Sunday, August 29, 2021
Beheading of the Holy Forerunner and Baptist John
Tone 1 and Eothinon 10
Venerable Theodora of Thessalonica
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 1
The stone being sealed by the Jews, and thy pure body being guarded by the soldiers, thou didst rise on the third day, O Saviour, granting life to the world. Wherefore, the heavenly powers acclaimed thee, O Giver of life, crying, glory to thy Resurrection, O Christ! Glory to thy kingdom! Glory to thy gracious providence, O thou only Lover of mankind.
Apolytikion of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist – Tone 2
The memory of the righteous is in praise. And thee, Forerunner, the testimony of the Lord sufficeth; for in truth thou hast been revealed as nobler than all the Prophets, for having been considered worthy to baptize in running waters him who was preached. Therefore, thou didst strive for the truth happily. Thou didst proclaim to those in hades God appearing in the body, the Lifter up of the sin of the world, who granteth us the Great Mercy.
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 the Theotokos – Tone 4
By thy holy birth-giving, O pure one, Joachim and Anne were delivered from the reproach of barrenness; and Adam and Eve were delivered from the corruption of death; thy people do celebrate it, having been saved from the stain of iniquity, crying unto thee, the barren doth give birth to the Theotokos, who nourisheth our life.
Epistle – Acts 13:25-33 (Beheading of the Forerunner and Baptist John)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 63:10. The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord.
Verse. Hearken unto my voice, O God!
IN THOSE DAYS, as John was fulfilling his course, he said “Who do you suppose that I am? I am not He. But behold, there comes One after me the shoes of whose feet I am not worthy to unloose.” Men, brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you is the word of this salvation sent forth. For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not know Him, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read on ever Sabbath, fulfilled these by condemning Him. And though they found no cause of death in Him, yet they asked Pilate that He should be slain. And when they had fulfilled all the things that were written of Him, they took Him down from the tree, and laid him in a tomb. But God raised Him from the dead; and for many days He was seen by those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now His witnesses to the people. And we bring you the good news of the promise made to the fathers, that God has fulfilled the same to us their children, in that He raised up Jesus again.
Gospel – Mark 6:14-30 (Beheading of St. John the Baptist)
AT THAT TIME, Jesus’ name had become known, and King Herod heard of it.
Some said, “John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; that is why these powers are at work in him.” But others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” But when Herod heard of it he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” For Herod had sent and seized John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; because he had married her. For John said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he was much perplexed; and yet he heard him gladly. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and the leading men of Galilee. For when Herodias’ daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will grant it.” And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.” And she went out, and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the baptizer.” And she came in immediately with haste to the king, and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” And the king was exceedingly sorry; but because of his oath and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. And immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard and gave orders to bring his head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb
Next week’s homework: I Corinthians 9:2-12 (Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost)
Matthew 18:23-35 (Eleventh Sunday of Matthew)
AUGUST 29, 2021 – THE BEHEADING OF THE HONORABLE AND GLORIOUS PROPHET, FORERUNNER AND BAPTIST JOHN
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 29 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Elizabeth Azar, Linda Fauty, Victoria M. Makhoul, Amelia Rezk, Blanche Shahood, Alfred, Antoine, Amin, Dan and Mary Shagoury, Teddy Shultz, and George Tadross. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Watfa Richeh and Oscar Salloum. Memory eternal!
HOLY BREAD – Donors are welcome for September 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.”
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.
FASTING DISCIPLINE – Today, the Feast of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist, is a fast day.
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.
METROPOLITAN’S VISIT – Please note that we have cancelled the luncheon scheduled in conjunction with the visit of Metropolitan JOSEPH on Sunday, September 12. We will gladly return all reservation checks.
ORDER OF ST. IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH – As we approach the episcopal visit of Metropolitan JOSEPH on September 12, we encourage our faithful members to consider induction into the Order of St. Ignatius. We especially encourage parents and grandparents of Antiochian Village Camp alumni!
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
Sunday, August 29 Beheading of St. John the Baptist – Fast Day
Tuesday, September 7 Evening Divine Liturgy, 7:00 PM
Wednesday, September 8 Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos
Sunday, September 12 Metropolitan JOSEPH visits
Sunday, September 19 Church School classes begin
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 – “Because God is present everywhere, the fallen spirits cannot do what they want. They can harm us mostly through other people. We can protect ourselves from them only with the power of God. Man has been given great strength, and if we could only concentrate our thoughts in prayer, the fallen spirits would not be able to harm us or to do anything contrary to the will of God. Where there is prayer, the fallen spirits have no power.”
- Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica