Sunday, December 5, 2021
God-Bearing Father Sabbas the Sanctified
Tone 7 and Eothinon 2
Martyr Diogenes
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. Saba – Tone 8
The barren wilderness thou didst make fertile with the streams of thy tears; and by thy deep sighing thou hast given fruit through thy struggles a hundredfold. Accordingly, thou hast become a star for the universe, sparkling with miracles. Therefore, O righteous Father Saba, intercede 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 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 – Galatians 5:22-6:2 (St. Sabbas)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 149.5, 1. The saints shall rejoice in glory.
Verse. Sing to the Lord a new song.
BRETHREN, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one another, no envy of one another.
Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Look to yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Gospel – Luke 13:10-17 (Tenth Sunday of Luke)
AT THAT TIME, Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And there was a woman who had had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years; she was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your infirmity.” And he laid his hands upon her, and immediately she was made straight, and she praised God. But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the sabbath, said to the people, “There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be healed and not on the sabbath day.” Then the Lord answered him, “You hypocrite! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his ass from the manger, and lead it away to water it? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?” As Jesus said this, all his adversaries were put to shame; and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him.
Next week’s homework: Ephesians 5:8-19 (Spyridon the Wonderworker)
Luke 14:16-24 (Forefathers of Christ)
FASTING DISICIPLINE – On November 15 we began the traditional 40-day Advent Fast in preparation for the Feast of the Nativity of Christ on December 25. The Fast is divided into two periods. The first period is November 15 through December 19 when the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish, wine, oil and their by-products) is observed. On Tuesdays and Thursdays during this time, wine and oil are permitted. On Saturdays and Sundays during this time, fish, wine and oil are permitted. Some Orthodox eat fish on all days except Wednesdays and Fridays. The second period 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.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
DECEMBER 5, 2021 – GOD-BEARING FATHER SABBAS THE SANCTIFIED
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 5 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Albert Assatly, George Ayoub, George Ellien, Nellie Ellien, Helen Figuccio, Maria Hajjar, Jamiel Howie, Very Rev. Abdallah Khoury, Fred Khoury, Laura Makhoul, Faris Razook, Josephine Razook, Nicholas Sabah, Nancy Schmitt, Edith B. Shagoury, Mary Shahin, Mike Simon, Adele Sullivan, Maryann Trabulsi, and Sarah Zarouni. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Bertha Abouchar, Josephine Awad, Alexander E Deeb, Kazan El-Hajj, Jean Fadool, Charles Farkouh, Richard Farkouh, Hafina Haddad, Gloria Hawaweeny, James Jobe, Najla Khoury, Nabeeha Klam, Edward Mannessa, Edward Mamary, Elizabeth Nader, Michael Takla, Edward Thabit, Zouhat Thabit, Eli Zrake, Najeeb Zrake, George Zrike and Isabel Zrike. Memory eternal!
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 – 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! Linda and George Salamy have also made a donation for the entire year. Many years! Additional donors are welcome for December and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
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.
ST. MARY’S CHOIR - St. Mary’s Choir is happy to offer a short program of Christmas music immediately following the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, December 19, 2021. We hope all parishioners will attend as we celebrate the joy of our Lord’s Nativity.
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our brethren in your intercessions: Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Gary Gangone (NYU Lutheran), Evelyn Shamoun (NYU Lutheran), Rouda Abboud, Albert Absey, Yvonne Allawh, Alex Araman, Claudette Budai, Diana Finger, Mary Ganim, Gabe Golam, Lily Lang, Hank Murad, Alfred Nahas, Robert Sabbagh, Louis Savarese, Leon Smatt, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, Dr. Samir Zamaria (MD), and Rose Zrake (at home).
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.” We will ask everyone to use hand sanitizer before and after touching anything. Unvaccinated children can eat at the table with their parents or outside, and we ask that children not run around freely. Although these conditions are not optimal, we believe that the importance of fellowship means that we must continue to exercise caution.
LADIES OF ST. MARY’S - The Ladies of St. Mary’s invite all our parishioners (men too!) to participate in our humanitarian project this year. We once again 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.
BIBLE STUDY – We will continue our study of the Gospel of St. Matthew on Wednesday, November 10, at 7:00 PM, with chapters 23-25. Please bring your Orthodox Study Bible. All are welcome!
CANNED FOOD AND WINTER COAT DRIVES – Teen SOYO has placed two large boxes in the vestibule for their annual Canned Food and Winter Coat Drives. Please bring your contributions between now and December 13. We will distribute all items to local charities and recipients.
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.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Wednesday, December 8 Bible Study, 7:00 PM
Saturday, December 11 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Friday, December 17 Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch Reception in Bergenfield, NJ
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “When a person receives something divine, in his heart he rejoices; but when he receives something diabolic, he is disturbed. The Christian heart, when it has received something divine, does not demand anything else in order to convince it that this is precisely from the Lord; but by that very effect it is convinced that this is heavenly, for it senses within itself spiritual fruits: love, joy, peace, and the rest.”
- St. Serphim of Sarov