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 22, 2023
Thirsty-Second Sunday after Pentecost
Tone 7 and Eothinon 10
Holy Apostle Timothy
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 7
Thou didst shatter death by thy Cross. Thou didst open paradise to the thief. Thou didst turn the mourning of the ointment-bearing women into joy, and didst bid thine Apostles proclaim a warning that thou hast risen, O Christ, granting to the world thy Great Mercy.
Apolytikion of the Holy Apostle Timothy – Tone 4
Since thou hadst been instructed in uprightness thoroughly and wast vigilant in all things, thou wast clothed with a good conscience as befitteth one holy. Thou didst draw from the Chosen Vessel ineffable mysteries; and having kept the Faith, thou didst finish the course, O Hieromartyr and Apostle Timothy. Intercede with Christ God that our souls may be saved.
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 – I Timothy 4:9-15 (Thirty-Second Sunday after Pentecost)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 28.11, 1. The Lord will give strength to his people.
Verse. Bring to the Lord, O sons of God, bring to the Lord honor and glory.
TIMOTHY, my son, the saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.
Command and teach these things. Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Till I come, attend to the public reading of scripture, to preaching, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophetic utterance when the council of elders laid their hands upon you. Practice these duties, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress.
Gospel – Luke 19:1-10 (Fifteenth Sunday of Luke)
AT THAT TIME, Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. And there was a man named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector, and rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not, on account of the crowd, because he was small of stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Jesus, for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” So he made haste and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it they all murmured, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded any one of anything, I restore it fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Next week’s homework: II Corinthians 6:16-7:1 (17th Sunday after Pentecost)
Matthew 15:21-28 (Seventeenth Sunday of Matthew)
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 22, 2023 – THIRTY-SECOND 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 22 - We 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!
St. Mary’s Choir offers Prayers of Oblation for the good health of our beloved Khouriyeh Laila as she retires from the NYC Board of Education. Many years!
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!
Peter Elkas offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of his father, the servant of God George Elkas. Memory eternal!
Anita and John Eyd offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Nicole Kasbar. Memory eternal! (health of mother Joyce and brother Paul)
Linda and George Salamy 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 offers Prayers of Oblation, the Holy Bread, and a One-Year Memorial for the repose of her soul. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, JANUARY 29 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Louis Assatly, Elaine Ateyeh, Georgette Captain, Siham Damalts, Yvonne Sahadi, Josephine Hadad, Violet and Malek Karkenny, Mitchell Merhige, Phillip Merhige, Victoria and Edgar Saadi, Suraya and Samuel Samaha, William Shamoun, and Gail Hall Zarr. Memory eternal!
Michele Ateyeh will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of her mother, the handmaiden of God Elaine Ateyeh. Memory eternal!
Victor Samaha will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of his parents, the servants of God Suraya and Samuel Samaha. Memory eternal!
HOLY BREAD – Donors are welcome for January and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
FASTING DISCIPLINE – In January we resume our normal fasting on Wednesday and Friday.
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Albert Absey (NYU Lutheran), Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Nicholas Massab (Norwegian), Rouda Abboud, Yvonne Allawh, Diana Finger, Robert Forcina, Marc Galloway (SC), Mary Ganim, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, Brenda Samman, Renee Setteducato, Victoria Sleyman, Claudette Teen, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, Dr. Samir Zamaria (MD), Nancy Zarouni, and Rose Zrake.
FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION – We will celebrate an Evening Divine Liturgy for the Presentation of Christ in the Temple on Wednesday, February 1, at 7 PM.
PARISH DIRECTORY – We are in the process of updating our membership rolls. Please look at the electronic list which we have emailed to our membership or the paper copy available at the Coffee Hour. Please send any additions, deletions, or corrections to pastor@smaoc.org.
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 has opened. 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.
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 reopen the bookstore during Coffee Hour on Sundays and to take orders for specific items upon request. Please see Lorraine Deeb to volunteer.
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. Creating an estate plan is an act of care for yourself, your loved ones, and the parish you value. If you don’t yet have an estate plan in place, January is the time to resolve to pause, reflect on God’s blessings in your life, and how to best care for them.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Saturday, January 28 Great Vespers, 5 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 – “We know that in all things God work for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according ot His purpose.”
- Romans 8:28
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America