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, March 26, 2023
Fourth Sunday of Great Lent
Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel
Tone 8 and Eothinon 8
Stephen the Confessor, Abbot of Triglia
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 8
O Compassionate One, thou didst descend from the heights; thou didst submit to the three-day burial, that thou mightest deliver us from passion. Thou art our Life and our Resurrection, O Lord, glory to thee.
Apolytikion of the Archangels – Tone 4
O ye foremost of the heavenly hosts, we who are unworthy, beseech you that by your petitions ye encompass us with the shadow of your immaterial glory, preserving us who kneel and cry ceaselessly, deliver us from oppressions, since ye are the princes of the ranks of dominions on high.
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.
Epistle – Hebrews 6:13-20 (Fourth Sunday in Lent)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 28.11, 1. The Lord will give strength to his people.
Verse. Bring to the Lord, O sons of God, bring to the Lord honor and glory.
BRETHREN, when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore to himself, saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” And thus Abraham, having patiently endured, obtained the promise. Men indeed swear by a greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he interposed with an oath, so that through two changeable things, in which it is impossible that God should prove false, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
Gospel – Mark 9:17-31 (Fourth Sunday in Lent)
AT THAT TIME, a man came to Jesus, kneeling down and saying unto him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a dumb spirit; and wherever it seizes him, it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” And Jesus answered him, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.” And they brought the boy to him; and when the spirit saw Jesus, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at his mouth. And Jesus asked his father, “How long has he had this?” And he said, “From childhood. And it has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us.” And Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You dumb and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again.” And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse; so that most of them said, “He is dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when Jesus had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” And Jesus said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting.”
They went out from there and passed through Galilee. And Jesus would not have anyone know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him; and after he is killed, he will rise on the third day.”
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 glorifieth 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)
MARCH 26, 2023 – FOURTH SUNDAY OF GREAT LENT: SYNAXIS OF THE ARCHANGEL GABRIEL
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 26 - We 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 offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Nadim Dahdouh. Memory eternal!
The Family of Albert Absey offers 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!
The Dalack and Ellias Families offer Prayers of Oblation and a 5-Year Memorial for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Dr. John D. Dalack. A Coffee Hour in his memory will follow the Divine Liturgy. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, APRIL 2 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Adele Hadad, Philip Hamwi, Edward Hanna, Helen Livreri, Roger Sabah, Henry Salloum, Robert Samara, Raymond Sayeg, Michael Shraky, Florence Zagby, and Najeeb Zrake. Memory eternal!
LADIES OF ST. MARY’S - March is Ladies Month in the Antiochian Archdiocese. Our ushers today are Nahla Bittar, Terize Khouri, Razan Maalouf, and Chaza Rafiaa. The Epistle will be read by Amanda Regnier in English and Rima Alsifi Hazem in Arabic. Nahla Bittar, Hilandeh Hana, Joyce Katen, and Chaza Rafiaa will assist 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.
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Nicholas Massab (Norwegian), Wade Saadi (Cornell), Rose Zrake (Norwegian), Rouda Abboud, Yvonne Allawh, Diana Finger, Robert Forcina, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, Victoria Sleyman, Claudette Teen, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, and Dr. Samir Zamaria (MD) (at home).
MEMORY ETERNAL! Our most senior active member, Mary Ganim, departed this life in the hope of the Resurrection last Sunday. We extend our sympathies to her children George, Gareth and Lynette and their family. Mary’s funeral was here at St. Mary’s on Thursday.
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.
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.
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. “The grain in your barns belongs to the hungry. The coat in your closet belongs to the naked. The shoes rotting in your basement belong to the barefoot. The silver hidden in boxes belongs to the needy. You sin against all those whom you are able to help, but fail to do so.” - St. Basil the Great
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. Nicholas Cathedral. 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. This will there will be an additional service, Little Compline with the (abridged) life of St. Mary of Egypt on Thursday at 7:00 PM.
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.
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.
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 missed this opportunity; therefore, Laila Ellias will offer several special sessions to prepare the current class and two previous years’ students after the Divine Liturgy. Please see Laila, Church School Director Lorraine Deeb, or Dr. Yvonne Zrake for more information.
COMPANION NEEDED – A family in our community is looking for an Arabic-speaking companion to check in on their mother (76) who is showing early signs of cognitive decline for a couple of hours a day here in Bay Ridge. Compensation is available and negotiable. Please see Fr. Michael for more information.
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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 – We should all make a will. Unless you have a valid will, the state will have to decide who will manage your affairs at the time of your death. State laws will automatically transfer your property in equal amounts to your nearest relatives, regardless of your wishes. Have I included St. Mary’s Church in my will or estate plan?
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Monday, March 27 Great Compline at St. Nicholas Cathedral, 7:00 PM
Wednesday, March 29 Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, 6:30 PM
Followed by Pot Luck Supper
Thursday, March 30 Little Compline with Life of St. Mary of Egypt, 7:00 PM
Friday, March 31 Teens Sponsor Dinner, 6:30 PM
5th Madayeh/Akathist, 7:30 PM
Saturday, April 1 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Monday, April 3 Great Compline at St. Mary’s Church, 7:00 PM
Tuesday, April 4 Parish Council, 7:30 PM
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – There is nothing better than peace in Christ, for it brings victory over all the evil spirits on earth and in the air. When peace dwells in a man’s heart, it enables him to contemplate the grace of the Holy Spirit from within. He who dwells in peace collects spiritual gifts as it were with a scoop, and he sheds the light of knowledge on others. All our thoughts, all our desires, all our efforts, and all our actions should make us say constantly with the Church: “O Lord, give us peace!” When a man lives in peace, God reveals mysteries to him.
- St. Seraphim of Sarov