Sunday, December 6, 2020
Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia
Tone 1 and Eothinon 4
Bishop Nicholas of Patara
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 1
The stone being sealed by the Jews, and thy pure body being guarded by the soldiers, thou didst rise on the third day, O Saviour, granting life to the world. Wherefore, the heavenly powers acclaimed thee, O Giver of life, crying, glory to thy Resurrection, O Christ! Glory to thy kingdom! Glory to thy gracious providence, O thou only Lover of mankind.
Apolytikion of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker – Tone 4
Thy work of justice did show thee to thy congregation a canon of faith, the likeness of humility, a teacher of abstinence, O Father, Bishop Nicholas. Wherefore, by humility thou didst achieve exaltation, and by meekness, richness. Intercede, therefore, with Christ to 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 – Hebrews 13:17-21 (St. Nicholas)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 115.15, 12. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
Verse. What shall I render to the Lord for all that he has given me?
BRETHREN, obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over your souls, as men who will have to give account. Let them do this joyfully, and not sadly, for that would be of no advantage to you.
Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner.
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in you that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Gospel – Luke 13:10-17 (Tenth Sunday of Luke)
AT THAT TIME, Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And there was a woman who had had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years; she was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your infirmity.” And he laid his hands upon her, and immediately she was made straight, and she praised God. But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the sabbath, said to the people, “There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be healed and not on the sabbath day.” Then the Lord answered him, “You hypocrite! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his ass from the manger, and lead it away to water it? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?” As Jesus said this, all his adversaries were put to shame; and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him.
Next week’s homework: Colossians 3:4-11 (Ancestors of Christ)
Luke 14:16-24 (Forefathers of Christ)
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 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.”
PLEASE MAKE SURE all electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
DECEMBER 6, 2020 – NICHOLAS THE WONDERWORKER, ARCHBISHOP OF MYRIA IN LYCIA
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 6 – We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Albert Assatly, George Ayoub, George Ellien, Nellie Ellien, Helen Figuccio, Maria Hajjar, Jamiel Howie, Very Rev. Abdallah Khoury, Fred Khoury, Laura Makhoul, Faris Razook, Josephine Razook, Nicholas Sabah, Nancy Schmitt, Edith B. Shagoury, Mary Shahin, Mike Simon, Adele Sullivan, Sarah Zarouni, and Virginia Zarr. Memory eternal!
Amanda and Michael Regnier and Family offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Jamiel Howie. Memory eternal!
Joan Bacon, Marie Zarr and Gale Zarr offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Gladys Schroeder. Memory eternal!
Marie and Charlie Bryant offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Zakia Khoury. Memory eternal!
The Ladies of St. Mary’s offer Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of the soul of their sister and the handmaiden of God Elena Paris. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Bertha Abouchar, Josephine Awad, Alexander E. Deeb, Kazan 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, and Najeeb Zrake. Memory eternal!
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), 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 as soon as possible.
CHURCH ATTENDANCE - We have increased capacity in line with civil and Archdiocese guidelines while still maintaining the physical distancing of 6 feet. 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 continue our online studies with a three-week series on Advent themes on Wednesday, December 9, 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.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Wednesday, December 9 Zoom Classroom, 7:30 PM
Saturday, December 12 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Sunday, December 13 Ladies of St. Mary’s 50/50 and Little Bit o’ Luck Drawings
Monday, December 14 Parish Council via Zoom, 7:30 PM
We livestream all divine services via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “Love is a most holy condition of the soul in which it values the mystical knowledge of God above all other existent things. We cannot enter into such a state of love, however, if we are still obsessively clinging to material values.”
- St. Maximus the Confessor
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America