Sunday, October 3, 2021
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Tone 6 and Eothinon 4
Hieromartyr Dionysios the Areopagite
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 6
When Mary stood at thy grave looking for thy sacred body, angelic powers shone above thy revered tomb, and the soldiers who were to keep guard became as dead men. Thou led hades captive and wast not tempted thereby. Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst give life to the world; O thou that art risen from the dead! O Lord, glory to thee.
Apolytikion of the Hieromartyr Dionysios the Areopagite – Tone 4
Since thou hadst been instructed in uprightness thoroughly and wast vigilant in all things, thou wast clothed with a good conscience as befitteth one holy. Thou didst draw from the Chosen Vessel ineffable mysteries; and having kept the faith, thou didst finish a like course, O Hieromartyr Dionysios. Intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.
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 – II Corinthians 4:6-15 (Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 27.9, 1. O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse. To you, O Lord, have I cried, O my God.
BRETHREN, it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For while we live we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.
Since we have the same spirit of faith as he had who wrote, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we too believed, and so we speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
Gospel – Luke 6:31-36 (Second Sunday of Luke)
THE LORD SAID, “As you wish that men would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”
Next week’s homework: II Corinthians 6:1-10 (16th Sunday after Pentecost)
Luke 7:11-16 (Third Sunday of Luke)
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.
HOLY BREAD – James Harris offers the Holy Bread of Oblation in memory of his mother, Margaret M. Harris, for the month of October. Memory eternal! Linda and George Salamy have also made a donation for the entire year. Many years! Additional donors are welcome for October, November, and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
UPDATED COVID POLICY – Worshippers who have completed the vaccination process (both injections of Pfizer or Moderna, or the single Johnson and Johnson vaccine, plus two weeks) may remove their masks while seated but must replace them when moving around the church. Due to the uptick in Delta variant infections, we are again temporarily suspending choral singing and chanting.
OCTOBER 3, 2021 – FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
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.
OCTOBER IS YOUTH MONTH IN THE ANTIOCHIAN ARCHDIOCESE!
TODAY, OCTOBER 3 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Dorothy Howie, Bernice Wardi Lutfy, Nora Manolescu, Elias Massabni, Alice S. Merhige, Edmund Shawah, Herbert Trabulsi, Fred Zahka, Antoun Zgheib, and Edna and Philip Zrike. Memory eternal!
Clemencia Saleeby offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Alice Ghazal. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Doris Farkouh Creidy, Zahaya Dahab, Janet M. Gehshan, John G. Golam, James Haddad, Raymond Halabi, Gary Kassatly, Margaret Mackoul, Joan Maffetone, Lynda Massawir, Helen Orfaly, Rose Rowady, Virginia M. and George A. Sahadi, Edith Khoury Tadross, Mitchell A. Tadross, Michael Zarouni, Victor N. Zrake, and George Zraick. Memory eternal!
COFFEE HOUR – Weather permitting, there will be a “Grab and Go” Coffee Hour in front of the church following the Divine Liturgy. We would welcome anyone who would like to volunteer to set up and/or clean up. Please see Parish Council Chair Chris Athineos or Vice Chair Dianna Russo Kitchen. Donations are always welcome!
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Clair Banat (Norwegian), Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Rouda Abboud, Albert Absey, Yvonne Allawh, Claudette Budai, Diana Finger, Mary Ganim, Alfred Nahas, Louis Savarese, Evelyn Shamoun, Leon Smatt, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, Dr. Samir Zamaria (MD), and Rose Zrake (at home).
FASTING DISICIPLINE – We maintain the traditional fasting discipline on Wednesday and Friday through the month of October.
BIBLE STUDY – We will continue our study of the Gospel of St. Matthew on Wednesday, October 6, at 7:00 PM with chapters 3 and 4. Please bring your Orthodox Study Bible. All are welcome!
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.
THEOLOGICAL OFFERING – Our October pledge envelopes included a green envelope marked “Theological Offering.” This account is one of the three mandatory “trays” we collect each year for the Antiochian Archdiocese and supports our seminaries in North America. Our minimum contribution as a parish is $500. Our faithful can either drop their envelope in the collection tray on Sundays or return it to the church office. If you are not receiving pledge envelopes, please inform the church office so that we can add you to our list of supporters. Thank you for your generous support of our seminaries.
HURRICANE IDA – Please see the letter from Metropolitan JOSEPH in today’s bulletin concerning the collection for the victims of Hurricane Ida from our St. Basil Church in Metairie, LA. Today will be our final appeal before forwarding our collection. Please make your check payable to St. Mary’s Church with “Ida” in the memo line.
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.
STREET NAMING – The City of New York will dedicate the corner of Ridge Boulevard and 81st Street in honor of our long-time pastor, Very Rev. Fr. Paul W.S. Schneirla, of blessed memory, on Sunday, October 24, following the Divine Liturgy. More details will follow, but please save that date.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Wednesday, October 6 Bible Study, 7:00 PM
Saturday, October 9 Yang-Li Wedding, 2:30 PM @ Holy Cross G.O. Church
Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Monday, October 11 Parish Council, 7:30 PM
Sunday, October 17 Special Olympics Awareness Day
Sunday, October 24 Street Naming in honor of Fr. Paul Schneirla
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “When heavy with overeating, the body makes the intellect spiritless and sluggish; likewise, when weakened by excessive abstinence, the body makes the contemplative faculty of the soul dejected an disinclined to concentrate. We should therefore regulate our food according to the condition of the body, so that it is appropriately disciplined when in good health and adequately nourished when weak. The body of one pursuing the spiritual way must not be enfeebled; he must have enough strength for his labors, so that the soul may be suitably purified through bodily exertion as well.”
- St. Diadochos of Photiki