Sunday, December 13, 2020
Sunday of the Forefathers (Ancestors) of Christ
Tone 2 and Eothinon 5
St. Herman of Alaska, Enlightener of the Aleuts
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 2
When thou, O immortal Life, didst humble thyself unto death, then didst thou destroy death by the brightness of thy Godhead; and when thou didst raise the bowels of the earth, then all the heavenly powers exclaimed, O Christ, thou art the Giver of life! Glory to thee, O our God!
Apolytikion of the Forefathers – Tone 2
Thou hast justified by faith the ancient forefathers and through them thou hast gone before and betrothed unto thyself the Church of the Gentiles. Let the saints, therefore, take pride in glory; for from their seed sprouted forth a noble fruit, and she it was who gave birth to thee without seed. Wherefore, by their pleadings, O Christ God, save our souls.
Apolytikion of St. Herman of Alaska – Tone 4
Blessed ascetic of the northern wilds and gracious intercessor for the whole world, teacher of the Orthodox Faith, good instructor of piety, adornment of Alaska and joy of all America, holy Father Herman, pray to Christ God that He save our souls.
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 for the Preparation for the Nativity – Tone 3
Today the Virgin cometh to the cave to give birth in an ineffable manner to the Word before the ages. Rejoice, therefore, O universe, when thou hearest, and glorify with the angels and shepherds him who shall appear by his own will as a new babe, being God before the ages.
Epistle – Colossians 3:4-11 (Sunday of the Forefathers)
Prokeimenon. Daniel 3:26-27. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our Fathers.
Verse. For Thou art just in all that Thou has done to us!
BRETHREN, when Christ, who is our life, appears, then you will also appear with Him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idol worship; for the sake of such things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience; wherein you also once walked, when you lived in these things. But now you also put them all away: anger wrath, malice, blasphemy, and filthy language out of your mouths. Do not lie to one another, having put off the old man with his works; and having put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of his Creator, where there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bond, or free; but Christ is all, and in all.
Gospel – Luke 14-16-24 (Sunday of the Forefathers)
THE LORD SPOKE THIS PARABLE: “A man once gave a great banquet, and invited many; and at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for all is now ready.’ But, one by one, they all began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it; I pray you, have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them; I pray you, have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ So the servant came and reported this to his master. Then the householder in anger said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and maimed and blind and lame.’ And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges, and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet. For many are called, but few are chosen.”
Next week’s homework: Colossians 3:4-11 (Ancestors of Christ)
Luke 14:16-24 (Forefathers of Christ)
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 to “chat.”
PLEASE MAKE SURE all electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
DECEMBER 13, 2020 – SUNDAY OF THE HOLY FOREFATHERS (ANCESTORS) OF 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.
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, DECEMBER 13 – We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Bertha Abouchar, Josephine Awad, Alexander E. Deeb, Kazon El-Hajj, Jean Fadool, Charles Farkouh, Richard Farkouh, Hafina Haddad, Gloria Hawaweeny, James Jobe, Najla Khoury, Nabeeha Klam, Edward Mannessa, Edward Mamary, Elizabeth Nader, Michael Takla, Edward Thabit, Zouhat Thabit, Eli Zrake, Isabel Zrake, Najeeb Zrake, and George Zrike. Memory eternal!
The Ellias Family offers Prayers of Oblation for the health of Kh. Laila Ellias on the occasion of her **th birthday. Many years!
Deacon Farid and Aline Farkouh and Irene Tashji offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Gladys Schroeder. Memory eternal!
Marian Russo offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Nellie Ellien, Elena Paris, Gladys Schroeder, and Virginia Zarr. Memory eternal!
Audrey and Charles Sahadi offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Elena Paris. Memory eternal!
Louise Sahadi offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Gloria Hawaweeny and Charles Macrina. Memory eternal!
Madeline Zrike Rosenberger of Leawood, KS, offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of the servants of God George Zrike and Isabel Zrake. Memory eternal!
Carol and Hicham Yacoub offer Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Samir Sakka. Memory eternal!
The Children and Grandchildren of the servant of God Alexander Deeb, our former long-time treasurer, offer Prayers of Oblation and a 5-Yer Memorial for the repose of his soul. Memory eternal!
