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, June 11, 2023
First Sunday after Pentecost: All Saints Sunday
Tone 8 and Eothinon 1
Holy, Glorious Apostles Barnabas and Bartholomew
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 All Saints – Tone 4
Thy Church, O Christ God, hath regaled herself in the blood of thy Martyrs, throughout all the world, as in porphyry and purple. Through them she lifteth her voice, crying, Turn with thy compassion to thy people, and grant peace to thy city, and to our souls the Great Mercy.
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 Saints – Tone 8
To thee, O Lord and Author of all creation, the universe offereth as first-fruits of nature the divinity-bearing Martyrs. Wherefore, by their implorings preserve thou thy Church in perfect safety, for the sake of the Theotokos, O most Merciful One.
Epistle – Hebrews 11:33-40; 12:1-2 (First Sunday and the Sunday of All Saints)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 67.35, 26. God is wonderful among his saints.
Verse. Bless God in the congregations.
BRETHREN, all the saints 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.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfection of our faith.
Gospel – Matthew 10:32-33, 37-38; 19:27-30 (Sunday of All Saints)
THE LORD SAID TO HIS DISCIPLES, “Every one who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven; but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
“He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”
Then Peter said in reply, “Lo, we have left everything and followed you. What then shall we have?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of man shall sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundred-fold, and inherit eternal life. But many that are first will be last, and the last first.”
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.”
Next week’s homework: Romans 2:10-16 (Second Sunday after Pentecost)
Matthew 4:18-23 (Second Sunday of Matthew)
HOLY BREAD – Donors are welcome for June 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.
JUNE 11, 2023 – FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST: ALL SAINTS SUNDAY
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, JUNE 11 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Fouad Allawh, Edward Ateyeh, Jr., Shafica Debagie, Michael Haje, Kathleen Halloran, Eduardo Elias Khouzami, Joseph G. Mashamesh¸ Betty Massab, Nicholas Orfaly, Albert T. Sabah, and Marianne Trabulsi. Memory eternal!
Michele Ateyeh offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Edward Ateyeh, Jr. Memory eternal!
The Family of Marianne Trabulsi offers Prayers of Oblation and a 2-Year Memorial for the repose of her soul. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, JUNE 18 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God George and Rose Samman, Albert G. Wardi and Olga Wardi, and Wadia Zain. Memory eternal!
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Rose Abdallah (NYU Lutheran), 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).
APOSTLES FAST – Each year the “Apostles Fast” or the “Fast of Saints Peter and Paul” extends from the Monday following All Saints Sunday (June 12 this year) until the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul (June 29). Let’s use this short fast to pray for missions and missionaries at home and abroad who are striving to carry out Jesus’ Great Commission.
PARISH COUNCIL – The Parish Council will hold its monthly meeting tomorrow, June 12, at 7:30 PM.
LADIES OF ST. MARY’S - The Ladies of St. Mary’s will have their closing dinner of the season at Hunter’s Steakhouse, 9404 Fourth Avenue, on Thursday, June 15, at 6 PM. The cost is $55. Anyone who cannot afford the cost should see Fr. Michael in confidence. All ladies welcome! Please RSVP to Sandra Arida at (212) 535-1404 for reservations and more information.
OCMC – Our June pledge envelopes included a yellow envelope for the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC). Let’s support global Orthodox mission efforts with our contributions.
CONTINUING EDUCTION – Our “summer semester” of adult and continuing education will begin this Wednesday, June 14, at 7:00 PM. We will use the book Orthodox Christianity, Vol. 5: Sacraments and Other Rites as our text. Please see Lorraine Deeb at the parish bookstore to order a copy. If you cannot afford the cost, please see Fr. Michael in confidence. Remote access is available via https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87409509323?pwd=RXIzOVJIa3ZqdGpHU1N4UFFhNlBWZz09, Meeting ID: 874 0950 9323, Passcode: 985446.
SENIOR FELLOWSHIP – “Our Time,” the fellowship group at St. Mary’s for those over 50, will meet for the last time until September on Wednesday, June 21, from 1-3 PM. The group will continue to host pickleball on Tuesdays from 7-9 PM and tentatively on Thursdays if there is sufficient interest. Share your thoughts and ideas with Marilyn Tulaney at (718) 208-3616.
MIDNIGHT RUN – Deacon Farid will once again lead our teens and young people on the Midnight Run into Manhattan to feed, clothe, and encourage the homeless and immigrants. The group meets to prepare food at Holy Cross G.O. Church around 8 PM and usually leaves for the city around 9 PM.
MOVIE NIGHT – The combined Church School, PTO, and Teens will host Movie Night at the church on Saturday, June 17, after Great Vespers. Bring the whole family to view an inspiring movie along with popcorn and other snacks. Please see the flyer in this bulletin or Lara Rustom Al Laham for more information.
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.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Monday, June 12 Parish Council, 7:30 PM
Wednesday, June 14 Adult Education, 7:00 PM
Thursday, June 15 Ladies” Closing Dinner @ Hunter’s Steakhouse, 6:00 PM
Saturday, June 17 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM followed by Movie Night
Wednesday, June 21 “Our Time” Adult Fellowship, 1-3 PM
June 28 - July 2 Parish Life Conference @ Antiochian Village
July 23 – 30 Archdiocese Convention in Phoenix, AZ
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “Since our sweet Jesus is so good, compassionate, and kind, why should you despair? We seek one small thing from Him, and He gives us so much! We ask for one beam of light, and He gives us Himself as all Light, Truth, and Love. So humble yourself and rest all your hope in Him.”
- Elder Joseph the Hesychast
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America