Sunday, December 26, 2021
Sunday after the Nativity of Christ
Tone 2 and Eothinon 5
Joseph the Betrothed, David the Prophet and King, and James the Brother of the Lord
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 2
When thou, O immortal Life, didst humble thyself unto death, then didst thou destroy death by the brightness of thy Godhead; and when thou didst raise the bowels of the earth, then all the heavenly powers exclaimed, O Christ, thou art the Giver of life! Glory to thee, O our God!
Apolytikion of the Nativity of Christ – Tone 4
Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, hath given rise to the light of knowledge in the world; for they that worshipped the stars did learn therefrom to worship thee, O Sun of justice, and to know that from the east of the Highest thou didst come. O Lord, glory to thee.
Apolytikion of the Sunday after the Nativity of Christ – Tone 2
Proclaim, O Joseph, to David, the grandparent of God, the amazing wonders; for thou hast seen a Virgin great with child; for with the shepherds thou didst give glory, with the Magi thou didst worship, and by the angel it was revealed to thee. Wherefore, plead 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 Nativity of Christ – Tone 3
Today the Virgin giveth birth to the Transcendent in essence; the earth offereth the cave to the unapproachable One; the angels with the shepherds glorify him; and the Magi with the star travel on their way; for a new child hath been born for our sakes, God before the ages.
Epistle – II Timothy 4:5-8 (Sunday before Epiphany)
Prokeimenon. O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse. To you, O Lord, have I cried, O my God.
TIMOTHY, my son, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
For I am already on the point of being sacrificed; the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
Gospel – Matthew 2:13-23 (Sunday after the Nativity of Christ)
When the wise men had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there till I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him. And he rose and took the child and his mother by night, and departed to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt have I called my son.”
Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, was in a furious rage, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time which he had ascertained from the wise men.
Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they were no more.”
But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” And he rose and took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus reigned over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. And he went and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, “He shall be called a Nazarene.”
Next week’s homework: II Timothy 4:5-8 (Sunday before Theophany)
Mark 1:1-8 (Sunday before Theophany)
FASTING DISICIPLINE – From December 25 through January 4, there is no fasting.
DECEMBER 26, 2021 – SUNDAY AFTER THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST
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.
CHRIST IS BORN! GLORIFY HIM!
TODAY, DECEMBER 26 - We 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!
NEXT SUNDAY, JANUARY 2 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Fred Arida, Dr. Hickmet Arida, Economous Faried Farkouh, Khouria Wassila Farkouh, Anna Habib, Gabriel Hamatie, Mary Hamwi, Olga Kalaf, Robert Malouf, Madeleine Malouf, Rose Merhige, Sally Renieri, Ronald Sadaka, Melia Saydah, Edward Saydah, Edward Shoucaire, Anne Marie Smatt, Demetri Zayat, and Nazli N. Zayat. 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! Additional donors are welcome for January 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.
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).
GREAT VESPERS – There will be no Great Vespers on Saturday, January 1. We will resume the normal schedule on Saturday, January 8.
CHRISTMAS OFFERINGS – We acknowledge the Christmas offerings of Albert Absey, Joan Bacon, Charles and Marie Bryant, Claudette Budai, Rhonda Byrnes, Hassan and Katherine Dagher, Gloria Darzi, Patricia Zraick DeLuca, Anita and John Eyd, Diana Finger, Mary Ganim, Laurice Ganim, John and Josette Generale, Dr. and Mrs. Ronald Ghiz, James Harris, Krassy Ivanchev, Samer and Lina Kaiami, George Khoury, Jr., Dr. Nidal and Christine Khoury, Lily Lang, George Maalouf, Corrine and Michael Mallia, Denise McBride, George Moore, Tony Nehme, Dr. and Mrs. Amer Rafiaa, Marian Russo, Louise Sahadi, Charles and Audrey Sahadi, Robert Sahadi, George Salamy, Gary Speer, Irene Tashji, and Dr. Sam and Diane Zamaria.
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 to the maximum extent possible. 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, 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.
METROPOLITAN’S VISIT – His Eminence Metropolitan JOSEPH will make his customary visit for the Feast of Epiphany on Wednesday, January 5. He will preside at Festal Matins at 5:00 PM followed by the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy and the Great Blessing of Water. Fr. Thomas Zain and the faithful of St. Nicholas Cathedral will close their church that day and come to St. Mary’s to celebrate the feast together. We will then begin blessing houses immediately thereafter.
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.
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.
LITTLE BIT ‘O LUCK DRAWING – Many thanks to Robert Sabbagh and Deacon Farid for again organizing this year’s drawing. The winners were: “Marian Russo’s Granddaughters” (first prize), Nick DiMaria (second prize), and Edith Tadross O’Donnell (third prize). Congratulations!
ORDER OF ST. IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH – As Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch Month closes, we encourage our faithful members to consider induction into the Order when Metropolitan JOSEPH visits for Epiphany next week. The Order supports many ministries within the Archdiocese but has always placed particular emphasis on clergy retirement and the Antiochian Village Camp. Please see Fr. Michael, Order Ambassadors Marian Russo and Dianna Russo Kitchen, or any member of the Order for more information.
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 to local charities and recipients.
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING – The Parish Council has set the date for the Annual Parish Meeting for Sunday, February 13. Conditions permitting, we will hold this meeting in person. Please submit the names of nominees for the Parish Council to Nominations Chair Dianna Russo Kitchen after securing the nominee’s consent to run.
YEAR END GIVING – A person over age 70½ can make a gift to St. Mary’s Church from their IRA without increasing their taxable income or paying any additional tax. These tax-free rollover gifts can be of any amount up to $100,000 and offset the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) for 2021. Also, let us use our end of the year planning to include St. Mary’s Church in our estate plans.
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.”
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Saturday, January 1 No Great Vespers
Wednesday, January 5 Metropolitan JOSEPH presides at the divine services
Festal Matins, 6 PM, followed by Hierarchical Divine Liturgy
And the Great Sanctification of Water
Thursday, January 6 Holy Theophany
Saturday, January 8 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Monday, January 10 Parish Council, 7:30 PM
Sunday, February 13 Annual Parish Meeting
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “He who is always at home within his own heart is a stranger to all the pleasures of this life. He walks in the Spirit, and so knows nothing of the lusts of the flesh. All the wiles of the demons against such a man remain ineffective, for he makes his way under the protection of the virtues, which stand as gatekeepers keeping guard over the city of purity.”
- St. Diadochos of Photike
CHRIST IS BORN! GLORIFY HIM!