Sunday, December 20, 2020
Sunday before the Nativity of Christ (The Genealogy)
Tone 3 and Eothinon 6
Hieromartyr Ignatius of Antioch, the God-Bearer
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 the Forefeast of the Nativity – Tone 4
Make ready, O Bethlehem; for Eden hath been opened for all. Prepare, O Ephratha; for the Tree of life hath blossomed forth in the cave from the Virgin; for her belly did appear as a supersensual paradise in which is planted the divine Plant, whereof eating we shall live and not die as Adam. Verily, Christ shall be born, raising the likeness that fell of old.
Apolytikion of the Sunday before the Nativity – Tone 2
Great are the accomplishments of faith; for the three holy youths rejoiced in the fountain of flames as though at waters of rest. And the Prophet Daniel appeared a shepherd to the lions as though they were sheep. Wherefore, by their pleadings, O Christ God, have mercy upon us.
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 – Hebrews 11:9-10; 17:23, 32-40 (Sunday before the Nativity of Christ)
Prokeimenon. Hymn of the Three Children, Daniel 3:26-27. Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our Fathers.
Verse. For you are just in all you have done.
BRETHREN, by faith Abraham sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets – who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated – of whom the world was not worthy – wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
Gospel – Matthew 1:1-25 (Sunday of the Genealogy)
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Aram and Aram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jess the father of David the king.
And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboham, and Rehoboham the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa, and Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amon, and Amon the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.
And after the deportation to Babylon: Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.
So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus.
Next week’s homework: Acts 6:8-7:5, 47-60 (Protomartyr Stephen)
Matthew 2:13-23 (Sunday after the Nativity of Christ)
HOLY BREAD – Marie Zarr and Gale Zarr 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.
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.”
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.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
DECEMBER 20, 2020 – SUNDAY BEFORE THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST (GENEALOGY)
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 20 – We 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. Shagoury, Toufek Shagoury, Arthur Swaya, Emily Swaya, Lily Sydnawey, Mary Traboulcy, Bassem Trabulsi, George Zain, and Rose Zarr. Memory eternal!
Helen Dodson of Chevy Chase, MD, offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Evelyn. Z. Deschner. Memory eternal!
Elizabeth Farkouh Keller offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Walter Anderson. Memory eternal!
George Khoury, Jr. offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of his parents, Toni and George Khoury, Sr. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Julie Aucar, Rachel Azar, George Couri, Anne DeMaio, Mary Elkat, Shukri Farkouh, Rose Hossan, Sabry Jallad, Mitchell Rezk, Hind Saadi, Wade Sahadi, Victor S. Samara, Najeeb Sydnawey, and Ines Tahan. Memory eternal!
Dr. Bassam and Naziha Aldaia will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Kazon, Michael, Wajih, Nicola, Samiha, and Helen. Memory eternal!
The Sahadi, Whelan, and Gillam Families will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Najla and Wade Sahadi, Richard Sahadi, and Ameenie Frieje. Memory eternal!
FOR THE INFIRM – Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Clair Banat (Norwegian), Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Anna 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), Richard Zogob, and Rose Zrake (at home).
ENDOWMENT FUND – Having sold the house and settled the estate of her parents, Kh. Laila has made a donation to the Endowment Fund in loving memory of Dr. John and Shamseh Dalack. 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.
CANNED FOOD AND WINTER COAT DRIVES – Teen SOYO has concluded its Advent Canned Food Drive, but the Winter Coat Drive will continue through February. Coats, scarves, gloves, blankets, and other cold weather attire are welcome. We will distribute all items to local charities and recipients.
ORDER OF ST. IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH – Did you know that the Order of St. Ignatius provides scholarship assistance to any camper who wishes to attend the Antiochian Village each summer? Please prayerfully consider joining the Order. See Fr. Michael, Order Ambassadors Marian Russo and Diana Kitchen, or any member of the Order for more information. We have four new commitments.
GIVING OPPORTUNITIES – The Pastor’s Discretionary Account 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 “PDA.”
YEAR END GIVING – A person over age 70½ can make a gift to St. Mary’s Church from their IRA without increasing their taxable income or paying any additional tax. These tax-free rollover gifts can be of any amount up to $100,000 and offset the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) for 2020.
ESTATE PLANNING – A bequest is one of the easiest gifts to make in order to impact the ministry of the Church significantly. An estate plan can include a provision that leaves a lasting gift to St. Mary’s Church. A bequest could be a gift of specific assets, a dollar amount, or a percentage of an estate. A bequest could also be the residue of an estate after all gifts have been made to heirs.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Thursday, December 24 Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil, 10:00 AM
Friday, December 25 Festal Matins, 9:30 AM, 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 smaoc - Twitch.
FROM THE FATHERS – “May nothing entice me until happily I make my way to Jesus Christ. Fire, cross, struggles with wild beasts, wrenching of bones, mangling of limbs – let them come to me, provided only I make my way to Jesus Christ.”
- St. Ignatius of Antioch the God-Bearer
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America