Sunday, July 19, 2020
Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the Fourth Ecumenical Council
Tone 5 and Eothinon 6
Venerable Macrina, Sister of Basil the Great
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 Holy Fathers – Tone 8
Thou, O Christ, art our God of exceeding praise who didst establish our holy Fathers as luminous stars upon earth, and through them didst guide us unto the true Faith, O most merciful One, glory to thee.
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 Theotokos – Tone 2
O undisputed intercessor of Christians, the mediatrix unrejected by the Creator, turn not away from the voice of our petitions, though we be sinners. Come to us in time, who cry to thee in faith, with assistance; for thou art good. Hasten to us with intercessions, O Theotokos, who dost ever intercede for those who honour thee.
Epistle – Titus 3:8-15 (Holy Fathers)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 31.11, 1. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous.
Verse. Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven.
TITUS, my son, the saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men. But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are unprofitable and futile. As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or twice, knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned.
When I send Artemas or Tychicos to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful.
All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith.
Grace be with you all. Amen.
Gospel – Matthew 5:14-19 (Holy Fathers)
THE LORD SAID to his disciples, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
“Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
Next week’s homework: Galatians 3:23-4:5 (Paraskeva of Rome)
Matthew 9:27-35 (Seventh Sunday of Matthew)
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 an online “chat.”
HOLY BREAD – Deacon Farid and Aline Farkouh offer the Holy Bread of Oblation for the month of July for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Mary Farkouh, Diana Mansur and Pierre Mansur. Memory eternal! Additional donors are welcome for August and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all electronic devices are turned off in church/home.
JULY 19, 2020 – SUNDAY OF THE HOLY FATHERS OF THE FOURTH ECUMENICAL COUNCIL
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, JULY 19 – We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Jamila Eadeh, Victor Farkouh, Fr. Wakeem Dalack, Gloria Saba Galloway, Joseph Imtanios, Edmund Nahas, Josephine Khoury, Eissa Makarious Laham, Amelia Mansfield, Rose S. Razook, Odette Saadi, Marguerite Sabah, and George Zrake. Memory eternal!
George Trisciuzzi offers Prayers of Oblation for the health of the servant of God Mark Steo. Many years!
Joan Arida Bacon offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God William “Billy” Arida. Memory eternal!
Vickie Nahas and Family offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Edmund Nahas. Memory eternal!
Nadia Soued offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of her husband, the servant of God William Soued. Memory eternal!
Rose Zrake offers Prayers of Oblation “in loving memory of my husband, George Zrake, who departed this life on July 18, 1978. Gone but never forgotten.” Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, JULY 26 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Evelyn Arwady, Rose and Dewey Rose, Kh. Rose Khoury, George Sabbagh, Lulu Sahdala, Vivian Salem, Georgette and John Shahood, and Laurice Swaya. Memory eternal!
FOR THE INFIRM – Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Clair Banat (Norwegian), Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Eddie Hanna (Haym Salomon), Charlie Bryant, Albert Castley (FL), Nadim Dahdouh, Dr. Alice Farkouh, 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).
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.
CHURCH ATTENDANCE – We are now permitted to open up to 25% of our seating capacity. Please call the church office, or email Fr. Michael ahead of time to secure a spot.
Statement on the Tragic Conversion of Hagia Sophia from Museum to Mosque
Friday, July 10, 2020
We, the Executive Committee of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America, protest the decision of the civil courts in Turkey, as well as the clear direction of their government, to re-convert Hagia Sophia into a mosque. As citizens of the United States of America, we implore our government to intervene for the reversal of this decision. Furthermore, we urge the Turkish government to return to the status quo whereby Hagia Sophia remains a museum, respecting both its origins and history.
By contrast, this unilateral action denies the universal vocation of this holy and sacred place. Hagia Sophia belongs to the whole of humanity as a World Heritage Site. Built in 537 AD during the reign of Emperor Justinian, it has been, for more than a millennium, a place of rich cultural and spiritual inspiration for all.
We are particularly concerned about the negative effects such a change will have on religious pluralism in Turkey, as well as on the relations among nations and between faith-based organizations. We call on the international community to invite the Turkish authorities to revise their decision, affording all people the opportunity to continue enjoying the full and rich history and beauty of this outstanding landmark. This unique Christian monument should remain open to all as a sign of co-existence and peace among all peoples of good will.
AV VIRTUAL CAMP – Although the camping season at the Antiochian Village has been canceled, the Camp is offering a full schedule of virtual programs each week. The schedule for Week 6 is now available. For general information please go to office@avcamp.org, or email the new Camp Director Fr. Christopher Shadid at frchris@avcamp.org. In order to receive daily text reminders about available programs text @villyav to the number 81010.
SAINTS AND SINNERS GOLF AND TENNIS OUTING – There will be an abbreviated and “socially distanced” outing this year on Thursday, September 24, at the Hempstead Country Club with only golf and tennis but no banquet. Additional information will follow either later this month. Fore!
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
DATES TO REMEMBER
Saturday, August 1 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
August 1-14 Dormition Fast
Thursday, August 6 Feast of the Transfiguration
Saturday, August 15 Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos
4We will livestream all divine services via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “Know this, that as we pray the holy angels encourage us and stand at our side, full of joy and at the same time interceding on our behalf.”
- Abba Evagrius the Solitary