81st Street and Ridge Boulevard Website: www.smaoc.org
Brooklyn, NY 11209 Church Office: (718) 238-8008
Email: churchsecretary@smaoc.org Rectory: (718) 745-8481
His Eminence Metropolitan SABA
Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of all North America
Very Rev. Fr. Michael Ellias, Pastor Rev. Deacon Farid Farkouh
Email: pastor@smaoc.org farkouhfarid@gmail.com
Sunday, July 13, 2025
Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the Fourth Ecumenical Council
Tone 4 and Eothinon 5
Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 4
Having learned the joyful message of the Resurrection from the angel, the women disciples of the Lord cast from them their parental condemnation, and proudly broke the news to the disciples, saying, Death hath been spoiled. Christ God is risen, granting the world great mercy.
Apolytikion of the Holy Fathers – Tone 8
Thou, O Christ, art our God of exceeding praise who didst establish our holy Fathers as luminous stars upon earth, and through them didst guide us unto the true Faith, O most merciful One, glory to thee.
Apolytikion of the Nativity of the Theotokos – Tone 4
Thy nativity, O Theotokos, hath proclaimed joy to the whole universe. For from thee did shine forth the Sun of justice, Christ our God, annulling the curse, and bestowing the blessing, abolishing death and granting us life everlasting.
Kontakion of the Theotokos – Tone 2
O undisputed intercessor of Christians, the mediatrix unrejected by the Creator, turn not away from the voice of our petitions, though we be sinners. Come to us in time, who cry to thee in faith, with assistance; for thou art good. Hasten to us with intercessions, O Theotokos, who dost ever intercede for those who honour thee.
Epistle – Titus 3:8-15 (Holy Fathers)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 31.11, 1. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous.
Verse. Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven.
TITUS, my son, the saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men. But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are unprofitable and futile. As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or twice, knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned.
When I send Artemas or Tychicos to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful.
All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith.
Grace be with you all. Amen.
Gospel – Matthew 5:14-19 (Holy Fathers)
THE LORD SAID to his disciples, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
“Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
Next week’s homework: James 5:10-20 (Prophet Elijah)
Matthew 9:1-8 (Sixth Sunday of Matthew)
HOLY BREAD – Paula Arnuk and Family have offered the Holy Bread for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Dr. Issam Arnuk for the month. Memory eternal! Additional donors are welcome for July and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
FASTING DISCIPLINE – We observe our customary fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays. This week we also abstain from fish on Friday in honor of the Great Martyr Euphemia.
POST-COMMUNION PRAYERS – At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, a reader will read the Post-Communion Prayers of Thanksgiving. Please reverently hear these prayers before beginning to “chat.”
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
July 13, 2025 –SUNDAY OF THE HOLY FATHERS OF THE FOURTH ECUMENICAL COUNCIL
We are pleased to welcome you to worship with us today. Please note that only Orthodox Christians who have prepared themselves with prayer, fasting and a recent confession may approach to receive Holy Communion. Everyone is welcome to receive the blessing and partake of the blessed bread at the dismissal. Please introduce yourself to our pastor during the coffee hour and ask him about membership in the Orthodox Church.
Mission Statement - The mission of St. Mary’s Antiochian Orthodox Church of Brooklyn, NY, is to love and worship God through participation in the liturgical life of the Church, and to live and teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We carry out this mission through education, outreach, fellowship, and works of mercy with love for each other, our neighbors, and our diverse world.
TODAY, JULY 13 – We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God George Abdelnoor, Jr., Mary Farkouh, Amelia Khoury, Victor Makhoul, John Molfino, Edmund Saleeby, Ferris Samara, and Bassem Sukkarieh. Memory eternal!
The Farkouh Family offers Prayers of Oblation and the Holy Bread for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Mary and Ray Farkouh. Memory eternal!
Diane Zamaria offers Prayers of Oblation, the Holy Bread, and a 2-Year Memorial for the repose of the soul of her husband, the servant of God Dr. Samir Alexander Zamaria. A Coffee Hour in his memory will follow the Divine Liturgy. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, JULY 20 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Donald Abraham Ballan, Very Reverend Father Wakeem Dalack, Victor Farkouh, Gloria Saba Galloway, Joseph Imtanios, Josephine A. Khoury, Eissa Makarious Laham, Edmund Nahas, Marguerite Sabah, William Anthony Soued, Laurice Swaya, and George Zrake. Memory eternal!
