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 8, 2023
Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Tone 1 and Eothinon 7
Righteous Mother Pelagia the Penitent of Antioch
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 1
The stone being sealed by the Jews, and thy pure body being guarded by the soldiers, thou didst rise on the third day, O Saviour, granting life to the world. Wherefore, the heavenly powers acclaimed thee, O Giver of life, crying, glory to thy Resurrection, O Christ! Glory to thy kingdom! Glory to thy gracious providence, O thou only Lover of mankind.
Apolytikion of St. Pelagia the Righteous – Tone 8
Through thee, the divine likeness was securely preserved, O mother Pelagia; for thou didst carry the cross and follow Christ. By example and precept thou didst teach us to ignore the body, because it is perishable, and to attend to the concerns of the undying soul. Therefore, doth thy soul rejoice with the angels.
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 – II Corinthians 9:6-11 (Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 32.22,1. Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us.
Verse. Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous.
BRETHREN, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work. As it is written, “He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your resources and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for great generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.
Gospel – Luke 7:11-16 (Third Sunday of Luke)
AT THAT TIME, Jesus went to a city called Na’in, and many of his disciples and a great crowd went with him. As he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and a large crowd from the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” And he came and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And Jesus said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” And the dead man sat up, and began to speak. And Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all; and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and “God has visited his people!”
Next week’s homework: Titus 3:8-15 (Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council)
Luke 8:5-15 (Fourth 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.”
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.
FASTING DISCIPLINE FOR OCTOBER – We observe the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish, wine, olive oil, and their by-products) on Wednesdays and Fridays.
BIBLE STUDY – We will continue our study of the Book of Romans on Wednesday, October 11, 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. Bring your Orthodox Study Bibles.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
OCTOBER 8, 2023 – EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
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 8 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Doris Farkouh Creidy, Zahaya Dahab, Janet M. Gehshan, John G. Golam, Margaret Mackoul, Helen Orfaly, Rose Rowady, Edith and Mitchell A. Tadross, Samia, Fareed, George, Hazel Khoury and Angel Folsey, and Michael Zarouni. Memory eternal!
Deborah and Robert Mackoul offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Margaret Mackoul. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15 – We will 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, George A. and Virginia M. Sahadi, and Temam Kotite Samra. Memory eternal!
Louise Sahadi will offer 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 will offer 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!
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Nicholas Massab (Norwegian), Rouda Abboud, Yvonne Allawh, Diana Finger, Robert Forcina, George Khoury, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, Wade Saadi, Victoria Sleyman, Claudette Teen, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, and Rose Zrake (at home).
PARISH COUNCIL – The Parish Council will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, October 10, at 7:00 PM
BIBLE STUDY – We will continue study of the Book of Romans on Wednesday, October 11, 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 read Romans 1 and 2. Bring your Orthodox Study Bibles.
OUR TIME FELLOWSHIP – Our “senior” fellowship, “Our Time,” will meet on Wednesday, October 11, from 1-3 PM. Please see Marilyn Tulaney for more information.
ST. JULIEN DISCUSSION GROUP – On the second Friday of each month we are hosting an informal discussion with the pastor concerning matters of interest. Everyone is invited. The next gathering will be on Friday, October 13, at 7:30 PM.
FALL HAFLI – Last call for reservations! Please see Rima Alsaifi Hazem today!
SAINTS AND SINNERS GOLF AND TENNIS OUTING – The Golf and Tennis Outing on September 18 was postponed until Monday, October 30. This postponement enables us to accept additional dinner reservations and sponsorship donations. Please see Daria Mayrose for more information.
TEEN SOYO – The Teens will meet next Sunday, October 15, to elect officers and to plan the year. All teens (12-19) are welcome to participate. Please see Angela Athineos, Amanda Regnier, Dianna Russo Kitchen, or Leen Zgheib for more information.
THEOLOGICAL OFFERING – Our October pledge envelopes included a green envelope marked “Theological Offering.” We make this appeal each year in support of 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.
RADIO BINGO – The Young Adult Fellowship will sponsor Radio Bingo on Saturday, October 28. Although the Young Adults are sponsoring this event, everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate. Contact Amanda Alexander Rich for more information.
COLLEGE CONFERENCE – The Antiochian Village will host the 2023 College Conference on December 23-30. Go to https://www.ocf.net/cc23/ to register and for more information. The cost is $385 for early bird registrants. We would appreciate donors to help us underwrite the cost of tuition and transportation. Please see Fr. Michael in confidence for scholarship assistance.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Tuesday, October 10 Parish Council, 7:00 PM
Wednesday, October 11 “Our Time” Adult Fellowship, 1-3 PM
Bible Study, 7:30 PM
Friday, October 13 St. Julien Discussion Group, 7:30 PM
Saturday, October 14 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Fall Hafli
Sunday, October 15 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.
FROM THE FATHERS – “There is no sin which cannot be pardoned except the one which lacks repentance.”
- St. Isaac the S