Sunday, March 15, 2020
Second Sunday of Great Lent
Tone 6 and Eothinon 6
Commemoration of St. Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessalonica
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 of St. Gregory Palamas - Tone 8
O Star of Orthodoxy, support of the Church and its teacher, O comeliness of ascetics, and incontestable champion of those who speak in theology, Gregory the wonder-worker, the pride of Thessalonica and preacher of grace, implore thou constantly for the salvation of 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 Sundays in Lent – Tone 8
Verily, I, thy city, O Theotokos, inscribe to thee the banners of conquest, O defending soldier, and offer thee thanks as a deliverer from tribulations. And since thine is the unconquerable might, deliver me from sundry oppressions, that I may cry unto thee, Rejoice, O groomless bride.
Epistle – Hebrews 1:10-2:3 (Second Sunday in Lent)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 11.7, 1. You, O Lord, shall keep us and preserve us.
Verse. Save me, O Lord, for the godly man has failed.
“IN THE BEGINNING, you, O Lord, didst found the earth, and the heavens are the work of thy hands; they will perish, but thou remainest; they will all grow old like a garment, like a mantle thou wilt roll them up, and they will be changed. But thou art the same, and thy years will never end.” But to what angel has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand, till I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet?” Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?
Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For if the message declared by angels was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him.
Gospel – Mark 2:1-12 (Second Sunday in Lent)
AT THAT TIME, when Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to Jesus a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there, reasoning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak thus? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus reasoned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you reason thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your pallet and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins” – he said to the paralytic – “I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home.” And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”
Next week’s homework: Hebrews 4:14-5:6 (Third Sunday of Great Lent)
Mark 8:34-9:1 (Third Sunday of Great Lent)
LITURGICAL NOTE: On the Sundays of Great Lent we celebrate the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great.
HOLY BREAD – Louise Sahadi offers the Holy Bread of Oblation for the month of March in memory of her parents, Virginia Hawaweeny Sahadi and George Sahadi. Memory eternal! Donors are welcome for April and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
POST-COMMUNION PRAYERS – As the faithful approach to reverence the cross, receive a blessing and a piece of antidoron (holy bread) at the dismissal, a reader will read the Post-Communion Prayers of Thanksgiving. Please greet each other quietly as we reverently hear these prayers.
MARCH 15, 2020 – SECOND SUNDAY OF GREAT LENT – COMMEMORATION OF ST. GREGORY PALAMAS, ARCHBISHOP OF THESSALONICA
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 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.
MARCH IS WOMEN’S MONTH IN THE ANTIOCHIAN ARCHDIOCESE!
TODAY, SUNDAY, MARCH 15 – We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Violet Akel, Alice Alekel, Michael Arout, Gladys Awad, Eleanor Couri, Dr. George B. Cury, James Deeb, Mary Farrah, Salwa Fauty, George Gehshan, Edward Jabara, Lorriane Jabara, Mary Kenan, Nicholas Khoury, Maurice Khzam, Alfred Makhoul, Nadima Makhoul, Violette Mahab, Laila Nassr, Beatrice Nebham, Thomas Russo, Walter Thabit, and William Zarick. Memory eternal!
Marie and Charlie Bryant, Laura, James, Luke and Oliver Wallace offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of Laila Nassr, a loving mother and Tata. Memory eternal!
The Karkenny Family offers Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Malak Karkenny. Memory eternal!
The Tweel Family will offer Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Yvonne Tweel. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, MARCH 22 - We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Raymonde Alexander, Sadie Fletcher, Mary Hamaty, Atina Hanna, Edward Hawa, Wahiha Hayek, Terez Ivanchev, Albert Kaidy, Fredrick Makhoul, Pamela Zraick Nakleh, Helen Nassoor, Michael Nassoor, Abe Saba, Olga Saba, Frederick Schroeder, Nabeah Shamas, Elias Shawah, Bikturia Zaher, and Edward Zraick. Memory eternal!
The Nassoor Family will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Helen and Michael Nassoor. A Coffee Hour in their memory will follow the Divine Liturgy. Memory eternal!
TODAY’S USHERS – March is Women’s Month in the Antiochian Archdiocese. The Ladies will hold their monthly meeting today following the Divine Liturgy. Members of the Ladies of St. Mary’s will serve as ushers and readers. Barbara Deeb, Janice Deeb, Nahla Bittar and Dianna Russo Kitchen will serve as ushers. Linda Mantia, Janice Deeb, Nahla Bittar and Patricia De Luca will assist with the distribution of the Holy Eucharist. Kh Laila Ellias and Nahla Bittar will read the Epistle in English and Arabic, respectively.
FOR THE INFIRM – Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Clair Banat (Norwegian), Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Charlie Bryant, Albert Castley (FL), Nadim Dahdouh, Diana Finger, Robert Forcina, Mary Ganim, Susan Hadad, Louise Hamwi, George Khoury, Jr., Victor Khoury, Loulou Malouf, Emily Maren (ME), Alfred Nahas, Elena Paris, Louis Savarese, Evelyn Shamoun, Leon Smatt, Claudette Teen, Jim Thompson (NJ), Marianne Trabulsi (NJ), 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.