Patricia Ballan will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Donald A. Ballan. Memory eternal!
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, John Petrick (Norwegian), Joyce Samaha (Sunrise, Mountain Lakes), Alice Farkouh, Robert Ghiz, Renee Setteducato, Rouda Abboud, Isla Albishara, Yvonne Allawh, Diana Finger, George Khoury, Terry Mackoul, Denise McBride, and Alfred Nahas (at home).
BACKPACK PROJECT – Teen SOYO will once again sponsor 48 backpacks for underprivileged students in District 20 of the NYC Department of Education in cooperation with FOCUS. We welcome donations of $25/backpack. Our total commitment is $1200. Please make checks payable to St. Mary’s Church with “Backpack” in the memo line. The Teens thank you for supporting their community outreach project!
SUMMER PLEDGES - As many people are away during the summertime, it is very important that we remember to continue sending in our pledges and offerings on a regular basis.
OCPM – Our July pledge envelopes included a purple envelope for Prison Ministry (Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry). We will receive this collection on Sunday, July 27, Prison Ministry Sunday. Please be as generous as possible in support of this ministry.
GOLF OUTING – Mark your calendars for this year’s edition of the St. Mary’s Church Saints and Sinners Golf and Tennis Outing on Monday, September 8, the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos! This year we will be in a new location, the beautiful Richmond County Golf and Country Club on Staten Island. We will honor Nahla Bittar Fattouh with our Lifetime Achievement Award and the late Alexander Deeb with the Victor M. Samra, Jr. Memorial Award. Invitations and sponsorship forms have now gone out. Please plan to support this event which has covered the cost of so many projects and capital improvements for our beloved parish.
ROOF APPEAL – The Parish Council has mailed an appeal for the replacement of the church roof. If all of our 300 households contributed approximately $400 each, we would cover the cost. Let’s prayerfully consider our response to this necessary project. We acknowledge donations from Rose Abdallah, Sonia and Henry Abounaoum, Anita Absey, Dr. Bassam and Naziha Aldaia, Nicole and Jeff Anderson, Kim and Gary Gangone, Majed Atalla and Samia Keriaky, Angela and Christopher Athineos, Sandra Arida, Joan Bacon, Patricia Ballan, John J. DeLuca Foundation, Nicholas El-Khoury, Father Michael and Laila Ellias, Anita and John Eyd, Deacon Farid and Aline Farkouh, Alice and David Furer, Josette and John Generale, Giorgi Guguberidze, Helen and Fred Hadad, James Harris, Krassimira Ivanchev, Lina and Samer Kaiami, Joyce Katen, George Khoury, Dianna Russo Kitchen, Anne Mackoul, Edward Mackoul, Rafik Mahab, Corinne and Michael Mallia, Linda Mantia, Daria and Thomas Mayrose, Denise McBride, George Moore, Renee and Theodore Najjar, Holly and Mark Nakleh, Susan and Gordon Nelson, Karen and Robert Rich, Marian Russo, Brenda Sabbagh, Audrey and Charles Sahadi, Louise Sahadi, Robert Sahadi, Linda and George Salamy, Catherine and Raymond Saleeby, Sam Salhany, Caroline and Peter Schneirla, Barbara and Dennis Shawah, Karen and Anthony Tadross, Irene Tashji, George Trisciuzzi, Marilyn and Mike Tulaney, Gale Zarr, Kathleen and Karl Zarr, Leen Zgheib, Karen Zraick, and Gregory Zrake.
ESTATE PLANNING – St. Mary’s Church gratefully acknowledges the recent bequest to the Endowment Fund from the estate of our beloved Rose Zrake who departed this life in the hope of the Resurrection on November 3, 2024. God willing, her thoughtful remembrance of her much-loved parish will inspire others to include the church in their wills or estate plans. Memory eternal!
DATES TO REMEMBER
Monday, July 14 Parish Council, 7 PM
July 21-27 Archdiocese Convention, Chicago, IL
Sunday, July 27 Prison Ministry Awareness Sunday
Monday, September 8 Saints and Sinners Golf and Tennis Outing
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “The Church consists of the multitude of believers. Behold what solid pillars there are in this temple – pillars not bound together by bands of iron, but tightly joined together by bonds of faith.”
- St. John Chrysostom