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, December 4, 2022
Great Martyr Barbara of Syria
Tone 8 and Eothinon 3
Venerable John of Damascus
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’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 8
O Compassionate One, thou didst descend from the heights; thou didst submit to the three-day burial, that thou mightest deliver us from passion. Thou art our Life and our Resurrection, O Lord, glory to thee.
Apolytikion of the Great Martyr Barbara – Tone 4
Let us honor the all-revered Saint Barbara; for she did demolish the gins of the adversary and escaped from them like a bird, by the help of the Cross as with a weapon.
Apolytikion of St. John of Damascus – Tone 8
Thou hast shown thyself, O God-inspired John, as a guide to the Orthodox Faith, a teacher of true worship and purity, O star of the universe and companion of the Bishops, O wise one. Through thy light thou hast enlightened all, O harp of the Spirit. Therefore, intercede with 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 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 – Galatians 3:32-29; 4:1-5 (Great Martyr Barbara)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 149.5, 1. The saints shall rejoice in glory.
Verse. Sing to the Lord a new song.
BRETHREN, before faith came, we were confined under the law, kept under restraint until faith should be revealed. So that the law was our custodian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a custodian; for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.
I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no better than a slave, though he is the owner of all the estate; but he is under guardians and trustees until the date set by the father. So with us; when we were children, we were slaves to the elemental spirits of the universe. But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
Gospel – Luke 13:10-17 (Tenth Sunday of Luke)
AT THAT TIME, Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And there was a woman who had had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years; she was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your infirmity.” And he laid his hands upon her, and immediately she was made straight, and she praised God. But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the sabbath, said to the people, “There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be healed and not on the sabbath day.” Then the Lord answered him, “You hypocrite! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his ass from the manger, and lead it away to water it? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?” As Jesus said this, all his adversaries were put to shame; and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him.
Next week’s homework: Galatians 3:23-4:5 (Great Martyr Barbara)
Luke 13:10-17 (Tenth Sunday of Luke)
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.”
DECEMBER 4, 2022 – GREAT MARTYR BARBARA
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.
DECEMBER IS ORDER OF ST. IGANTIUS OF ANTIOCH MONTH
TODAY, DECEMBER 4 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Jamiel Howie, Very Rev. Abdallah Khoury, Laura Makhoul, Josephine Razook, Nicholas Sabah, Nancy Schmidt, Edith B. Shagoury, and Marianne Trabulsi. Memory eternal!
Anita and John Eyd and George Trisciuzzi offer Prayers of Oblation for the health of the servant of God Dr. Roy K. Olsen. Many years!
Albert Khoury offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Archpriest Abdallah Khoury. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Alexander Deeb, Charles Farkouh, Gloria Hawaweeny, Nabeeha Klam, Charles Macrina, Edward Mamary, Elizabeth Nader, Isabel Zrake, Najeeb and Eli Zrake, and George Zrike. Memory eternal!
Madeline Zrike Rosenberger of Overland Park, KS, will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Isabel Zrake and George Zrike. Memory eternal!
The Deeb Family will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Laurice and Alexander Deeb, Mary and Nadim Antaki, and Zakieh and Emile Deeb. Memory eternal!
HOLY BREAD – Linda and George Salamy have made a donation for the entire year. Many years! Additional donors are welcome for December 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 Massab (Norwegian), Rouda Abboud, Albert Absey, Yvonne Allawh, Alex Araman, Diana Finger, Robert Forcina, Mary Ganim, Nicole Khouzami, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, Renee Setteducato, Victoria Sleyman, Claudette Teen, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, Dr. Samir Zamaria (MD), Nancy Zarouni, and Rose Zrake (at home).
CHRISTMAS BOUTIQUE - The Ladies of St. Mary's conclude their Christmas Boutique today until 3:00 pm. We need MEN VOLUNTEERS to assist packing up after the Boutique.
FEAST OF ST. NICHOLAS – Our Patriarchal Vicar, His Eminence, Most Reverend Metropolitan ANTONIOS, will preside at Orthros at 6:00 PM and the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy for the Feast of St. Nicholas at St. Nicholas Cathedral tomorrow evening. All are welcome. A reception will follow.
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.
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.
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.
WINTER CAMP – The Antiochian Village will host Winter Camp for teens in grades 7-12 on February 17-20. Registration forms for campers and staff are available online at avcamp.org/programs/winter-camp/.
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.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Monday, December 5 Orthros and Hierarchical Divine Liturgy @ St. Nicholas
With Metropolitan ANTONIOS
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 – “The poor exist for the salvation of the rich.”
- St. John Chrysostom
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America