Sunday, August 22, 2021
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
Tone 8 and Eothinon 9
After-Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos
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 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 – I Corinthians 3:9-17 (Ninth Sunday after Pentecost)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 75.11, 1. Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse. God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.
BRETHREN, we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.
According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and another man is building upon it. Let each man take care how he builds upon it. For no other foundation can any one lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any one builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw – each man’s work will become manifest; for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work which any man has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If any one destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and that temple you are.
Gospel – Matthew 14:22-34 (Ninth Sunday of Matthew)
AT THAT TIME, Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was in the middle of the sea, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against it. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart, it is I; have no fear.”
And Peter answered him, saying, “Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water.” Jesus said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; but when he saw the mighty wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “O man of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind became calm. And those in the boat came and worshipped Jesus, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennes’aret.
Next week’s homework: Acts 13:25-33 (Beheading of John the Baptist)
Mark 6:14-30 (Beheading of John the Baptist)
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.”
HOLY BREAD – Donors are welcome for next week and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
AUGUST 22, 2021 – NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
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 22 - We 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, George Marge, William Nafash, Rose Marie Sabah, Louise B. Savarese, Gladys Senior, and George Zarr. Memory eternal!
Sandra Coogan offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of her mother, the handmaiden of God Louise B. Savarese. Memory eternal!
Drs. Amal and Gregory Dalack offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Khouryee Alice Kerbaway. Memory eternal!
May Fernaine offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of her husband, the servant of God Dr. Antoine Fernaine. Memory eternal!
Marie Zarr and family offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul her beloved husband and their father, the servant of God, George S. Zarr, Sr. Memory eternal!
The Deeb Family offers Prayers of Oblation and a 25-Year Memorial for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Laurice Antaky Deeb, as well as prayers for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Alex Deeb, Zakieh and Emile Deeb, and Mary and Nadim Antaky. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, AUGUST 29 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Elizabeth Azar, Linda Fauty, Victoria M. Makhoul, Amelia Rezk, Watfa Richeh, Blanche Shahood, Alfred, Antoine, Amin, Dan and Mary Shagoury, Teddy Shultz, and George Tadross. 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!
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.
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).
FASTING DISCIPLINE – This week we follow the traditional fast on Wednesday and Friday. Next Sunday, August 29, is a fast day in commemoration of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist.
ORDER OF ST. IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH – As we approach the episcopal visit of Metropolitan JOSEPH on September 12, we encourage our faithful to consider induction into the Order of St. Ignatius. We especially encourage parents and grandparents of Antiochian Village Camp alumni!
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.
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
Sunday, August 29 Beheading of St. John the Baptist – Fast Day
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 in honor of Fr. Paul Schneirla
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “When we declare ourselves to be disciples of Christ, we claim that we want Him to cure our spiritual and moral disease. Yet in truth we want Him to relieve the symptoms, such as misery, discontent, despair, and so on. Jesus, by contrast, knows that He cannot relieve these symptoms unless He overcomes their deep, inner cause. And this is where the problems arise. While we would like to be rid of the symtoms, we stubbornly resist the efforts of Jesus to penetrate our souls. We do not want our deep-set feelings and attitudes to be changed. But only when we truly open our souls to the transforming grace of God will the symptoms of spiritual disease begin to disappear.”
- St. John Chrysostom