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, May 28, 2023
Sunday of the After-Feast of the Ascension
Tone 6 and Eothinon 10
Commemoration of the Holy Fathers of the Frist Ecumenical Council
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 6
When Mary stood at thy grave looking for thy sacred body, angelic powers shone above thy revered tomb, and the soldiers who were to keep guard became as dead men. Thou led hades captive and wast not tempted thereby. Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst give life to the world; O thou that art risen from the dead! O Lord, glory to thee.
Apolytikion of the Ascension – Tone 4
Thou hast ascended in glory, O Christ our God, and gladdened thy Disciples with the promise of the Holy Spirit, having become confident of the blessing. Verily, thou art the Son of God, and Deliverer of the world.
Apolytikion of the Holy Fathers – Tone 8
Thou, O Christ, art our God of exceeding praise who didst establish our holy Fathers as luminous stars upon earth, and through them didst guide us unto the true Faith, O most merciful One, glory to thee.
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 Ascension – Tone 6
When thou didst fulfill thy dispensation for our sakes, uniting the terrestrials with the celestials, thou didst ascend in glory, O Christ our God, inseparable in space, but constant without separation, and crying unto thy beloved, I am with you, and no one shall be against you.
Epistle – Acts 20:16-18, 28-36 (Sunday of the Holy Fathers of Nicea)
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.
IN THOSE DAYS, Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.
And from Miletos he sent to Ephesus ad called to him the elders of the church. And when they came to him, he said to them:
“Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God which he obtained with the blood of his own Son. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore, be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities, and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by so toiling one must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
And when he had spoken thus, he knelt down and prayed with them all.
Gospel – John 17:1-13 (Sunday of the Holy Fathers of Nicea)
AT THAT TIME, Jesus lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify thy Son that the Son may glorify thee, since thou has given him power over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom thou has given him. And this is eternal life, that they know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. I glorified thee on earth, having accomplished the work which thou gavest me to do; and now, Father, glorify thou me in thy own presence with the glory which I had with thee before the world was made.
“I have manifested thy name to the men whom thou gavest me out of the world; thine they were, and thou gavest them to me, and they have kept thy word. Now they know that everything that thou hast given me is from thee; for I have given them the words which thou gavest me, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from thee; and they have believed that thou didst send me. I am praying for them; I am not praying for the world but for those whom thou hast given me, for they are thine; all mine are thine, and thine are mine, and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to thee. Holy Father, keep them in thy name, which thou hast given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. While I was with them, I kept them in thy name, which thou hast given me; I have guarded them, and none of them is lost but the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.”
Instead of “We have seen the true light…” we sing the Apolytikion of the Ascension.
Next week’s homework: Acts 2:1-11 (Holy Pentecost)
John 7:37-52; 8:12 (Holy Pentecost)
MAY 28, 2023 – SUNDAY OF THE AFTER-FEAST OF THE ASCENSION
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.
SUNDAY, MAY 28 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Archimandrite Agapios Golam, Madeleine Abousleman, Thomas Gehshan, Fares Deban, Rose and Victoria Makhoul, Nicholas Malouf, John and Maurice Moussy, Khalil Nader, Sebastian Rothammer, Victor M. Samra Jr., Mildred Sarkis, Christ Sparsidis, and Theodore Tadross. Memory eternal!
Aline and Deacon Farid Farkouh and Family offer Prayers of Oblation and the Holy Bread for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Nicholas Malouf and John and Maurice Moussy. Memory eternal!
Refaat S. Kabah offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God George Kadour. Memory eternal!
The Ellias Family offers Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Protopresbyter Angelo Artemas. Memory eternal!
Christopher Castley offers Prayers of Oblation and a 2-Year Memorial for the repose of the soul of his father, the servant of God Albert Castley. Memory eternal!
George Trisciuzzi offers Prayers of Oblation and a 5-Year Memorial for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Sebastian Rothhammer. Memory eternal!
FASTING DISCIPLINE – We will fast as usual this week on Wednesday and Friday. There is no fasting following Holy Pentecost (June 4) until the beginning of the Apostles Fast (June 12).
APARTMENT NEEDED – A couple is seeking a one-bedroom apartment in the Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights or Sunset area. They need to move soon. If you have a space to rent or know of anyone who does, please call or text (850) 340-1385.
HOLY BREAD – Joey and Gareth Ganim offer the Holy Bread of Oblation for the month of May in loving memory of the handmaiden of God Mary Ganim. Memory eternal! Refaat S. Kabah also offers the Holy Bread of Oblation for the month of May in loving memory of the servant of God George Kadour. Memory eternal! Donors are welcome for June and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Nicholas Massab (Norwegian), Rouda Abboud, Yvonne Allawh, Diana Finger, Robert Forcina, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, Wade Saadi, Victoria Sleyman, Claudette Teen, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, Dr. Samir Zamaria (MD) and Rose Zrake (at home).
SUMMER SEMESTER – Our continuing education class for adults will meet on most Wednesdays of June and July at 7:00 PM. Our text will be Orthodox Christianity, Vol. 5: Sacraments and Other Rites by Metropolitan HILARION (Alfeyev). Please sign up to purchase a copy of the book at the parish bookstore. We will order them at a discount from St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press. If you cannot afford the price of the book, please see Fr. Michael in confidence.
BACKYARD BBQ – Next Sunday the Parish Council will host a BBQ outside on the lawn (weather permitting) following the Divine Liturgy for the Feast of Pentecost. Please see the flyer in this bulletin for more information. Volunteers should contact Rima Alsifi Hazem at (347) 649-5794 or Christopher Athineos at (347) 675-3655. Special guest will be Rula Khoury, President of the Antiochian Women of the East (AWE).
CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS – Several of our campers heading to the Antiochian Village Camp this summer could use a little scholarship assistance. If you are able to help with a contribution, please make your check payable to St. Mary’s Church with “Camp Scholarship” in the memo line. Fr. Michael will deposit any contributions in the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund and distribute the scholarships in confidence. Donors will receive an acknowledgement and receipt for tax purposes.
EASTERN DIOCESES PARISH LIFE CONFERENCE – The parish of St. Moses the Black of Pittsburgh, PA, will host this year’s Parish Life Conference at the beautiful Antiochian Village Conference and Retreat Center in Ligonier, PA, from June 28-July 2. Information and registration are now open on-line at www.antiochianevents.com. Please register and make room reservations now in order to secure a place at the conference center itself.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Saturday, June 3 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Sunday, June 4 Holy Pentecost followed by Backyard Barbecue
Wednesday, June 14 Adult Education, 7:00 PM
June 28 - July 2 Parish Life Conference @ Antiochian Village
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America