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, July 23, 2023
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
Tone 6 and Eothinon 7
Hieromartyr Phocas, Bishop of Sinope
Today’s Hymns and Readings
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.
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 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 Theotokos – Tone 2
O undisputed intercessor of Christians, the mediatrix unrejected by the Creator, turn not away from the voice of our petitions, though we be sinners. Come to us in time, who cry to thee in faith, with assistance; for thou art good. Hasten to us with intercessions, O Theotokos, who dost ever intercede for those who honour thee.
Epistle – Romans 15:1-7 (Seventh Sunday after Pentecost)
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, we who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves; let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to edify him. For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached thee fell on me.” For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
Gospel – Matthew 9:27-35 (Seventh Sunday of Matthew)
AT THAT TIME, when Jesus was passing by, two blind men followed him, crying aloud and saying, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” Then Jesus touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly charged them, “See that no one knows it.” But they went away and spread his fame through all that district.
As they were going away, behold, a dumb demoniac was brought to Jesus. And when the demon had been cast out, the dumb man spoke; and the crowds marveled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.” But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.”
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity of the people.
Next week’s homework: I Corinthians 1:10-17 (Eighth Sunday after Pentecost)
Matthew 14:14-22 (Eighth Sunday of Matthew)
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.”
ANTIDORON – After receiving Holy Communion and at the end of the Divine Liturgy, it is customary to receive a piece of blessed bread or antidoron, the bread that remains after the preparation of the Holy Communion. While antidoron is not Holy Communion, it is blessed, and as such should be eaten carefully so that crumbs do not fall. Both adults and children should always remember to treat and consume the antidoron with respect.
HOLY BREAD – Donors are welcome for July 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.
JULY 23, 2023 – SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
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.
Both Fr. Michael and Fr. Thomas Zain will attend the Archdiocese Convention in Phoenix, AZ, from Monday through Sunday this week. In the event of a pastoral emergency, please Call Deacon Farid Farkouh at (347) 524-7708. Next Sunday, July 30, Deacon Farid will preside at the Typica Service with Holy Communion. Reader’s Orthros will begin at 9:30, and the Typica will begin at 10:30.
SUNDAY, JULY 23 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Dewey and Rose Awad, Khourieh Rose Khoury, Georgette and John Shahood, and Laurice Swaya. Memory eternal!
Roberta and Albert Khoury offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Khourieh Rose Khoury. Memory eternal!
Razan Al-Khouri Maalouf and Family offer Prayers of Oblation and the Holy Bread for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Rezkallah Alkhoury of Grove City, OH. Memory eternal!
Diane Nassoor Zamaria offers Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of the soul of her husband, the servant of God Dr. Samir Zamaria, who departed this life in Maryland. A Coffee Hour in his memory will follow the Divine Liturgy. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, JULY 30 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Kenneth Jabara, Lily Lang, and George Sabbagh. Memory eternal!
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Nicholas Massab (Norwegian), Rouda Abboud, Rose Abdallah, Yvonne Allawh, Diana Finger, Robert Forcina, George Khoury, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, Wade Saadi, Victoria Sleyman, Claudette Teen, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, and Rose Zrake (at home).
SAINTS AND SINNERS GOLF AND TENNIS OUTING – The invitations to the annual Saints and Sinners Golf and Tennis Outing on Monday, September 18, will go out this week. Please respond generously to this major event as we have large capital expenditures happening this year. Even if you cannot attend, please consider a sponsorship in the journal. This year we are honoring Sam Kaiami with the Lifetime Achievement Award and Marie Louise Tashji with the Victor Samara Memorial Award. See Daria Mayrose for more information.
56th ANTIOCHIAN ARCHDIOCESE CONVENTION, Phoenix, AZ – Sunday, July 23, 2023-Sunday, July 30, 2023 – Hosted by St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Phoenix, AZ, at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort and Spa.
BACKPACK PROJECT – Teen SOYO will once again volunteer to assemble 48 backpacks for underprivileged students in District 20 of the NYC Department of Education in cooperation with FOCUS. The Teens are asking for a donation of $30 to cover the cost of the backpack and supplies. We plan to assemble the backpacks and deliver them to the school in August. Angela Athineos will coordinate the assembly of the backpacks when she returns from Greece. Please make checks payable to St. Mary’s Church with “backpacks” in the memo line. The Teens thank you for supporting their community outreach project!
ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN PRISON MINISTRY – Next Sunday, July 30, is Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry Sunday as established by the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States. Please see the flyer in this bulletin for a summary of what this ministry does. To support this ministry, make your check payable to St. Mary’s Church with “OCPM” in the memo line.
AIR CONDITIONING – We will set the A/C at a comfortable temperature, but if you feel the need, please remember to bring a sweater. We cannot adjust the temperature for individual needs.
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 – Planning for the future and creating the legacy you wish to leave is one of the most effective ways to ensure a lasting impact and to attest to your spiritual priorities. Making a gift in your will or living trust, known as a bequest, to St. Mary’s Church can guarantee that your legacy endures through generations. Your gift may be a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate or the remainder after all other provisions are specified. Invest in your grandchildren, support Christ’s Church, and bear witness to the faith through your will or estate plan.
DATES TO REMEMBER
July 23 – 30 Archdiocese Convention in Phoenix, AZ
Sunday, July 30 Prison Ministry Awareness Sunday
August 1-14 Dormition Fast
Sunday, August 6 Feast of the Transfiguration
Monday, August 14 Evening Divine Liturgy for the Dormition, 7:00 PM
Tuesday, August 15 Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos
Friday, September 8 Nativity of the Theotokos
Monday, September 18 Saints and Sinners Golf and Tennis Outing
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – A good man does not sell his inner freedom for money, even if he happens to be offered a huge sum. For things belonging to this life are like a dream, and the fantasies of wealth are uncertain and short-lived.”
- St. Anthony the Great
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America