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
Very Rev. Fr. Michael Ellias, Pastor Rev. Deacon Farid Farkouh
Email: pastor@smaoc.org farkouhfarid@gmail.com
Sunday, February 5, 2023
Sunday of the Pharisee and the Publican and
After-Feast of the Presentation (Meeting) of Christ
Tone 1 and Eothinon 1
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 the Presentation of Christ into the Temple – Tone 1
Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, full of grace, for from thee arose the Sun of justice, Christ our God, lighting those who are in darkness. Rejoice and be glad, O righteous old man, carrying in thine arms the Deliverer of our souls, who granteth us resurrection.
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 Presentation of Christ in the Temple – Tone 1
Thou, O Christ God, who by thy Birth, didst sanctify the Virgin’s womb, and, as is meet, didst bless Simeon’s arms, and didst also come to save us; preserve thy fold in wars, and confirm them whom thou didst love; for thou alone art the Lover of mankind.
Epistle – II Timothy 3:10-15 (Pharisee and Publican)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 75.11, 1. Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse. God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.
TIMOTHY, my son, you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, my sufferings, what befell me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra, what persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and imposters will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
Gospel – Luke 18:10-14 (Pharisee and Publican)
THE LORD SPOKE THIS PARABLE: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Next week’s homework: I Corinthians 6:12-20 (Thirty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost)
Luke 15:11-32 (Prodigal Son)
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.
POST-COMMUNION PRAYERS – As the faithful approach to reverence the cross, receive a blessing and a piece of antidoron (holy bread) at the dismissal, a reader will read the Post-Communion Prayers of Thanksgiving. Please greet each other quietly as we reverently hear these prayers.
FASTING DISICIPLINE – There is no fasting from February 5-11.
HOLY BREAD – Linda and George Salamy have made a donation for the entire year. Many years! Additional donors are welcome for February and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
FEBRUARY 5, 2023 – SUNDAY OF THE PHARISEE AND PUBLICAN AND THE AFTER-FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION (MEETING) OF CHRIST
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, FEBRUARY 5 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Lila Zayat Ara, Shamseh M. Dalack, Elias Darzi, Wadie Jabbour, Jacob Khoury, and Louis Sabah. Memory eternal!
Dr. Kenneth and Jeannie Arida offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of Ken’s parents, the servants of God Dr. William and Hend Arida. Memory eternal!
Marie and Charlie Bryant offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Jacob Khoury. Memory eternal!
Susan Nelson offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Louis Sabah. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Mary Alexander, David Bittar, George Ganim, Emileen Hanna, Malak Karkenny, Emily Nassour, George Sabah, and Alberta Samaha. Memory eternal!
Peter Elkas will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of his aunt, the handmaiden of God Emily Nassour. Memory eternal!
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Nicholas Massab (Norwegian), Rose Zrake (Norwegian), Rouda Abboud, Yvonne Allawh, Diana Finger, Robert Forcina, Marc Galloway (SC), Mary Ganim, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, Brenda Samman, Renee Setteducato, Victoria Sleyman, Claudette Teen, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, Dr. Samir Zamaria (MD), and Nancy Zarouni, (at home).
SATURDAY OF THE SOULS – We will celebrate the traditional Divine Liturgy for the Saturday of the Souls on Saturday, February 18, at 10:30 AM. Orthros will begin at 9:30 AM. Please give your list of commemorations for the departed to Fr. Michael in advance of those services. This service always precedes Meatfare Sunday which is February 19 this year.
LADIES OF ST. MARY’S - The Ladies of St. Mary’s will meet after Liturgy on Sunday, February 12, 2023. All ladies welcome!
MEATFARE SUNDAY – The deadline for reservations for this event on Sunday, February 19, following the Divine Liturgy, has already passed. Please see the flyer in this week’s bulletin. If you plan to attend, please see Rima Alsaifi Hazem today!
ESTATE PLANNING – Have I included St. Mary’s Church in my will or estate plan? We are blessed to announce that the Nassoor Family has donated a portion of the sale of their family house on Ridge Boulevard and 82nd Street to the St. Mary’s Church Endowment Fund. God grant rest and repose to the departed members of the Nassoor Family and long life and good health to their living descendants. May we all emulate their example.
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING – We will hold our Annual Parish Meeting on Sunday, March 5, the first Sunday of Great Lent, following the Divine Liturgy. Please submit the names of candidates for the Parish Council to Dianna Russo Kitchen or Fr. Michael after receiving the nominee’s consent to run.
HOUSE BLESSINGS – We will accept appointments for house blessings following Epiphany until February 27. We will then resume after Holy Pascha. Contact Fr. Michael for an appointment.
ANTIOCHIAN VILLAGE CAMP – It is time to start planning for summer camp! Registration for all programs except Family Camp has opened. Parents, please register your campers as soon as possible. We expect this year to return to normal following the pandemic years. Go to www.avcamp.org to open an account and register. Scholarships are available through Fr. Michael.
BOOKSTORE VOLUNTEERS – In an effort to expand our offerings of spiritual books, religious jewelry, icons, and other Orthodox materials we are seeking volunteers to help with the parish bookstore. We hope to open the bookstore during Coffee Hour on Sundays and to take orders for specific items upon request. Please see Lorraine Deeb to volunteer.
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.
DATES TO REMEMBER
February 5-11 Fast free Week
Saturday, February 11 Massouh-Tannous Wedding, 3:00 PM
Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Monday, February 13 Parish Council, 7:30 PM
Saturday, February 18 Saturday of the Souls Divine Liturgy, 10:30 AM
Sunday, February 19 Meatfare Sunday Luncheon
Monday, February 27 Great Lent Begins
Sunday, March 5 Annual Parish Meeting
Saturday, June 10 Spring Festival
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “The soul is always awake and active. Our bodies are unable to follow the soul in this activity and need sleep. During sleep the body and the soul are in a way separated for a time, while the body is resting and renewing its energy. During that time the soul is in a world of its own. There it can come into contact with the souls of the dead and with spiritual realms.”
- Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America