The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-12
BISHOP RAPHAEL OF
 BROOKLYN IS BEING
 ENTERTAINED HERE
Guest of Syrian-Greek So- cieties-BanQuet Served Last Night-TO Leave
 This Afternoon

The SYrian-Greek societies of the city yesterday entertained Bishop Raphael of Brooklyn, who is making a special visit to this city, and will continue to do him honor today. The bishop leaves this afternoon. The St. George Syrian-G Greek Orthodox society is in direct charge of the entertainment of his grace, and all the other societies of Greeks and Syrians in the city are doing honor to the dis tinguished visitor.
 The bishop reached Birmingham yester- day morning at 6:10 o'clock and immedi- ately repaired to a hotel. He was met at 9 o'clock by a large delegation of Greeks and Syrans in automobiles and escorted to the Greek church on Avenue c and Nineteenth street The parade of auto mobiles was more than two blocks long, there being 9 machines in the line.
 Reaching the church. the bishop immedi- ately held mass giving blessing to all and thanking God that He saves. Ii was an impressive ceremony, and the Greek church, which has perhaps one of the most beautiful interiors of any church in the city. was filled to the doors while 1t was in progress. Father Vafes, priest Of the Greek church. opened the doors to his grace, and Mir. kontos, Mir. Pan taze and Mir. Balabanas rormed com mittee of three to welcome him.
 
 with the entire party. proceeded to the Hotel Hillman, where the bishop met the representatives of the several Greek and Syrian churches and societies, as well as the priests of other churches of the city. He was here presented with a huge bou- auet of flowers of the different nations, typifying the unity of the people weleom- ing him to Birmingham. The ladies of the Syrian-Greek society made the pre- sentation, and Mrs. Ebert Debsharnaey was the speaker for the committee. The bishop thanked the ladies for their gift in feeling terms.
 Next the bishop was escorted to the clubrooms of the St George society where a meeting was held. President D. C. Saad Ph. &, B. C.. of the society," presided and delivered an address of welcome on be- half of the city and of his society to the bishop. He thanked his grace for his visit here and said that the Greeks and Syr- ians felt deeply the honor of having him as their guest AIr. Saad has the reputa- ton of being the foremost Syrian writer in America.
 President Saad, when he had completed his talk, was vociferously applauded He then introduced the other speakers. Dr. H. A. Elkourie was one of them and made a felicitous address, welcoming the bishop to Birmingham on behalf of the Greek Catholics of the city. Other speakers were
 
 two or three others.
 Following President Saads speech of welcome hidden chorus of ladies' voices began chanting, hushed at first and rising in few moments, as they sang a re- ligious song that was beautiful and tender IL apparently struck the proper chord in the hearts of those present and the singers received rounds and rounds of applause
 Following the addresses President Saad requested the bishop to bless the gather ing. Bishop Raphael. with great respect to all congregations, all denominations and churches, gave the requested bless ing. Refreshments were served later.
 Last night there was held a banquet in the club rooms of the St George so- ciety, Avenue D and Twentieth street Bishop Raphael is now fasting. and for this reason no meats, no grease-not even butter-was served. The banquet board exempihed the resourcefulness of the Greek and Syrian housewives in that it was loaded with good things to eat, none of which contained anything in the least objectionable to his grace.
 There will be meetings today of the va- rious congregations, and the bishop will conclude his visit here this afternoon He was repeatedly urged to remain over until Sunday, but said that he could not pos sibly do so. and will return to Brooklyn