Sunday, February 2, 2020
Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ
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 reverence the cross and to partake of the blessed bread at the dismissal. Please introduce yourself to our pastor, and ask him about membership in the Orthodox Church.
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 Presentation of Christ into the Temple – Tone 1
Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, full of grace, for from thee arose the Sun of justice, Christ our God, lighting those who are in darkness. Rejoice and be glad, O righteous old man, carrying in thine arms the Deliverer of our souls, who granteth us resurrection.
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 Presentation of Christ in the Temple – Tone 1
Thou, O Christ God, who by thy Birth, didst sanctify the Virgin’s womb, and, as is meet, didst bless Simeon’s arms, and didst also come to save us; preserve thy fold in wars, and confirm them whom thou didst love; for thou alone art the Lover of mankind.
Epistle – Hebrews 7:7-17 (Presentation of Christ into the Temple)
Prokeimenon: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
Verse: For he has regarded the humility of his servant.
BRETHREN, it is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. Here tithes are received by mortal men; there, by one whom it is testified that he lives. One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.
Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.
This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become a priest, not according to a legal requirement concerning bodily descent but by the power of an indestructible life. For it is witnessed of him, “Thou art a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”
Gospel – Luke 2:22-40 (Presentation of Christ to the Temple)
AT THAT TIME, the infant Jesus was brought up to Jerusalem by his parents to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And inspired by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel.”
And Joseph and his mother marveled at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against (and a sword will pierce through your own souls also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.”
And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phan’u-el, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity, and as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshipping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption in Jerusalem.
And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
Next week’s homework: II Timothy 3:10-15 (33rd Sunday after Pentecost)
Luke 18:10-14 (Pharisee and Publican)
FEBRUARY 2, 2020 – PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
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, FEBRUARY 2 – We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Lorice Arida, Najeeby Arida, Gabriel Ashie, Louis Assatly, Elaine Ateyeh, Laura Sayeg Awad, Leon Ayoub Brown, Shamseh Dalack, Jameel Farhood, Matilda Halal, Daisy Hamod, Alex A. Hamwi, Lillian John, Olga Kalaf, Violet Karkenny, Mitchel Merhige, Philip Merhige, George Nader, Helen Awad Najjar, Ethel Phillips, Yvonne Sahadi, Samuel and Suraya Samaha. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9 - We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Elias Darzi, Jacob Khoury, James Pappas, Wadih Rahhal, Olga Shawah Roccosanto, Louis Sabah, Farieda Sarafien, Edward Saydah, and Florence Ventrice. Memory eternal!
The Family of Lorraine Diahy will offer Prayers of Oblation and a One-Year Memorial for the repose of her soul. A Coffee Hour in her memory will follow the Divine Liturgy. Memory eternal!
Gloria Darzi and Family will offer Prayers and the Holy Bread of Oblation for the month of February for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Elias Darzi. Memory eternal!
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.
HOLY BREAD – Karen and Matthew Spolar offer the Holy Bread of Oblation for the month of February. Many years! Donors are welcome for March and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
TODAY’S USHERS – Members of the Parish Council will serve as ushers and readers. Please allow the Church School students, teachers, and volunteers to receive Holy Communion first so that they can proceed to their classes in a timely fashion. The ushers will assist us in proceeding row by row so that we can distribute Holy Communion “decently and in order.”
COFFEE HOUR – In the absence of a specific sponsor for today’s Coffee Hour the Parish Council will place a basket on the table for our free will offerings.
FOR THE INFIRM – Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Clair Banat (Norwegian), Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Louis Savarese (Haim Solomon), Evelyn Shamoun (NYU Lutheran), Charlie Bryant, Albert Castley (FL), Nadim Dahdouh, Anissa DeGroat, Diana Finger, Robert Forcina, Mary Ganim, Susan Hadad, Louise Hamwi, Malak Karkenny, George Khoury, Jr., Victor Khoury, Loulou Malouf, Emily Maren (ME), Alfred Nahas, Elena Paris, Raymond Saleeby, Leon Smatt, Claudette Teen, Jim Thompson (NJ), Marianne Trabulsi (NJ), Dr. Sam Zamaria (MD), 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.
SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY – Teen SOYO will participate in “Souper Bowl Sunday” today in support of International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC). The Teens have asked everyone to bring in one canned good and $1 in support of the work of IOCC and to feed the local hungry and homeless.
LADIES OF ST. MARY’S - The Ladies of St. Mary’s will meet on the balcony today following the Divine Liturgy, and all ladies are encouraged to attend.
BROOKLYN CLERGY BROTHERHOOD LECTURE SERIES – Fr. Michael will be the speaker at the next lecture in this series on Thursday, February 6, at 7:00 PM at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church. The topic will be “Choosing the Servants (Acts 6:1-7:60). Refreshments will follow. All are welcome.
MEAT FARE SUNDAY – The Parish Council will host a luncheon for the parish on Sunday, February 23, following the Divine Liturgy. If you would like to donate a raffle basket for this event, please contact Diana Kaiami at (718) 216-4807 or Rima Alsifi Hazem at (347) 649-5794.
FAMILY CAMP 2020 – Registration for Family Camp at the Antiochian Village opens on February 8. Go to office@avcamp.org for more information.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Sunday, February 2 Ladies of St. Mary’s Meeting
Thursday, February 6 Brooklyn Clergy Brotherhood Lecture @ Holy Cross, 7 PM
Saturday, February 8 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Teen Valentine’s Day Dance, 7:00 PM
Monday, February 10 Parish Council 7:30 PM
Saturday, February 22 Saturday of the Souls Divine Liturgy, 10:30 AM
Sunday, February 23 Meat Fare Sunday Luncheon
Saturday, February 29 Young Adult Wine and Cheese Party
Sunday, March 8 Annual Parish Meeting
FROM THE FATHERS – “Nothing contributes to a virtuous and moral way of life as does the time you spend here in church. The time we spend here in church is the basis of every blessing.”
- St. John Chrysostom
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
When Thou, O Lord, were baptized in the Jordan, worship of the Trinity was made manifest. For the voice of the Father bare witness unto thee, and called thee His beloved Son. And the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, confirmed these words. O Christ our God, who has appeared to us and has enlightened the world, glory to thee!
- Troparion of the Feast of Epiphany, Tone 1
EPIPHANY 2020
Blessing of Homes
The blessing of homes during the season of Theophany is a long-standing tradition of our Orthodox Church. Following the Great Blessing of Water, it is customary for the priest to visit the homes of the faithful, bringing with him the “blessings of the Jordan.” Through the solemn prayers, we rededicate our home to be a place where a family is guided by Jesus Christ. Since this is the time in our Church Year when we remember the coming of Christ and the beginning of His ministry, when He descended into the Jordan to be baptized by St. John the Forerunner, it is fitting that the Lord enter our homes and our hearts now. It reminds us that we must “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17) This is why our homes must be blessed and sanctified on a regular basis.
When the priest comes for the house blessing, please use these guidelines:
1. Have as many family members as possible present for the appointment.
2. Set up a place for prayer in the dining room or kitchen with an icon and candle.
3. Print a list of the first names of all family members, making a distinction between the living and the departed.
4. Turn off the television, radio, stereo, computer or any other distraction.
5. Make the priest aware of any special needs or issues you may have.
6. Tell the priest about any family members who are ill or in need of a visit.
Either complete the form below and return it to the office, or call the office at (718) 238-8008. The Church also blesses homes between Holy Pascha and Pentecost and between the Feast of the Cross and October 1.
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Dear Father Michael:
I/we would like to have you bless my/our home in 2020.
Name: _________________________________ Phone: _____________________________
Address: ____________________________________________________________________
Best Season: Between Epiphany (January 6) and Great Lent (March 2)
(Please circle one) Between Holy Pascha (April 19) and Pentecost (June 7)
Between the Feast of the Cross (September 14) and October 1
Best Day: Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun (Please circle)
Best Time: ________________ AM