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, September 24, 2023
Proto-Martyr Thekla, Equal-to-the-Apostles
Tone 7 and Eothinon 5
Venerable Silouan of Athos
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 7
Thou didst shatter death by thy Cross. Thou didst open paradise to the thief. Thou didst turn the mourning of the ointment-bearing women into joy, and didst bid thine Apostles proclaim a warning that thou hast risen, O Christ, granting to the world thy Great Mercy.
Apolytikion of St. Thekla – Tone 3
O glorious Thekla, companion of Paul the divine, thou wast enflamed with the love of thy Creator, by the teaching of the divine preacher. Thou didst despise the passing earthly pleasures, and offered thyself to God as an acceptable and pleasing sacrifice, disregarding all suffering. Intercede with Christ thy Groom to grant us His Great Mercy.
Apolytikion of St. Silouan the Athonite – Tone 4
By prayer thou didst receive Christ as thy teacher in the way of humility, and the Spirit bore witness to salvation in thy heart. Wherefore, all peoples called unto hope rejoice in this day of thy memorial, O sacred Father Silouan. Pray unto Christ our God for the salvation of our souls.
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 – II Timothy 3:10-15 (Great Martyr Thekla, Equal-to-the-Apostles)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 67.35, 26. God is wonderful among his saints.
Verse. Bless God in the congregations.
TIMOTHY, my son, you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, my sufferings, what befell me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra, what persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and imposters will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
Gospel – Luke 5:1-11 (First Sunday of Luke)
AT THAT TIME, Jesus was standing by the lake of Gennesaret. And he saw two boats by the lake; but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, Jesus asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when Jesus had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a great shoal of fish; and as their nets were breaking, they beckoned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men.” And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.
Next week’s homework: II Timothy 3:10-15 (Protomartyr Thekla)
Luke 5:1-11 (First Sunday of Luke)
HOLY BREAD – Roland Salloum and Wanda Salloum offer the Holy Bread of Oblation for the month of September for the repose of the soul of their brother, the servant of God Oscar Salloum and all the departed members of the Salloum Family. Memory eternal! Additional donors are welcome for October and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
SEPTEMBER 24, 2023 – PROTO-MARTYR THEKLA, EQUAL-TO-THE-APOSTLES
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, SEPTEMBER 24 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Lorraine Assatly, Victoria F. Dib, Ghassan Fattouh, Avjon Golam and Dimitry Golam, George Haddad, Werda Hadad, Emileen Hanna, Stephen Paul James, Eleanor Kalesh, Alexander Khoury, George K. Moore, Addie, Mary Alice, Alfred Nahas, Edmund Nahas, Adrienne Poulakakos, Barbara Salamy, Very Rev. Fr. Paul W.S. Schneirla, Shirley Schneirla, William Sutfin Schneirla Jr., and Donald O. Page. Memory eternal!
The Family of George Kadour offers Prayers of Oblation and a 6-Month Memorial for the repose of his soul. Memory eternal!
Dr. Shadi Badin and Mrs. Oula Sayig offer Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of the soul of Oula’s father, Nafez Sayegh, who departed this life in Syria. A Coffee Hour in his memory will follow the Divine Liturgy. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Dorothy Howie, Gary Kassatly, Bernice Wardi Lutfy, Edmund Shawah, Edward, Ronald, Valerie, and Victoria Tadross, Herbert Trabulsi, Fred Zahka, Antoun Zgheib, Philip and Edna Zrike. Memory eternal!
The Kaba Family will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God George Kadour. They will sponsor a Coffee Hour in his memory after the Divine Liturgy. Memory eternal!
Catherine Lutfy will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Bernice Wardi Lutfy. Memory eternal!
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.”
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Nicholas Massab (Norwegian), Rouda Abboud, 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).
LADIES OF ST. MARY’S - The Ladies of St. Mary’s will have their first meeting of the new ecclesiastical year today after Divine Liturgy. All ladies welcome and invited to attend!
SAINTS AND SINNERS GOLF AND TENNIS OUTING – Due to inclement weather the Golf and Tennis Outing scheduled for last Monday was postponed until Monday, October 30. This postponement enables us to accept additional dinner reservations and sponsorship donations. Please see Daria Mayrose for more information.
OUR TIME FELLOWSHIP – Our “senior” fellowship, “Our Time,” will meet on Wednesday, September 27, from 1-3 PM. Please see Marilyn Tulaney for more information.
TEEN RETREAT – On Saturday, October 7, our Teen SOYO will host a Teen Retreat at St. Vladimir’s Seminary in Yonkers, NY, on behalf of the Eastern Dioceses. Please see Teen Advisors Dianna Kitchen, Angela Athineos, or Amanda Regnier
BIBLE STUDY – We will begin a study of the Book of Romans on Wednesday, October 3, at 7:30 PM. This book will be the subject of this year’s Bible Bowl at the Parish Life Conference. Both teens and adults are encouraged to attend. Bring your Orthodox Study Bibles.
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 – Lord, should I leave 1% of my estate to Your Holy Church?
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Sunday, September 24 Ladies of St. Mary’s Meeting
William Bittar Baptism, 1:30 PM
Wednesday, September 27 “Our Time” Adult Fellowship, 1-3 PM
Saturday, September 30 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Wednesday, October 3 Bible Study, 7:30 PM
Friday, October 6 Family Game Night, 7-9 PM
Saturday, October 7 Teen Retreat @ St. Vladimir’s Seminary
No Great Vespers
Monday, October 9 Parish Council, 7:00 PM
Saturday, October 14 Fall Hafli
Saturday, October 28 Young Adult Fellowship Radio Bingo
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.”
- Psalm 91:11
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America