Sunday, January 30, 2022
Fifteenth Sunday of Luke (Zacchaeus)
The Three Great Hierarchs and Ecumenical Teachers:
Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom
Tone 7 and Eothinon 10
Hieromartyr Hippolytos, Pope of Rome
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 Three Hierarchs – Tone 1
Let us all come together and honor with songs of praise those three great stars of the three-sunned Trinity, who illuminated the universe with rays of divine doctrines; those rivers of wisdom flowing with honey, who watered the whole universe with streams of divine knowledge, Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and glorious John the golden-tongued; for they shall intercede with the Trinity for our sakes, who love their sayings.
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 Presentation of Christ in the Temple – Tone 1
Thou, O Christ God, who by thy Birth, didst sanctify the Virgin’s womb, and, as is meet, didst bless Simeon’s arms, and didst also come to save us; preserve thy fold in wars, and confirm them whom thou didst love; for thou alone art the Lover of mankind.
Epistle – Hebrews 13:7-16 (Three Hierarchs)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 18.4, 1. Their voice has gone out into all the earth.
Verse. The heavens declare the glory of God.
BRETHREN, remember those who preside over you, who have spoken to you the word of God; and considering the outcome of their life, imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be carried away by diverse and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing for the heart to be confirmed by grace, not by foods which have not profited those who occupied themselves with them.
We have an altar from which those serving the tabernacle have no authority to eat. For the animals whose blood “is brought into the sanctuary” by the high priest “as an offering for sin,” their bodies are burned outside the camp. For this reason Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through His own blood.
Let us therefore go forth to Him “outside the camp,” bearing His reproach; for here we do not have a lasting city in here, but we seek the one which is to come. Through Him therefore “let us offer up a sacrifice of praise” to God always, that is, the “fruit of lips” that confess His Name. Do not forget to do good and to share, for God is well pleased with such sacrifices.
Gospel – Luke 19:1-10 (Fifteenth Sunday of Luke)
AT THAT TIME, Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. And there was a man named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector, and rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not, on account of the crowd, because he was small of stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Jesus, for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” So he made haste and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it they all murmured, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded any one of anything, I restore it fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Next week’s homework: II Corinthians 6:16-7:1 (Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost)
Matthew 15:21-28 (Seventeenth Sunday of Matthew)
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
JANUARY 30, 2022 – THE THREE GREAT HIERARACHS AND ECUMENICAL TEACHERS: BASIL THE GREAT, GREGORY THE THEOLOGIAN AND JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
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, JANUARY 30 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Lorice Arida, Najeeby Arida, Gabriel Ashie, Louis Assatly, Elaine Ateyeh, Laura Sayeg Awad, Leon Ayoub Brown, Georgette Captain, Shamseh Dalack, Siham Damalts, Jameel Farhood, Josephine Hadad, Matilda Halal, Daisy Hamod, Alex A. Hamwi, Lillian John, Olga Kalaf, Violet Karkenny, Mitchel Merhige, Philip Merhige, George Nader, Helen Awad Najjar, Ethel Phillips, Edgar Saadi, Victoria Saadi, and Yvonne Sahadi, William Shamoun, and Gail Hall Zarr. Memory eternal!
The Family of Evelyn Shamoun offers Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of her soul. Memory eternal!
The Choir and the Ladies of St. Mary’s offer Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of the soul of their faithful member Evelyn Shamoun. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Elias Darzi, Jacob Khoury, James Pappas, Wadih Rahhal, Olga Shawah Roccosanto, Louis Sabah, Farieda Sarafien, Edward Saydah, and Florence Ventrice. Memory eternal!
HOLY BREAD – Linda and George Salamy have made a donation for the entire year. Many years! Additional donors are welcome for February and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
FASTING DISICIPLINE – The traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish, wine, olive oil or their byproducts) is observed on all Wednesdays and Fridays from February 1-12. There is no fasting from February 13-19.
FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION OF CHRIST IN THE TEMPLE– There will be an Evening Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Presentation of Christ on Tuesday, February 1, at 7:00 PM. Please begin your Eucharistic fast following an early and light lunch.
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Rouda Abboud, Albert Absey, Yvonne Allawh, Claudette Budai, Diana Finger, Mary Ganim, Gabe Golam, Lily Lang, Alfred Nahas, Robert Sabbagh, Wanda Salloum, Leon Smatt, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, Dr. Samir Zamaria (MD), and Rose Zrake (at home).
COVID POLICY – Given the recent proliferation of the COVID-19 Omicron variant, we ask all worshippers, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, to continue wearing their masks in church except when approaching to receive Holy Communion. We ask everyone to observe the blue tape on the pews so that we can maintain appropriate social distancing. Household units may sit together.
COFFEE HOUR – We are hosting Coffee Hours only for the fully vaccinated in accordance with NYC requirements for indoor dining. Just as we do in church, we will ask people to wear a mask at all times except when actively eating at your seat. Servers wearing masks and gloves will distribute coffee, and individually wrapped bagels will be available. Unvaccinated children under five years old can eat at the table with their parents or outside, and we ask that children not run around freely. Children 5 to 11 years old are now expected to be vaccinated in order to attend Coffee Hour.
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING – The Annual Parish Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, February 13, following the Divine Liturgy. Please submit the names of candidates for the Parish Council to Nominations Chair Dianna Russo Kitchen. Be sure to secure the nominee’s willingness to serve before submitting a nomination.
LADIES OF ST. MARY’S - The Ladies of St. Mary’s invite all our parishioners (men too!) to participate in our humanitarian project this year. We once again request the preparation of hygiene kits to be distributed to the homeless during the Midnight Run each month. In a one gallon ZipLock bag please include: 1 washcloth, bar of soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, nail clipper, comb, 3 band-aids, disposable razor (optional). Feel free to prepare more than one kit! The kits can be given to Sandra Arida or any one of the Ladies. Thank you all for your support.
WINTER COAT DRIVE – The Teen SOYO Winter Coat Drive will continue through February. Coats, scarves, gloves, blankets, and other cold weather attire are welcome. Please place your offerings on the table in the vestibule. We will distribute all items to local charities and recipients.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Tuesday, February 1 Evening Divine Liturgy for the Presentation of Christ, 7 PM
Saturday, February 5 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Sunday, February 13 Annual Parish Meeting
Monday, February 14 Parish Council, 7:30 PM
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “As a pilot calls on winds and a storm-tossed mariner looks homeward, so the times call on you to win your way to God. As God’s athlete, be sober; the stake is immortality and eternal life.”
- St. Ignatius of Antioch the God-bearer