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
NEXT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Evelyn L. Deschner, Albert N. Dibs, Anna Ghiz, Nora and Nicholas Hawa, George Khoury, Malvina Khouri, Nabeh Kotite, Haleem Migdalene, Zahia Migdalene, Robert A. Monier, Andrew N. Samaan, William S. Schneirla Jr., Alfred E. Shaoury, Toufek Shagoury, Arthur Swaya, Emily Swaya, Lily Sydnawey, Mary Traboulcy, Bassem Trabulsi, George Zain, and Rose Zarr. Memory eternal!
Gloria Darzi will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of her father, the servant of God George Zain. Memory eternal!
George Khoury, Jr. will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of his parents, the servants of God Toni and George Khoury, Sr. Memory eternal!
HOLY BREAD – Hanade and Ghassan Maalouf have offered the Holy Bread for the health of Wajiha Kaba and Violet Maalouf. Many years! Marie Zarr and Gale Zarr also offer the Holy Bread of Oblation for the month of December for the good health of all the ladies and gentlemen who have assisted with previous Christmas Boutiques. Many years! They also offer the Holy Bread in memory of our dearly departed ladies and gentlemen who helped with prior Christmas Boutiques. Memory eternal! Donors are welcome for January 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), Christopher Athineos, Albert Castley (FL), Nadim Dahdouh, Alissar Dalloul, Diana Finger, Robert Forcina, Mary Ganim, Susan Hadad, Louise Hamwi, Alfred Nahas, Louis Savarese, Evelyn Shamoun, Leon Smatt, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, 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.
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.
ZOOM CLASSROOM – We will conclude our online three-week series on Advent themes on Wednesday, December 16, at 7:30 PM via Zoom. Please join our Zoom Classroom by using the link: https://zoom.us/j/91972745826?pwd=MnQxay9XY3VUSDVkRTdiZWRhalRKUT09.
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.
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.
CHALLENGE GRANT – The Antiochian Village Camp is the recipient of a $100,000 challenge grant! Campers, alumni, and friends of the Village are encouraged to help reach this goal through donations to the Annual Campaign before the end of the year. For more information go to www.avcamp.org, or call Camp Director Fr. Christopher Shadid at (724) 238-9565.
FASTING DISICIPLINE – On November 15 we began 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.
2021 CHURCH CALENDARS – The 2021 Church Calendars are available in the narthex. We thank our sponsors, McLaughlin Funeral Home and Bay Ridge Honda and the Robert Sabbagh Family.
GIVING OPPORTUNITIES – The Pastor’s Discretionary Fund welcomes contributions during the Christmas-Epiphany season to support cases of urgent need both inside and outside the parish. Make your check payable to St. Mary’s Church earmarked “PDF.”
YEAR END GIVING – Avoid capital gains taxes on appreciated securities, or reduce the pain of declining issues, by donating them to St. Mary’s Church!
DATES TO REMEMBER
Sunday, December 13 Ladies of St. Mary’s 50/50 and Little Bit ‘o Luck Drawings
Monday, December 14 Parish Council via Zoom
Wednesday, December 16 Zoom Classroom, 7:30 PM
Friday, December 18 Midnight Run
Saturday, December 19 Great Vespers and Artoklasia, 5:00 PM
Sunday, December 20 Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch Sunday
Thursday, December 24 Vespral Divine Liturgy, 10:00 AM
Friday, December 25 Festal Matins, 9:30 AM, Nativity Divine Liturgy 10:30 AM
Saturday, December 26 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Wednesday, January 6 Great Feast of Theophany/Epiphany
Sunday, February 28 Annual Parish Meeting
We livestream all divine services via https://www.twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “If the prayer, ‘Lord Jesus, have mercy on me’ is constantly on your mind and on your lips, and the name is always in your heart in the way that air circulates in our bodies or wax feeds the candle flame, how happy it will make you. The sun, as it rises over the earth, brings day, and the holy and venerable name of the Lord Jesus, when it begins to shine continually in our minds, produces countless mystical understandings, all as bright as sunlight.”
- St. Hesychius the Priest