Oblio said:
No, the only Church I have been to in Atlanta is St. John Maximovich (OCA). To bad they changed the Liturgy at the Marionite Church. That would be something to see.
Someone told me that the Maronites still say the Divine Liturgy in Aramaic but I think the custom is dying out as the old priests fall asleep in the Lord. Let's hope they keep the ancient Divine Liturgy alive.
There are some Syrian Orthodox (who don't use the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom) who also say that their Liturgy is in Aramaic. However, I don't think we are in full communion with them yet.
Have you heard the joke about the Aramaic-speaking Christians?
There was this man who decided to move into this remote old village located high in the mountains of Lebanon or Syria. Upon moving into his newly purchased house, he decided to celebrate by breaking out his barbie. While the smoke from his grilled steaks was wafting through the village, the villagers quickly ran to their local village priest exclaiming,
"Father, this is Clean Monday. Can't you go tell this newcomer that we are trying to fast and that this is a terrible way to start Great Lent? Please ask him to be careful of our Traditions."
The Priest calmed down his parishioners and told them that he would talk with the newcomer.
When the Priest explained the Faith and its disciplines, the newcomer was in awe. He asked to be given instructions and on the following Christmas, he was received into the Church.
The villagers were estatic. They came to him happily and said,
"You were born a pagan, and now you are a Christian." Welcome!
Everything returned to normal. Then the following year, Clean Monday came around again, and again the newcomer took out his barbie.
When they smelled the smoke, the neighbors peered over his fence and heard him exclaim with his arms stretched over the barbie:
"You were born chickens, but now you are fish."
Oops! Today is Friday. Sorry!
Your sister in Christ,
Elizabeth