Sunday, March 8, 2020
First Sunday of Great Lent (Sunday of Orthodoxy)
Tone 5 and Eothinon 5
Theophylact the Confessor, Bishop of Nicomedia
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 5
Let us believers praise and worship the Word, co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, born of the Virgin for our salvation. For he took pleasure in ascending the cross in the flesh to suffer death, and to raise the dead by his glorious resurrection.
Apolytikion of the First Sunday of Lent - Tone 2
Thy pure image do we venerate, O good One, asking forgiveness of our sins, O Christ our God; for by thine own will thou didst ascend the Cross in thy body, to save thy creatures from the bondage of the enemy. Thou hast verily filled all with joy, since thou didst come, O our Saviour, to save the world.
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 11:24-26, 32-40 (First Sunday in Lent)
Prokeimenon. Daniel 3:26, 27. Blessed are you, O Lord, God of our Fathers.
Verse. For you are righteous in all things you have done for us.
BRETHREN, by faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharoah’s daughter, choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.
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 enemies 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 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 in 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 – John 1:43-51 (First Sunday in Lent)
AT THAT TIME, Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And he found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael, and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth? Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” Nathanael said to Jesus, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these.” And Jesus said to him, “Truly, truly I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.”
Next week’s homework: Hebrews 1:10-2:3 (Second Sunday of Great Lent)
Mark 2:1-12 (Second Sunday of Great Lent)
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 8, 2020 – FIRST SUNDAY OF GREAT LENT (SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY)
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 8 – We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Albert Bittar, Mary Samara D’Angelico, Vincent D’Angelico, Nicholas Ghiz, Emeline Halibi, Areff Samara, Robert Samara, Maude Sarkis, Laurice Merhige Schuh, Gloria Sparsidis, Georgette Hamwi, Adma Jabran, Charles Kassatly, and William Simon. Memory eternal!
The Kaba and Zaher Families offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Monir Kaba and Victoria Zaher. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, MARCH 15 - We will 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!
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. A Coffee Hour in her memory will follow the Divine Liturgy. Memory eternal!
TODAY’S USHERS – March is Women’s Month in the Antiochian Archdiocese. Members of the Ladies of St. Mary’s will serve as ushers and readers. Lorraine Deeb, Janice Deeb, Oksana Eid, and Lama Rajha will serve as ushers. Joyce Katen, Barbara Deeb, Janice Deeb, and Lama Rajha will assist with Holy Communion. Andrea Zrake and Lama Rajha 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.
WINE NIGHT – Diana and Amanda thank everyone who assisted us turning our first Wine Night into the huge success it was! It was a fun and wonderful event that even lasted past the stated hours! There are so many people we would like to thank for their assistance, generosity and support including Denise, Samantha and John Alexander, Rima Alsifi Hazem, Chris Athineos, Tim Bittar, Timmy Coan, Laila Ellias, Lina and Samer Kaiami, Terize Khoury, Lara Laham, Daria and Tommy Mayrose, Rob Rich, Dianna Russo Kitchen, Irene Tashji, Samar Shahem, Winebow and Yvonne, Andrea and Anthony Zrake. We also give a special shout out to Rima and Lara for their artistic skills and vision of the decorations for the evening.
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 or Parish Council Chair Daria Mayrose.
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING – We will hold our Annual Parish Meeting following the Divine Liturgy. Teen SOYO will provide a light lunch at a nominal cost. Please sign in with the secretary so that we can document a quorum.
FOOD FOR HUNGRY PEOPLE – The 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.
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. This week’s Great Compline will be at St. Nicholas Cathedral. The Young Adult Fellowship 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.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Sunday, March 8 Annual Parish Meeting
Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers @ St. Nicholas, 4 PM
Monday, March 9 Parish Council, 7:30 PM
Wednesday, March 11 Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, 7 PM
Followed by Pot Luck Supper
Friday, March 13 Young Adult Fellowship-sponsored Dinner, 6:30 PM
Second Little Compline with Akathist/Madayeh, 7:30 PM
Saturday, March 14 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Sunday, March 15 Ladies of St. Mary’s Meeting
FROM THE FATHERS – “Do not neglect the Forty Days; it constitutes an imitation of Christ’s way of life.”
- St. Ignatius the God-Bearer
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America