place when Mor Michael Rabo was still Monk. This miracle took place in Antioch in the year 1151 {i.e. 694 years following the departure of Mor Barsowmo from this earthly life to the heavenly chambers}.

The subject of this miracle was the son of one of the Foreign dignitaries named HARRY who climbed a tree, fell down and broke his heel. Despite the immense efforts of his doctors, and several of the best doctors at the time {being members of the Royalties} HARRY was unable to walk on his foot normally after. This resulted in great pain for his parents; who exerted every effort to ease the impact of the accident on HARRY.

ELIZABETH {HARRY'S mother} prayed immensely for Mor Barsowmo to assist and cure her son; although nothing happened directly, yet she did not give up, but to the contrary became so persistent on her prayers addressing Mor Barsowmo calling for a miracle from him to cure the boy.

One day, a monk of the name SALIBA carrying the picture of Mor Barsowmo called was on a tour in the village gathering the annual levies on faithful so as to participate in the annual income of the monastery. HARRY's family saw the monk, and immediately called for him to pray in their house, so as to be blessed with the picture of Mor Barsowmo.

The following day ELIZABETH saw a revelation of Mor Barsowmo; that looked like a king with several companions; thus during the revelation she asked the companions who that king might be; and they all replied her saying he is Mor Barsowmo. Then she heard him addressing her saying, you need to build a church and name that church after me.

On the same day, Monk Saliba also had a revelation of Mor Barsowmo who advised him that he needs to go to this foreign dignitary's residence and build a church in his garden. Mor Barsowmo showed this monk three altars. Despite the fact that the monk saw this revelation several times, he did not act, until finally Mor Barsowmo threatened this monk, who went and briefed the Archbishop in Antioch of what he saw.

At the time when the monk and the Archbishop were still thinking of what action to be taken with regards to this revelation, they noticed ELIZABETH and her husband {HARRY'S parents} came to tell the Archbishop of the revelation that ELIZABETH saw. The Archbishop and the monk accompanied the family back to their home, carrying Mor Barsowmo's picture to pray for HARRY.

Whilst praying, HARRY felt asleep, and suddenly they heard him shouting and jumping on both legs. He seemed to be looking to someone who seemed to be holding his hand {non-visible to others}. Thus HARRY's parents lit up the candles, people gathered and they were all glorifying Mor Barsowmo. HARRY said I just saw Mor Barsowmo carrying a golden cross that had the brightness of the sun; thus this was reflected on the walls of the entire house. Mor Barsowmo was accompanied with several monks; thus he took me {I.E. HARRY} and said do not be afraid; I came to your house as an immediate result of the faith and prayers of your mother. HARRY asked Mor Barsowmo to explain to him how could he jump and walk despite the fact that the bone of his foot is broken; at which time Mor Barsowmo touched the area of the broken bone that was healed immediately.

HARRY's parents were extremely thrilled with what they heard and saw thus they went accompanied with several faithful to the Church; going through the Palace and accompanied by the Queen at the time. The faithful were from the Foreigners, Syrains and Armenians.

Then they went back to where the miracle took place, where the Queen bowed her head to the floor and wept. People took sand from the area for their blessing; and to wherever this sand was taken a miracle takes place. These miracles; and according to Mor Michael Rabo are plenty and there is no way to mention them all.

The Church was built, and Mor Michael Rabo attended the consecration and inauguration of this Church on Sunday 9^th December 1157, during the reign of Danfad, the Mayor of Antioch. Several dignitaries and kings also participated in the ceremonies of consecration; accompanied by great number of priests, monks, Archbishops and deacons from different communities including the Armenians.

NB.: This miracle was extracted from Mor Michael Rabo's book - Perth 3^rd September 1999