Sunday of Holy Fathers of Seventh Ecumenical Council
Tone 8 and Eothinon 6
Hieromartyr Jacob of Hamatoura
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 8
O Compassionate One, thou didst descend from the heights; thou didst submit to the three-day burial, that thou mightest deliver us from passion. Thou art our Life and our Resurrection, O Lord, glory to thee.
Apolytikion of the Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council – 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 St. Jacob of Hamatoura – Tone 3
As a cedar of Lebanon thou growest, never fearing thy martyrdom and death, thou becamest a true victor, O Saint Jacob. For thou didst overcome death with thy mortal flesh, when thou didst tame all the passions by humility. And while burning like incense, as a true sacrifice, thou intercedeth with Christ to grant our souls the great mercy.
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. Daniel 3:26, 27. Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our Fathers.
Verse. For you are just in all you have done.
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 – Luke 8:5-15 (Fourth Sunday of Luke)
THE LORD SPOKE THIS PARABLE: “A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell along the path, and was trodden under foot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew, and yielded a hundredfold.”
And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, Jesus said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but for others they are in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy; but these have no root, they believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. And as for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience.” As Jesus said this, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Next week’s homework: II Corinthians 9:6-11 (Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost)
Luke 8:26-39 (Sixth Sunday of Luke)
PLEASE MAKE SURE all electronic devices are turned off in church.
OCTOBER 13, 2019 – SUNDAY OF THE HOLY FATHERS OF THE SEVENTH ECUMENICAL COUNCIL
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.
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.
OCTOBER IS YOUTH MONTH IN THE ANTIOCHIAN ARCHDIOCESE.
TODAY, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13 – We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Doris Farkouh Creidy, Zahaya Dahab, Janet M. Gehshan, John G. Golam, James Haddad, Raymond Halabi, Margaret Mackoul, Joan Maffetone, Lynda Massawir, Helen Orfaly, Rose Rowady, Edith Khoury Tadross, Mitchell A. Tadross, Michael Zarouni, Victor N. Zrake, and George Zraick. Memory eternal!
Edith Tadross O’Donnell offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of her departed family members: Edith Khoury Tadross, Mitchell A. Tadross, Samia Khoury, Fareed Khoury, George Khoury, Anne Khoury, Hazel Khoury, and Angela Khoury Folsey. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20 - We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Selma Abouchar, Edward Arida, Selma Assatly, Hazel, Fareed, Mary and Sophie Fauty, Angel Folsey, Henry Hadad, Sr., George P. James, George and Samia Khoury, Marie Khoury, Adma Razook, Beder and Sadallah Sabbagh, and Temam Samra. Memory eternal!
TODAY’S USHERS – October is Youth Month in the Antiochian Archdiocese. Members of Teen SOYO will serve as ushers and readers. Because Church School is taking place during Matins, the students can remain with their parents so that families can receive Holy Communion together. The ushers will assist us in proceeding row by row so that we can distribute Holy Communion “decently and in order.”
POST-COMMUNION PRAYERS – As the faithful approach to reverence the cross, receive a blessing and a piece of antidoron (holy bread) at the dismissal, a reader will read the Post-Communion Prayers of Thanksgiving. Please greet each other quietly as we reverently hear these prayers.
COFFEE HOUR – In the absence of a sponsor this week the Parish Council will place a basket on the table for our free will offerings.
EPISTLE READERS – We would like to include as many people as possible in the liturgical celebrations. If you would like to read the epistle in either English or Arabic, please see Fr. Michael.
FOR THE INFIRM – Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Clair Banat (Norwegian), Charlie Bryant, Albert Castley (FL), Nadim Dahdouh, Anissa DeGroat, Diana Finger, Robert Forcina, Mary Ganim, Susan Hadad, Louise Hamwi, Rayanne (Haddad) Harney, Malak Karkenny, George Khoury, Jr., Victor Khoury, George Lewis, Jr., Loulou Malouf, Emily Maren (ME), Alfred Nahas, Elena Paris, Louis Savarese, Evelyn Shamoun, Leon Smatt, Claudette Teen, Jim Thompson (NJ), Marianne Trabulsi (PA), and Rose Zrake (at home). If a member of your family is in the hospital or recuperating at home, please call the church office and let us know as soon as possible.
NEXT SUNDAY – There will be no services at St. Mary’s Church next Saturday, October 19 or Sunday, October 20. Metropolitan JOSEPH has directed us to close on those days so that our people can share the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at St. Nicholas Cathedral. Over that weekend we will celebrate the 125th Anniversary of the original founding of the Cathedral, the 100th Anniversary of its State Street location, the 25th anniversary of the ordination of Fr. Thomas Zain, and the elevation of Fr. Adrian Budica to the dignity of the archpriesthood
HOLY BREAD – Donors are welcome for October and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
HUMANITARIAN PROJECT - The Ladies of St. Mary’s invite all of our parishioners to join them in a vital humanitarian project this Fall. We will be preparing hygiene kits once again, to be distributed to the homeless during the Midnight Runs. Our goal is 100 kits! In a one gallon Ziplock bag, please include: 1 washcloth, bar of soap, comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, nail clipper, disposable razor, and 3 band-aids. You may give your kit to any member of the Ladies, and we will forward them. Thank you for your generosity and charity!
