Sunday, February 6, 2022
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost and
After-Feast of the Presentation (Meeting) of Christ
Tone 8 and Eothinon 11
Martyr and Healer Julian of Homs
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 Presentation of Christ into the Temple – Tone 1
Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, full of grace, for from thee arose the Sun of justice, Christ our God, lighting those who are in darkness. Rejoice and be glad, O righteous old man, carrying in thine arms the Deliverer of our souls, who granteth us resurrection.
Apolytikion of the Holy and Unmercenary Healer Julian of Homs – Tone 3
O Saint in conflict clad, and healing physician Julian, intercede with our merciful God that He may graciously grant forgiveness of sins to 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 of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple – Tone 1
Thou, O Christ God, who by thy Birth, didst sanctify the Virgin’s womb, and, as is meet, didst bless Simeon’s arms, and didst also come to save us; preserve thy fold in wars, and confirm them whom thou didst love; for thou alone art the Lover of mankind.
Epistle – II Corinthians 6:16-7:1 (Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost)
Prokeimenon. Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse. God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.
BRETHREN, we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will live in them and move among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore come out from them, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch nothing unclean; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, and make holiness perfect in the fear of God.
Gospel – Matthew 15:21-28 (Seventeenth Sunday of Matthew)
AT THAT TIME, Jesus went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and cried, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely possessed by a demon.” But Jesus did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying after us.” Jesus answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” And Jesus answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed at that very hour.
Next week’s homework: II Timothy 3:10-15 (Thirty-third Sunday after Pentecost)
Luke 18:10-14 (Sixteenth Sunday of Luke)
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.
FEBRUARY 6, 2022 – SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTEACOST AND AFTER-FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION (MEETING) OF CHRIST
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 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, FEBRUARY 6 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Elias Darzi, Jacob Khoury, James Pappas, Wadih Rahhal, Olga Shawah Roccosanto, Louis Sabah, Farieda Sarafien, Edward Saydah, and Florence Ventrice. Memory eternal!
George Trisciuzzi offers Prayers of Oblation for the health of the handmaiden of God Jan Taylor (Many years!) and for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Kurt Taylor. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 13 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Mary Alexander, Charles Balady III, David Bittar, Gloria Fadel, George Ganim, Emily Nassoor, George Sabah, Eleanor E. Saleeby, and Alberta Samaha. Memory eternal!
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Rouda Abboud, Albert Absey, Yvonne Allawh, Claudette Budai, Diana Finger, Mary Ganim, Gabe Golam, Lily Lang, Alfred Nahas, Robert Sabbagh, Wanda Salloum, Leon Smatt, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, Dr. Samir Zamaria (MD), and Rose Zrake (at home).
FASTING DISICIPLINE – The traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish, wine, olive oil or their byproducts) is observed on all Wednesdays and Fridays from February 1-12. There is no fasting from February 13-19.
COVID POLICY – We ask all worshippers, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, to continue wearing their masks in church except when approaching to receive Holy Communion. We ask everyone to observe the blue tape on the pews so that we can maintain appropriate social distancing. We will review these conditions weekly. Church School will resume for all grades today following Holy Communion.
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING – The Annual Parish Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, February 13, 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.
COFFEE HOUR – We are hosting Coffee Hours for the fully vaccinated in accordance with NYC requirements for indoor dining. Just as we do in church, we will ask people to wear a mask at all times except when actively eating at your seat. Servers wearing masks and gloves will distribute coffee, and individually wrapped bagels will be available. Unvaccinated children under five years old can eat at the table with their parents or outside, and we ask that children not run around freely. Children 5 to 11 years old are now expected to be vaccinated in order to attend Coffee Hour.
PARISH LIFE CONFERENCE – Room reservations are now available for the 2022 Parish Life Conference at the Antiochian Village in Ligonier, PA. Go to https://registration.antiochianvillage.org/ParishLife2022 to reserve a room and to make meal arrangements. Event registration is separate. If you are planning to attend the conference from June 29 to July 3, please reserve a room as soon as possible because space is limited.
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 once again 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! The kits can be given to Sandra Arida or any one of the Ladies. Thank you all for your support.
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.
PLEDGE GIVING – During these extraordinary times we ask everyone to maintain their pledge giving as much as possible. Please remember that St. Mary's Church now accepts donations online. Just visit https://smaoc.squarespace.com/donate and pay securely by credit card, debit card, or check. 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
Saturday, February 12 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Sunday, February 13 Annual Parish Meeting
Monday, February 14 Parish Council, 7:30 PM
Saturday, February 19 Alexander-Coan Wedding, 1:00 PM
Saturday, February 26 Saturday of the Souls Divine Liturgy, 10:30 AM
Sunday, February 26 Meatfare Sunday
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “Do not be irritated with him who bears malice against you and often wounds you by finding fault with you, but be compassionate to him, love him, saying: It is not he or she that is so full of malice against me, but it is the Devil who rages against me through them, and they themselves, poor creatures, are only tempted by him. As soon as this temptation ceases, they will be kind again.”
- Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt