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 27, 2022
Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Tone 7 and Eothinon 2
Great Martyr James the Persian
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 Great Martyr James the Persian – Tone 4
Thy Martyr, O Lord, in his courageous contest for Thee, received as the prize the crowns of incorruption and life from Thee, our immortal God. For, since he possessed Thy strength, he cast down the tyrants and wholly destroyed the demons’ strengthless presumption. O Christ God, by his prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merciful.
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 for the Preparation for the Nativity – Tone 3
Today the Virgin cometh to the cave to give birth in an ineffable manner to the Word before the ages. Rejoice, therefore, O universe, when thou hearest, and glorify with the angels and shepherds him who shall appear by his own will as a new babe, being God before the ages.
Epistle – Ephesians 2:14-22 (Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 28.11, 1. The Lord will give strength to his people.
Verse. Bring to the Lord, O sons of God, bring to the Lord honor and glory.
BRETHREN, Christ is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby bringing the hostility to an end. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
Gospel – Luke 18:18-27 (Thirteenth Sunday of Luke)
AT THAT TIME, a man came testing Jesus and asking, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’” And the man said, “All these I have observed from my youth.” And when Jesus heard it, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” But when the man heard this he became sad, for he was very rich. Jesus, seeing him sad, said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” But Jesus said, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”
Next week’s homework: Galatians 3:23-4:5 (Great Martyr Barbara)
Luke 13:10-17 (Tenth 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.”
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
NOVEMBER 27, 2022 – TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
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.
We are blessed to have Rt. Rev. Fr. Jeremy Davis, Hierarchical Assistant, to preside at today’s divine services while Fr. Michael visits his family in Pennsylvania. Please give Fr. Jeremy a warm welcome!
TODAY, NOVEMBER 27 - We 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 offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of her father, the servant of God Paul T. Dib. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Nellie and George Ellien, Jamiel Howie, Very Rev. Abdallah Khoury, Laura Makhoul, Josephine Razook, Nicholas Sabah, Nancy Schmidt, Edith B. Shagoury, Marianne Trabulsi, Virginia Zarr, Isabel Zrake and George Zrike. Memory eternal!
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Alex Araman (NYU), 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).
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.
FEAST OF ST. NICHOLAS – Our Patriarchal Vicar, His Eminence, Most Reverend Metropolitan ANTONIOS of Zahle, will preside at Orthros at 6:00 PM and the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy for the Feast of St. Nicholas at St. Nicholas Cathedral, 355 State Street, on Monday, December 5.
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.
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.
CHOIR CHRISTMAS PROGRAM - St. Mary’s Choir will offer a program of Christmas music immediately following Liturgy on December 11. We cordially invite all our parishioners to enjoy! Happily, this year we can all sing Christmas carols together. Word sheets will be provided.
ON-LINE GIVING – St. Mary's Church now accepts donations online. Just visit https://smaoc.squarespace.com/donate and pay securely by credit card, debit card, or checking account. There is an option to indicate gifts made in honor of or in remembrance of someone.
ESTATE PLANNING – Have I included St. Mary’s Church in my will or estate plan?
DATES TO REMEMBER
December 1 and 2 Boutique Setup
December 3 and 4 Ladies’ Christmas Boutique, 9:30 AM-4:00 PM
Monday, December 5 Orthros and Hierarchical Divine Liturgy @ St. Nicholas
With Metropolitan ANTONIOS, 6:00 PM
Wednesday, December 7 “Our Time” Adult Fellowship, 1-3 PM
Choir Practice, 7:00 PM
Saturday, December 10 Pylak Baptism, 1:30 PM
Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Sunday, December 11 Choir Christmas Program
Monday, December 12 Parish Council, 7:30 PM
Sunday, December 18 Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch Sunday
Saturday, December 24 Orthros, 9:30 and Divine Liturgy, 10:30 AM
Church School Christmas Pageant
Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Sunday, December 25 Nativity of Christ – regular service schedule
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.”
- Psalm 100.4
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America