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
Very Rev. Fr. Michael Ellias, Pastor Rev. Deacon Farid Farkouh
Email: pastor@smaoc.org farkouhfarid@gmail.com
Sunday, January 15, 2023
Twenty-Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
Tone 6 and Eothinon 9
Venerable Paul of Thebes and John the Hut-Dweller
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 St. Paul of Thebes – Tone 8
The barren wilderness thou didst make fertile with the streams of thy tears; and by thy deep sighing thou has given fruit through thy struggles a hundredfold. Accordingly, thou hast become a star of the universe, sparkling with miracles. Therefore, O righteous Father Paul, intercede with Christ God to save our souls.
Apolytikion of St. John the Hut-Dweller – Tone 4
Since thou hadst with fervor longed after the Lord from thy youth, thou leftist the world with its delights and nobly didst strive in valiant ascetic deeds. Thou didst pitch thy hut before the gates of thy parents; thou didst break the demons’ snares, O all-blessed Father. And therefore, as is meet, hath Christ God glorified thee, O John.
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 – Colossians 3:4-11 (Twenty-Ninth Sunday after Pentecost)
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, when Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience. In these you once walked, when you lived in them. But now put them all away; anger, wrath, malice, slander, and foul talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free man, but Christ is all, and in all.
Gospel – Luke 17:12-19 (Twelfth Sunday of Luke)
AT THAT TIME, as Jesus entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When Jesus saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed.
Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice, and fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then said Jesus, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And Jesus said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”
Next week’s homework: I Timothy 4:9-15 (32nd Sunday after (Pentecost)
Luke 19:1-10 (Fifteenth Sunday of Luke)
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.
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.
JANUARY 15, 2023 – TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
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, JANUARY 15 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Alexander Azar, Rev. Melatios Fiani and Loretta Fiani, Riad Malouf, Robert Samara, Renate and George Sheheri, Minas Sparsidis, Edmund Arthur Swaya, and Thomas Anthony Zarr. Memory eternal!
Naziha Aldaia offers Prayers of Oblation and the Holy Bread for the repose of the souls of her departed loved ones, Kazon, Michael, Helen, Wajih, Badieh, Nada, Terese, Samiha, and Nicola. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, JANUARY 22 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Najat Cristo, Katherine B. Cury, George Elkas, Claudette Golam, Dr. Douglas George Kalesh, John, Louise, Ned and Viola Kalesh, Barbara Salamy, Marie Meena, and Alexander G. Orfaly, Jr. Memory eternal!
Peter Elkas will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of his father, the servant of God George Elkas. Memory eternal!
Linda and George Salamy will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Dr. Douglas, John, Louise, Ned and Viola Kalesh, and Barbara Salamy. A Coffee Hour in their memory will follow the Divine Liturgy. Memory eternal!
The Family of Najat Cristo will offer Prayers of Oblation, the Holy Bread, and a One-Year Memorial for the repose of her soul. Memory eternal!
HOLY BREAD – Linda and George Salamy have made a donation for the entire year. Many years! Additional donors are welcome for January and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
FASTING DISCIPLINE – In January we resume our normal practice of fasting on Wednesday and Friday.
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Albert Absey (Hamilton Park), Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Nicholas Massab (Norwegian), Samir Zamaria (Univ. of Maryland, Baltimore), Rouda Abboud, Yvonne Allawh, Diana Finger, Robert Forcina, Marc Galloway (SC), Mary Ganim, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, George Salamy, Brenda Samman, Renee Setteducato, Victoria Sleyman, Claudette Teen, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, Dr. Nancy Zarouni, and Rose Zrake (at home).
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING – We will hold our Annual Parish Meeting on Sunday, March 5, the first Sunday of Great Lent, following the Divine Liturgy. Please submit the names of candidates for the Parish Council to Dianna Russo Kitchen or Fr. Michael after receiving the nominee’s consent to run.
ANTIOCHIAN VILLAGE CAMP – It is time to start planning for summer camp! Registration for all programs except Family Camp opened last Saturday. Parents, please register your campers as soon as possible. We expect this year to return to normal following the pandemic years. Go to www.avcamp.org to open an account and register. Scholarships are available through Fr. Michael.
PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY – St. Mary’s Church will host the annual Prayer for Christian Unity immediately following Great Vespers on Saturday, January 21. Please see Deacon Farid or Aline Farkouh for more information.
BOOKSTORE VOLUNTEERS – In an effort to expand our offerings of spiritual books, religious jewelry, icons, and other Orthodox materials we are seeking volunteers to help with the parish bookstore. We hope to open the bookstore during Coffee Hour on Sundays and to take orders for specific items upon request. Please see Lorraine Deeb to volunteer.
ON-LINE GIVING – St. Mary's Church now accepts donations online. Just visit https://smaoc.squarespace.com/donate and pay securely by credit card, debit card, or checking account. 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? It’s easy, it’s vital, and it won’t cost a dime in your lifetime. Say in your will something like, “I bequeath 10% of the residue of my estate to St. Mary’s Orthodox Church of Brooklyn after all other specific bequests, debts and taxes have been paid.” Consult your attorney or financial advisor for professional guidance.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Wednesday, January 18 “Our Time” Senior Fellowship, 1-3 PM
Friday, January 20 Family Night, 7-9 PM
Saturday, January 21 Saka Baptism, 11 AM
Great Vespers, 5 PM
Prayer for Christian Unity, 5:45 PM
Wednesday, February 1 Evening Divine Liturgy - Feast of the Presentation, 7 PM
Sunday, February 19 Meatfare Sunday Luncheon
Monday, February 27 Great Lent Begins
Sunday, March 5 Annual Parish Meeting
Saturday, June 10 Spring Festival
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad.”
- Psalm 126.3
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America