Sunday, December 19, 2021
Sunday before the Nativity of Christ (The Genealogy)
Tone 1 and Eothinon 4
Martyrs Boniface and Aglais of Rome
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 1
The stone being sealed by the Jews, and thy pure body being guarded by the soldiers, thou didst rise on the third day, O Saviour, granting life to the world. Wherefore, the heavenly powers acclaimed thee, O Giver of life, crying, glory to thy Resurrection, O Christ! Glory to thy kingdom! Glory to thy gracious providence, O thou only Lover of mankind.
Apolytikion of the Sunday before the Nativity – Tone 2
Great are the accomplishments of faith; for the three holy youths rejoiced in the fountain of flames as though at waters of rest. And the Prophet Daniel appeared a shepherd to the lions as though they were sheep. Wherefore, by their pleadings, O Christ God, have mercy upon us.
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 Pre-Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos – Tone 3
On this day the Virgin cometh to the cave to give birth to God the Word ineffably, Who was before all the ages. Dance for joy, O earth, on hearing the gladsome tidings; with the Angels and the shepherds now glorify Him Who is willing to be gazed on as a young Child Who before the ages is God.
Epistle – Hebrews 11:9-10; 17:23, 32-40 (Sunday before the Nativity of Christ)
Prokeimenon. Hymn of the Three Children, Daniel 3:26-27. Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our Fathers.
Verse. For you are just in all you have done.
BRETHREN, by faith Abraham sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets – who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated – of whom the world was not worthy – wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
Gospel – Matthew 1:1-25 (Sunday of the Genealogy)
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Aram and Aram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jess the father of David the king.
And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboham, and Rehoboham the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa, and Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amon, and Amon the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.
And after the deportation to Babylon: Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.
So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus.
Next week’s homework: Galatians 1:11-19 (Sunday after the Nativity)
Matthew 2:13-23 (Sunday after the Nativity)
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.
DECEMBER 19, 2021 – SUNDAY BEFORE THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST (THE GENEALOGY)
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.
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.
TODAY, DECEMBER 19 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Evelyn L. Deschner, Albert N. Dibs, Anna Ghiz, Nora and Nicholas Hawa, George Khoury, Malvina Khouri, Nabeh Kotite, Haleem Migdalene, Zahia Migdalene, Robert A. Monier, Andrew N. Samaan, William S. Schneirla, Jr., Alfred E. Shagoury, Toufek Shagoury, Arthur Swaya, Emily Swaya, Lily Sydnawey, Mary Traboulcy, Bassem Trabulsi, George Zain, and Rose Zarr. Memory eternal!
Gloria Darzi and Family offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God George Zain. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Julie Aucar, Rachel Azar, George Couri, Anne DeMaio, Mary Elkat, Shukri Farkouh, Rose Hossan, Sabry Jallad, Mitchell Rezk, Hind Saadi, Wade Sahadi, Victor S. Samara, Najeeb Sydnawey, and Ines Tahan. Memory eternal!
Dr. Bassam and Naziha Aldaia will offer prayers and the Holy Bread of Oblation for the health of their family and for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Kazon, Michael, Wajih, Helen, Badie, Nada, Nicola, Samiha, and Therese. Memory eternal!
HOLY BREAD – Marie Zarr and Gale Zarr offer the Holy Bread of Oblation for the month of December for the good health of all the ladies and men who have assisted with past Christmas Boutiques. Many Years! They also commemorate all of our dearly departed ladies and men who have helped with previous Christmas Boutiques. Memory eternal! Additional donors are welcome for December and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Rouda Abboud, Albert Absey, Yvonne Allawh, Alex Araman, Claudette Budai, Diana Finger, Gary Gangone, Mary Ganim, Gabe Golam, Lily Lang, Alfred Nahas, Robert Sabbagh, Leon Smatt, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, Dr. Samir Zamaria (MD), and Rose Zrake (at home).
MEMORY ETERNAL! We are saddened to announce that Louis Savarese departed this life in hope of the Resurrection on Thursday evening following a prolonged illness. His family will receive visitors at McLaughlin Funeral Home today from 3-7 PM, and the funeral will be tomorrow at 10 AM.
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.
COFFEE HOUR – We have resumed indoor Coffee Hours only for the fully vaccinated in accordance with NYC requirements for indoor dining. Just as we do in church, we will ask people to wear a mask when moving around the hall but not when seated. Servers wearing masks and gloves will distribute coffee and “grab and go snacks.” Although these conditions are not optimal, we believe that the importance of fellowship means that we must continue to exercise caution.
FASTING DISICIPLINE – The second period of the Advent Fast is December 20 through 24 when the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish, wine and oil) is observed, with wine and oil permitted on Saturday and Sunday. From December 25 through January 4, there is no fasting.
CANNED FOOD AND WINTER COAT DRIVES – Teen SOYO has concluded its annual Canned Food, and the food has been distributed. The Winter Coat Drive will continue through February. Please place your coats, hats, scarves, gloves, mittens and blankets on the table in the vestibule. We will distribute all items to local charities and recipients.
CHOIR CHRISTMAS PRESENTATION -- St. Mary’s Choir invites all our parish family to a brief musical offering immediately following the Divine Liturgy today. We dedicate the program in loving memory of our beloved lifetime choir member Evelyn Shamoun.
LADIES OF ST. MARY’S - The Ladies of St. Mary’s thank our parish members for the wonderful response to our hygiene kit drive- almost 50 received already! We continue to request the preparation of hygiene kits to be distributed to the homeless during the Midnight Run each month. In a one gallon ZipLock bag please include: 1 washcloth, bar of soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, nail clipper, comb, 3 band-aids, disposable razor (optional). Feel free to prepare more than one kit! The kits can be given to Sandra Arida or any one of the Ladies. Thank you all for your support.
The Ladies of St. Mary’s would also like to thank our parish family for their wonderful support of our Christmas wreath drive and 50/50 raffle. All 60 wreaths were donated! We are delighted to announce that our dedicated Parish Council Chair Chris Athineos won the 50/50 raffle, and Gregory Zrake won the Lotto Tree! Many thanks to our Chairladies Marie Zarr and Gale Zarr, Josette and John Generale, and Barbara Deeb, our treasurer, for their management of this project. Thanks also to our “Wreath Team” Marilyn and Michael Tulaney and Karen and Anthony Tadross. Our Church is beautifully adorned! God bless us everyone!
GIVING OPPORTUNITIES – The Pastor’s Discretionary Account welcomes contributions during the Christmas-Epiphany season to support cases of urgent need both inside and outside the parish. Make your check payable to St. Mary’s Church earmarked “PDA.”
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.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Friday, December 24 Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil, 10:00 AM
Church School Christmas Pageant
Festal Orthros, 9:30 PM
Divine Liturgy for the Nativity of Christ, 10:30 PM
Saturday, December 25 No services at St. Mary’s Church
Saturday, January 1 New Year’s Day and St. Basil the Great
Wednesday, January 5 Metropolitan JOSEPH presides at the divine services
Festal Matins, 6 PM, Divine Liturgy for Epiphany to follow
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “One cannot love God, and his heart be warmed by the sensation of His love, if he does not first feel within his heart the fear of God. For the power of the fear of God soothes and softens the soul, so that it can attain to a state of forceful and vibrant love for Him.”
- St. Diadochos of Photike