Sunday, April 2, 2020
Translation of the Relics of the Proto-Martyr and Archdeacon Stephen
Tone 7 and Eothinon 8
Venerable Photeini the Wonderworker of Carpasia in Cyprus
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 7
Thou didst shatter death by thy Cross. Thou didst open paradise to the thief. Thou didst turn the mourning of the ointment-bearing women into joy, and didst bid thine Apostles proclaim a warning that thou hast risen, O Christ, granting to the world thy Great Mercy.
Apolytikion of St. Stephen – Tone 4
O first of strivers among the Martyrs, thy head was crowned with a kingly crown, through the struggles that thou didst endure for the sake of Christ God; for thou didst reproach the folly of the Jews, and therefore, didst see thy Saviour on the right hand of the Father. Wherefore, to him continuously plead for 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 Transfiguration – Tone 7
Thou wast transfigured on the mount, and thy Disciples, in so far as they were able, beheld thy glory, O Christ our God: so that, when they should see thee crucified, they would remember that thy suffering was voluntary, and could declare to all the world that thou art truly the effulgent Splendour of the Father.
Epistle – I Corinthians 1:10-17 (Eighth Sunday after Pentecost)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 28.11, 1. The Lord will give strength to his people
Verse. Bring to the Lord, O sons of God, bring to the Lord honor and glory.
BRETHREN, I appeal to you by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no dissensions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brethren. What I mean is that each one of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispos and Gaius; lest any one should say that you were baptized in my name. (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any one else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
Gospel – Matthew 14:14-22 (Eighth Sunday of Matthew)
AT THAT TIME, when Jesus went ashore he saw a great throng; and he had compassion on them, and healed their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a lonely place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” And Jesus said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass; and taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Then Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go before them to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.
Next week’s homework: I Corinthians 3:9-17 (Ninth Sunday after Pentecost)
Matthew 14:22-34 (Ninth 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.”
FASTING DISCIPLINE – The Dormition Fast began on Saturday, August 1, and continues until Friday, August 14. During this Fast we observe the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, dairy, fish, wine, and olive oil) Monday through Friday, with katalysis for wine and olive oil on Saturdays and Sundays and for fish, wine and olive oil on the great feast of the Transfiguration (August 6).
PLEASE MAKE SURE all electronic devices are turned off in church/home.
AUGUST 2, 2020 – TRANSLATION OF THE RELICS OF THE PROTO-MARTYR AND ARCHDEACON STEPHEN
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, AUGUST 2 – We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Mary Assatly, Vivian Biele, Peter Boragi, Victoria Boragi, William B. Cury, Nabiha Dibbs, Adele Forzly, Henry Joseph Halaby, lll, Victoria Katen, Sally Klele, Adrienne Poulakakos, and Victor Samra, Sr. Memory eternal!
Claudette Hadad offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Donald Ballan. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, AUGUST 9 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Stephanie Bittar, Agnes Hamwi, Emile N. Jabbour, Alex Kalaf, George Kalesh, Aref Khoury, Salwa Khoury, Margaret Razook, Erna Saydah, Edward Zarick, and Ernest Zayat. Memory eternal!
FOR THE INFIRM – Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Clair Banat (Norwegian), Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Eddie Hanna (Hyam 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). 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.
HOLY BREAD – George and Linda Salamy have made a donation for the balance of the year. Additional donors are welcome for August and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
CHURCH ATTENDANCE - We are increasing 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.
FEAST OF THE TRANSFIGURATION – We will celebrate an Evening Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ on Wednesday, August 5, at 7:00 PM. Please begin your Eucharistic fast following an early and light lunch if you plan to receive Holy Communion.
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.
ANTIOCHIAN VILLAGE 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 8 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.
HIERARCHICAL DIVINE LITURGY - On Sunday, August 2, 2020 Sayidna Joseph will preside over Orthros and celebrate the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Brooklyn, New York. During the Liturgy, Sayidna Joseph will address the entire Archdiocese to share his love and encouragement during these difficult times. The day’s events will be livestreamed from the cathedral and Antiochian.org on their websites and Facebook pages. Orthros will begin at 9:20 AM, followed by Liturgy at 10:30. In the meantime, please keep His Eminence in your prayers so that our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ will bless and guide his leadership.
SAINTS AND SINNERS GOLF AND TENNIS OUTING – We are pleased to announce that 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. Please mark your calendars. This year only there will be no sponsors or honorees, but there will be a souvenir journal to mark the occasion. Additional information will follow early next month. Fore!
NATIONAL CENSUS - it is time to fill out the census? Our city receives resources based on the number of people who fill out the census. Filling out the census is easy and you can do it quickly and safely from home. It’s just 10 questions, and takes less than 10 minutes to fill out online at my2020census.gov or over the phone at (844) 330-2020. You don’t even need a code to fill it out-- you can simply enter your address.
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
DATES TO REMEMBER
August 1-14 Dormition Fast
Sunday, August 2 Hierarchical Divine Liturgy @ St. Nicholas Cathedral
Wednesday, August 5 Evening Divine Liturgy, 7:00 PM
Thursday, August 6 Feast of the Transfiguration
Saturday, August 8 Luca Queen Baptism, 11 AM
Saturday, August 15 Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos
Matins, 9:30 AM, Divine Liturgy 10:30 AM
Ryan Harney Baptism, 1:00 PM
Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Thursday, September 24 Saints and Sinners Golf and Tennis Outing
We will livestream all divine services via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “Once the heart has been perfectly emptied of mental images, it gives birth to divine and mystical concepts that play within it just as fish and dolphins play in a calm sea. As the sea is rippled when a soft breeze moves over it, so is the heart’s abyss moved by the Holy Spirit.”
- St. Hesychius the Priest