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, March 19, 2023
Third Sunday of Great Lent: Veneration of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross
Tone 7 and Eothinon 7
Martyrs Chrysanthos, Daria, and Those with Them of Rome
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 7
Thou didst shatter death by thy Cross. Thou didst open paradise to the thief. Thou didst turn the mourning of the ointment-bearing women into joy, and didst bid thine Apostles proclaim a warning that thou hast risen, O Christ, granting to the world thy Great Mercy.
Apolytikion of the Holy Cross – Tone 1
O Lord, save thy people and bless thine inheritance, granting our believing kings victory over the Barbarians, and by the power of thy Cross preserving thy commonwealth.
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 Sundays in Lent – Tone 8
To thee, the Champion Leader, do I offer thanks of victory, O Theotokos, thou who hast delivered me from terror; but as thou that has that power invincible, O Theotokos, thou alone can set me free: from all forms of danger free me and deliver me, that I may cry unto thee: Hail, O Bride without Bridegroom.
The Anti-Trisagion Hymn: Before Thy Cross, we bow down in worship, Master, and Thy Holy Resurrection we glorify.
Epistle – Hebrews 4:14-5:6 (Third Sunday in Lent)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 27.9, 1. O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse. To you, O Lord, have I cried, O my God.
BRETHREN, since we have a high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was.
So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, “Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee”; as he says also in another place, “Thou art a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”
Gospel – Mark 8:34-9:1 (Third Sunday in Lent)
THE LORD SAID, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” And Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.”
Megalynarion – In thee rejoiceth, O full of grace, all creation: the angelic hosts, and the race of men, O hallowed temple and noetic paradise, glory of virgins, of whom God was incarnate and became a little child, even our God Who is before all the ages; for He made thy womb a throne and thy body He made more spacious than the heavens. In thee rejoiceth, O full of grace, all creation; and it glorifeth thee.
During Great Lent we celebrate the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great.
Next week’s homework: Hebrews 6:13-20 (Fourth Sunday of Great Lent)
Mark 9:17-31 (Fourth Sunday of Great Lent)
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
MARCH 19, 2023 – THIRD SUNDAY OF GREAT LENT: VENERATION OF THE PRECIOUS AND LIFE-GIVING CROSS
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.
MARCH IS LADIES’ MONTH IN THE ANTIOCHIAN ARCHDIOCESE!
TODAY, MARCH 19 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Raymonde Alexander, Mary Hamaty, Terez Ivanchev, Bikturia Kaba, Albert Kaidy, Fredrick Makhoul, Helen and Michael Nassoor, Olga and Abraham Saba, Frederick P. Schroeder, and Elias Shawah. Memory eternal!
George Trisciuzzi offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaidens of God Shirley Joan Steo of Emmitsburg, MD, .and Dr. Louise Dorothea Kiesling of Klosterneuburg, Austria. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, MARCH 26 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Michael Arout, Nadim Dahdouh, Dr. John D. Dalack, Mary and Raphael Davis, Matilda Eyd, Gloria L. Harris, Najibe Imtanios, Nazem Khoury, Rose Klam, Edward A. Zraick, and Pamela Zraick Nakleh. Memory eternal!
Dr. Michelle Dahdouh and David Solano will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Nadim Dahdouh. Memory eternal!
The Family of Albert Absey will offer Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of his soul on what would have been his 100th birthday. A Coffee Hour in his memory will follow the Divine Liturgy. Memory eternal!
LADIES OF ST. MARY’S - March is Ladies Month in the Antiochian Archdiocese. Our ushers today are Audrey Sahadi, Marian Russo, Joan Arida Bacon, and Marianne Hindelly. Audrey Sahadi will read the Epistle in English and Nahla Bittar will read the Epistle in Arabic. Marianne Hindelly, Joan Bacon, Joyce Katen, and Marilyn Tulaney will assist during the distribution of Holy Communion.
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.
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Mary Ganim (NYU Lutheran), Nicholas Massab (Norwegian), Rose Zrake (Norwegian), Rouda Abboud, Yvonne Allawh, John Eyd, Diana Finger, Robert Forcina, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, Victoria Sleyman, Claudette Teen, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, and Dr. Samir Zamaria (MD) (at home).
FASTING DISICIPLINE – The Great Fast continues until our celebration of the Feast of Feasts, Pascha: Our Lord’s Resurrection. The traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, dairy, eggs, fish, wine, olive oil, and their by-products) is observed on all weekdays. On Saturdays and Sundays, wine and olive oil are allowed. Fish is permitted on Saturday, March 25, the Feast of the Annunciation of the Theotokos.
