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 24, 2023
Sunday before the Nativity of Christ (Genealogy) and
Paramon (Eve) of the Nativity of Christ
Tone 4 and Eothinon 7
Venerable Martyr Eugenia of Rome and Those with Her
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.
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 Sunday before the Nativity – Tone 2
Great are the accomplishments of faith; for the three holy youths rejoiced in the fountain of flames as though at waters of rest. And the Prophet Daniel appeared a shepherd to the lions as though they were sheep. Wherefore, by their prayers, O Christ God, save our souls.
Apolytikion for the Paramon (Eve) of the Nativity – Tone 4
As the fruit of David’s seed, Mary was registered of old with the Elder Joseph in the little town of Bethlehem, when she conceived with a seedless and pure conception. Behold, the time was come that she should bear her Child, but no place was found within the inn for them; yet the cave proved a delightful palace for the pure Lady and Queen of all. For Christ is born now to raise the image that had fallen aforetime.
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 – Hebrews 11:9-10; 17:23, 32-40 (Sunday before the Nativity of Christ)
Prokeimenon. Hymn of the Three Children, Daniel 3:26-27. Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our Fathers.
Verse. For you are just in all you have done.
BRETHREN, by faith Abraham sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets – who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated – of whom the world was not worthy – wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
Gospel – Matthew 1:1-25 (Sunday of the Genealogy)
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Aram and Aram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jess the father of David the king.
And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboham, and Rehoboham the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa, and Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amon, and Amon the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.
And after the deportation to Babylon: Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.
So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus.
Next week’s homework: II Timothy 4:5-8 (Sunday before Theophany)
Mark 1:1-8 (Sunday before Theophany)
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
DECEMBER 24, 2023 – SUNDAY BEFORE THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST (GENEALOGY)
AND PARAMON (EVE) OF THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST
DECEMBER IS ORDER OF ST. IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH MONTH
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24 - We 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!
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!
Rima and Elias Hazem offer Prayers of Oblation and the Holy Bread for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Rahma and Michael Hazem. Memory eternal!
Nicholas Massab offers Prayers of Oblation for the safety and good health of his cousins on active military duty, Edmund Trisciuzzi, USN, and Connor and Kyle Gannon, USA. Many years!
NEXT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Fred Arida, Economous Faried Farkouh and Khouryee Wassila Farkouh, Rose Merhige, Effie Shraky, Ann Marie Smatt, Nazli N. and Demetri Zayat. Memory eternal!
Our Parish Family will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Hooda Germack as we will do each year on the Sunday closest to her birthday, January 1. Memory eternal!
Deacon Farid and Aline Farkouh will offer Prayers of Oblation and the Holy Bread for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Economous Farid Farkouh and Khouryee Wasilla Farkouh. Memory eternal!
Drs. Lori and Michael Smatt will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Anne Marie Smatt. Memory eternal!
HOLY BREAD – Marie and Tony Aflak of Mid-East Bakery offer the Holy Bread for the health and safety of their family. Many years! 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.
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Charlie Bryant (UPenn), Nicholas Massab (Norwegian), Rouda Abboud, Yvonne Allawh, Patti 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).
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.”
FASTING DISICIPLINE – From December 25 through January 4, there is no fasting. January 5 is a strict fast day in anticipation of the Feast of Theophany.
BOB SABBAGH MEMORIAL LOTTERY – Once again Deacon Farid Farkouh has chaired the former Little Bit ‘o Luck Drawing, now named in memory of Bob Sabbagh. The drawing will take place today at the Coffee Hour.
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 through the winter months. We will distribute all items to local charities and recipients.
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.
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 – As the calendar year nears its end, it’s time to take stock of how the Lord has blessed me. What will I leave to my parish so that those who come after me will share the same and even greater blessings?
DATES TO REMEMBER
Sunday, December 24 Festal Orthros, 9:00 and Nativity Divine Liturgy, 10:00 PM
Monday, December 25 Nativity of Christ (No services)
Saturday, December 30 No Great Vespers
Sunday, December 31 Orthros, 9:30 and Divine Liturgy, 10:30
New Year’s Eve Party
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 Feast of Theophany
Great Vespers, 5:00 PM & Teen Retreat, 6-8 PM
Monday, January 8 Parish Council, 7:00 PM
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “The Lord, before His incarnation, let mankind experience all the bitterness of sin, all their powerlessness to eradicate it; and when all longed for a Deliverer, then He appeared, the most wise, all-powerful Physician and Helper. When men hungered and thirsted after righteousness, as it grew weaker, then the everlasting righteousness came.”
- St. John of Kronstadt
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America