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 SABA
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, October 15, 2023
Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council
Tone 2 and Eothinon 8
Hieromartyr Lucian of Antioch
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 2
When thou, O immortal Life, didst humble thyself unto death, then didst thou destroy death by the brightness of thy Godhead; and when thou didst raise the bowels of the earth, then all the heavenly powers exclaimed, O Christ, thou art the Giver of life! Glory to thee, O our God!
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 Theotokos – Tone 2
O undisputed intercessor of Christians, the mediatrix unrejected by the Creator, turn not away from the voice of our petitions, though we be sinners. Come to us in time, who cry to thee in faith, with assistance; for thou art good. Hasten to us with intercessions, O Theotokos, who dost ever intercede for those who honour thee.
Epistle – Titus 3:8-15 (Holy Fathers)
Prokeimenon. Daniel 3:26, 27. Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our Fathers.
Verse. For you are just in all you have done.
TITUS, my son, the saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men. But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are unprofitable and futile. As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or twice, knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned.
When I send Artemas or Tychicos to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful.
All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith.
Grace be with you all. Amen.
Gospel – Luke 8:5-15 (Fourth Sunday of Luke)
THE LORD SPOKE THIS PARABLE: “A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell along the path, and was trodden under foot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew, and yielded a hundredfold.”
And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, Jesus said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but for others they are in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy; but these have no root, they believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. And as for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience.” As Jesus said this, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Next week’s homework: Galatians 1:11-19 (Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost)
Luke 8:26-39 (Sixth Sunday of Luke)
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.
OCTOBER 15, 2023 – SUNDAY OF THE HOLY FATHERS OF THE SEVENTH ECUMENICAL COUNCIL
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.
OCTOBER IS YOUTH MONTH AND SEMINARY MONTH IN THE ANTIOCHIAN ARCHDIOCESE
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Edward Arida, Selma Assatly, Mary and Sophie Fauty, Henry Hadad, Sr., George P. James, Marie Khoury, Beder and Sadallah Sabbagh, Virginia M. and George A. Sahadi, and Temam Kotite Samra. Memory eternal!
Diane Zamaria offers Prayers of Oblation and the Holy Bread for the health of the servants of God Renee, Diane, Memphis, Nathaniel, William, Justin, and Wayne on the upcoming birthdays. Many years! She also offers prayers for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Helen and Michael Nassoor and Dr. Samir Zamaria. Memory eternal!
Louise Sahadi offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Virginia M. and George A. Sahadi. Memory eternal!
The Family of Annette Lattof offers Prayers of Oblation and a One-Year Memorial for the repose of her soul. A Coffee Hour in her memory will follow the Divine Liturgy. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Matilda Couri Boutross, Aleer Couri, John Martin, Elena Paris, Najla Sahadi, Susan Texeira, and Lorraine Zraick. Memory eternal!
Edith O’Donnell will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Samia Khoury, Fareed Khoury, Angele Khoury Folsey, George Khoury, Anne Khoury, Hazel Khoury, Mitchell Tadross, and Edith Khoury Tadross. Memory eternal!
The Family of Lorraine Zraick will offer Prayers of Oblation and a 20-Year Memorial for the repose of her soul. A Coffee Hour in her memory will follow the Divine Liturgy. Memory eternal!
HOLY BREAD – James Harris offers the Holy Bread for the month of October in loving memory of Margaret Mary Harris. Memory eternal! Additional donors are welcome for October and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Nicholas Massab (Norwegian), Rouda Abboud, Yvonne Allawh, Robert Forcina, George Khoury, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, Wade Saadi, Victoria Sleyman, Claudette Teen, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, and Rose Zrake (at home).
BIBLE STUDY – We will continue our study of the Book of Romans on Wednesday, October 18, at 7:30 PM. This book will be the subject of this year’s Bible Bowl at the Parish Life Conference. Both teens and adults are encouraged to attend. This week we will read chapters 3-6. Bring your Orthodox Study Bibles.
THEOLOGICAL OFFERING – Our October pledge envelopes included a green envelope marked “Theological Offering.” This account is one of the three mandatory “trays” we collect each year for the Antiochian Archdiocese and supports our seminaries in North America. Our minimum contribution as a parish is $500. Our faithful can either drop their envelope in the collection tray on Sundays or return it to the church office. If you are not receiving pledge envelopes, please inform the church office so that we can add you to our list of supporters. Thank you for your generous support of our seminaries.
FAMILY NIGHT – Everyone is welcome to share Family Game Night on the first and third Monday of each month from 7-9 PM. The next event is Friday, October 20.
RADIO BINGO – The Young Adult Fellowship will sponsor an evening of Radio Bingo on Saturday, October 28, following Great Vespers. Although the Young Adults are sponsoring this event, everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate. Please see the flyer in this bulletin, or contact Amanda Alexander Rich for more information.
CHRISTMAS BOUTIQUE - The Ladies of St. Mary's are preparing for the Christmas Boutique in Couri Hall on Saturday. December 2, and Sunday, December 3 after church. Items will be sold and the gift baskets and 50/50 raffle will be drawn. We are hoping that our very talented bakers will generously donate their specialties. If you would like to donate baked goods, please contact Nahla Bittar at (718) 909-6727. This year we are accepting only donations of costume and better jewelry. If you can donate jewelry, please contact Marianne Hindelly at (917) 309-5302 by Sunday, November 5. We need MEN VOLUNTEERS on Sunday afternoon December 3 to assist packing up after the Boutique. Please contact Gale Zarr (917) 771–2427 if you are available or have any questions.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Wednesday, October 18 Bible Study, 7:30 PM
Friday, October 20 Family Game Night
Saturday, October 21 Hall Rental, 8 AM – 3 PM
Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Sunday, October 22 Teen SOYO Meeting
Saturday, October 28 Young Adult Fellowship Radio Bingo
Sunday, October 29 Ladies of St. Mary’s Meeting
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America