SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF SOUFANIEH BOARDMAN, OHIO, USA - AUGUST 2002

Sunday, August 25th , 2002, Myrna prayed with us for Christian Unity at:
St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church
7782 Glenwood Ave, Boardman, Ohio

His Grace John Michael Botean, D.D., bishop of the Romanian Byzantine Catholic Diocese of Canton, presided over the liturgy. The following clergy from various rites participated: Rev. Frs. John Skala, Michael Krupka, Stephen Muth, William J. Witt, Boulos Fadel (the Spiritual Director of Myrna - Syria), Rev. Msgr. Alexis Mihalik, Rev. Deacon Donald M. Billy and the pastor, Rev. Fr. George D. Gage.

After the end of the liturgy, Myrna Nazzour gave us her testimonial, through an interpreter. Over seven hundred people packed the small church and banquet center.

Following the testimonial, Myrna’s hands exuded olive oil. The bishop, the clergy and the multitude of people, from many churches, eye witnessed the presence of the oil. All the faithful were anointed. The presence of the olive oil is the sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit. God blessed what Myrna had spoken about the church unity.

Myrna acknowledged that St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church has the only Holy Shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Soufanieh in all America and Europe. There are shrines alike in Egypt, Lebanon and, of course, in Syria.

We pray that other clergy and people will erect shrines all over the world in the honor of Our Sweet Lady of Soufanieh.

The Miracle of Damascus presents itself as a powerful and unique reality of the Will of God, to see the Church reunited again.

Myrna Nazzour, a Byzantine Catholic, married to Nicholas, Orthodox, and mother of two children, was chosen by God to become the vessel of this difficult mission.

The appearance of the olive oil on her hands, face, neck, forehead, the oozing of olive oil from her icon (a copy of the icon of Our Lady of Kazan), the apparitions of the Virgin Mary and of Christ with wonderful messages, the presence of the stigmata (1983, 1984, 1987, 1990 & 2001), miraculous healings, make Myrna a most loved messenger of Church Unity.

On March 24th, 1983, the Virgin Mary gave Myrna a message of ecumenism:

"...The Church is the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. He who has divided it has sinned and he who rejoices from its division has also sinned. Jesus founded it, it was small. When it grew, it became divided. He who divided it has no love in him… Do not fear - I am with you. Do not be divided as the great ones are. You, yourselves, will teach the generations the WORD of unity, love and faith..."