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, September 18, 2022
Sunday after the Elevation of the Holy Cross
Tone 5 and Eothinon 3
Eumenios the Wonderworker, Bishop of Gortyna
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 Holy Cross – Tone 1
O Lord, save thy people and bless thine inheritance, granting our believing kings victory over the Barbarians, and by the power of thy Cross preserving thy commonwealth.
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 Holy Cross – Tone 4
Do thou, who of thine own good will wast elevated upon the Cross, bestow thy bounties upon the new people, which is called by thy Name, O Christ our God; make glad with thy might our believing kings, granting them victory over their adversaries. May thine aid be a panoply of peace, a trophy invincible.
Epistle – Galatians 2:16-20 (The Sunday after the Elevation of the Precious Cross)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 103.24, 1. O Lord, how magnificent are your works. You have made all things in wisdom.
Verse. Bless the Lord, O my soul.
BRETHREN, you know that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again those things which I tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Gospel – Mark 8:34-9:1 (The Sunday after the Elevation of the Precious Cross)
THE LORD SAID, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Kingdom of God come with power.”
Next week’s homework: II Corinthians 4:6-15 (Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost)
Luke 5:1-11 (First Sunday of Luke)
HOLY BREAD – Wanda Salloum and Roland Salloum offer the Holy Bread of Oblation for the month of September in loving memory of their brothers Oscar and Charles, sister Giselle, nephew Badih, and niece Magda. Memory eternal! Additional donors are welcome for September and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
FASTING DISCIPLINE FOR SEPTEMBER – We will observe the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish, wine, olive oil or their by-products) on all Wednesdays and Fridays in September. On Wednesday, September 14, we will celebrate the Great Feast of the Elevation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross. Although this day is a great feast, it is also a fast day with the traditional fasting discipline.
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.”
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
SEPTEMBER 18, 2022 –SUNDAY AFTER THE ELEVATION OF THE HOLY CROSS
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, SEPTEMBER 18 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Elizabeth Ganim Cohen, George Fauty, Victor Hamaty, Katherine and Wilfred Jabara, Alexander Orfaly, Wajieha Sabbagh, and Edward M. Traboulsi. Memory eternal!
Drs. Amal and Gregory Dalack offer Prayers of Oblation for the good health of the newborn Nora Marie Dalack. Many years!
George Trisciuzzi offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Ward Pavel Ryan. Memory eternal!
The extended Nassoor Family offers the Holy Bread of Oblation today in celebration of the 20th wedding anniversary of Renee and Wayne Landry, the last couple Fr. Paul married before his retirement. Many years!
The Family of Lily Lang offers Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of her soul. A Coffee Hour in her memory will follow the Divine Liturgy. Memory eternal!
The Ladies of St. Mary’s offer prayers of oblation for the repose of the soul of their dear sister-in-Christ and past President Lily Lang. May her memory be eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Lorraine Assatly, Victoria F. Dib, Ghassan Fattouh, Avjon Golam and Dimitry Golam, Werda Hadad, George Haddad, Emileen Hanna, Stephen Paul James, Eleanor Kalesh, Alexander Khoury, George K. Moore, Addie, Mary Alice, Alfred and Edmund Nahas and Adrienne Poulakakos, Edward, Ronald, Valerie and Victoria Tadross, Very Rev. Fr. W.P.S. Schneirla, Shirley Schneirla, William Sutfin Schneirla, Jr., and Donald O. Page. Memory eternal!
The Family of the servant of God Kenneth Jabara 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!
The Family of the servant of God Gabriel Golam will offer Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of his soul. Memory eternal!
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
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), Robert Forcina (Sloan), Nicholas Massb (Norwegian), Rouda Abboud, Albert Absey, Yvonne Allawh, Charles Bryant, Diana Finger, Mary Ganim, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, Renee Setteducato, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, Dr. Samir Zamaria (MD), and Rose Zrake (at home).
SUNDAY LUNCHEON – We acknowledge the brilliant work our gifted cooks did to make last Sunday’s Luncheon a huge success: Sonia Abounaoum, Rima Alsifi, Nahla Bittar Fattouh, Majdeline Boutros Elkhoury, Aline Farkouh, Hilani Hana, Hend Kaba, Siham Kaba, Terez Khoury, Nahla Laham, Hanade Maalouf, Rayzan Maalouf, Chaza Rafiaa, Irene Tashji, Lina Zaher, Maha Zaher, Josephine Zgheib, and Leen Zgheib. God bless your very talented hands!
SAINTS AND SINNERS GOLF AND TENNIS OUTING – The Saints and Sinners Golf and Tennis Outing will be tomorrow, Monday, September 19, at the Hempstead Golf and Country Club. This year we will honor Dr. Alice Farkhouh with our Lifetime Achievement Award, and we will remember Dina and George Moore with the Victor J. Samra, Jr. Memorial Award. Let us pray for seasonable weather!
SALAM CLUB – The Salam Club invites the men of the parish to a meeting and dinner here at St. Mary’s on Wednesday, September 21, at 7 PM. See the invitation in this bulletin for more information.
LADIES OF ST. MARY’S - The Ladies of St. Mary’s will postpone their Welcome Back meeting until next Sunday, September 25, following the Divine Liturgy. All ladies of the parish are welcome!
BIBLE STUDY – We will begin our Fall Bible Study of the book of Genesis this Thursday, September 22, at 7:00 PM. Please bring your Orthodox Study Bible, or see Lorraine Deeb to get one from the bookstore.
ORTHODOX CAMPUS FELLOWSHIP – Our September offering envelopes included a blue envelope for Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF), the campus ministry of the Assembly of Bishops. We will receive that offering on Sunday, October 2. If you are not receiving pledge envelopes in the mail, please speak to Fr. Michael, Treasurer Diana Kaiami, or Parish Council Chair Aline Farkouh.
FALL HAFLI – September 30 is approaching! Please see Rima Alsifi Hazem for more information.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Monday, September 19 Saints and Sinners Golf and Tennis Outing
Wednesday, September 21 Salam Club Dinner @ St. Mary’s Church, 7 PM
Thursday, September 22 Bible Study, 7:00 PM
Saturday, September 24 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Wednesday, September 28 “Our Time” Fellowship, 1:00-3:00 PM
Friday, September 30 Fall Hafli
Saturday, October 8 Church School Sidewalk Sale
Saturday, October 15 Bay Ridge Eats for a Cause
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.