Sunday, December 27, 2020
Sunday after the Nativity of Christ
Tone 3 and Eothinon 7
Joseph the Betrothed, David the Prophet and King, and James the Brother of the Lord
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 4
Having learned the joyful message of the Resurrection from the angel, the women disciples of the Lord cast from them their parental condemnation, and proudly broke the news to the disciples, saying, Death hath been spoiled. Christ God is risen, granting the world great mercy.
Apolytikion of the Nativity of Christ – Tone 4
Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, hath given rise to the light of knowledge in the world; for they that worshipped the stars did learn therefrom to worship thee, O Sun of justice, and to know that from the east of the Highest thou didst come. O Lord, glory to thee.
Apolytikion of the Sunday after the Nativity of Christ – Tone 2
Proclaim, O Joseph, to David, the grandparent of God, the amazing wonders; for thou hast seen a Virgin great with child; for with the shepherds thou didst give glory, with the Magi thou didst worship, and by the angel it was revealed to thee. Wherefore, plead thou with Christ God to save our souls.
Apolytikion of St. Stephen – Tone 4
The crown of the Kingdom hath adorned the brow of thy head because of the contests that thou hast endured for Christ God, thou first of the martyred saints; for when thou hadst censured the Jews’ madness, thou sawest Christ thy Savior standing at the right hand of the Father. O Stephen, ever pray Him for us that He would 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 of the Nativity of Christ – Tone 3
Today the Virgin giveth birth to the Transcendent in essence; the earth offereth the cave to the unapproachable One; the angels with the shepherds glorify him; and the Magi with the star travel on their way; for a new child hath been born for our sakes, God before the ages.
Epistle – Acts 6:8-15; 7:1-5, 47-60 (Proto-Martyr Stephen the Archdeacon)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 18:4, 1. His sound has gone forth into all the earth.
Verse. The heavens declare the glory of God!
IN THOSE DAYS, Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then arose some of those who were of the synagogue, which was called the synagogue of the Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, and they disputed with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. Then they secretly instigated men, who said: “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized hi and brought him to the Sanhedrin, and set up false witnesses who said: “This man never ceases to speak words against this poly place and the Law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses handed down to us.” And gazing at him, all who sat in the Sanhedrin saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
And the chief priest said: “Are these things so?” And he said: “Men, brethren and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, and said to him: ‘Depart from your land and from your kindred and go into the land which I will show you.’ Then he departed from the land of the Chaldeans, and lived in Haran. And after his father died, God removed him from there into this land in which you are now living; yet he gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot-step.”
“But Solomon built a house for Him. Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made with hands; as the prophet says: ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What house will you build for me? Says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest? Did not my hand make all these things?’ You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now become betrayers and murderers, you who received the Law as it was ordained by angels, and did not keep it.”
Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart and they ground their teeth against him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; and he said: “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed upon him with one accord. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him; and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called upon the Lord and said: “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And he knelt down and cried with a loud voice: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Gospel – Matthew 2:13-23 (Sunday after the Nativity of Christ)
When the wise men had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there till I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him. And he rose and took the child and his mother by night, and departed to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt have I called my son.”
Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, was in a furious rage, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time which he had ascertained from the wise men.
Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they were no more.”
But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” And he rose and took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus reigned over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. And he went and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, “He shall be called a Nazarene.”
Next week’s homework: II Timothy 4:5-8 (Sunday before Theophany)
Mark 1:1-8 (Sunday after Theophany)
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.”
FASTING DISICIPLINE – From December 25 through January 4, there is no fasting.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
DECEMBER 27, 2020 – SUNDAY AFTER THE NATIVITY 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 27 – We 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!
George Trisciuzzi offers Prayers of Oblation for the health of Elaine and Leonard Gelstein of Brooklyn and Metropolitan Archbishop Policarpo of Spain and Portugal, Archpriest Benjamin, and Efim Ciubuc of Madrid, Spain, and Lora Wilkinson of Singapore. Many years!
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!
Josette and John Generale and Joyce Katen offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Odette George, sister of Richard Zogob. Memory eternal!
Clemencia Saleeby offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Terri Wardi. 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!
NEXT SUNDAY, JANUARY 3 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Fred Arida, Dr. Hickmet Arida, Economous Faried Farkouh, Khouria Wassila Farkouh, Anna Habib, Gabriel Hamatie, Mary Hamwi, Olga Kalaf, Robert Malouf, Madeleine Malouf, Rose Merhige, Sally Renieri, Ronald Sadaka, Melia Saydah, Edward Saydah, Edward Shoucaire, Anne Marie Smatt, Demetri Zayat, and Nazli N. Zayat. Memory eternal!
Both the Ladies of St. Mary’s and the Family of Gladys Schroeder will offer Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of her soul. 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), Anna Athineos, Albert Castley (FL), Nadim Dahdouh, Alissar Dalloul, Diana Finger, Robert Forcina, Mary Ganim, Susan Hadad, Louise Hamwi, Jean, Drew, Giselle and Sean McCrossan, Alfred Nahas, Louis Savarese, Evelyn Shamoun, Leon Smatt, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, Dr. Sam Zamaria (MD), Richard Zogob, and Rose Zrake (at home).
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.
WINTER COAT DRIVE – The Teen SOYO Winter Coat Drive will continue through February. Coats, scarves, gloves, blankets, and other cold weather attire are welcome. Please place your offerings on the table in the vestibule. We will distribute all items to local charities and recipients.
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.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Friday, January 1 Circumcision of Christ and Feast of St. Basil the Great
Saturday, January 2 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Tuesday, January 5 Festal Matins, 6:00 PM and Divine Liturgy 7:00 PM
Wednesday, January 6 Feast of Theophany/Epiphany
Saturday, January 9 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Churching of Juliana Denise Rich
Monday, January 11 Parish Council, 7:30 via Zoom
Thursday, January 14 Teen Meeting, 7:30 via Zoom
Sunday, February 28 Annual Parish Meeting via twitch.tv/smaoc
We livestream all divine services via smaoc - Twitch.
FROM THE FATHERS – “People in other religions go from door to door to get converts. I’m not asking you to go door to door. I am asking you to go from your door into the Church’s door. Do not be absent from the Feast of the Nativity.”
- His Eminence Metropolitan JOSEPH
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America