Sunday, November 15, 2020
Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost
Tone 6 and Eothinon 1
Martyrs Guria, Shamuna and Habib the Deacon of Edessa
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 Saints Guria, Shamuna, and Habib the Deacon of Edessa – Tone 5
Since Thou hast given us the miracles of Thy holy Martyrs Guria, Shamuna and Habib as an invincible battlement, by their entreaties scatter the counsels of the heathen, O Christ our God, and strengthen the faith of Orthodox Christians, since Thou art good and the Lover of mankind.
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 Entrance of the Theotokos in the Temple – Tone 4
The all-pure temple of the Saviour, the most precious bridal-chamber and Virgin, the treasure-house of the glory of God, today entered the Temple of the Lord, bringing with her the grace which is in the divine Spirit: whom also the angels of God do celebrate in song; for she is the heavenly tabernacle.
Epistle – Ephesians 2:4-10 (Twenty-Third 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, God who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with him, and made us sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God – not because of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Gospel – Luke 10:25-37 (Eighth Sunday of Luke)
AT THAT TIME, a lawyer stood up to put Jesus to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read?” And the lawyer answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” And Jesus said to him, “You have answered right; do this, and you will live.”
But the lawyer, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, “Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” The lawyer said, “The one who showed mercy on him.” And Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
Next week’s homework: Ephesians 2:14-22 (Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost)
Luke 12:16-21 (Ninth Sunday of Luke)
HOLY BREAD – George Khouzami offers the Holy Bread of Oblation for the month of November in loving memory of his mother, Nouhad Khouzami. Memory eternal! Hanade and Ghassan Maalouf have also offered the Holy Bread for the health of Wajiha Kaba and Violet Maalouf. Many years! Donors are welcome for December and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
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 an online “chat.”
PLEASE MAKE SURE all electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
NOVEMBER 15, 2020 – TWENTY-THIRD 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 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 Church.
TODAY, NOVEMBER 15– We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Eva Abdalla, Antanius N. Arida, Fred Brahamsha, Louise Dibbs, Sahab Dibbs, Edward Richard Eadeh, Alice Elkas, Richard H. Habeeb, George R. Haddad, Henry Hadad, Jr., Paul David Khoury, John G. Klele, Sophie Kotite, John A. Livreri, George Malouf, Aziz Malika, Louis Orfaly, Dorothy Dillon Page, Fuad Salamy, Adele Sarkees, George Shamyer, Moufid Taweel, and John Trabulsi. Memory eternal!
Sonia Abou Naoum offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of her father Nicholas Sahadi. Memory eternal!
Sandra Arida, the Deeb Family, and the Kaiami Family offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servants of God Elena Paris and Terence Tashji. Memory eternal!
Peter Elkas offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of his mother, Alice Elkas. Memory eternal!
Josette and John Generale offer Prayers of Oblation for the health of Richard Zogob. Many years! They also offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of the servants of God George R. Haddad and Elena Paris. Memory eternal!
Claudette Hadad offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of her husband, Henry Hadad, Jr. Memory eternal!
Dr. Robert M. Haddad offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of his wife Helen and son George. Memory eternal!
The Deeb Family, Mary Ganim, and Irene Tashji offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Elena Paris. Memory eternal!
Brenda and Robert Sabbagh offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Helen Haddad. Memory eternal!
The Ghattas Family offers Prayers of Oblation for the servants of God Awad Ghattas, Mary Sallale, Widad Abou-Shawarib, and the departed members of the Ghattas Family as well as a 9-Day Memorial for the repose of the soul of Elias Ghattas, departed this life in Germany. Memory eternal!
Hind Kaba offers Prayers of Oblation and a One-Year Memorial for the repose of the soul of her father, Issa Hadad. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Basil Kazan, Paul Dib, Albert Ganim, Diab Hattoum, Eva Jobe, Antonia Khoury, Zakia Tannous Khoury, Theresa Kirshy, Mary Monier, Pauline Nehme, Elias Rahhal, Edward Sarkis, Melkon Sayegh, Freda Sayegh, and Souhaila Jada Sciacchitano. Memory eternal!
