Sunday, July 18, 2021
Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the Fourth Ecumenical Council
Tone 3 and Eothinon 4
Martyr Emilianos of Silistria in Bulgaria
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 3
Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad; for the Lord hath done a mighty act with his own arm. He hath trampled down death and become the First-born from the dead. He hath delivered us from the depth of hades, granting the world the Great Mercy.
Apolytikion of the Holy Fathers – Tone 8
Thou, O Christ, art our God of exceeding praise who didst establish our holy Fathers as luminous stars upon earth, and through them didst guide us unto the true Faith, O most merciful One, glory to thee.
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 – Titus 3:8-15 (Holy Fathers)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 31.11, 1. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous.
Verse. Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven.
TITUS, my son, the saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men. But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are unprofitable and futile. As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or twice, knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned.
When I send Artemas or Tychicos to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful.
All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith.
Grace be with you all. Amen.
Gospel – Matthew 5:14-19 (Holy Fathers)
THE LORD SAID to his disciples, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
“Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
Next week’s homework: Galatians 4:22-27 (Dormition of St. Anna)
Matthew 8:29-9:1 (Fifth Sunday of Matthew)
HOLY BREAD – Although she is currently away, Rima Hazem has baked enough Holy Bread for the next three weeks! Additional donors are welcome for next week, August, 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.”
FASTING DISCIPLINE – For the month of July we return to our standard fasting days of Wednesdays and Fridays.
JULY 18, 2021 – SUNDAY OF THE HOLY FATHERS OF THE FOURTH ECUMENICAL COUNCIL
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, JULY 18 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Donald Abraham Ballan, Jamila Eadeh, Victor Farkouh, Fr. Wakeem Dalack, Gloria Saba Galloway, Joseph Imtanios, Edmund A. Nahas, Josephine Khoury, Eissa Makarious Laham, Amelia Mansfield, Rose S. Razook, Odette Saadi, Marguerite Sabah, William Anthony Soued, and George Zrake. Memory eternal!
Patricia Ballan offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of her beloved husband, the servant of God Donald Abraham Ballan. Memory eternal!
Marc Galloway offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of his mother, the handmaiden of God Gloria Saba Galloway. Memory eternal!
Nadia Soued offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of her beloved husband, the servant of God William Anthony Soued. Memory eternal!
Rose Zrake offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of her beloved husband, the servant of God George Zrake, who departed this life 43 years ago on July 18. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, JULY 25 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Evelyn Arwady, Dewey and Rose Awad, Mabel Backal, Leonard Coury, Alexander and Yvonne Hamwi, Ronald A. Jabara, Kh. Rose Khoury, George Sabbagh, Lulu Sahdala, Vivian Salem, Georgette and John Shahood, Laurice Swaya, and Thomas Zaglool. 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, Yvonne Allawh (NYU), Clair Banat (Norwegian), Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Rouda Abboud, Albert Absey, Mary Ganim, Diana Finger, Alfred Nahas, Louis Savarese, Evelyn Shamoun, Leon Smatt, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, Dr. Samir Zamaria (MD), and Rose Zrake (at home).
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. We have removed the blue caution tape from the pews, but we ask everyone to maintain personal space. We are also no longer collecting contact tracing information. Please see the complete policy recently endorsed at the July 12 Parish Council meeting as a page in this bulletin.
ARCHDIOCESE CONVENTION – On Friday, July 23, and Saturday, July 24, the Antiochian Archdiocese will host a virtual Archdiocese Convention. Most of us have not had an opportunity to attend a convention, and this virtual offering provides an opportunity to get a sense of what takes place under normal circumstances. Although the agenda is very abbreviated, this online gathering will permit our faithful members to hear directly from Metropolitan JOSEPH and to learn about subjects ranging from financial management to youth ministry. Please see the schedule in this bulletin and avail yourself of the opportunity to learn more about our archdiocese. Go to www.antiochianevents.us6.list-manage.com to register for free.
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. The second quarter pledge statements went into the mail on Tuesday. Please call the church office if you have questions about your pledge amount or any errors.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
DATES TO REMEMBER
July 23-July 24 Virtual Archdiocese Convention
August 1-14 Dormition Fast
Friday, August 6 Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ
Sunday, August 15 Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos
Wednesday, September 8 Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos
Sunday, September 12 Metropolitan JOSEPH visits
Monday, September 20 Saints and Sinners Golf and Tennis Outing
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “You cannot be too gentle, too kind. Shun even to appear harsh in your treatment of each other. Joy, radiant joy, streams from the face of one who gives and kindles joy in the heart of one who receives. All condemnation is from the devil. Never condemn each other, not even those whom you catch committing an evil deed. We condemn others only because we shun knowing ourselves. When we gaze at our own failings, we see such a morass of filth that nothing in another can equal it. That is why we turn away and make much of the faults of others. Keep away from the spilling of speech. Instead of condemning others, strive to reach inner peace. Keep silent, refrain from judgment. This will raise you above the deadly arrows of slander, insult, outrage, and will shield your glowing hearts against the evil that creeps around.”
