Sunday, March 13, 2022
First Sunday of Great Lent – Sunday of Orthodoxy
Tone 5 and Eothinon 5
Translation of the Relics of Nikephoros, Patriarch of Constantinople
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 5
Let us believers praise and worship the Word, co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, born of the Virgin for our salvation. For he took pleasure in ascending the cross in the flesh to suffer death, and to raise the dead by his glorious resurrection.
Apolytikion of the First Sunday of Lent - Tone 2
Thy pure image do we venerate, O good One, asking forgiveness of our sins, O Christ our God; for by thine own will thou didst ascend the Cross in thy body, to save thy creatures from the bondage of the enemy. Thou hast verily filled all with joy, since thou didst come, O our Saviour, to save the world.
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 Sundays in Lent – Tone 8
Verily, I, thy city, O Theotokos, inscribe to thee the banners of conquest, O defending soldier, and offer thee thanks as a deliverer from tribulations. And since thine is the unconquerable might, deliver me from sundry oppressions, that I may cry unto thee, Rejoice, O groomless bride.
Epistle – Hebrews 11:24-26, 32-40 (First Sunday in Lent)
Prokeimenon. Daniel 3:26, 27. Blessed are you, O Lord, God of our Fathers.
Verse. For you are righteous in all things you have done for us.
BRETHREN, by faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharoah’s daughter, choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.
And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets – who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign enemies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated – of whom the world was not worthy – wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
And in all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
Gospel – John 1:43-51 (First Sunday in Lent)
AT THAT TIME, Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And he found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael, and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth? Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” Nathanael said to Jesus, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these.” And Jesus said to him, “Truly, truly I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.”
Megalynarion – In thee rejoiceth, O full of grace, all creation: the angelic hosts, and the race of men, O hallowed temple and noetic 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 He made more spacious than the heavens. In thee rejoiceth, O full of grace, all creation; and it glorifeth thee.
During Great Lent we celebrate the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great.
Next week’s homework: Hebrews 1:10-2:3 (Second Sunday of Great Lent)
Mark 2:1-12 (Second Sunday of Great Lent)
MARCH 13, 2022 – FIRST SUNDAY OF GREAT LENT - SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY
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.
MARCH IS LADIES MONTH IN THE ANTIOCHIAN ARCHDIOCESE!
TODAY, MARCH 13 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Violet Akel, Alice Alekel, Michael Arout, Gladys Awad, Eleanor Couri, Dr. George B. Cury, James Deeb, Mary Farrah, Salwa Fauty, George Gehshan, Edward Jabara, Lorriane Jabara, Mary Kenan, Nicholas Khoury, Maurice Khzam, Alfred Makhoul, Nadima Makhoul, Violette Mahab, Laila Nassr, Beatrice Nebham, Thomas Russo, Robert Thabit, Walter Thabit, and William Zarick. Memory eternal!
Josette and John Generale offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Nouhad Massouh Kaiami. Memory eternal!
Nataliya Latushkina offers Prayers of Oblation “for my embattled and suffering country Ukraine and my mother Vera (in English means Faith) who lives there.”
Carol Makhoul offers Prayers of Oblation for the health of her sister, Denise McBride. Many years!
Marie and Charlie Bryant and Laura, James, Luke and Oliver Bryant offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Zakia Khoury. Memory eternal!
James Harris and Family will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Gloria Harris, Michael Arout, and Linda Reynolds. Memory eternal!
The Family of Robert Thabit offers Prayers of Oblation and a One-Year Memorial for the repose of his soul. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, MARCH 20 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Raymonde Alexander, Sadie Fletcher, Mary Hamaty, Atina Hanna, Gloria L. Harris, Edward Hawa, Wahiha Hayek, Terez Ivantchev, Albert Kaidy, Fredrick Makhoul, Pamela Zraick Nakleh, Helen Nassoor, Michael Nassoor, Abe Saba, Olga Saba, Frederick Schroeder, Nabeah Shamas, Elias Shawah, Bikturia Zaher, and Edward Zraick. Memory eternal!
HOLY BREAD – Samer and Lina Kaiami and Family offer the Holy Bread of Oblation for the month of March in loving memory of his beloved parents, Nouhad Massouh Kaiami and Toufik Kaiami. Memory eternal! James Harris and Family also offer the Holy Bread of Oblation for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Gloria L. Harris, Michael A. Arout and Linda Reynolds. Memory eternal!
SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY VESPERS – St. Nicholas Cathedral will host the annual Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers with the procession of icons today at 5:00 PM. A Lenten supper will follow the service in the Cathedral’s social hall. All are welcome.
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, 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, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, Leon Smatt, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, Dr. Samir Zamaria (MD), and Rose Zrake (at home).