Carol Furer will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of her father, Paul T. Dib. Memory eternal!
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. There is an option to indicate gifts made in honor of or in remembrance of someone.
FOR THE INFIRM – Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Clair Banat (Norwegian), Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Gladys Schroeder (Englewood Hospital), Christopher Athineos, Charlie Bryant, Albert Castley (FL), Nadim Dahdouh, Alissar Dalloul, Diana Finger, Robert Forcina, Gary Gangone, Mary Ganim, Susan Hadad, Louise Hamwi, Eddie Hanna, George Khoury, Jr., Victor Khoury, Emily Maren (ME), Alfred Nahas, Louis Savarese, Evelyn Shamoun, Leon Smatt, Tony Tadross, Claudette Teen, Jim Thompson (NJ), Marianne Trabulsi (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, Dr. Sam Zamaria (MD), Karl Zarr, Richard Zogob, 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.
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.
FASTING DISICIPLINE – On November 15 we begin the traditional 40-day Advent Fast in preparation for the Feast of the Nativity of Christ on December 25. The Fast is divided into two periods. The first period is November 15 through December 19 when the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish, wine, oil and their by-products) is observed. On Tuesdays and Thursdays during this time, wine and oil are permitted. On Saturdays and Sundays during this time, fish, wine and oil are permitted. Some Orthodox eat fish on all days except Wednesdays and Fridays. The second period is December 20 through 24 when the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish, wine and oil) is observed, with wine and oil permitted on Saturday and Sunday. From December 25 through January 4, there is no fasting.
IOCC SUNDAY – Our November pledge envelopes included a yellow envelope for “International Orthodox Christian Charities” dated November 22. We annually receive this collection on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. 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 support of IOCC.
VIRTUAL RETREAT – The Mid-Atlantic Dioceses will conclude their Virtual Retreat this evening at 7:00 PM with a presentation on “Healing” with His Grace Bishop JOHN (Abdalah), Fr. David Alexander, and Fr. Isaiah Gillette.
Go to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/77422149503?pwd=M1c3bC9XTERuWjd4ZGMwdm1.
ZOOM CLASSROOM – We will conclude our three-week series on the lives of the saints on Wednesday, November 18, at 7:30 PM via Zoom. Please join our Zoom Classroom by using the link: https://zoom.us/j/96235477953?pwd=VlJxa3RPNHZvSzJyVFFEOCtUNEttUT09.
CANNED FOOD AND WINTER COAT DRIVES – Teen SOYO has placed two large boxes in the vestibule for their annual Canned Food and Winter Coat Drives. Please bring your contributions between now and December 13. We will distribute all items to local charities and recipients.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION RESOURCES – For those parents, grandparents, and godparents who are looking for additional resources to continue their children’s Christian education in the absence of Church School, we would highly recommend materials from Potamitis Publishing – Orthodox Children’s Books. These full color publications explore the basics of the faith as well as the lives of ancient and modern saints in an approachable and readable manner. Visit their website at https://potamitis.us. These books would make excellent Christmas presents.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Sunday, November 15 Advent Fast Begins
Virtual Retreat, 7:00 PM
Wednesday, November 18 Zoom Classroom, 7:30 PM
Saturday, November 21 Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple
Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Sunday, November 22 IOCC Sunday
Thursday, November 26 Thanksgiving Day
Sunday, December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas
We will livestream all divine services via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “Remember, O my soul, the terrible and frightful wonder: that your Creator for your sake became Man, and deigned to suffer for the sake of your salvation. His angels tremble, the Cherubim are terrified, the Seraphim are in fear, and all the heavenly powers ceaselessly give praise; and you, unfortunate soul, remain in laziness. At least from this time forth arise and do not put off, my beloved soul, holy repentance, contrition of heart, and penance for your sins. .”
- St. Paisius Velichkovsky
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America