THEOLOGICAL OFFERING – Our October pledge envelopes included a green envelope marked “Theological Offering.” This account is one of the three mandatory “trays” we collect each year for the Antiochian Archdiocese and supports our seminaries in North America. Our minimum contribution as a parish is $500. Our faithful can either drop their envelope in the collection tray on Sundays or return it to the church office. If you are not receiving pledge envelopes, please inform the church office so that we can add you to our list of supporters. Thank you for your generous support of our seminaries.
INQUIRER’S CLASS – We will offer “An Introduction to Holy Orthodoxy” on Wednesdays in October at 7:00 PM. No experience necessary. Please see Fr. Michael for more information.
ADULT EDUCATION – Our Adult Education class for the fall will be a reading of The Orthodox Way by Metropolitan KALLISTOS (Ware) on the Thursdays of October at 7:30 PM. Please see Fr. Michael on how to obtain a copy of the book. All are welcome!
NEW NATIVITY SET – The Parish Council has declared “Christmas in July!” We are replacing our lawn Nativity set which was damaged during the original renovation and expansion of the church hall. Although the temperatures are in the 60’s, Winter will be here soon, and we want to be ready. If you would like to contribute to this special project, make your check payable to St. Mary’s Church earmarked “Nativity Set.” Please see Parish Council Chair Daria Mayrose or Fr. Michael for more information.
FALL HARVEST LUNCHEON – St. Mary’s Church School/PTO invites everyone to a Fall Harvest Luncheon on Sunday, November 10. We will feature raffles for gift baskets, including from Battleview Orchards. There will also be a buffet of Thanksgiving favorites. All proceeds from the sale of tickets and free will donations will support the new Nativity Set. We are accepting donations towards the meal and raffle baskets. Our Thanksgiving-themed baskets contain fruit, vegetables, pantry goods, and hostess items to help make the winners’ Thanksgiving celebrations special. Basket donations can be in the form of items, complete baskets, or donations toward the purchase of items. For more information, please contact Lorraine Deeb at ldeebsped@verizon.net or (917) 755-4758.
CHRISTMAS BOUTIQUE - The Ladies of St. Mary's are preparing for the Annual Christmas Boutique in Couri Hall on Saturday, December 7, (9:00am - 4:30pm) and Sunday, December 8, (12:30pm - 3:30pm). We are hoping that our very talented bakers will generously donate their specialties. If you would like to donate baked goods, please contact Marian Russo at (718) 836-7876, or Nahla Fattouh at (718) 909-6727. By Sunday, November 3, we would appreciate receiving donations of costume and better jewelry, liquor, and new merchandise for the raffle baskets. Other new items and gently used items should be brought to the church on Thursday, December 5, to be sold at the Ladies’ tables. We need MEN VOLUNTEERS on a Sunday afternoon (date will be determined shortly) to pick up Christmas decorations. MEN VOLUNTEERS are also needed on Sunday afternoon, December 8, to pack up after the Boutique. Please contact Gale Zarr at (917) 771-2427 if you are available.
COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CARD – We are looking for a volunteer or an organization to manage this year’s Community Christmas Card. We will provide the contact information and mailing instructions both for the solicitation of subscribers and distribution of the card. If you would like to take on this task, please see Parish Council Chair Daria Mayrose or Fr. Michael.
ON-LINE GIVING – St. Mary's Church now accepts donations online. Just visit https://smaoc.squarespace.com/donate and pay securely by credit card, debit card, or check. There is an option to indicate gifts made in honor of or in remembrance of someone.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Monday, October 14 Parish Council, 7:30 PM
Wednesday, October 16 Inquirers Class, 7:00 PM
Thursday, October 17 Adult Education, 7:30 PM
Friday, October 18 Midnight Run
Saturday, October 19 No Great Vespers at St. Mary’s Church
St. Nicholas Cathedral Celebration Banquet
Sunday, October 20 Hierarchical Divine Liturgy @ St. Nicholas Cathedral
Wednesday, October 23 Inquirers Class, 7:00 PM
Thursday, October 24 Adult Education, 7:30 PM
FROM THE FATHERS – “Our life and death is with our neighbor. If we gain our brother, we have gained God, but if we scandalize our brother, we have sinned against Christ.”
- St. Anthony the Great
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America