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, October 1, 2023
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
Tone 8 and Eothinon 6
Apostle Ananias of the Seventy, First Bishop of Damascus and
Righteous Father Romanos the Melodist
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 Apostle Ananias – Tone 3
O holy Apostle Ananias, intercede with our merciful God to grant our souls forgiveness of sins.
Apolytikion of St. Romanos – Tone 8
Through thee, the divine likeness was securely preserved, O father Romanos; for thou didst carry the cross and follow Christ. By example and precept thou didst teach us to ignore the body, because it is perishable, and to attend to the concerns of the undying soul. Therefore, doth thy soul rejoice with the angels.
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 Corinthians 6:16-7:1 (Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost)
Prokeimenon. Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse. God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.
BRETHREN, we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will live in them and move among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore come out from them, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch nothing unclean; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, and make holiness perfect in the fear of God.
Gospel – Luke 6:31-36 (Second Sunday of Luke)
THE LORD SAID, “As you wish that men would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”
Next week’s homework: II Corinthians 9:6-11 (Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost)
Luke 7:11-16 (Third Sunday of Luke)
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.”
HOLY BREAD – Linda and George Salamy have made a donation for the balance of the year. Additional donors are welcome for October and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
FASTING DISCIPLINE FOR OCTOBER – We observe the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish, wine, olive oil, and their by-products) on Wednesdays and Fridays.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
OCTOBER 1, 2023 – SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
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, OCTOBER 1 - We 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, and Edna and Philip Zrike. Memory eternal!
Rafat Kaba offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God George Kadour. Memory eternal!
The Kaba Family offers 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!
Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon Kaufman offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Dorothy Howie. Memory eternal!
Catherine Lutfy offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Bernice Wardi Lutfy. Memory eternal!
George Trisciuzzi offers Prayers of Oblation for the health of the servant of God Joseph Schechla. Many years!
NEXT SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Doris Farkouh Creidy, Zahaya Dahab, Janet M. Gehshan, John G. Golam, Margaret Mackoul, Helen Orfaly, Rose Rowady, Edith and Mitchell A. Tadross, Samia, Fareed, George, Hazel Khoury, Angel Folsey, and Michael Zarouni. Memory eternal!
Alice Carolyn Furer will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Victoria Fiani Dib. Memory eternal!
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).
GREAT VESPERS - There will be no Great Vespers this Saturday, October 7, at St. Mary’s Church.
SAINTS AND SINNERS GOLF AND TENNIS OUTING – Due to inclement weather the Golf and Tennis Outing scheduled for September 18 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.
BIBLE STUDY – We will begin a study of the Book of Romans on Wednesday, October 4, 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.
THEOLOGICAL OFFERING – Our October pledge envelopes included a green envelope marked “Theological Offering.” This account is one of the three mandatory “trays” we collect each year for the Antiochian Archdiocese and supports our seminaries in North America. Our minimum contribution as a parish is $500. Our faithful can either drop their envelope in the collection tray on Sundays or return it to the church office. If you are not receiving pledge envelopes, please inform the church office so that we can add you to our list of supporters. Thank you for your generous support of our seminaries.
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
RADIO BINGO – The Young Adult Fellowship will sponsor an evening of Radio Bingo on Saturday, October 28, following Great Vespers. Although the Young Adults are sponsoring this event, everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate. Please see the flyer in this bulletin, or contact Amanda Alexander Rich 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.
ESTATE PLANNING – Have I made a provision in my will or estate plan for St. Mary’s Church?
DATES TO REMEMBER
Wednesday, October 4 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
Wednesday, October 11 “Our Time” Adult Fellowship, 1-3 PM
Friday, October 13 St. Julien Discussion Group, 7:30 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 – “And behold, I am with you always to the end of the age. Amen.”
- Matthew 28:20
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America