Sunday, August 15, 2021
Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos
Tone 7 and Eothinon 8
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 the Dormition of the Theotokos – Tone 1
In thy birth-giving, O Theotokos, thou didst keep and preserve virginity; and in thy falling-asleep thou hast not forsaken the world; for living thou wast translated, being the Mother of Life. Wherefore, by thine intercessions, deliver our souls from death.
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 Dormition of the Theotokos – Tone 2
Verily, the Theotokos, who is ever watchful in intercessions, who is never rejected, neither tomb nor death could control. But being the Mother of Life, he who dwelt in her ever-virgin womb did translate her to life.
Epistle – Philippians 2:5-11 (Dormition of the Theotokos)
Prokeimenon. Luke 1:46, 48. My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
Verse. For he has regarded the humility of his servant.
BRETHREN, have in mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Gospel – Luke 10:38-42, 11:27-28 (Dormition of the Theotokos)
AT THAT TIME, Jesus entered a village; and a woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to Jesus and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But Jesus answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.”
As Jesus said this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts that you sucked!” But Jesus said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
Megalynarion of the Feast – Tone 1
All we the generations ever call thee blessed, the only Theotokos. The bounds of nature are overcome in thee, O immaculate Virgin; for thy childbirth is virginal, and thy death is the espousal of life. O thou who after childbirth art virgin, and who after death art living, do thou, O Theotokos, ever save thine inheritance.
Next week’s homework: I Corinthians 3:9-17 (Ninth Sunday after Pentecost)
Matthew 14:22-34 (Ninth Sunday of Matthew)
HOLY BREAD – The Family of Itidal Makdissi offers the Holy Bread this week. Donors are welcome for 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.”
AUGUST 15, 2021 – DORMITION OF THE THEOTOKOS
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, AUGUST 15 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Navya P. Aboud, Thuraya Abualehawareb, Olga Arida, Peter Boragi, Victoria Boragi, Michel Elssous, Lorice Grasso, Leon Hattab, William Helal, Zedra Khoury, Itidal Makdissi, Braheem Merhige, Hennie Milkie, Laya Nehme, Sam Saad, Malaky Shamas, Celia Yared, Alex Zagby, Laila Zamlout, George Zrike, and Valentine H. Zrike. Memory eternal!
Carolyn (Howie) and Peter Boyle of San Francisco, CA, offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of their son, PJ Boyle. Memory eternal!
Dr. Caroline Grasso offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of her mother, the handmaiden of God Lorice Grasso. Memory eternal!
Corinne and Michael Mallia offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of the recently departed servants of God Linda DeVoe and Martin Mastromarino. Memory eternal!
The Family of Itidal Makdissi offers the Holy Bread, Prayers of Oblation, and a One-Year Memorial for the repose of her soul.
NEXT SUNDAY, AUGUST 22 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Helen Allison, Nassif K. Arida, Raphael Arida, Laurice Deeb, Zakieh Deeb, Khouryee Alice Kerbaway Dalack, Dr. Antoine Fernaine, Michael Gehshan, Baheeya Jabara, Dr. Gabriel Jureidini, Irene Karkenny, Judith Kassatly, William Nafash, Rose Marie Sabah, Louise B. Savarese, Gladys Senior, and George Zarr. Memory eternal!
May Fernaine will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the of her husband, the servant of God Dr. Antoine Fernaine. 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 (Vanderbilt, S.I.), Clair Banat (Norwegian), Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Rouda Abboud, Albert Absey, Diana Finger, Mary Ganim, 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. Due to the uptick in Delta variant infections, we are again temporarily suspending choral singing and chanting.
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.
SAINTS AND SINNERS GOLF AND TENNIS OUTING – The annual “Golf Outing” is scheduled for Monday, September 21, at Hempstead Country Club. Please note that the deadline for submitting subscriptions to the commemorative journal is Monday, August 30. This journal is an excellent opportunity to recognize this year’s recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, Sonia Abounaoum.
STREET NAMING – We are pleased to announce that the City of New York will dedicate the corner of Ridge Boulevard and 81st Street in honor of our long-time pastor, Very Rev. Fr. Paul W.S. Schneirla, of blessed memory, on Sunday, October 24, following the Divine Liturgy. More details will follow, but please save that date.
SPECIAL SERVICE PROJECT – Teen SOYO thanks everyone who supported their project to provide 48 backpacks full of school supplies to elementary school students here in NYC DOE District 20 who are living in homeless shelters or transitional housing.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Friday, August 20 Midnight Run
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
Sunday, October 24 Street Naming for Fr. Paul Schneirla
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “For, at present, she is the only one who has a place in heaven with her divinely glorified body in the company of her Son. Earth, the grave, and death could not ultimately detain her life-giving body, which has held God and been a more beloved habitation for Him than heaven and the heaven of heavens.”
- St. Gregory Palamas