Sunday, October 25, 2020
Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost
Tone 3 and Eothinon 9
Martyrs Marcian and Martyrios the Notaries
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 3
Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad; for the Lord hath done a mighty act with his own arm. He hath trampled down death and become the First-born from the dead. He hath delivered us from the depth of hades, granting the world the Great Mercy.
Apolytikion of Saints Marcian and Martyrios the Notaries – Tone 4
Thy Martyrs, O Lord, in their courageous contest for Thee, received as the prize the crowns of incorruption and life from Thee, our immortal God. For since they possessed Thy strength, they cast down the tyrants and wholly destroyed the demons’ strengthless presumption. O Christ God, by their prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merciful.
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 – Galatians 1:11-19 (Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 46.6, 1. Sing praises to our God, sing praises.
Verse. Clap your hands, all you nations.
BRETHREN, I would have you know that the gospel which was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it; and I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and had called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned to Damascus.
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother.
Gospel – Luke 8:26-39 (Sixth Sunday of Luke)
AT THAT TIME, Jesus arrived at the country of the Gad’arenes, which is opposite Galilee. And as he stepped out on land, there met him a man from the city who had demons; for a long time he had worn no clothes, and he lived not in a house but among the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him, and said with a loud voice, “What have I to do with you, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beseech you, do not torment me.” For Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. [For many a time it had seized him; he was kept under guard, and bound with chains and fetters, but he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness.] Jesus then asked him “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion”; for many demons had entered him. And they begged Jesus not to command them to depart into the abyss.
Now a large herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside; and they begged Jesus to let them enter these. So he gave them leave. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.
When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they fled, and told it in the city and in the country. Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. And those who had seen it told them how he who had been possessed with demons was healed. Then all of the people of the surrounding country of the Gad’arenes asked Jesus to depart from them; for they were seized with great fear; so he got into a boat and returned. The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with Jesus; but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your home, and declare all that God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming through the whole city all that Jesus had done for him.
Next week’s homework: I Corinthians 12:27-13:8 (SS Cosmas and Damian of Asia)
Luke 16:19-31 (Fifth Sunday of Luke)
PLEASE MAKE SURE all electronic devices are turned off in church/home.
OCTOBER 25, 2020 – TWENTIETH 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.
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, OCTOBER 25– We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Zakia Abdalla, Ameen K. Arida, Spiro Haddad, Afif Hazem, Gabriel Kouchary, John Martin, Selma McKaba, Maria Ann Sabah, Michel Al-Kirsheh, Matilda Couri Boutross, Aleer Couri, Delia Deeb, Alfred Farkouh, Rose Jabron, Lily Karkenny, Anthony Kinge, Gabriel Kouchary, Susan Texeira, and Lorraine Zraick. Memory eternal!
Rose Abdallah and Family, Sonia and Henry Abou-Naoum, Deacon Farid and Aline Farkouh, Josette and John Generale, Corrine and Nagib Nahas, Gale Zarr, and Marie Zarr offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Terry Tashji. Memory eternal!
Albert Absey, Sandra Arida, Joan Bacon, Patricia Deluca, Josette and John Generale, Gale Zarr and Marie Zarr offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Helen Haddad. Memory eternal!
Patricia Deluca offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of her mother, Lorraine Zraick, as well as for the handmaiden of God Mary Elizabeth Sabieh. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Michel Al-Kirsheh, Nicholas L. Assatly, Alfred Farkouh, Henry Haddad, Fareeza Hallal, Assad Hanna, Alfred Helal, Delores, Olga, Paul, and Salem Jabara, Anthony Kinge, Evelyn Mouracade, Najla Sahadi, Helweh Sayage, Josephine Tadross, Lorraine Zraick, Mary and Richard Zraick. Memory eternal!
The Family of Nouhad Khouzami will offer Prayers of Oblation and a One-Year Memorial for the repose of her soul. Memory eternal!
CHURCH ATTENDANCE - We have increased capacity in line with civil and Archdiocese guidelines while still maintaining the social distancing of 6 feet. There is always a possibility that the church may reach social distance capacity in which case worshippers may wait safely 6 feet apart outside the church. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy people outside may enter the church as attendees exit to receive Holy Communion, holy bread, and/or light a candle. We still ask everyone who wants to attend in person either to call the church office or email pastor@smaoc.org ahead of time.
HOLY BREAD – Linda and George Salamy have made a donation for the entire year. Donors are welcome for October and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
FOR THE INFIRM – Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Clair Banat (Norwegian), Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Gladys Schroeder (CareOne, Creskill, NJ), Charlie Bryant, Albert Castley (FL), Nadim Dahdouh, Alissar Dalloul, Diana Finger, Robert Forcina, Gary Gangone, Mary Ganim, Susan Hadad, Louise Hamwi, George Khoury, Jr., Victor Khoury, Emily Maren (ME), Alfred Nahas, Elena Paris, Louis Savarese, Evelyn Shamoun, Leon Smatt, Tony Tadross, Claudette Teen, Jim Thompson (NJ), Marianne Trabulsi (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, Dr. Sam Zamaria (MD), Karl Zarr, 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.
PLEDGE GIVING – During these extraordinary times we ask everyone to maintain their pledge giving as much as possible. Please remember that 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.
BIBLE STUDY – To round out the month of October we will offer an “Ask Abouna” session on Wednesday, October 28 at 7:30 PM. Please use Zoom link https://zoom.us/j/4735214754?pwd=dFFGVHVnODR6YzZaTVE3UWR3bWNpQT09. All are welcome.
BEIRUT RELIEF – We have submitted our first contribution to the Archdiocese in support of Beirut. We continue to ask our faithful to make generous donations to alleviate the suffering of Lebanon. If writing a check to “St. Mary’s Church,” please write “Beirut” in the memo line.
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.
CLOCK CHANGE – Let’s remember to turn our clocks BACK one hour on the night of Saturday. October 31st!
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.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Wednesday, October 28 “Ask Abouna” via Zoom, 7:30 PM
Saturday, October 31 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
We livestream all divine services via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “The knowledge of God does not reside in a body that loves comforts.”
- St. Isaac the Syrian
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America