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, January 1, 2023
Feasts of the Circumcision of Christ and Basil the Great
Tone 4 and Eothinon 7
New Martyr Peter of the Peloponnesos
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 4
Having learned the joyful message of the Resurrection from the angel, the women disciples of the Lord cast from them their parental condemnation, and proudly broke the news to the disciples, saying, Death hath been spoiled. Christ God is risen, granting the world great mercy.
Apolytikion of the Circumcision of Christ – Tone 1
Our human form hast Thou taken on Thyself without change, O greatly-compassionate Master, though being God by nature; fulfilling the Law, Thou willingly receivest circumcision in the flesh, that Thou mightest end the shadow and roll away the veil of our sinful passions. Glory be to Thy goodness unto us. Glory be to Thy compassion. Glory, O Word, to Thine inexpressible condescension.
Apolytikion of St. Basil the Great – Tone 1
In all the earth that received thy sayings, thy melody did resound, O righteous Father, through which thou didst go about and proclaim, as worthy of God, the nature of creatures, cultivating the character of mankind, O thou kingly Priesthood, Basil. Wherefore, plead thou with Christ God to save our souls.
Kontakion of the Circumcision of Christ – Tone 3
Now the Lord of all that is doth undergo circumcision, in His goodness cutting off the sins and failings of mortals. He this day doth give salvation unto the whole world; and the hierarch and bright daystar of the Creator now rejoiceth in the highest, Basil the wise and divine initiate of Christ.
Epistle – Colossians 2:8-12 (Circumcision of Christ)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 48:3, 1. My mouth shall speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall bring forth understanding.
Verse. Hear this, O people.
BRETHREN, see to it that no one makes a prey of you by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have come to the fullness of life in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of flesh in the circumcision of Christ; and you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.
Gospel – Luke 2:20-21, 40-52 (Circumcision in the Flesh of our Lord, and God, and Saviour, Jesus Christ; and the Commemoration of our Father among the Saints, Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia
AT THAT TIME, the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had hear and seen, as it had been told them.
And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
And the child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
Now his parents went up to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to custom; and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and his mother did not know it but supposing him to be in the company they went a day’s journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when they saw them they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.” And he said t them, “How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business?” And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart.
And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man.
Megalynarion – All creation rejoiceth in thee, O thou who art full of grace: the angelic hosts and the race of men. O hallowed temple and spiritual paradise, glory of virgins, of whom God was incarnate and became a little child, even our God who is before all the ages; for he made thy womb a throne, and thy body more spacious than the heavens. All creation rejoiceth in thee, O thou who art full of grace. Glory to thee.
Instead of “We have seen the true light…” the Apolytikion of the Circumcision in Tone 1.
Next week’s homework: Ephesians 4:7-13 (Sunday after Theophany)
Matthew 4::12-17 (Sunday after Theophany)
JANUARY 1, 2023 – THE CIRCUMCISION OF CHRIST AND THE FEAST OF ST BASIL THE GREAT
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.
TODAY, JANUARY 1 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Fred Arida, Economous Faried Farkouh and Khouryee Wassila Farkouh, Mary Hamwi, Rose Merhige, Ronald Sadaka, Anne Marie Smatt, Demetri and Nazli N. Zayat. Memory eternal!
Lisa (Bittar), Bob, Nicholas and Gregory Hurter of Shrewsbury, MA, offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Albert, Mabel, Stephanie, Dr. David Bittar, and Renee Hamilton. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, JANUARY 8 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Eli Abdallah, Nora and Kalil Ballan, Ameenie Freije, Emily and Edward Ghazal, Pauline Haddad, Maria Hindelly, Leila M. Khouri, Edma Saab, Alberta Samaha, Nora Trefz, and Emil Tweel. Memory eternal!
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.”
HOLY BREAD – Linda and George Salamy have made a donation for the entire year. Many years! Additional donors are welcome for January and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
COFFEE HOUR – There will be no Coffee Hour today. We will resume our usual Coffee Hour next week following the Choir’s Holiday Presentation.
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Albert Absey (Hamilton Park), Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Nicholas Massab (Norwegian), Rouda Abboud, Yvonne Allawh, Christopher Athineos, Anissa Castley, Deacon Farid Farkouh, Diana Finger, Robert Forcina, Marc Galloway (SC), Mary Ganim, Josette and John Generale, Nicole Khouzami, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, Brenda Samman, Renee Setteducato, Victoria Sleyman, Claudette Teen, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, Dr. Samir Zamaria (MD), Nancy Zarouni, and Rose Zrake (at home).
FASTING DISICIPLINE – There is no fasting from Christmas Day until January 5 which is a strict fast day in anticipation of the Epiphany of Christ.
CHRISTMAS OFFERINGS – We acknowledge the Christmas offerings from Albert Absey, Sandra Arida, Joan Bacon, Marie and Charles Bryant, Claudette Budai, Rhonda Byrnes, Sandra and Robert Coogan, Hassan and Katherine Dagher, Barbara Deeb, Janice Deeb, Dr. Nicolas El-Khoury, Fr. Michael and Laila Ellias, Anita and John Eyd, Valerie and George Farkouh, Josette and John Generale, Dr. Ronald and Frances Ghiz, James Harris, Rima and Elias Hazem, Krassimira Ivanchev, George Khoury, Christine and Nidal Khoury, Nicole and George Khouzami, Paul Lang, Carol Makhoul, Corrine and Michael Mallia, Linda Mantia, Clifford Massab, Denise McBride, Katherine and George Nassoor, Tony Nehme, Dr. Amer and Chaza Rafiaa, Marian Russo, Theodore Sadaka, Audrey and Charles Sahadi, Louise Sahadi, Robert Sahadi, Roland Salloum, Wanda Salloum, Brenda Samman, Eve Schornstein, Irene Tashji, Gale Zarr and Marie Zarr. This year we dedicate the Christmas decorations to the memory of long-time supporter Robert Sabbagh. Memory eternal!
COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CARD – Many thanks to Marian Russo and Audrey Sahadi who once again coordinated our annual Community Christmas Card. Thanks to their work and your subscriptions, the project netted approximately $3000. Well done!
LITTLE BIT ‘O LUCK ¬– Many thanks to Deacon Farid Farkouh for continuing this tradition following the repose of Robert Sabbagh, may his memory be eternal. The first and second place winners, Kevin Sweeney and Nick DiMaria of Bay Ridge Honda, both donated their prizes back to the church in Bob’s memory, and third place winner Dennis Saleeby will also return some of the winnings. Congratulations and thanks to all three. We’ll see you again next year!
FEAST OF EPHIPHANY – We will celebrate Festal Orthros at 7 PM and the Divine Liturgy for Epiphany at 8 PM on Thursday, January 5.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Wednesday, January 4 “Our Time” Adult Fellowship, 1-3 PM
Choir Rehearsal, 7 PM
Thursday, January 5 Orthros, 7 PM, Divine Liturgy for Epiphany, 8 PM
Friday, January 6 Feast of the Epiphany
Family Night, 7-9 PM
Saturday, January 7 Great Vespers, 5 PM
Sunday, January 8 Choir Holiday Presentation after the Divine Liturgy
Monday, January 9 Parish Council, 7:30 PM
January 12-13 Nominating Archdiocese Convention, Dallas, TX
Saturday, January 14 No Great Vespers
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “The bread which you do not use is the bread of the hungry; the garment hanging in your wardrobe is the garment of him who is naked; the shoes that you do not wear are the shoes of the one who is barefoot; the money that you keep locked away is the money of the poor; the acts of charity that you do not perform are so many injustices tht you commit.”
- St. Basil the Great
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America