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
Very Rev. Fr. Michael Ellias, Pastor Rev. Deacon Farid Farkouh
Email: pastor@smaoc.org farkouhfarid@gmail.com
Sunday, November 20, 2022
Transfer of the Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos
Tone 6 and Eothinon 1
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 Entrance of the Theotokos in the Temple – Tone 4
Today the Virgin is the foreshadowing of the pleasure of God, and the beginning of the preaching of the salvation of mankind. Thou hast appeared in the Temple of God openly and hast gone before, preaching Christ to all. Let us shout with one thrilling voice, saying, Rejoice, O thou who art the fulfillment of the Creator’s dispensation.
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 Entrance of the Theotokos in the Temple – Tone 4
The all-pure temple of the Saviour, the most precious bridal-chamber and Virgin, the treasure-house of the glory of God, today entered the Temple of the Lord, bringing with her the grace which is in the divine Spirit: whom also the angels of God do celebrate in song; for she is the heavenly tabernacle.
Epistle – Hebrews 9:1-7 (Presentation of the Theotokos)
Prokeimenon. Luke 1.46, 48. My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
Verse. For he has regarded the humility of his servant.
BRETHREN, the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary. For a tent was prepared, the outer one, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the presence; it is called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain stood a tent called the Holy of Holies, having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, which contained a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.
These preparations having thus been made, the priests go continually into the outer tent, performing their ritual duties; but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood which he offers for himself and for the errors of the people.
Gospel – Luke 10:30-42 and 11:27-28 (Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple)
AT THAT TIME, Jesus entered a village; and a woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to Jesus and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But Jesus answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.”
As Jesus said this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts that you sucked!” But Jesus said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it.”
Next week’s homework: Ephesians 2:14-22 (Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost)
Luke 12:18-27 (Thirteenth Sunday of Luke)
HOLY BREAD – Marie Zarr and Gale Zarr will offer the Holy Bread of Oblation for the month of November in loving memory of their dearly departed family members George Zarr, Rose Zarr, Gregory Zarr, Gail Hall Zarr, Dolores Marinacci and Nazeer Almumen. Memory eternal! Additional donors are welcome for November 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.”
NOVEMBER 20, 2022 – TRANSFER OF THE FEAST OF THE ENTRANCE OF THE THEOTOKOS
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 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.
TODAY, NOVEMBER 20 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Albert Ganim, Antonia Khoury, George Malouf, Zakia Tannous Khoury, and Souhaila Jada Sciacchitano. Memory eternal!
Marie and Charlie Bryant and Laura, James, Luke and Oliver Wallace offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Zakia Khoury. Memory eternal!
Aline Farkouh offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of her father, the servant of God George Malouf. Memory eternal!
George Khoury, Jr., offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of his parents, the servants of God Antonia (Toni) and George Khoury, Sr. Memory eternal!
The Haddad and Ziton Families offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Annette Lattof as well as the departed members of the Shagoury Family – Antoun and Mary, Dan, Edith, Evelyn and Edward (Haddad), Albert, Edmund (Takla), and Janine. Memory eternal!
The Family of the handmaiden of God Annette Lattof offers Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of her soul. A Coffee Hour in her memory will follow the Divine Liturgy. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Paul Dib, Lian Massab, Pauline Nehme, Edward Sarkis, Freda Sayegh and Melkon Sayegh, Gladys Schroeder, and Herta Schroers. Memory eternal!
Carol Furer will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of her father, the servant of God Paul T. Dib. Memory eternal!
IOCC SUNDAY – Our November pledge envelopes included a yellow envelope for “International Orthodox Christian Charities” dated November 20. We annually receive this collection on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Our faithful can either drop their envelope in the collection tray or return it to the church office. If you are not receiving pledge envelopes, please inform the church office so that we can add you to our list of supporters. Thank you for your support of IOCC.
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Alex Araman (NYU), Joanne Defede (NYU Lutheran), Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Nicholas Massab (Norwegian), Claudette Teen (NYU Lutheran), Rouda Abboud, Albert Absey, Yvonne Allawh, 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).
CANNED FOOD AND WINTER COAT DRIVES – Teen SOYO has placed two large boxes in the vestibule for their annual Canned Food and Winter Coat Drives. Please bring your contributions between now and December 13. We will distribute all items to local charities and recipients.
FASTING DISICIPLINE – On November 15 we began the traditional 40-day Advent Fast in preparation for the Feast of the Nativity of Christ on December 25. The Fast is divided into two periods. The first period is November 15 through December 19 when the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish, wine, oil and their by-products) is observed. On Tuesdays and Thursdays during this time, wine and oil are permitted. On Saturdays and Sundays during this time, fish, wine and oil are permitted. Some Orthodox eat fish on all days except Wednesdays and Fridays. The second period is December 20 through 24 when the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish, wine and oil) is observed, with wine and oil permitted on Saturday and Sunday. From December 25 through January 4, there is no fasting.
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.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Monday, November 21 Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos
Wednesday, November 23 No “Our Time” Senior Fellowship this week.
Thursday, November 24 Thanksgiving Day
Friday, November 25 Great Martyr Catherine
Saturday, November 26 No Great Vespers
Saturday, December 3 Ladies’ Christmas Boutique, 9:30 AM-4:00 PM
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “Whoever fears God, does not fear anything else.”
- Elder Epiphanios Theodoropulos
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America