Sunday, March 21, 2021
First Sunday of Great Lent – Sunday of Orthodoxy
Tone 8 and Eothinon 8
Venerable Confessor James the New, Bishop of Catania
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 8
O Compassionate One, thou didst descend from the heights; thou didst submit to the three-day burial, that thou mightest deliver us from passion. Thou art our Life and our Resurrection, O Lord, glory to thee.
Apolytikion of the First Sunday of Lent - Tone 2
Thy pure image do we venerate, O good One, asking forgiveness of our sins, O Christ our God; for by thine own will thou didst ascend the Cross in thy body, to save thy creatures from the bondage of the enemy. Thou hast verily filled all with joy, since thou didst come, O our Saviour, to save the world.
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 for the Sundays in Lent – Tone 8
Verily, I, thy city, O Theotokos, inscribe to thee the banners of conquest, O defending soldier, and offer thee thanks as a deliverer from tribulations. And since thine is the unconquerable might, deliver me from sundry oppressions, that I may cry unto thee, Rejoice, O groomless bride.
Epistle – Hebrews 11:24-26, 32-40 (First Sunday in Lent)
Prokeimenon. Daniel 3:26, 27. Blessed are you, O Lord, God of our Fathers.
Verse. For you are righteous in all things you have done for us.
BRETHREN, by faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharoah’s daughter, choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.
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 enemies 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 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 in 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 – John 1:43-51 (First Sunday in Lent)
AT THAT TIME, Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And he found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael, and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth? Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” Nathanael said to Jesus, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these.” And Jesus said to him, “Truly, truly I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.”
Megalynarion – In thee rejoiceth, O full of grace, all creation: the angelic hosts, and the race of men, O hallowed temple and noetic paradise, glory of virgins, of whom God was incarnate and became a little child, even our God Who is before all the ages; for He made thy womb a throne and thy body He made more spacious than the heavens. In thee rejoiceth, O full of grace, all creation; and it glorifeth thee.
During Great Lent we celebrate the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great.
Next week’s homework: Hebrews 1:10-2:3 (Gregory Palamas)
Mark 2:1-12 (Second Sunday of Great Lent))
MARCH 21, 2021 – FIRST SUNDAY OF GREAT LENT – SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY
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.
MARCH IS LADIES’ MONTH IN THE ANTIOCHIAN ARCHDIOCESE!
TODAY, MARCH 21 – We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Raymonde Alexander, Sadie Fletcher, Mary Hamaty, Atina Hanna, Edward Hawa, Wahiha Hayek, Terez Ivanchev, Albert Kaidy, Fredrick Makhoul, Pamela Zraick Nakleh, Helen Nassoor, Michael Nassoor, Abe Saba, Olga Saba, Frederick Schroeder, Nabeah Shamas, Elias Shawah, Bikturia Zaher, and Edward Zraick. Memory eternal!
Sandra Arida offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Gerald “Jerry” Arida. Memory eternal!
Joyce and Anthony Saba offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servants of God Olga and Abraham Saba. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, MARCH 28 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Dr. John Dalack, Mary Davis, Raphael Davis, Matilda Eyd, Najibe Imtanios, Nazem Khoury, Rose Klam, Adele Hadad, Phillip Hamwi, Helen Livreri, Roger Sabah, Henry Salloum, Robert Samara, Raymond Sayeg, Michael Shraky, Florence Zagby, Eli Zrake, and Najeeb Zrake. Memory eternal!
HOLY BREAD – Linda and George Salamy have made a donation for the Holy Bread for the balance of the year in memory of their departed loved ones. Memory eternal! Additional donors are welcome for March and succeeding months. 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.”
MEMORY ETERNAL! We are deeply saddened to announce the unexpected passing into life eternal of Very Rev. Fr. George Morelli who assisted Fr. Paul Schneirla here at St. Mary’s Church for many years. Reports are that Fr. George departed this life in his sleep on Tuesday night or Wednesday morning near San Diego, CA, where he had gone to care for his disabled brother. We extend our sympathies to his family, and we will pray for the repose of his soul for 40 days. Memory eternal!
LADIES OF ST. MARY’S - March is Ladies Month in the Antiochian Archdiocese. Our Ladies will be reading the Epistle each week. Today Angela Athineos will read in English and Nahla Bittar Fattouh will read in Arabic.
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.
