Sunday, January 17, 2021
Venerable and God-Bearing Father Anthony the Great
Tone 7 and Eothinon 10
Anthony the New, Ascetic of Berrea in Macedonia
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 the Righteous Anthony the Great, the God-Mantled – Tone 4
Thou didst become like the zealous Elijah in his condition, and followed John the Baptist in his upright ways, becoming a dweller in the wilderness and an establisher of the universe by thy prayer, O Father Anthony. Wherefore, intercede thou with Christ God to save 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 Presentation of Christ in the Temple – Tone 1
Thou, O Christ God, who by thy Birth, didst sanctify the Virgin’s womb, and, as is meet, didst bless Simeon’s arms, and didst also come to save us; preserve thy fold in wars, and confirm them whom thou didst love; for thou alone art the Lover of mankind.
Epistle – Hebrews 13:17-21 (St. Anthony the Great)
Prokeimenon. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
Verse. What shall I render to the Lord for all that he has given me?
BRETHREN, obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over your souls, as men who will have to give account. Let them do this joyfully, and not sadly, for that would be of no advantage to you.
Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner.
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in you that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Gospel – Luke 17:12-19 (Twelfth Sunday of Luke)
AT THAT TIME, as Jesus entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When Jesus saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed.
Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice, and fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then said Jesus, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And Jesus said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”
Next week’s homework: I Timothy 1:15-17 (Thirty-first Sunday after Pentecost)
Luke 18:35-43 (Fourteenth Sunday of Luke)
HOLY BREAD – Rima and Elias Hazem and Family offer the Holy Bread of Oblation for the month of January in loving memory of the servants of God George Alsifi, Rahma Hazem, and Michael Hazem. Memory eternal! Donors are welcome for February and succeeding months. Deacon Farid Farkouh also offers the Holy Bread in January for the repose of the souls of his grandparents, Archpriest Faried and Kh. Wasilla Farkouh. Memory eternal! 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 to “chat.”
FOR THE INFIRM – Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Clair Banat (Norwegian), Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Albert Castley (FL), Nadim Dahdouh, Alissar Dalloul, Diana Finger, Robert Forcina, Mary Ganim, Susan Hadad, Louise Hamwi, Dr. Jean, Drew, Giselle and Sean McCrossan, Alfred Nahas, Louis Savarese, Evelyn Shamoun, Leon Smatt, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, Dr. Samir Zamaria (MD), and Rose Zrake (at home).
JANUARY 17, 2021 – VENERABLE AND GOD-BEARING FATHER ANTHONY THE GREAT
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.
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, JANUARY 17 – We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Ida and Gabriel Ashie, Alexander Azar, Barbara Boragi, Leon Ayoub Brown, Loretta Fiani, Rev. Melatios Fiani, Nora Hawa, Ramez Elhelou, Alex A. Howie, Riad Malouf, Frank Morgan, James D. Pappas, Ethel K. Phillips, Farieda Sarafien, Robert Samara, Renate M. and George Sheheri, Minas Sparsidis, Edmund Swaya, and Thomas A. Zarr. Memory eternal!
Sandra Arida offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of the handmaidens of God Louise Hamwi and Pauline Katen. Memory eternal!
Drs. Amal and Gregory Dalack offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Gladys Merhige Schroeder. Memory eternal!
Carol Furer offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Rev. Meletios Fiani and Loretta Fiani. Memory eternal!
Claudette Jabara Hadad offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of her sister-in-law, the handmaiden of God Louise Hadad Hamwi. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, JANUARY 24 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Margaret Assatly, Laura Sayeg Awad, Georgette Captain, George Corey, Jameel Farhood, Siham Damalts, Katherine B. Cury, George Elkas, Eleanor Forzly, Claudette Golam, Josephine Hadad, Yvonne Hebeeka, Tofeek Kaidy, Louise and John Kalesh, Ned Kalesh, Viola Kalesh, Constantine Karram, John Kerge, Naji Khoury, Athina Basheer Lattof, Walter Lattof, Marie Meena, Mitchell Merhige, Philip Merhige, Edgar Saadi, Victoria Saadi, Barbara Salamy, Madeleine H. Salamy, Suraya and Samuel Samaha, William Shamoun, Alexander G. Orfaly, Jr., Adele Simon, and Gail Hall Zarr. Memory eternal!
Gabriel Golam will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of his beloved wife, the handmaiden of God Claudette Golam. Memory eternal!
George Salamy will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Barbara Salamy. Memory eternal!
Victor Samaha will offer Prayers of Oblation the repose of the souls of his parents, Suraya and Samuel Samaha. Memory eternal!
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 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.
BLESSING OF HOMES – The Archdiocese recommends that the traditional blessing of homes following Holy Epiphany must be done with great caution this year due to our current state of high transmission and low hospital capacity in most areas of our Archdiocese. Clergy may bless the homes of those who request it - following all safety precautions. Once this current surge subsides, priests can begin blessing and visiting homes at a more usual pace. Blessings may continue throughout the course of next year.
When the priest blesses homes during the Epiphany season, the recommendation is that he visit quickly and limit the time to the blessing itself - not staying for dinner or coffee. Although this is very difficult pastorally, clergy should be careful not to contract the virus at one home and then spread it throughout the parish community. The Archdiocese also recommends not doing more than one or two per day and postponing the vast majority of house blessings until later in the year when, God willing, the situation improves.
WINTER COAT DRIVE – The Teen SOYO Winter Coat Drive will continue through February. Coats, scarves, gloves, blankets, and other cold weather attire are welcome. Please place your offerings on the table in the vestibule. We will distribute all items directly to local charities and recipients.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Wednesday, January 20 Zoom Classroom Resumes, 7:30 PM
Saturday, January 23 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Monday, February 1 Evening Divine Liturgy for the Presentation, 7:00 PM
Sunday, February 28 Annual Parish Meeting via twitch.tv/smaoc
We livestream all divine services via https://www.twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “Without temptation no one can be saved.”
- St. Anthony the Great
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America