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 6, 2023
The Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ
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.
Second Antiphon
Save us, O Son of God, Who wast transfigured on Mount Tabor, who sing to Thee. Alleluia.
Eisodikon (Entrance Hymn)
For in Thee is the fountain of life, and in Thy light shall we see light. Save us, O Son of God, Who wast transfigured on Mount Tabor, who sing to Thee. Alleluia.
Apolytikion of the Transfiguration – Tone 7
When, O Christ our God, thou was transfigured on the mountain, thou didst reveal thy glory to thy Disciples in proportion as they could bear it. Let thine everlasting light also enlighten us sinners, through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O thou Bestower of light, glory to thee.
Kontakion of the Transfiguration – Tone 7
Thou wast transfigured on the mount, and thy Disciples, in so far as they were able, beheld thy glory, O Christ our God: so that, when they should see thee crucified, they would remember that thy suffering was voluntary, and could declare to all the world that thou art truly the effulgent Splendour of the Father.
Epistle – II Peter 1:10-19 (Holy Transfiguration)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 103.24, 1. O Lord, how magnificent are your works.
Verse. Bless the Lord, O my soul.
BRETHREN, be more zealous to confirm your call and election, for if you do this you will never fall; so there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Therefore I intend always to remind you of these things, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to arouse you by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. And I will see to it that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.
For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” we heard this voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have the prophetic word made more sure. You will do well to pay attention to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
Gospel – Matthew 17:1-9 (Transfiguration of Christ)
AT THAT TIME, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain apart. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his garments became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is well that we are here; if you wish, I will make three booths here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He was still speaking, when lo, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces, and were filled with awe. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.
And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of man is raised from the dead.”
Next week’s homework: I Corinthians 4:9-16 (Tenth Sunday after Pentecost)
Matthew 17:14-23 (Tenth 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 6, 2023 – TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
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 6 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Peter and Victoria Boragi, William B. Cury, Alex N. Kalaf, Sr., George J. Kalesh, Victoria Katen, Selma Klele, Salwa Khoury, Itidal Makdissi, LouLou Malouf, Margaret Razook, and Victor Samra, Sr. Memory eternal!
Deacon Farid and Aline Farkouh offer Prayers of Oblation and the Holy Bread for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Loulou Malouf. 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. Memory eternal!
Susan Nelson offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of her mother, the handmaiden of God Salway Khoury. Memory eternal!
George Trisciuzzi offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Margaret Heckler. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, AUGUST 13 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Thuraya Abualehawareb, Stephanie Bittar, Lorice Grasso, Lillian and Leon Hattab, Robert Karkenny, Braheim Merhige, Laya Nehme, Baseem and Valentine Trabulsi, Alex Zagby, and Laila Zamlout. Memory eternal!
Caroline Grasso will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of her mother, the handmaiden of God Lorice Grasso. Memory eternal!
Leila and Raymond Trabulsi will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Lillian and Leon Hattab and Baseem and Valentine Trabulsi. 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).
FASTING DISCIPLINE FOR AUGUST – The Dormition Fast for the Dormition of the Theotokos began on Tuesday, August 1, and continues until the feast on August 15. The traditional fasting discipline during this period is no meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish, wine, olive oil and their by-products except for Saturdays and Sundays when wine and olive oil are allowed. On the Feast of the Transfiguration (today) fish, wine, and olive oil are allowed. On Tuesday, August 29, we remember the Beheading of St. John the Baptist with the traditional fasting discipline.
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.
PARAKLESIS TO THE THEOTOKOS – During the Dormition Fast it is customary to pray a service of supplication to the Mother of God on behalf of the living. We will celebrate the Paraklesis to the Theotokos on Tuesday, August 8, and Thursday, August 10, at 7 PM. Please give the names of the living for whom you want to pray to Fr. Michael.
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!
SAINTS AND SINNERS GOLF AND TENNIS OUTING – The invitations to the annual Saints and Sinners Golf and Tennis Outing on Monday, September 18, went out in July. Please respond generously to this major event as we have large capital expenditures happening this year. See Daria Mayrose for more information.
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.
DATES TO REMEMBER
August 1-14 Dormition Fast
Sunday, August 6 Feast of the Transfiguration
Tuesday, August 8 Paraklesis to the Theotokos, 7 PM
Thursday, August 10 Paraklesis to the Theotokos, 7 PM
Monday, August 14 Evening Divine Liturgy for the Dormition, 7:00 PM
Tuesday, August 15 Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos
Tuesday, August 29 Beheading of St. John the Baptist
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.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
FROM THE FATHERS – “Lift up the eyes of your mind to the light of the Gospel of Transfiguration, that you yourself might be transfigured as your spiritual intellect is made new. If this happens, you will draw down divine rays from on high and will be conformed to the image of the glory of the Lord, whose face shone on the mountain as radiant as the sun.”
- St. Gregory Palamas
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America