FOR THE INFIRM – Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Clair Banat (Norwegian), Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Nadim Dahdouh, Diana Finger, Robert Forcina, Mary Ganim, Susan Hadad, Edward Hanna, Alfred Nahas, Louis Savarese, Evelyn Shamoun, Leon Smatt, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, Dr. Samir Zamaria (MD), and Rose Zrake (at home).
SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY VESPERS – St. Nicholas Cathedral will host the annual Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers today at 5:00 PM. There will be no meal after the service.
LENTEN LITURGICAL SCHEDULE – There will be Great Compline at St. Mary’s each Monday night at 7:00 PM, the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts each Wednesday at 7:00 PM, and the Akathist/Madayeh Service each Friday at 7:00 PM. Great Vespers will continue each Saturday at 5:00 PM. This week only there will be Great Vespers for the Feast of the Annunciation on Wednesday at 7:00 PM and Evening Divine Liturgy for the feast on Thursday at 7:00 PM. Due to pandemic conditions there will be no Pot Luck Suppers or sponsored dinners this year.
FASTING DISCIPLINE FOR MARCH - The traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, cheese, eggs, dairy, fish, wine, olive oil or their by-products) is observed on all days of Great Lent with the exception of wine and olive oil being allowed on Saturdays and Sundays along with fish, wine, and olive oil being allowed on the Great Feast of the Annunciation (March 25).
SACRAMENT OF REPENTANCE (CONFESSION) – The Great Fast is THE TIME for all believers to receive the Sacrament of Repentance (Confession). The pastor hears confessions by appointment and before and after all the divine services. Please do not wait until the last minute! If you would like to go to one of the other Orthodox priests in Brooklyn, feel free to do so, but inform the pastor.
FOOD FOR HUNGRY PEOPLE – The traditional FFHP collection boxes are available in the narthex. Remember the least of Christ’s brethren by depositing your extra change at the end of each day, and return the box on or before Palm Sunday. “Honor the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10
SEMINARIANS – Our pledge envelopes for the month of March included a blue envelope marked “Seminarians.” Please use this envelope to support Metropolitan JOSEPH’s annual appeal on behalf of our theological students. Our minimum contribution as a parish is $500. If anyone is currently not receiving pledge envelopes, please see Fr. Michael or Parish Council Chair Christopher Athineos.
ANTIOCHIAN WOMEN’S SCHOLARSHIP – The Antiochian Women of North America offer several scholarships each year, usually in the amount of $500 each. Applicants must be women over 25 years of age and in good standing in their home parish. Applicants must be actively involved in their parishes and must be applying for or be registered in an academic or trade program of study. Applicants must also demonstrate financial need. Please see Ladies’ President Sandra Arida or Fr. Michael for an application. The application deadline is June 1, 2021.
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.
ARABIC LITURGY – Next Sunday, March 28, we will ask Wilson Haddad to provide the responses for Matins and the Divine Liturgy primarily in Arabic. Please inform your family and friends for whom Arabic may be their first language.
LENTEN RESOURCES – Great Lent is here. Our parish Bookstore, recently dedicated to the memory of Elena Paris, has copies of the service books for Great Lent, including Little Compline with the Akathist Hymn, the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, and Holy Week. There are also a few Lenten cookbooks available. Please contact Lorraine Deeb at ldeebsped@verizon.net or (718) 491-4996 to reserve your books.
WORD MAGAZINE – All registered members of the parish are entitled to receive the Word Magazine at home. If you are not receiving the Word, please contact the church office so that we can submit your name for the mailing list. Thank you.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Sunday, March 21 Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers @ St. Nicholas, 5:00 PM
Monday, March 22 Great Compline, 7:00 PM
Wednesday, March 24 Great Vespers for the Annunciation, 7:00 PM
Thursday, March 25 Evening Divine Liturgy for the Annunciation, 7:00 PM
Friday, March 26 Second Madayeh/Akathist, 7:00 PM
Saturday, March 27 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
We livestream all divine services via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “The strictness of the forty-day fast puts to death the passions, extinguishes anger and rage, cools and calms every agitation springing up from gluttony. And just as, in the summer, when the burning heat of the sun spreads over the earth, the northern wind gives a welcome blessing to those who are scorched, by dispersing the heat with a tender coolness, so fasting also provides the same by driving out of bodies the burning which is the result of overeating.”
- St. Asterius of Amasia
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North A