LADIES OF ST. MARY’S – The Ladies will hold their monthly meeting today on the balcony following the Divine Liturgy. All women of the parish are welcome and encouraged to participate.
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING – At last Sunday’s Annual Parish Meeting the congregation elected Irene Tashji, Nahla Bittar, and Sonia Abou Naoum to three-year terms, and Fr. Michael appointed Dr. Yvonne Zrake and Amanda Regnier to one-year terms. Father’s final appointment is still pending. We congratulate the newly elected and appointed members, and we thank Michael Regnier and Audrey Sahadi for their outstanding service as they leave the council. The Parish Council elected Christopher Athineos as Chairman, Dianna Russo Kitchen as Vice Chair, Diana Kaiami as Treasurer, and Amanda Regnier as Secretary. Congratulations and many years!
MIDNIGHT RUN – The Teens and Young Adults invite everyone to join them for this month’s Midnight Run this Friday, March 20. Preparations begin at Holy Cross Church at 8:30 PM before travelling into Manhattan. The team usually returns to Bay Ridge around 1:30 AM. Please see Deacon Farid if you are interested in participating.
BROOKLYN CLERGY BROTHERHOOD LECTURE – This month’s installment of this lecture series will take place this Thursday, March 19, at 7:00 PM at St. Nicholas Cathedral. Fr. Damaskinos Ganas, pastor of Kimisis Greek Orthodox Church, will speak on “The Conversion of St. Paul.” Refreshments will follow. All are welcome.
FOOD FOR HUNGRY PEOPLE – The traditional FFHP collection boxes are available in the narthex. Remember the least of Christ’s brethren by depositing your extra change at the end of each day, and return the box on or before Palm Sunday. God bless you! “Honor the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10
LENTEN LITURGICAL SCHEDULE – There will be Great Compline either at St. Mary’s or at St. Nicholas Cathedral each Monday night at 7:00 PM, the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts each Wednesday at 7:00 PM, followed by a Pot Luck Supper, and the Akathist/Madayeh Service each Friday at 7:30 PM. Tomorrow evenings Compline will be here at St. Mary’s Church. The Teens will host a Lenten supper at 6:30 PM this Friday prior to the Madayeh. Great Vespers will continue each Saturday at 5:00 PM.
DONORS WELCOME - Donors are welcome to provide the flowers for next Sunday’s procession with the Precious and Life-Giving Cross, the palms for Palm Sunday, the bier of Christ on Holy Friday, lilies for Holy Pascha, and processional candles for Holy Week. Deacon Farid and Aline Farkouh have donated the flowers for the Madayeh services on Friday evenings.
SACRAMENT OF REPENTANCE (CONFESSION) – The Great Fast is THE TIME for all believers to receive the Sacrament of Repentance (Confession). The pastor hears confessions by appointment and before and after all the divine services. Please do not wait until the last minute! If you would like to go to one of the other Orthodox priests in Brooklyn, feel free to do so, but inform the pastor.
SEMINARIANS – Our pledge envelopes for the month of March included a blue envelope marked “Seminarians.” Please use this envelope to support Metropolitan JOSEPH’s annual appeal on behalf of our theological students. Our minimum contribution as a parish is $500. If anyone is currently not receiving pledge envelopes, please see Fr. Michael, Parish Council Chair Christopher Athineos, or Treasurer Diana Kaiami.
PLC 2020 – The website is now active to make room reservations for the 2020 Parish Life Conference at the Antiochian Village, June 24-28. Space is limited, so if you plan to attend, go to registration.antiochianvillage.org/PLCAV2020.
ON-LINE GIVING – 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.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Sunday, March 15 Ladies of St. Mary’s Meeting
Monday, March 16 Great Compline @ St. Mary’s Church, 7:00 PM
Wednesday, March 18 Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, 7:00 PM
Followed by Pot Luck Supper
Thursday, March 19 Clergy Brotherhood Lecture @ St. Nicholas, 7:00 PM
Friday, March 20 Teen SOYO Hosts Dinner, 6:30 PM
3rd Akathist/Madayeh, 7:30 PM
Midnight Run
Saturday, March 21 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Sunday, March 22 Procession with the Holy Cross
Monday, March 23 Great Compline @ St. Nicholas Cathedral, 7:00 PM
FROM THE FATHERS – “The true fast, my brother, must be observed not only with the body, but also with the soul. In other words, we don’t only eat fasting foods, but we abstan from passions, enticements, and sin. When we abstain from lush and pleasurable food, we struggle to purify not only the body but also the soul by means of prayer and repentance. The complete, true and perfect fast is not only of the body, but also of the soul. We are taught this in the troparion (hymn) which we chant during Great Lent: “Let us keep the acceptable fast, that which is pleasing to the Lord.” The true fast is the estrangement from evil, the bridling of the tongue, the negation of wrath, the turning away from lust, hate, deceit, lies, and from all untruthfulness.”
- Elder Cleopa of Romania
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America