Sunday, September 29, 2019
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Tone 6 and Eothinon 4
Venerable Kyriakos the Hermit of Palestine
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 6
When Mary stood at thy grave looking for thy sacred body, angelic powers shone above thy revered tomb, and the soldiers who were to keep guard became as dead men. Thou led hades captive and wast not tempted thereby. Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst give life to the world; O thou that art risen from the dead! O Lord, glory to thee.
Apolytikion for St. Kyriakos of Palestine - Tone 1
Thou didst prove to be a citizen of the desert, an angel in the flesh, and a wonderworker, O Kyriakos, our God-bearing Father. By fasting, vigil, and prayer thou didst obtain heavenly gifts, and thou healest the sick and the souls of them that have recourse to thee with faith. Glory to Him that hath given thee strength; glory to Him that hath crowned thee; glory to Him that worketh healings for all through 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 – II Corinthians 4:6-15 (Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 27.9, 1. O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse. To you, O Lord, have I cried, O my God.
BRETHREN, it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For while we live we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.
Since we have the same spirit of faith as he had who wrote, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we too believed, and so we speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
Gospel – Luke 6:31-36 (Second Sunday of Luke)
THE LORD SAID, “As you wish that men would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”
Next week’s homework: II Corinthians 6:1-10 (Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost)
Luke 7:11-16 (Third Sunday of Luke)
HOLY BREAD – Joan Bacon, Marianne Hindelly, Elsa Khzam, Marie Khzam, and Linda Mantia have offered the Holy Bread of Oblation for September. Many years! Roland Salloum and Wanda Salloum also offer the Holy Bread for September for the repose of the souls of their brothers Oscar and Charles and their niece Magda. Memory eternal! Donors are welcome for October and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
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.
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.
SEPTEMBER 29, 2019 – FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
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, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 – We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Lorraine Assatly, Victoria F. Dib, Ghassan Fattouh, Avjon and Dimitry Golam, Werda Hadad, Alexander Khoury, Adrienne Poulakakos, Barbara Salamy, and Edward, Ronald, Valerie and Victoria Tadross. Memory eternal!
Gareth Ganim offers Prayers of Oblation for the health of his mother, Mary Ganim, on the occasion of her 94th birthday. Many years!
Edward E. Hanna offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Emileen Hanna. Memory eternal!
Peter Jabara offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Lorraine and Wilfred Jabara. Memory eternal!
Harry Poulakakos offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of his departed wife, Adrienne Poulakakos. Memory eternal!
COFFEE HOUR – Anthony Speer sponsors today’s Coffee Hour. Many years!
NEXT SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6 - We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Dorothy Howie, Gary Kassatly, Bernice Wardi Lutfy, Nora Manolescu, Elias Massabni, Alice S. Merhige, Edmund Shawah, Herbert Trabulsi, Fred Zahka, Antoun Zgheib, Edna and Philip Zrike. Memory eternal!
TODAY’S USHERS – Members of the Parish Council will serve as ushers and readers. Because Church School has ended for the season, 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.
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.
FOR THE INFIRM – Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Clair Banat (Norwegian), Terry Tashji (Norwegian), Roula Alsaifi, 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.
OFFERING ENVELOPES – Our September offering envelopes included a beige envelope to sponsor a Coffee Hour and a blue envelope to support Orthodox Campus Fellowship (OCF), the Pan-Orthodox Campus ministry. Either drop the envelopes in the collection tray or return them to the church office.
SAINTS AND SINNERS GOLF OUTING – We extend our gratitude and congratulations to Bob Mackoul, Daria Mayrose, and their entire committee for their hard work in successfully completing the 10th Annual Saints and Sinners Golf and Tennis Outing last week. The weather was perfect, the food was abundant, the fellowship was warm, and we even played some golf and tennis. Preliminary figures show a net of more than $70,000. Don’t miss next year’s event tentatively scheduled for Thursday, September 17, 2020. We’ll confirm the date early next year.
BAY RIDGE EATS FOR A CAUSE – We extend our gratitude and congratulations to Denise Alexander and her committee for their hard work in successfully hosting this year’s Bay Ridge Eats for A Cause on Saturday evening. While preliminary figures are not yet available, we know that everyone had a good time!
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!
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.
NEW NATIVITY SET – The Parish Council has declared “Christmas in July!” We are hoping to replace our lawn Nativity set which was damaged during the original renovation and expansion of the church hall. Although the temperatures are in the 70’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 RETREAT – The Antiochian Women of the East (AWE) will host a one-day retreat at Holy Protection Monastery, in White Haven, PA, (approximately 2 hours from Brooklyn) on Saturday, October 12. Fr. Donald Shadid will be the keynote speaker. For registration email AWEOrthodox1973@gmail.com by October 2, or call Angela Saliby at (703) 582-4232. For more information, please see Ladies of St. Mary’s President Sandra Arida.
ARABIC WISDOM - With the help of one of our priests, we hope to begin sending out spiritual passages for the salvation of our souls, in the Arabic language. If you or anyone you know is interested in receiving quotes of the day, writings of the Fathers, lives of the saints, etc., in Arabic, please send your name and email address to meletioszafaran@yahoo.com.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all electronic devices are turned off in church.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Wednesday, October 2 Inquirer’s Class, 7:00 PM
Thursday, October 3 Adult Education, 7:30 PM
Friday, October 4 Senior Town Hall & Resource Fair, 11 AM – 2 PM
Saturday, October 5 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Family Game Night
Sunday, October 6 Isabella Pylak Baptism, 1:00 PM
Wednesday, October 9 Inquirer’s Class, 7:00 PM
Saturday, October 12 AWE Retreat @ Holy Protection Monastery in PA
Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Monday, October 14 Parish Council, 7:30 PM
Saturday, October 19 St. Nicholas Cathedral Celebration Banquet
Sunday, October 20 Hierarchical Divine Liturgy @ St. Nicholas Cathedral
FROM THE FATHERS – “Brother, do not put up with someone who maligns others, even if he is speaking the truth, lest you suffer the same calamity as he did. For if it happens that someone speaks the truth in saying that the king has sinned and is evil, none of the bystanders will endure hearing such comments against the king; for if a bystander is content to stand and listen, there is punishment in store for both the speaker and him. The former is put to death for what he says, and the latter for what he hears. The liar accuses someone, you incline your ear to him and the death – which he emits through his mouth - is received by your ears; and after accepting the yeast of falsehood, you kneed your heart with it.
St. Ephraim the Syrian
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America