81st Street and Ridge Boulevard Website: www.smaoc.org
Brooklyn, NY 11209 Church Office: (718) 238-8008
Email: churchsecretary@smaoc.org Rectory: (718) 745-8481
His Eminence Metropolitan JOSEPH
Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of all North America
Very Rev. Fr. Michael Ellias, Pastor Rev. Deacon Farid Farkouh
Email: pastor@smaoc.org farkouhfarid@gmail.com
Sunday, October 16, 2022
Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council
Tone 1 and Eothinon 7
Martyr Longinos the Centurion Who Stood at the Cross of the Lord
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 Holy Fathers – Tone 8
Thou, O Christ, art our God of exceeding praise who didst establish our holy Fathers as luminous stars upon earth, and through them didst guide us unto the true Faith, O most merciful One, 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 Theotokos – Tone 2
O undisputed intercessor of Christians, the mediatrix unrejected by the Creator, turn not away from the voice of our petitions, though we be sinners. Come to us in time, who cry to thee in faith, with assistance; for thou art good. Hasten to us with intercessions, O Theotokos, who dost ever intercede for those who honour thee.
Epistle – Titus 3:8-15 (Holy Fathers)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 31.11, 1. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous.
Verse. Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven.
TITUS, my son, the saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men. But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are unprofitable and futile. As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or twice, knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned.
When I send Artemas or Tychicos to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful.
All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith.
Grace be with you all. Amen.
Gospel – Luke 8:5-15 (Fourth Sunday of Luke)
THE LORD SPOKE THIS PARABLE: “A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell along the path, and was trodden under foot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew, and yielded a hundredfold.”
And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, Jesus said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but for others they are in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy; but these have no root, they believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. And as for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience.” As Jesus said this, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Next week’s homework: Galatians 1:11-19 (Apostle James, Brother of God)
Luke 8:26-39 (Sixth Sunday of Luke)
HOLY BREAD – Linda and George Salamy have made a donation for the entire year. Many years! Additional donors are welcome for October and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
OCTOBER 16, 2022 – SUNDAY OF THE FATHERS OF THE SEVENTH ECUMENICAL COUNCIL
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 receive the blessing and partake of the blessed bread at the dismissal. Please introduce yourself to our pastor during the coffee hour and ask him about membership in the Orthodox Church.
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.
OCTOBER IS YOUTH MONTH IN THE ANTIOCHIAN ARCHDIOCESE!
TODAY, OCTOBER 16 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Edward Arida, Selma Assatly, Mary and Sophie Fauty, Henry Hadad, Sr., George P. James, Marie Khoury, John Martin, Beder and Sadallah Sabbagh, and Temam Kotite Samra. Memory eternal!
Nataliya Latushkina offers Prayers of Oblation for the health of her son, the servant of God Michael. Many years!
NEXT SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Matilda Couri Boutross, Aleer Couri, Elena Paris, Najla Sahadi, Susan Texeira, and Lorraine Zraick. Memory eternal!
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Nicholas Massab (Norwegian), Rouda Abboud, Albert Absey, Yvonne Allawh, Joanne DeFede, Diana Finger, Robert Forcina, Mary Ganim, Nicole Khouzami, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, Renee Setteducato, Victoria Sleyman, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, Dr. Samir Zamaria (MD), Nancy Zarouni, and Rose Zrake (at home).
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 FOR OCTOBER – We will observe the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish, wine, olive oil or their by-products) on all Wednesdays and Fridays in October.
GREAT VESPERS – There will be no Great Vespers this Saturday, October 22, because of the Teen Retreat at St. Vladimir’s Seminary.
YOUTH MONTH – October is Youth Month in the Antiochian Archdiocese. Among other things our teens will read the epistle, serve as ushers, and assist with the distribution of the Holy Eucharist. We invite all the teens to participate in the Teen Retreat at St. Vladimir’s Seminary on Saturday, October 22. Please see Daria Mayrose or Angela Athineos for more information.
OUR TIME – Our “senior” fellowship, “Our Time”, will meet on Wednesday, October 26, from 1-3 PM. Please see Marilyn Tulaney for more information.
BIBLE STUDY – There will be no Bible Study this Thursday because Fr. Michael will be in Baltimore for the meeting of the Board of Trustees of IOCC. We will resume our Fall Bible Study of the book of Genesis on Thursday, October 27, at 7:00 PM. Please bring your Orthodox Study Bible, or see Lorraine Deeb to get one from the bookstore.
FAMILY NIGHT - We are restarting "Family Night" on Friday, October 21. Please join us for a fun evening of games and fellowship. Feel free to bring your own games, food or drinks. Spread the word that we are back from the summer break!
TEEN RETREAT – Our Teen SOYO will host a retreat on behalf of the Dioceses of New York and Washington and Charleston and the Mid-Atlantic at St. Vladimir’s Seminary in Yonkers, NY, on Saturday, October 22. Parents are also welcome. Please see the flyer in this bulletin and on the bulletin board, or speak with Daria Mayrose for more information.
CHRISTMAS BOUTIQUE - The Ladies of St. Mary's are preparing for the Christmas Boutique on Saturday, December 3 (9:30am - 4pm), and Sunday, December 4th (12:30pm - 3:00pm). We are hoping that our very talented bakers will generously donate their specialties. If you would like to donate baked goods, please contact Nahla Bittar at (718) 909-6727. This year we are accepting only donations of costume and better jewelry. If you can donate jewelry, please contact Marianne Hindelly at (917) 309-5302 by Monday, November 28. We need MEN VOLUNTEERS on Sunday afternoon December 4, to assist packing up after the Boutique. Please contact Gale Zarr (917) 771–2427, if you are available or have any questions.
ESTATE PLANNING – May we all say, “As an expression of gratitude for all that God has done for me, and as an expression to my descendants of how much the church means to me, I have made provision in my estate plan for a bequest to my beloved St. Mary’s Church.”
DATES TO REMEMBER
Saturday, October 22 Teen Retreat @ St. Vladimir’s Seminary
Sunday, October 23 Albishara Baptism, 2:00 PM
Wednesday, October 26 “Our Time” Fellowship, 1:00-3:00 PM
Thursday, October 27 Bible Study, 7:00 PM
Saturday, October 29 Mansukhani Baptism, 11:30 AM
Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Sunday, October 30 Dalack Baptism, 1:00 PM
Friday, November 4 Vigil for St. Raphael of Brooklyn @ St. Nicholas
Saturday, November 5 Teen SOYO International Dinner
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord .”
- I Corinthians 15:58
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America