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, August 20, 2023
Eleventh Sunday after Holy Pentecost
Tone 2 and Eothinon 11
Leave-Taking of the Dormition of the Theotokos
Prophet Samuel
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 2
When thou, O immortal Life, didst humble thyself unto death, then didst thou destroy death by the brightness of thy Godhead; and when thou didst raise the bowels of the earth, then all the heavenly powers exclaimed, O Christ, thou art the Giver of life! Glory to thee, O our God!
Apolytikion of the Dormition of the Theotokos – Tone 1
In thy birth-giving, O Theotokos, thou didst keep and preserve virginity; and in thy falling-asleep thou hast not forsaken the world; for living thou wast translated, being the Mother of Life. Wherefore, by thine intercessions, deliver our souls from death.
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 Dormition of the Theotokos – Tone 2
Verily, the Theotokos, who is ever watchful in intercessions, who is never rejected, neither tomb nor death could control. But being the Mother of Life, he who dwelt in her ever-virgin womb did translate her to life.
Epistle – I Corinthians 9:2-12 (Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 117:14, 18. The Lord is my strength and my song.
Verse. The Lord has chastened me sorely.
BRETHREN, you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
This is my defense to those who would examine me. Do we not have the right to our food and drink? Do we not have the right to be accompanied by a wife, as the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Who tends a flock without getting some of the milk?
Do I say this on human authority? Does not the law say the same? For it is written in the law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of a share in the crop. If we have sown spiritual good among you, is it too much if we reap your material benefits? If others share this rightful claim upon you, do not we still more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.
Gospel – Matthew 18:23-35 (Eleventh Sunday of Matthew)
THE LORD SPOKE THIS PARABLE: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Lord, have patience with me, and I will pray you everything.’ And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and besought him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison till he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his lord delivered him to the jailers, till he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”
Next week’s homework: I Corinthians 15:1-11 (Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost)
Matthew 19:16-26 (Twelfth Sunday of Matthew)
HOLY BREAD – Donors are welcome for August and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
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.”
AUGUST 20, 2023 – LEAVE-TAKING OF THE FEAST OF THE DORMITION OF THE THEOTOKOS
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, AUGUST 20 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Nassif K. Arida, Raphael Arida, Laurice and Zakieh Deeb, Dr. Antoine Fernaine, Michael Gehshan, Gabriel Golam, Baheeya Jabara and William Nafash, Dr. Gabriel Jureidini, Irene Karkennny, Judith Kassatly, Rose Marie Sabah, Louise B. Savarese, Gladys Senior, and George S. Zarr, Sr. Memory eternal!
Maria and Rob Absey offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Gladys Senior. Memory eternal!
Sandra and Robert Coogan offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Louise B. Savarese. Memory eternal!
The Deeb Family offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Laurice and Alexander Deeb, Zakieh and Emile Deeb, and Mary and Nadim Antaky. Memory eternal!
Mrs. May Fernaine offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of her husband, the servant of God Dr. Antoine Fernaine. Memory eternal!
June Sabah offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Rose Marie Sabah. Memory eternal!
Linda Gehshan Salamy and daughters Danielle Morris and Janine Mansukhani offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Thomas, Janet, Michael, and Mary Gehshan, and Donald Farkouh. Memory eternal!
The Zarr Family offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul the servant of God, George S. Zarr, Sr., our beloved father. Memory Eternal!
The Family of Gabriel Golam offers Prayers of Oblation and a One-Year Memorial for the repose of his soul. Memory eternal!
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Robert Forcina (NYU Lutheran), Nicholas Massab (Norwegian), Rouda Abboud, Rose Abdallah, Yvonne Allawh, Diana Finger, George Khoury, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, Wade Saadi, Victoria Sleyman, Claudette Teen, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, and Rose Zrake (at home).
NEXT SUNDAY, AUGUST 27 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Helen Allison, Khouryee Alice Kerbaway Dalack, Linda S. Fauty, Gabriel Maloof, Agnes Hamwi, and, Watfa Richeh. Memory eternal!
The Family of Claudette Hadad will offer Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of her soul. Memory eternal!
FASTING DISCIPLINE FOR AUGUST – On Tuesday, August 29, we remember the Beheading of St. John the Baptist with the traditional fasting discipline.
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 are currently looking for 22 more sponsors. 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!
SAINTS AND SINNERS GOLF AND TENNIS OUTING – The annual Saints and Sinners Golf and Tennis Outing will take place on Monday, September 18. Please support this major event generously 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 Samra, Jr. Memorial Award. See Daria Mayrose for more information.
ESTATE PLANNING – August is National Make-a-Will Month (MAWM). As Christians, our ultimate security in life comes from God and the truth revealed in His word; however, that does not mean we play a passive role in preparing for the future. We are called to be diligent stewards of the time and resources God entrusts to us. Creating a will and estate plan allows us to communicate important financial and healthcare decisions, helping to prepare for whatever the future may hold. A will allows us to provide for our loved ones and steward all the resources God has given us. By including a legacy gift in our wills, we can sustain the ministry of St. Mary’s Church for future generations.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Thursday, September 7 Great Vespers with Artoklasia, 7 PM
Friday, September 8 Festal Orthros, 9:30, Divine Liturgy, 10:30 AM
Monday, September 18 Saints and Sinners Golf and Tennis Outing
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
FROM THE FATHERS – “Beloved Christians, you and your children shall appear at the Judgment of Christ, and you shall give account for them to the just Judge. He will not ask you whether you have taught your children the arts or whether you have taught them to speak French, or German, or Italian, but whether you have taught them to live as Christians ”
- St. Tikhon of Zadonsk
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America