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 23, 2022
The Holy Apostle James, the “Brother of God”
Tone 2 and Eothinon 8
Ignatius, Patriarch of Constantinople
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 2
When thou, O immortal Life, didst humble thyself unto death, then didst thou destroy death by the brightness of thy Godhead; and when thou didst raise the bowels of the earth, then all the heavenly powers exclaimed, O Christ, thou art the Giver of life! Glory to thee, O our God!
Apolytikion of the Apostle James – Tone 4
Since thou art a Disciple of the Lord, thou didst receive the Gospel, O righteous one, and since thou art a Martyr thou art never rejected, and since thou art a brother of God, thou art privileged, and since thou art a High Priest, it is thine to intercede. Wherefore, beseech thou Christ God to save our souls.
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 – Galatians 1:11-19 (Apostle James)
Prokeimenon. His voice has gone to the end of the earth.
Verse. The heavens declare the glory of God.
BRETHREN, I would have you know that the gospel which was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it; and I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and had called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned to Damascus.
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother.
Gospel – Luke 8:26-39 (Sixth Sunday of Luke)
AT THAT TIME, Jesus arrived at the country of the Gad’arenes, which is opposite Galilee. And as he stepped out on land, there met him a man from the city who had demons; for a long time, he had worn no clothes, and he lived not in a house but among the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him, and said with a loud voice, “What have I to do with you, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beseech you, do not torment me.” For Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. [For many a time it had seized him; he was kept under guard, and bound with chains and fetters, but he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness.] Jesus then asked him “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion”; for many demons had entered him. And they begged Jesus not to command them to depart into the abyss.
Now a large herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside; and they begged Jesus to let them enter these. So he gave them leave. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.
When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they fled, and told it in the city and in the country. Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. And those who had seen it told them how he who had been possessed with demons was healed. Then all of the people of the surrounding country of the Gad’arenes asked Jesus to depart from them; for they were seized with great fear; so he got into a boat and returned. The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with Jesus; but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your home, and declare all that God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming through the whole city all that Jesus had done for him.
Next week’s homework: Galatians 1:11-19 (Apostle James, Brother of God)
Luke 8:26-39 (Sixth Sunday of Luke)
OCTOBER 23, 2022 – THE HOLY APOSTLE JAMES, THE “BROTHER OF GOD”
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 23 - We 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!
NEXT SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Nicholas L. Assatly, Henry Hadad, Jr., Assad Hanna, Olga and Salem Jabara, Delores and Paul Jabara, Evelyn Mouracade, Josephine Tadross, and Mary and Richard Tadross. Memory eternal!
The Dalack and Ellias Families will offer Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Basil Dalack, Esq. Memory eternal!
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.
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Nicholas Massb (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).
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 – 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. All are welcome!
LADIES OF ST. MARY’S - The Ladies of St. Mary’s will have an important meeting on Sunday, October 30, following the Divine Liturgy. All ladies welcome and wanted!
BAY RIDGE EATS FOR A CAUSE - Our Fifth Bay Ridge Eats for a Cause occurred on Saturday, October 15. Food, drink and music filled the church hall as over 200 guests attended the popular restaurant tasting. Guests enjoyed music by Cliff Massab and ‘The Bitter End’ Band. We raised over $2,500 for our Church. Our participating restaurants were: Catrina's Mexican Grill, Chadwick's, Charlie's Sandwich Shop, Elia Restaurant, Gino's, Greenhouse Cafe, Leo's, Paneantico, Salty Dog, Sapporo Japanese Cuisine, and Tanoreen. Please patronize these restaurants and thank them for generously for donating their tastings for our Church Fundraiser.
Our BREFAC Chairs - Denise Alexander, Nicole Khouzami and Renee Geston Landry thank all of our volunteers including: Rima Alsaifi Hazem, Christos Hazem, Jack Hazem, John Alexander, Angela Athineos, Chris Athineos, Timothy Coan, Samantha Coan, Robert Rich, Amanda Rich, Laila Ellias, Diana Kaiami, Marianne Hindelly, Aline Farkouh, Gary Gangone, Thomas Mayrose, Daria Mayrose, Connor Mayrose, Amanda Regnier, Michael Regnier, Alice Regnier, Isaac Regnier, Susanna Regnier, Nicole Massab, Andrea Zrake, Anthony Zrake and George Khouzami.
INTERNATIONAL DINNER – Teen SOYO announces the return of its renowned International Dinner to benefit the Fr. Paul Schneirla Memorial Scholarship Fund on Saturday, November 5, following Great Vespers. Please see Teen President Luke Spolar, Advisors Daria Mayrose and Angela Athineos or the flyer in this bulletin for more information.
FALL HARVEST LUNCHEON – The Church School PTO invites everyone to share Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday, November 13, following the Divine Liturgy. The PTO graciously accepts donations of assembled raffle baskets or basket items. To donate, please see Lorraine Deeb or Lara Rostom Laham. They also need volunteers to prepare meal items including turkeys or donations toward the cost of the food.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
DATES TO REMEMBER
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 Ladies of St. Mary’s Meeting
Dalack Baptism, 1:00 PM
Saturday, November 5 Teen SOYO International Dinner
Sunday, November 6 Daylight Saving Time Ends
Sunday, November 13 Church School PTO Fall Harvest Luncheon
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks! For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near.”
- Psalm 75:1
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America