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 29, 2023
Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost
Tone 4 and Eothinon 10
Venerable Martyr Anastasia of Rome
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.
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 4
Having learned the joyful message of the Resurrection from the angel, the women disciples of the Lord cast from them their parental condemnation, and proudly broke the news to the disciples, saying, Death hath been spoiled. Christ God is risen, granting the world great mercy.
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 – Galatians 2:16-20 (Twenty-First 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, 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 – Luke 8:41-56 (Seventh Sunday of Luke)
AT THAT TIME, there came to Jesus a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue; and falling at Jesus’ feet, he besought him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying.
As Jesus went, the people pressed round him. And a woman who had had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had spent all her living upon physicians, and could not be healed by any one, came up behind him, and touched the fringe of his garment; and immediately her flow of blood ceased. And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the multitudes surround you and press upon you, and you say, ‘Who touched me?’” But Jesus said, “Some one touched me; for I perceive that power has gone forth from me.” And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And Jesus said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”
While Jesus was speaking, a man from the ruler’s house came and said, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more.” But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she shall be well.” And when Jesus came to the house, he permitted no one to enter with him, except Peter and James and John, and the father and mother of the child. And all were weeping and bewailing her; but Jesus said, “Do not weep; for she is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But taking her by the hand Jesus called, saying, “Child, arise.” And her spirit returned, and she got up at once; and Jesus directed that something should be given her to eat. And her parents were amazed; but he charged them to tell no one what had happened.
Next week’s homework: Galatians 6:11-18 (Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost)
Luke 16:19-31 (Fifth Sunday of Luke)
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
OCTOBER 29, 2023 – TWENTY-FIRST 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.
OCTOBER IS YOUTH MONTH AND SEMINARY MONTH IN THE ANTIOCHIAN ARCHDIOCESE
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Nicholas L. Assatly, Henry Hadad, Assad Hanna, Olga and Salem Jabara and Delores and Paul Jabara, Evelyn Mouracade, Josephine Tadross, Mary and Richard Zraick. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Leila Dahdouh, Stanley Fadel, Victoria Khouri, Dorothy Madey, George Massabni, Nicholas Sahadi, Charles Salloum, and Alexander Zahka. Memory eternal!
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.”
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 November and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Robert Forcina (Calvary), Nicholas Massab (Norwegian), Rouda Abboud, Yvonne Allawh, Lorraine Deeb, George Khoury, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, Wade Saadi, Victoria Sleyman, Claudette Teen, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, and Rose Zrake (at home).
FASTING DISCIPLINE FOR NOVEMBER – We observe the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish, wine, olive oil, and their by-products) on Wednesdays and Fridays through November 15 when the Advent Fast begins.
LADIES OF ST. MARY’S – The Ladies of St. Mary’s will hold a meeting today following the Divine Liturgy in anticipation of their Christmas Boutique. All women of the parish are welcome and invited to participate. Please see Sandra Arida for more information.
BIBLE STUDY – We will continue our study of the Book of Romans on Wednesday, November 1, 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 cover chapters 12 and 13. Bring your Orthodox Study Bibles.
TEEN SOYO ¬– We congratulate newly elected officers Therese Maalouf and Alice Regnier (Co-Presidents), Marc Alsaifi (Vice President), and Paula Spolar and Arabella Kitchen (Secretaries).
SAINTS AND SINNERS GOLF AND TENNIS OUTING – Due to inclement weather the Golf and Tennis Outing scheduled for September 18 was postponed until tomorrow, Monday, October 30. Let us pray for “seasonable weather” this time!
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.
VIGIL FOR ST. RAPHAEL – St. Nicholas Cathedral will host Great Vespers, Artoklasia, Orthros and Divine Liturgy for the Feast of St. Raphael of Brooklyn on Friday, November 3, beginning at 6:00 PM.
GREAT VESPERS – There will be no Great Vespers this Saturday, November 4.
FLU SHOTS – One of our brilliant, young pharmacists is offering her services to provide flu shots to anyone over 18 who has not yet had their seasonal vaccine. On Sunday, November 12, bring your ID cards and insurance cards. Anyone over 65 should bring their Medicare parts A, B and D card. Consent forms will be available here at the church. To register use the sign-up sheet at the Coffee Hour.
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.
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME – Remember to turn the clocks back one hour next Saturday!
DATES TO REMEMBER
Sunday, October 29 Ladies of St. Mary’s Meeting
Wednesday, November 1 Bible Study, 7:30 PM
Friday, November 3 Vigil for St. Raphael @ St. Nicholas Cathedral, 6:00 PM
Saturday, November 4 NO GREAT VESPERS
Saturday, November 11 Games Festival, 6:00 PM
Sunday, November 12 Flu Shot Clinic
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “Just as the most bitter medicine drives out poisonous creatures, so prayer joined to fasting drives evil thoughts away.”
- Amma Syncletica of the Desert
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America