LADIES OF ST. MARY’S - March is Ladies Month in the Antiochian Archdiocese. Our ushers today are Lorraine Deeb, Shamaseh Aline Farkouh, Dianna Kitchen, and Karen Spolar. The Epistle will be read by Karen Spolar in English and Sonia Abou Naoum in Arabic.
FASTING DISCIPLINE FOR MARCH - The traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, cheese, eggs, dairy, fish, wine, olive oil or their by-products) is observed on all days with the exception of wine and olive oil being allowed on Saturdays and Sundays along with fish, wine, and olive oil being allowed on the Great Feast of the Annunciation (March 25).
SEMINARIANS – Our pledge envelopes for the month of March included a blue envelope marked “Seminarians.” Please use this envelope to support Metropolitan JOSEPH’s annual appeal on behalf of our theological students. Our minimum contribution as a parish is $500. If anyone is currently not receiving pledge envelopes, please see Fr. Michael or Parish Council Chair Aline Farkouh.
PARISH COUNCIL – We will install our newly constituted Parish Council members and officers today at the end of the Divine Liturgy. The Parish Council will meet tomorrow, March 14, at 7:30 PM.
MAN OF GOD – On Monday, March 21, at 7:00 PM 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. Please see Daria Mayrose to reserve a ticket. Go to https://www.fathomevents.com/events/Man-of-God for more information.
BYZANTINE CHANT CLASS – In order to cultivate chanters and readers for the divine services the pastor will offer a class on Byzantine chant at 4:30 on Saturday afternoons prior to the celebration of Great Vespers. Singers and readers of all ages, experience, and abilities are welcome to participate.
LENTEN RESOURCES – Great Lent is here. Our parish Bookstore, dedicated to the memory of Elena Paris, has copies of the service books for Great Lent, including Little Compline with the Akathist Hymn, the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, and Holy Week. There are also a few Lenten cookbooks available. Please contact Lorraine Deeb at ldeebsped@verizon.net or (718) 491-4996 to reserve your books.
FOOD FOR HUNGRY PEOPLE – The traditional FFHP collection boxes will be available soon in the narthex. Remember the least of Christ’s brethren by depositing your extra change at the end of each day, and return the box on or before Palm Sunday.
LENTEN LITURGICAL SCHEDULE – There will be Great Compline each Monday night at 7:00 PM, the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts each Wednesday at 6:30 PM, and the Akathist/Madayeh Service each Friday at 7:30 PM. This week’s Great Compline will be at St. Nicholas Cathedral. A Pot Luck Supper will follow each Wednesday service, and each parish organization will host a dinner prior to the Friday service. Great Vespers will continue each Saturday at 5:00 PM.
HUMANITARIAN PROJECT - The Ladies of St. Mary’s thank all of our parishioners, men and women for their participation in our humanitarian project this Winter. Almost 90 hygiene kits have been donated, and they are being distributed to the homeless during the Midnight Runs. Thank you all for your support and compassion!
WORD MAGAZINE – Every member of a parish in the Antiochian Archdiocese is entitled to receive the Word Magazine at their home. If you are not receiving the Word and wish to subscribe, go to https://forms.gle/sughatopgYmqJXXE7 to submit your address, or let Fr. Michael know. The Archdiocese also publishes the Word each month on its website www.antiochian.org.
SACRAMENT OF REPENTANCE (CONFESSION) – The Great Fast is THE TIME for all believers to receive the Sacrament of Repentance (Confession). The pastor hears confessions by appointment and before and after all the divine services. Please do not wait until the last minute! If you would like to go to one of the other Orthodox priests in Brooklyn, feel free to do so, but inform the pastor.
ESTATE PLANNING – Have I included St. Mary’s Church in my estate plan?
DATES TO REMEMBER
Sunday, March 13 Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers @ St. Nicholas, 5:00 PM
Monday, March 14 Great Compline @ St. Nicholas Cathedral, 7:00 PM
Parish Council, 7:30 PM
Wednesday, March 16 Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, 6:30 PM
Followed by Pot Luck Supper
Friday, March 18 Church School Sponsored Dinner, 6:30 PM
Second Madayeh/Akathist Hymn, 7:30 PM
Saturday, March 19 Byzantine Chant Class, 4:30 PM
Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Sunday, March 20 Spring Begins!
Monday, March 21 “Man of God” Movie, 7:00 PM
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “The bread you do not use is the bread of the hungry. The garment hanging in your wardrobe is the garment of the person who is naked. The shoes you do not wear are the shoes of the one who is barefoot. The money you keep locked away is the money of the poor. The acts of charity you do not perform are the injustices you commit.”
- St. Basil the Great