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, December 17, 2023
Sunday of the Forefathers (Ancestors) of Christ
Tone 3 and Eothinon 6
Prophet Daniel and the Three Holy Youths Ananias, Azarias and Mishael
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 3
Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad; for the Lord hath done a mighty act with his own arm. He hath trampled down death and become the First-born from the dead. He hath delivered us from the depth of hades, granting the world the Great Mercy.
Apolytikion of the Forefathers – Tone 2
Thou hast justified by faith the ancient forefathers and through them thou hast gone before and betrothed unto thyself the Church of the Gentiles. Let the saints, therefore, take pride in glory; for from their seed sprouted forth a noble fruit, and she it was who gave birth to thee without seed. Wherefore, by their pleadings, O Christ God, 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 for the Preparation for the Nativity – Tone 3
Today the Virgin cometh to the cave to give birth in an ineffable manner to the Word before the ages. Rejoice, therefore, O universe, when thou hearest, and glorify with the angels and shepherds him who shall appear by his own will as a new babe, being God before the ages.
Epistle – Colossians 3:4-11 (Sunday of the Forefathers)
Prokeimenon. Daniel 3:26-27. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our Fathers.
Verse. For Thou art just in all that Thou has done to us!
BRETHREN, when Christ, who is our life, appears, then you will also appear with Him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idol worship; for the sake of such things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience; wherein you also once walked, when you lived in these things. But now you also put them all away: anger wrath, malice, blasphemy, and filthy language out of your mouths. Do not lie to one another, having put off the old man with his works; and having put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of his Creator, where there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bond, or free; but Christ is all, and in all.
Gospel – Luke 14-16-24 (Sunday of the Forefathers)
THE LORD SPOKE THIS PARABLE: “A man once gave a great banquet, and invited many; and at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for all is now ready.’ But, one by one, they all began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it; I pray you, have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them; I pray you, have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ So the servant came and reported this to his master. Then the householder in anger said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and maimed and blind and lame.’ And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges, and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet. For many are called, but few are chosen.”
Next week’s homework: Hebrews 11:9-10, 32-40 (Sunday before the Nativity of Christ)
Matthew 1:1-25 (Genealogy of Christ)
HOLY BREAD – Linda and George Salamy have made a donation for the entire year. Many years! Additional donors are welcome for December 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.”
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION – The Advent Fast is one of the four major periods when the Church recommends that believers participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation/Confession/Repentance. The pastor is available before or after any of the divine services or by appointment.
DECEMBER 17, 2023 – SUNDAY OF THE FOREFATHERS (ANCESTORS) OF CHRIST
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.
DECEMBER IS ORDER OF ST. IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH MONTH
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Evelyn Z. Deschner, Anna Ghiz, George Khoury, Louis Savarese, William S. Schneirla, Jr., Arthur and Emily Swaya and Nicolas and Nora Hawa, Lily Sydnawey, Mary Traboulcy, George Zain, Rose Zarr. Memory eternal!
Naziha Aldaia offers Prayers of Oblation and the Holy Bread for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Michael, Kazon, Wajih, Badeeh, Nicola, Samiha, Helen, Nada, Shafic, and Theresa. Memory eternal!
Sandra Coogan offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of her uncle, the servant of God Louis Savarese. Memory eternal!
Rima and Elias Hazem offer Prayers of Oblation and the Holy Bread for the repose of the soul of Elias’ brother, the servant of God Issa Hazem, who departed this life in Syria. Memory eternal!
The Ladies of St. Mary’s offer Prayers of Oblation and a 40 Day Memorial for their dear, departed sister-in-Christ Michele “Mickey” Ateyeh on Sunday, December 17. Memory eternal!”
The Family of Wajiha Kaba offers Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of her soul. A Coffee Hour in her memory will follow the Divine Liturgy. Memory eternal!
Gisele Wardi and Family offer Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of the soul of their husband and father, the servant of God George Wardi. A Coffee Hour in his memory will follow the Divine Liturgy. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Julie Aucar, Rachel Azar, George Couri, Wade Sahadi, and Victor S. Samara. Memory eternal!
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Charlie Bryant (UPenn), Nicholas Massab (Norwegian), Rouda Abboud, Yvonne Allawh, Patty DeLuca, Alice Farkouh, George Khoury, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, Wade Saadi, Victoria Sleyman, Claudette Teen, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, and Rose Zrake (at home).
CHOIR CHRISTMAS PROGRAM - St. Mary’s Choir will offer a program of Christmas music immediately following the Divine Liturgy. We cordially invite all our parishioners to enjoy! Word sheets will be provided.
FASTING DISICIPLINE – The second period of the Advent Fast is December 20 through 24 when the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish, wine and oil) is observed, with wine and oil permitted on Saturday and Sunday. From December 25 through January 4, there is no fasting.
CANNED FOOD AND WINTER COAT DRIVES – Teen SOYO has placed two large boxes in the vestibule for their annual Canned Food and Winter Coat Drives. Please bring your contributions ASAP. We will distribute all items to local charities and recipients.
OUR TIME – Our (over 50) senior fellowship, “Our Time”, meets every other Wednesday, including next Wednesday, December 20, from 1-3 PM. All are welcome. Please see Marilyn Tulaney for more information. In addition, Our Time sponsors Pickleball on Tuesday and Thursday from 7-9 PM. All players and spectators are welcome.
ANTIOCHIAN VILLAGE CAMP – The Antiochian Village will host Winter Camp for teens in grades 7-12 on February 16-19. Registration forms for campers and staff are available online at https://avcamp.org/programs/winter-camp/. Also, registration for Summer Camp opens on Sunday, January 7, at 6:00 PM. Please open an account and register at www.avcamp.org. Scholarship assistance is available from the camp and from the parish.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Sunday, December 17 Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch Sunday and Reception at
Archdiocese Headquarters, 6:00 PM
Wednesday, December 20 “Our Time” Adult Fellowship, 1-3 PM
Friday, December 22 Royal Hours for the Nativity, 9-10:30 AM
Saturday, December 23 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Sunday, December 24 Orthros, 9:30 and Divine Liturgy, 10:30 AM
Church School Christmas Pageant
Orthros, 9:00 and Nativity Divine Liturgy, 10:00 PM
Friday, January 5 Royal Hours for Epiphany, 9-10:30 AM
Festal Orthros, 6:00 PM & Divine Liturgy for Epiphany
With the Great Blessing of Water
Saturday, January 6 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM & Teen Retreat, 6-8 PM
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “The holy forefathers and mothers, together with all their descendants, have chosen life. They find it in God’s Messiah, Jesus Christ, Who is Life itself, God’s incarnate Word.”
- Fr. Thomas Hopko
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America