Saint Michael Antiochian
Orthodox Church in Van Nuys began serving Orthodox Christians in the
San Fernando Valley on January 12, 1969. It started with a small group of people who
decided there was a need for a church in the Valley.
With the goal of celebrating our first liturgy on January 12, 1969, enough
space was located at the Mid-Valley Y.M.C.A. to hold liturgy and church
school. Families were enrolled, the church school was staffed, a choir was
formed, arrangements were made for a priest, and His Eminence, Archbishop
PHILIP (Saliba), gave his blessing. Valuable assistance and advice was
provided by Fr. Paul Romley, Dean of St. Nicholas Cathedral in Los
Angeles, Fr. Gabriel Ashie of St. Luke’s Orthodox Church in Garden Grove,
and Fr. James Meena, then Director of Sacred Music and Religious Education
for the Archdiocese.
During the planning for the first liturgy, a Methodist church, which would
suit our needs, was located through the efforts of Dr. Edward Deeb. On
January 12, 1969, as originally scheduled, the first Divine Liturgy was
celebrated, not at the Y.M.C.A., but in our current church building with
Fr. Paul Romley officiating. Subsequently, the church property consisting
of 1.25 acres of land, an “A” frame church, and a fellowship center was
purchased.
St. Michael grew from mission status to a church in a very short time. In
the ensuing years, it was recognized that a new church, classroom
building, and hall would be needed to accommodate the growth of the
community, making it necessary to acquire additional property. This was
accomplished by purchasing two parcels of land located to the east of the
church, which increased the church property to 3.1 acres. Through direct
donations, bake sales, rummage sales, socials, and numerous other
fundraisers, the properties were paid off and the last mortgage was burned
in 1984.
A master plan was then drawn up for a new church complex, consisting of a
church, fellowship center and parking structure. The project was completed
in three phases, starting with the fellowship center. Michael Malouf
negotiated a unique financial plan with Bank Audi, California, which made
it possible to move ahead with the hall and classroom building. Through
the efforts of Michael and Jack Malouf, who have assumed responsibility
for the construction of the building, the new St. Michael Fellowship
Center was completed and in operation by the spring of 1995.
As a community we are grateful for God’s guidance, and for the dedication,
love, hard work, and unyielding spirit of those who served St. Michael
Church, and thus made it possible for the parish to grow spiritually and
to prosper.
St.
Michael the Archangel Feast day: September 29
Name signifies: "Who is like unto God"
The name, Michael, signifies "Who is like to God" and was the
war-cry of the good angels in the battle fought in heaven against
Satan and his followers. An angel of repentance, mercy, and
righteousness, Holy Scripture describes St. Michael as "one of the
chief princes," and leader of the forces of heaven in their triumph
over the powers of hell. He has been especially honored and invoked
as patron and protector by the Church from the time of the Apostles.
Although he is always called "the Archangel," the Church Fathers and
many others place him over all the angels - as Prince of the
Seraphim. St. Michael appears in the books of Enoch, Daniel and
Revelation. In fact, in Revelation, it is St. Michael leading the
charge against Satan with an army of God's angels.
With the goal of celebrating our first liturgy on January 12, 1969, enough
space was located at the Mid-Valley Y.M.C.A. to hold liturgy and church
school. Families were enrolled, the church school was staffed, a choir was
formed, arrangements were made for a priest, and His Eminence, Archbishop
PHILIP (Saliba), gave his blessing. Valuable assistance and advice was
provided by Fr. Paul Romley, Dean of St. Nicholas Cathedral in Los
Angeles, Fr. Gabriel Ashie of St. Luke’s Orthodox Church in Garden Grove,
and Fr. James Meena, then Director of Sacred Music and Religious Education
for the Archdiocese.
During the planning for the first liturgy, a Methodist church, which would
suit our needs, was located through the efforts of Dr. Edward Deeb. On
January 12, 1969, as originally scheduled, the first Divine Liturgy was
celebrated, not at the Y.M.C.A., but in our current church building with
Fr. Paul Romley officiating. Subsequently, the church property consisting
of 1.25 acres of land, an “A” frame church, and a fellowship center was
purchased.
A master plan was then drawn up for a new church complex, consisting of a
church, fellowship center and parking structure. The project was completed
in three phases, starting with the fellowship center. Michael Malouf
negotiated a unique financial plan with Bank Audi, California, which made
it possible to move ahead with the hall and classroom building. Through
the efforts of Michael and Jack Malouf, who have assumed responsibility
for the construction of the building, the new St. Michael Fellowship
Center was completed and in operation by the spring of 1995.
The name, Michael, signifies "Who is like to God" and was the
war-cry of the good angels in the battle fought in heaven against
Satan and his followers. An angel of repentance, mercy, and
righteousness, Holy Scripture describes St. Michael as "one of the
chief princes," and leader of the forces of heaven in their triumph
over the powers of hell. He has been especially honored and invoked
as patron and protector by the Church from the time of the Apostles.
Although he is always called "the Archangel," the Church Fathers and
many others place him over all the angels - as Prince of the
Seraphim. St. Michael appears in the books of Enoch, Daniel and
Revelation. In fact, in Revelation, it is St. Michael leading the
charge against Satan with an army of God's angels.