Sunday, August 8, 2021
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
Tone 6 and Eothinon 7
After-Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 6
When Mary stood at thy grave looking for thy sacred body, angelic powers shone above thy revered tomb, and the soldiers who were to keep guard became as dead men. Thou led hades captive and wast not tempted thereby. Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst give life to the world; O thou that art risen from the dead! O Lord, glory to thee.
Apolytikion of the Transfiguration – Tone 7
When, O Christ our God, thou was transfigured on the mountain, thou didst reveal thy glory to thy Disciples in proportion as they could bear it. Let thine everlasting light also enlighten us sinners, through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O thou Bestower of light, 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 Transfiguration – Tone 7
Thou wast transfigured on the mount, and thy Disciples, in so far as they were able, beheld thy glory, O Christ our God: so that, when they should see thee crucified, they would remember that thy suffering was voluntary, and could declare to all the world that thou art truly the effulgent Splendour of the Father.
Epistle – Romans 15:1-7 (Seventh Sunday after Pentecost)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 27.9, 1. O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse. To you, O Lord, have I cried, O my God.
BRETHREN, we who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves; let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to edify him. For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached thee fell on me.” For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
Gospel – Matthew 9:27-35 (Seventh Sunday of Matthew)
AT THAT TIME, when Jesus was passing by, two blind men followed him, crying aloud and saying, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” Then Jesus touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly charged them, “See that no one knows it.” But they went away and spread his fame through all that district.
As they were going away, behold, a dumb demoniac was brought to Jesus. And when the demon had been cast out, the dumb man spoke; and the crowds marveled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.” But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.”
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity of the people.
Next week’s homework: Philippians 2:5-11 (Dormition of the Theotokos)
Matthew 9:27-35 (Dormition of the Theotokos)
HOLY BREAD – 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.”
FASTING DISCIPLINE – From August 1 through August 14 we observe the Dormition Fast in anticipation of the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos on August 15.
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!
AUGUST 8, 2021 – SEVENTH 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 8 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Robert E. Awad, Stephanie Bittar, Agnes Hamwi, Emile N. Jabbour, Alex Kalaf, George Kalesh, Aref Khoury, Salwa S. Khoury, Margaret Razook, Erna Saydah, Edward Zarick, and Ernest Zayat. Memory eternal!
Susan and Gordon Nelson offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Salwa Khoury. Memory eternal!
The Salloum Family offers Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Badih Salloum who departed this life in Romania. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, AUGUST 15 – We will 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, will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of their son, PJ Boyle. Memory eternal!
The Family of Itidal Makdissi will offer the Holy Bread, Prayers of Oblation, and a One-Year Memorial for the repose of her soul.
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.
FASTING DISCIPLINE – The Dormition Fast began on August 1, and continues through the eve of the great feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos on Saturday, August 14. The traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, fish, milk, cheese, eggs, wine and olive oil) is observed Monday through Friday with katalysis for wine and olive oil on Saturday and Sunday, and for fish, wine and olive oil on the great feast of the Transfiguration on Friday, August 6.
PARISH COUNCIL – The Parish Council will hold its regular monthly meeting tomorrow at 7:30 PM.
SPECIAL SERVICE PROJECT – In cooperation with FOCUS, our Teen SOYO has provided 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. The backpacks have already been filled and delivered to the District 20 office on 89th Street between 4th and 5th Avenues. We invite our faithful members to contribute $30 to cover the cost of one backpack with supplies. Please make your check payable to Teen SOYO with “backpack” in the memo line.
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.
ESTATE PLANNING – A bequest is one of the easiest gifts to make in order to impact the ministry of the Church significantly. An estate plan can include a provision that leaves a lasting gift to St. Mary’s Church. A bequest could be a gift of specific assets, a dollar amount, or a percentage of the estate. A bequest could also be the residue of an estate after all gifts have been made to heirs.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
DATES TO REMEMBER
August 1-14 Dormition Fast
Monday, August 9 Parish Council, 7:30 PM
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 – “There are many who live in the mountains and behave as if they were in the town, and they are wasting their time. It is possible to be a solitary in one’s mind while living in a crowd, and it is possible for one who is a solitary to live in the crowd of personal thoughts.”
- Mother Syncletica of the Desert