Sunday, September 13, 2020
Forefeast of and Sunday before the Elevation of the Holy Cross
Tone 5 and Eothinon 3
Consecration of Resurrection Church in Jerusalem
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 Forefeast of the Holy Cross – Tone 2
We offer Thee, O Lord, as a means of intercession, the life-giving Cross, a sign of Thy bounty Thou hast given us in spite of our unworthiness. Save our country and Thy people who offer Thee their supplications through Thy Mother, O Thou who alone art the lover of mankind.
Apolytikion of the Dedication of the Church of the Resurrection – Tone 4
Thou hast shown the earthly beauty of the holy tabernacle of Thy glory to be like unto the splendor of the heavenly firmament, O Lord. Strengthen it forever and ever, and accept our prayers which we unceasingly offer therein unto Thee, through the Theotokos, O Thou Who art the Life and Resurrection of all.
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 Dedication – Tone 4
Thou hast made of the church a resplendent heaven, enlightening all the faithful: wherefore, we stand in the midst of this holy dwelling place, and we cry out to Thee: “Make firm this house, O Lord!”
Epistle – Galatians 6:11-18 (Sunday before the Exaltation of the Holy Cross)
Prokemenon. O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance.
Verse. To Thee, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.
BRETHREN, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the Law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all, who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.
Gospel – John 3:13-17 (Sunday before the Elevation of the Holy Cross)
THE LORD SAID, “No one has ascended into heaven but He who descended from heaven, the Son of man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent His Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.”
Next week’s homework: Galatians 2:16-20 (Sunday after the Elevation of the Cross)
Mark 8:34-9:1 (Sunday after the Elevation of the Cross)
HOLY BREAD – Wanda Salloum offers the Holy Bread of Oblation for the month of September in memory of the departed members of the Salloum Family – Oscar, Wadih, Wadiha, Francois, Henri, Cesar, Charles, Magda, and Mireille. Memory eternal! Donors are welcome for October 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 an online “chat.”
PLEASE MAKE SURE all electronic devices are turned off in church/home.
SEPTEMBER 13, 2020 – FOREFEAST OF AND SUNDAY BEFORE THE EXALTATION OF THE PRECIOUS AND LIFE-GIVING HOLY CROSS
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, SEPTEMBER 13 – We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Rose Awad, Elizabeth Ganim Cohen, George Fauty, Victor Hamaty, Katherine Jabara, Alexander Orfaly, Wajieha Sabbagh, and Edward Trabulsi. Memory eternal!
Marianne Hindelly offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Dr. Joseph Fares of Jacksonville, FL. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Nicholas Awad, Zakia Awad, Albert Ayoub, Victoria Baloutine, George Haddad, Emileen Hanna, Stephen Paul James, Eleanor Kalesh, Shamseh Kaydouh, Nazera Kinge, George Moore, Donald O. Page, Matilda Saba, Very Rev. Fr. W.P.S. Schneirla, Shirley Schneirla, William Sutfin Schneirla, Jr., and Sadie Shamoun. Memory eternal!
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, Dr. Alice Farkouh, Diana Finger, Robert Forcina, Mary Ganim, Susan Hadad, Louise Hamwi, Eddie Hanna, George Khoury, Jr., Victor Khoury, Emily Maren (ME), Alfred Nahas, Elena Paris, Louis Savarese, Evelyn Shamoun, Leon Smatt, Claudette Teen, Jim Thompson (NJ), Marianne Trabulsi (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, 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.
CHURCH ATTENDANCE - We have increased 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.
FASTING DISCIPLINE – Monday, September 14, is the Feast of the Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross and a strict fast day.
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.
FLOWER DONATIONS – Irene Tashji donated the flowers for the icon of the Nativity of the Theotokos in loving memory of her mother Marie. Memory eternal! Donors are welcome for today’s processional cross for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
BIBLE STUDY – During the ongoing pandemic we will offer zoom Bible studies on Wednesday at 2:00 PM (https://zoom.us/j/92438281578?pwd=bldIdVg3cXFLUzRhbXlJNVluNVFpQT09) and 7:00 PM (https://zoom.us/j/95074870450?pwd=VmJsdEo3Sjh1STh5RFE3dVlNY1FWdz09). This week’s texts will be II Corinthians 6:1-10 and Luke 7:36-50. All are welcome. Sessions will last 40 minutes.
FIRST FORTY DAYS/COLLEGE CONTACT – Orthodox Campus Fellowship (OCF) is requesting the names and contact information for all college students and college-age young adults in order to maintain contact with them while they are away. Please send the names, email address, student phone, college or military unit to pastor@smaoc.org.
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. 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. The deadline for journal submissions is September 4. Please support our only fundraiser of the calendar year. Fore!
BEIRUT RELIEF – We have submitted our first contribution of $10,000 to the Archdiocese in support of Beirut. Under these circumstances we ask our faithful to make generous donations to alleviate the suffering of Lebanon. If writing a check to “St. Mary’s Church,” please write “Beirut” in the memo line.
SEPTEMBER ENVELOPES – Our September pledge envelopes contained two additional offering envelopes. There is a yellow envelope titled Coffee Hour and a blue envelope titled Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF). While we are not likely to host Coffee Hours in the near term, we encourage everyone to make an offering to support the Pan-Orthodox OCF.
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
DATES TO REMEMBER
Sunday, September 13 Procession with the Precious and Life-Saving Cross
Monday, September 14 Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross
Saturday, September 19 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Thursday, September 24 Saints and Sinners Golf and Tennis Outing
We livestream all divine services via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “What do we do when attacked by some criminal? We strike out at him and shout for help. Our cries are answered by the police, who then rescue us from danger. We must do the same in inner warfare with the passions. Filled with anger against them, call for assistance: Help me, O Lord! Jesus Christ, Son of God, save me! O God, make speed to save me! O Lord, make hast to help me! Having thus called on the Lord, do not allow your attention to wander from him, but go on standing before the Lord and imploring His help. This will make the enemy run away as though pursued by flames. ”
- St. Theophan the Recluse