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
His Eminence Metropolitan JOSEPH
Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of all North America
Very Rev. Fr. Michael Ellias, Pastor Rev. Deacon Farid Farkouh
Email: pastor@smaoc.org farkouhfarid@gmail.com
Sunday, June 5, 2022
Sunday of the After-Feast of the Ascension
Tone 6 and Eothinon 10
Commemoration of the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 6
When Mary stood at thy grave looking for thy sacred body, angelic powers shone above thy revered tomb, and the soldiers who were to keep guard became as dead men. Thou led hades captive and wast not tempted thereby. Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst give life to the world; O thou that art risen from the dead! O Lord, glory to thee.
Apolytikion of the Ascension – Tone 4
Thou hast ascended in glory, O Christ our God, and gladdened thy Disciples with the promise of the Holy Spirit, having become confident of the blessing. Verily, thou art the Son of God, and Deliverer of the world.
Apolytikion of the Holy Fathers – Tone 8
Thou, O Christ, art our God of exceeding praise who didst establish our holy Fathers as luminous stars upon earth, and through them didst guide us unto the true Faith, O most merciful One, glory to thee.
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 Ascension – Tone 6
When thou didst fulfill thy dispensation for our sakes, uniting the terrestrials with the celestials, thou didst ascend in glory, O Christ our God, inseparable in space, but constant without separation, and crying unto thy beloved, I am with you, and no one shall be against you.
Epistle – Acts 20:16-18, 28-36 (Sunday of the Holy Fathers of Nicea)
Prokeimenon. Hymn of the Three Children. Daniel 3.26-27. Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers.
Verse. For you are just in all you have done.
IN THOSE DAYS, Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.
And from Miletos he sent to Ephesus ad called to him the elders of the church. And when they came to him, he said to them:
“Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God which he obtained with the blood of his own Son. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore, be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities, and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by so toiling one must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
And when he had spoken thus, he knelt down and prayed with them all.
Gospel – John 17:1-13 (Sunday of the Holy Fathers of Nicea)
AT THAT TIME, Jesus lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify thy Son that the Son may glorify thee, since thou has given him power over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom thou has given him. And this is eternal life, that they know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. I glorified thee on earth, having accomplished the work which thou gavest me to do; and now, Father, glorify thou me in thy own presence with the glory which I had with thee before the world was made.
“I have manifested thy name to the men whom thou gavest me out of the world; thine they were, and thou gavest them to me, and they have kept thy word. Now they know that everything that thou hast given me is from thee; for I have given them the words which thou gavest me, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from thee; and they have believed that thou didst send me. I am praying for them; I am not praying for the world but for those whom thou hast given me, for they are thine; all mine are thine, and thine are mine, and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to thee. Holy Father, keep them in thy name, which thou hast given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. While I was with them, I kept them in thy name, which thou hast given me; I have guarded them, and none of them is lost but the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.”
Next week’s homework: Acts 2:1-11 (Holy Pentecost)
John 7:37-52, 8:12 (Holy Pentecost)
JUNE 5, 2022 – SUNDAY OF THE AFTER-FEAST OF THE ASCENSION
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, JUNE 5 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God George Fattouh, Wadih Massab, and Henrietta Shawah. Memory eternal!
Dr. Michael Smatt and Family offer Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Leon Smatt. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, JUNE 12 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God.Fouad Allawh, Edward Ateyeh, Jr., Michael Haje, Kathleen Haloran, Eduardo Khouzami, Joseph Mashamesh, Betty Massab, Nicholas Orfaly, Albert Sabah, and Marianne Trabulsi. Memory eternal!
Michele Ateyeh will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of her father, the servant of God Edward Ateyeh. Memory eternal!
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, Robert Forcina, Mary Ganim, Gabe Golam, Nadiia Hryhoruk, Lily Lang, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, Renee Setteducato, Tony Tadross, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, Dr. Samir Zamaria (MD), and Rose Zrake (at home).
SENIOR FELLOWSHIP – “Our Time,” the new fellowship group at St. Mary’s for those over 50, will meet for a pleasurable two hours on Wednesday, June 8 from 1- 3 PM. So, bring your cards, games and friends for an afternoon of fellowship and fun. Share your thoughts and ideas with Marilyn Tulaney at (718) 208-3616.
FAMILY NIGHT – We have resumed our Family Night gatherings at the church every other Friday. Our next gathering will be on Friday, June 17 at 7:00 PM. Among other offerings Leen Zgheib will give Debkeh lessons! All are welcome!
MIDNIGHT RUN – On the third Friday of each month Deacon Farid leads a group to participate in the Midnight Run which distributes food and clothing to the homeless on the streets of New York City. Volunteers can help in the early evening to prepare food for distribution, or they can make the actual trip a little later. Please see Deacon Farid to volunteer or for more information.
SHAGOURY SCHOLARSHIP – The Edith Shagoury Scholarship Fund offers an award for the coming academic year to an undergraduate student from St. Mary’s Church. The qualifications for this award are parish participation, scholarship, and financial need. The amount of the scholarship varies depending on the return on the fund’s investment. Please contact Fr. Michael for more information.
MAIONE SCHOLARSHIP – The Georgette Maione Memorial Scholarship will make its second award this year from the fund left to the church from Georgette’s estate. Please contact Fr. Michael for more information.
YOUNG ADULT EVENT – The Young Adults will sponsor a Whiskey and Wine Tasting on Saturday, June 18. Please see the flyer in this bulletin, or call Diana Kiami at (718) 216-4807 or Samantha Alexander Coan at (917) 703-6043.
APOSTLES FAST – Each year the “Apostles Fast” or the “Fast of Saints Peter and Paul” extends from the Monday following All Saints Sunday (June 20) until the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul (June 29). Let’s use this short fast to pray for all those who lost their lives during the pandemic, for those surviving families who sustained losses, and for the Holy Spirit to draw everyone back to church.
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.
ESTATE PLANNING – Have I included St. Mary’s Church in my will or estate plan? My grandchildren will be grateful I did!
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Wednesday, June 8 “Our Time” Senior Fellowship, 1-3 PM
Saturday, June 11 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Monday, June 13 Parish Council, 7:30 PM
Friday, June 17 Midnight Run
Family Night, 7:00 PM
Saturday, June 18 Young Adult-Sponsored Whiskey & Wine Tasting, 7:00 PM
June 29-July 3 Parish Life Conference @ Antiochian Village
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “Live through lowliness of mind instead of going to your death through pretentious pride. We should not set ourselves up as guideposts, we should not consider ourselves sagacious, i.e., wise, we should not believe that we can direct ourslves. We need assistance; we need guidance in addition to God’s grace.”
- St. Dorotheos of Gaza
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America