- St. Seraphim of Sarov
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The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch” (Acts 11: 26)
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
358 Mountain Road, P.O. Box 5238, Englewood, NJ 07631-5238
(201) 871-1355 T, (201) 871-7954 F Archdiocese@antiochian.org
His Eminence, The Most Reverend Metropolitan JOSEPH
Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of All North America
2021 Virtual Archdiocesan Convention
Schedule of Events
(All times are EST)
Friday, July 23, 2021:
3:00PM – 5:00PM Order of St. Ignatius Meeting
5:00PM – 7:30PM Antiochian Women Meeting
9:00PM – 10:30PM Teen SOYO Virtual Event
9:00PM – 10:30PM Young Adults Virtual Event
Saturday, July 24, 2021:
10AM – 11:00AM Breakout Rooms where members can
choose to join particular topics related to current parish
matters such as:
· Finance: Mr. Salim Abboud, Fr. Michael Tassos, Dr. Elias Hebeka
· Youth: Fr. Nicholas Belcher
· Stewardship: Mr. William Morrison
· Pandemic: Dr. Badie Alnemr, Dr. James Rossetti
11:00AM – 11:45AM Fr. Joseph Huneycutt, guest speaker
11:45AM - 12:30PM BREAK – Lunch
12:30PM - 3:00PM General Assembly Meeting and closing
· 12:30PM - 1:30PM Sayedna’s speech
· Mr. Salim Abboud – Department of Finance
· Fr. Nicholas Belcher – Young Adult Ministry, Department of Christian Education, Department
of Youthand Department of Camping
· Archdn. Emile P. Sayegh, Chancellor
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Union Church of Bay Ridge
[Presbyterian Church (USA)]
7915 RIDGE BLVD.
ACCESSIBLE ENTRANCE ON 80TH ST. / INFO CALL (718) 745-0438
COVID-19 VACCINE SITE
Pfizer vaccine – now available for ALL NEW YORKERS age 12+
regardless of immigration status
WALK-INS are welcome!
FIRST DOSE EVENT:
THURSDAY, JULY 22, 2021, 9:00 AM. to 1:00 PM
SECOND DOSE EVENT:
THURSDAY, AUGUST 12, 2021 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ABOUT THE VACCINATION?
A Maimonides Vaccination Team will be available to answer your questions throughout the day.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO WEAR A FACE MASK
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St. Mary’s Church COVID-19 Safety Guidelines for Worshippers
as of 7/15/21
As the global pandemic is still occurring, New York State has recently lifted restrictions because of high vaccination rates and low positivity for COVID. In an effort to keep us all safe, St. Mary’s has lifted some restrictions but still maintains guidelines and safety protocols so that we may all worship safely.
1. Those who are NOT fully vaccinated must keep masks on at ALL TIMES.
2. Any parishioner who is FULLY vaccinated may remove their mask WHILE SEATED. When entering, leaving, receiving the Eucharist, or any other time moving about, masks must be worn.
3. You cannot attend services if:
a) You are sick; or
b) You have been in contact with someone with COVID; or
c) You have travelled internationally within the past 2 weeks unless fully vaccinated and test
negative within 3 days of leaving and 3 to 5 days after returning. You still need to stay
masked for 14 days.
4. No congregational singing.
5. Only a limited fully vaccinated and vetted choir members may sing without a mask in the choir loft. No one else should sit in the choir loft at this time.
6. Everyone must maintain good hygiene. Please hand sanitize before and after touching any surface that may have been touched by multiple folks.
7. You may place your 7-Day candle while wearing a mask. You may kiss icons while wearing a mask. At the end of service, Father will give the blessing by touching the cross to your forehead.
8. You may seat yourself. Please mind the blue tape reserved seating. If you are unvaccinated, please social distance yourself. Please cooperate with the ushers if they need to move you to accommodate others.
9. Please do not shake hands, hug or kiss fellow parishioners, the priest, deacon or chanters.
10. When receiving the Eucharist, wear your mask until it is your turn, then remove your mask, place cloth under chin, open your mouth wide, tilt your head back, let Father drop the communion in your mouth, and don’t wipe your mouth on the cloth.
11. Antidoron (holy bread) will only be distributed by the deacon (or an acolyte) with clean gloves at the end of the service. Please do not help yourself. You should then proceed down the right aisle to exit the church. Please do not congregate inside the church.
12. If you are not able to attend a service, please continue to join us online at www.twitch.tv/smaoc every Sunday at 9:30 am for Orthros and 10:30 am for Divine Liturgy. Anyone feeling more vulnerable to COVID-19 should continue to participate with the live streamed service from home.