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FLUSHING, Mich. — St. Michael parishioners Elizabeth and Ernest Harbin were honored last month for being the longest-married couple in the state of Michigan. The Harbins have been married 73 years.
Father James Batcha, parish administrator, blessed the couple before the entire congregation during the Divine Liturgy June 30.
It was just after the Ambon prayer during the Divine Liturgy. The Harbins were presented with a certificate from Worldwide Marriage Encounter, the Catholic marriage enrichment apostolate that recognized their marriage as the longest in the state.
The couple also received a large icon of Christ the Teacher from their parish family and a congratulatory letter from Michigan Senator Ken Horn. A small reception for the Harbins followed in the parish hall.
The Harbins were married May 25, 1946, in Flint, Michigan; St. Michael Parish was located in Flint at that time.
The Harbins have five children; Elizabeth was a homemaker and Ernest served as a Flint police sergeant for more than two decades.
They have 11 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
Caption: Father James Batcha, administrator of St. Michael Parish in Flushing, Michigan, blesses Ernest and Elizabeth Harbin June 30. The couple celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary this year. (Photo: Denis Rau)
As published in Horizons, Aug. 4, 2019.
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