FEAST OF THE ANNUNCIATION – We will celebrate Festal Orthros at 9:30 and the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom at 10:30 AM on Saturday, March 25, for the Feast of the Annunciation of the Theotokos.
FIRST CONFESSION – The Church School historically has prepared second graders to participate in the Sacrament of Holy Confession/Reconciliation for the first time on Lazarus Saturday. Due to the pandemic a couple of classes have missed this opportunity; therefore, Laila Ellias will offer several special sessions to prepare the current class and other students after the Divine Liturgy. Please see Laila, Church School Director Lorraine Deeb, or Dr. Yvonne Zrake for more information.
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING – At its first meeting this past Monday evening the new Parish Council elected its officers: Anthony Zrake (Chair), Dianna Russo Kitchen (Vice Chair), Diana Kaiami (Treasurer), and Aline Farkouh (Secretary). We will install the new Council and its officers upon the blessing of the new Metropolitan Archbishop. God grant them a fruitful year of service in the Lord’s Vineyard!
FLOWER DONORS – Donations are welcome for the decoration of the icon for the Madayeh/Akathist services on Friday evenings during Great Lent and for the flowers today for the commemoration of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross.
LENTEN RESOURCES – Great Lent is here. Our parish Bookstore, dedicated to the memory of Elena Paris, has copies of the service books for Great Lent, including Little Compline with the Akathist Hymn, the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, and Holy Week. There are also a few Lenten cookbooks available. Please contact Lorraine Deeb at ldeebsped@verizon.net or (718) 491-4996 to reserve your books.
LADIES OF ST. MARY’S - The Ladies of St. Mary’s invite all our parishioners (men too!) to participate in our humanitarian project this year. We once again request the preparation of hygiene kits to be distributed to the homeless during the Midnight Run each month. In a one gallon ZipLock bag please include: 1 washcloth, bar of soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, nail clipper, comb, 3 band-aids, disposable razor (optional). Feel free to prepare more than one kit! The kits can be given to Sandra Arida or any one of the Ladies. Thank you all for your support.
SEMINARIANS – Our pledge envelopes for the month of March included a blue envelope marked “Seminarians.” Please use this envelope to support the Metropolitan’s annual appeal on behalf of our theological students. Our minimum contribution as a parish is $500. If anyone is currently not receiving pledge envelopes, please see Fr. Michael or Parish Council Chair Anthony Zrake.
FOOD FOR HUNGRY PEOPLE – The traditional FFHP collection boxes are available in the narthex. Remember the least of Christ’s brethren by depositing your extra change at the end of each day, and return the box on or before Palm Sunday. “He who loves God will certainly love his neighbor as well. Such a person cannot hoard money, but distributes it in a way befitting God, being generous to everyone in need.” - St. Maximos the Confessor
LENTEN LITURGICAL SCHEDULE – There will be Great Compline each Monday night at 7:00 PM, the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts each Wednesday at 6:30 PM, and the Akathist/Madayeh Service each Friday at 7:30 PM. This week’s Great Compline will be at St. Mary’s Church. A Pot Luck Supper will follow each Wednesday service, and each parish organization will host a dinner prior to the Friday service. Great Vespers will continue each Saturday at 5:00 PM.
SACRAMENT OF REPENTANCE (CONFESSION) – The Great Fast is THE TIME for all believers to receive the Sacrament of Repentance (Confession). The pastor hears confessions by appointment and before and after all the divine services. Please do not wait until the last minute! If you would like to go to one of the other Orthodox priests in Brooklyn, feel free to do so, but inform the pastor.
ESTATE PLANNING – Have I included St. Mary’s Church in my will or estate plan?
DATES TO REMEMBER
Monday, March 20 Great Compline at St. Mary’s Church, 7:00 PM
Wednesday, March 22 Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, 6:30 PM
Followed by Pot Luck Supper
Friday, March 24 Ladies of St. Mary’s Dinner, 6:30 PM
Great Vespers and 4th Stasis of the Akathist Hymn, 7:30 PM
Saturday, March 25 Festal Matins, 9:30 AM
Divine Liturgy for the Annunciation, 10:30 AM
Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “The mark of a great soul is to endure all things and to serve everyone. The example of this is near at hand: for the Son of Man Himself did not come to be served but to serve, and, what is even greater, He came to give His life as a ransom for many. For what could be greater and more marvelous than a man who not only serves, but who even dies for the sake of the one he serves? Yet the Lord’s serving and His humble lowering of Himself to be with us has become the exaltation and the glory of Him and all creation. For before He became man, He was known only to the angels, but after His incarnation and crucifixion, His glory is even geater and He reigns over all the earth.”
- St. Theophylact of Ochrid
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America