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 29, 2023
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
Tone 8 and Eothinon 11
Translation of the Relics of Ignatius the God-Bearer of Antioch
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 8
O Compassionate One, thou didst descend from the heights; thou didst submit to the three-day burial, that thou mightest deliver us from passion. Thou art our Life and our Resurrection, O Lord, glory to thee.
Apolytikion of the Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-Bearer, Bishop of Antioch – Tone 4
By choosing the Apostles’ way of life, you succeeded to their throne. Inspired by God you found the way to divine contemplation through the practice of virtue. After teaching the word of truth without error, you defended the Faith to the very shedding of your blood. O holy martyr among bishops, Ignatius, entreat the Lord our God to save our souls.
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 – II Corinthians 6:16-7:1 (Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost)
Prokeimenon. Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse. God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.
BRETHREN, we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will live in them and move among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore come out from them, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch nothing unclean; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, and make holiness perfect in the fear of God.
Gospel – Matthew 15:21-28 (Seventeenth Sunday of Matthew)
AT THAT TIME, Jesus went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and cried, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely possessed by a demon.” But Jesus did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying after us.” Jesus answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” And Jesus answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed at that very hour.
Next week’s homework: II Timothy 3:10-15 (Pharisee and Publican)
Luke 18:10-14 (Pharisee and Publican)
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.
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.
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 29, 2023 – SEVENTEENTH 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 29 - We 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 Karkenny, Mitchell Merhige, Phillip Merhige, Victoria and Edgar Saadi, Suraya and Samuel Samaha, William Shamoun, and Gail Hall Zarr. Memory eternal!
Michele Ateyeh offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of her mother, the handmaiden of God Elaine Ateyeh. Memory eternal!
Victor Samaha offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of his parents, the servants of God Suraya and Samuel Samaha. Memory eternal!
George Trisciuzzi offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of his parents, Adele Mary and Teodoro Trisciuzzi. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Lila Zayat Ara, Shamseh M. Dalack, Elias Darzi, Wadie Jabbour, Jacob Khoury, and Louis Sabah. Memory eternal!
Marie and Charlie Bryant will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Jacob Khoury. Memory eternal!
FASTING DISCIPLINE – In February we follow our normal practice of fasting on Wednesday and Friday; however, there is no fasting from Sunday, February 5 through Saturday, February 11 in anticipation of the period of the Triodion.
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Nicholas Massab (Norwegian), Rose Zrake (NYU Lutheran), 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), and Nancy Zarouni (at home).
FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION OF CHIRST – We will celebrate an Evening Divine Liturgy on Wednesday, February 1, at 7:00 PM, in anticipation of the Great Feast of the Presentation of Christ. Communicants should begin their Eucharistic fast after an early and light lunch.
LADIES OF ST. MARY’S - The Ladies of St. Mary’s will meet after Liturgy on Sunday, February 12, 2023. All ladies welcome!”
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 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, February 1 “Our Time” Senior Fellowship, 1-3 PM
Evening Divine Liturgy – Feast of the Presentation, 7 PM
Friday, February 3 Family Night, 7-9 PM
Saturday, February 4 Great Vespers, 5 PM
Sunday, February 12 Ladies of St. Mary’s Meeting
Monday, February 13 Parish Council, 7:30 PM
Saturday, February 18 Saturday of the Souls Divine Liturgy, 10:30 AM
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 – “According to the Gospel, it should be said that undoubtedly each person is given his own saving cross. This cross has grown on the soil of our heart, and it is only through this cross that we can be saved. From this it follows that if we refuse to carry our cross of obedience for no legitimate reason, we refuse to go by the way of Christ, by the saving way, and we want to invent for ourselvs another way, free of labor, for attaining the Kingdom of Heaven. But this cannot be.”
- St. Anatoly of Optina
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America