Sunday, January 9, 2022
Sunday after the Theophany of Christ
Tone 4 and Eothinon 7
Martyr Polyeuktos of Armenia
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 4
Having learned the joyful message of the Resurrection from the angel, the women disciples of the Lord cast from them their parental condemnation, and proudly broke the news to the disciples, saying, Death hath been spoiled. Christ God is risen, granting the world great mercy.
Apolytikion of Epiphany – Tone 1
By thy baptism, O Lord, in the River Jordan, worship to the Trinity hath made its appearance; for the voice of the Lord did come forth to thee with the testimony, naming thee His beloved Son; and the Spirit in the likeness of a dove, confirming the truth of the word. Wherefore, O thou who didst appear and lighted the world, O Christ, 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 Epiphany – Tone 4
Today thou hast appeared to the universe, O Lord, and thy light hath been shed upon us, who praise thee with knowledge, saying, Thou hast come and appeared, O unapproachable Light.
Epistle – Ephesians 4:7-13 (Sunday after Epiphany)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 32.22, 1. Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us.
Verse. Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous.
BRETHREN, grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it is said, “When he ascended on high, he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is he who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things. And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
Gospel - Matthew 4:12-17 (Sunday after Epiphany)
AT THAT TIME, when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth he went and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled;
“The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles – the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.”
From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Next week’s homework: Colossians 3:4-11 (29th Sunday after Pentecost)
Luke 17:12-19 (Twelfth Sunday of Luke)
POST-COMMUNION PRAYERS – As the faithful approach to reverence the cross, receive a blessing and a piece of antidoron (holy bread) at the dismissal, a reader will read the Post-Communion Prayers of Thanksgiving. Please greet each other quietly as we reverently hear these prayers.
HOLY BREAD – Dr. Bassam and Naziha Aldaia offer the Holy Bread of Oblation for the health of their family. Many years! Additional donors are welcome for January and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
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 continue to sit together. We are also delaying the start of Church School at least until Sunday, January 16, out of an abundance of caution.
JANUARY 9, 2022 – SUNDAY AFTER THE THEOPHANY OF CHRIST
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 9 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Eli T. Abdallah, Juad Arida, Pearl Arida, Samia Arida, Adele Azeez, Nora and Kalel Ballan, Mary Fadool, Ameenie Freije, Edward Ghazal, Emily Ghazal, Pauline Haddad, James Hamod, Maria Hindelly, Tofeek Kaidy, Leila M. Khouri, George John Nahas, Edma Saab, Madeleine H. Salamy, Alberta Samaha, Alexander Trabolsi, Nora Trefz, and Emil Tweel. Memory eternal!
Rose Abdallah offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of her late husband, the servant of God Eli Abdallah. Memory eternal!
The Family of Claire Banat offers Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of her soul. Memory eternal!
Malakie and Richard Zogob offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Clair Banat. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, JANUARY 16 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Ida and Gabriel Ashie, Alexander Azar, Barbara Boragi, Leon Ayoub Brown, Loretta Fianni, Rev. Melatios Fianni, Nora Hawa, Ramez Elhelou, Alex A. Howie, Riad Malouf, Frank Morgan, James D. Pappas, Ethel K. Phillips, Robert Samara, Farieda Sarafien, Renate M. and George Sheheri, Minas Sparsidis, Edmund Swaya, and Thomas A. Zarr. Memory eternal!
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Alex Araman (NY Presbyterian), Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Wanda Salloum (Hospital for Special Surgery), Rouda Abboud, Albert Absey, Yvonne Allawh, Claudette Budai, Diana Finger, Gary Gangone, Mary Ganim, Gabe Golam, Lily Lang, Alfred Nahas, Robert Sabbagh, Leon Smatt, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, Dr. Samir Zamaria (MD), and Rose Zrake (at home).
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 in January.
ANTIOCHIAN VILLAGE CAMP – Registration for the camping season at the Antiochian Village Camp opened yesterday. We expect demand for camping slots to be very high this year, so do not delay the registration of your campers, ages 9-18. Go to www.avcamp.org as soon as possible.
COFFEE HOUR – We have resumed 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. We will ask everyone to use hand sanitizer before and after touching anything. 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. Although these conditions are not optimal, we believe that the importance of fellowship means that we must continue to exercise caution.
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING – The Annual Parish Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, February 13, following the Divine Liturgy. Please submit the names of candidates to the Parish Council to Nominations Chair Dianna Russo Kitchen. Be secure 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.
GIVING OPPORTUNITIES – The Pastor’s Discretionary Account welcomes contributions during the Christmas-Epiphany season to support cases of urgent need both inside and outside the parish. Make your check payable to St. Mary’s Church earmarked “PDA.”
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.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Monday, January 10 Parish Council, 7:30 PM
Saturday, January 15 No Great Vespers
Sunday, February 13 Annual Parish Meeting
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “In obedience, do not let logic work, but the heart. Do not think: The Elder said this, but he meant that, or he did not say it correctly. Then, the wicked one will begin to fool you.”
- Elder Epiphanios Theodoropoulos