Sunday, February 13, 2022
Sunday of the Pharisee and Publican
Tone 1 and Eothinon 1
Apostles and Martyrs Aquila and Priscilla
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 reverence the cross and to partake of the blessed bread at the dismissal. Please introduce yourself to our pastor, and ask him about membership in the Orthodox Church.
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 1
The stone being sealed by the Jews, and thy pure body being guarded by the soldiers, thou didst rise on the third day, O Saviour, granting life to the world. Wherefore, the heavenly powers acclaimed thee, O Giver of life, crying, glory to thy Resurrection, O Christ! Glory to thy kingdom! Glory to thy gracious providence, O thou only Lover of mankind.
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 Pharisee and the Publican – Tone 4
Let us run away from the words of the boastful Pharisee, and learn the humility of the publican, crying with sighs to the Saviour, Have mercy upon us, O thou alone of true reconciliation.
Epistle – II Timothy 3:10-15 (Pharisee and Publican)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 75.11, 1. Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse. God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.
TIMOTHY, my son, you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, my sufferings, what befell me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra, what persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and imposters will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
Gospel – Luke 18:10-14 (Pharisee and Publican)
THE LORD SPOKE THIS PARABLE: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Next week’s homework: I Corinthians 6:12-20 (Thirty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost)
Luke 15:11-32 (Prodigal Son)
POST-COMMUNION PRAYERS – As the faithful approach to reverence the cross, receive a blessing and a piece of antidoron (holy bread) at the dismissal, a reader will read the Post-Communion Prayers of Thanksgiving. Please greet each other quietly as we reverently hear these prayers.
HOLY BREAD – Gloria Zain Darzi offers the Holy Bread of Oblation for the month of February in loving memory of her beloved husband, Elias Darzi. Memory eternal! Linda and George Salamy have also made an offering for the entire year. Many years! Additional donors are welcome for February and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
FASTING DISICIPLINE – There is no fasting from February 13-19.
COVID POLICY – Given this week’s announcement by the Governor concerning masks, we are returning to our return to previous policy whereby everyone wears masks coming into and moving around the church; however, once seated, parishioners who are up to date with vaccination (boosted) can remove their masks. We will continue to ask singers in the choir to wear masks, and we will ask everyone in Church School to continue masking. We will revisit these protocols on a weekly basis.
FEBRUARY 13, 2022 – SUNDAY OF THE PHARISEE AND PUBLICAN
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, FEBRUARY 13 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Charles Balady III, David Bittar, Gloria Fadel, George Ganim, Emily Nassoor, George Sabah, Eleanor E. Saleeby, and Alberta Samaha. Memory eternal!
Peter Elkas offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Emily Nassour. Memory eternal!
Ghazal and Khalil Alsaifi offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Saltia Melaa, Emad Melaa, Shehadeh Melaa, Wadiaa Saad, and Ebrahim Alsaifi. Memory eternal!
Audrey and Charlie Sahadi offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Nouhad Massouh, the mother of Sam Kaiami. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Thomas Abdallah, Mary Alexander, Almaza Allawh, Charles Assatly, Mary Samara D`Angelico, Margaret Fiani Dib, Wadie Jabbour, Rt. Rev. Ananias Kassab, George Kassab, Albert Mesnooh, Melia Murad, Gabriel Murad, Renges Orfaly, Alice Puccarielli, and Olga Saba. Memory eternal!
John Alexander and Family will offer Prayers of Oblation and a 10-Year Memorial for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Mary Alexander. Memory eternal!
The Family of Evelyn Shamoun will offer Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of her soul. Memory eternal!
The Ladies of St. Mary’s and St. Mary’s Choir will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of their dear departed sister in Christ Evelyn Shamoun. Memory eternal!
The Family of Louis Savarese will offer Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of his soul. A Coffee Hour in his memory will follow the Divine Liturgy. Memory eternal
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Patty DeLuca (Helen Hayes), Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Robert Sabbagh (NYU Lutheran), Rouda Abboud, Albert Absey, Yvonne Allawh, Claudette Budai, Diana Finger, Mary Ganim, Gabe Golam, Lily Lang, Alfred Nahas, Leon Smatt, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, Dr. Samir Zamaria (MD), and Rose Zrake (at home).
COFFEE HOUR – Because of the Annual Parish Meeting today, our Teen SOYO will offer sandwiches, salads, and coffee for sale prior to the meeting. Soda will be free. We ask everyone to continue observing the requirements for indoor dining in New York City.
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING – The Annual Parish Meeting is today following the Divine Liturgy. Please submit the names of candidates for the Parish Council to Nominations Chair Dianna Russo Kitchen. Be sure to secure the nominee’s willingness to serve before submitting a nomination. All qualified voting members can register with one of the treasurers and obtain a ballot. The newly constituted Parish Council will hold its organizational meeting tomorrow at 7:30 PM.
SATURDAY OF THE SOULS – We will celebrate the traditional Divine Liturgy for the Saturday of the Souls on Saturday, February 26, at 10:30 AM. Orthros will begin at 9:30 AM. Please give your list of commemorations for the departed to Fr. Michael in advance of those services. This service always precedes Meatfare Sunday which is February 27 this year.
LADIES OF ST. MARY’S - The Ladies of St. Mary’s invite all our parishioners (men too!) to participate in our humanitarian project this year. We request the preparation of hygiene kits to be distributed to the homeless during the Midnight Run each month. In a one gallon ZipLock bag please include: 1 washcloth, bar of soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, nail clipper, comb, 3 band-aids, disposable razor (optional). Feel free to prepare more than one kit! Give the kits to Sandra Arida or any of the Ladies.
MAN OF GOD – On Monday, March 21, the AMC Theater at Sheepshead Bay will present “Man of God,” the story of St. Nektarios of Aegina, a saint of the early 20th century. His story is very inspiring and is a welcome addition to a medium which often brings us unedifying content. We are trying to organize a group from our church and the Cathedral. Please let Fr. Michael know if you are interested. Go to https://www.fathomevents.com/events/Man-of-God for more information.
WINTER COAT DRIVE – The Teen SOYO Winter Coat Drive will continue through February. Coats, scarves, gloves, blankets, and other cold weather attire are welcome. Please place your offerings on the table in the vestibule. We will distribute all items to local charities and recipients.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Sunday, February 13 Annual Parish Meeting
Monday, February 14 Parish Council, 7:30 PM
Saturday, February 19 Alexander-Coan Wedding, 1:00 PM
No Great Vespers
Saturday, February 26 Saturday of the Souls Divine Liturgy, 10:30 AM
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “If a king leaves his treasure with a poor man, the one who receives it does not consider this treasure as his own property, but everywhere acknowledges his poverty, not daring to spend another’s treasure, because he always reasons with himself: this treasure is not only not mine, but what is more has been left me by a powerful king, and he, when he wishes, will take it from me. Thus should those who possess the grace of God think of themselves. If they exalt themselves and their hearts begin to grow haughty, the Lord will take from them His grace, and they will be left the same as they were before receiving it.”
- St. Macarius the Great