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, January 28, 2024
Thirty-First Sunday after Pentecost
Tone 1 and Eothinon 1
Righteous Father Ephraim the Syrian
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 1
The stone being sealed by the Jews, and thy pure body being guarded by the soldiers, thou didst rise on the third day, O Saviour, granting life to the world. Wherefore, the heavenly powers acclaimed thee, O Giver of life, crying, glory to thy Resurrection, O Christ! Glory to thy kingdom! Glory to thy gracious providence, O thou only Lover of mankind.
Apolytikion of Saint Ephraim the Syrian – Tone 3
Out of Paradise, a river floweth, flooding all the earth with joy unending, cheering souls with compunction and saving fear: Ephraim, the wine bowl of gladness inspired of God, from all eternity chosen to light the Church with his sacred hymns, his sermons, his shining canticles, whereby he filleth faithful souls with godliness.
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 Presentation of Christ in the Temple – Tone 1
Thou, O Christ God, who by thy Birth, didst sanctify the Virgin’s womb, and, as is meet, didst bless Simeon’s arms, and didst also come to save us; preserve thy fold in wars, and confirm them whom thou didst love; for thou alone art the Lover of mankind.
Epistle – I Timothy 1:15-17 (Thirty-First 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.
TIMOTHY, my son, the saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. And I am the foremost of sinners; but I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience for an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory to the ages of ages. Amen.
Gospel – Luke 18:35-43 (Fourteenth Sunday of Luke)
AT THAT TIME, when Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging; and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” And he cried, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped, and commanded him to be brought to him; and when he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me receive my sight.” And Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.’ And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.
Next week’s homework: I Timothy 4:9-15 (32nd Sunday after Pentecost)
Luke 19:1-10 (Fifteenth Sunday of Luke)
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.
FASTING DISCIPLINE FOR JANUARY AND FEBRUARY– The traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish, wine, olive oil or their byproducts) is observed on all Wednesdays and Fridays in January.
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 – Donors are welcome for February and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
BLESSING OF HOMES – Please see the flyer in this bulletin to request a home blessing.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
JANUARY 28, 2024 – THIRTY-FIRST 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.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 28 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Katherine B. Cury, Siham Damalts and Yvonne Sahadi, Josephine Hadad, Marie Meena, Mitchell Merhige and Phillip Merhige, Edgar and Victoria Saadi, Suraya and Samuel Samaha, William Shamoun, and Gail Hall Zarr. Memory eternal!
Rimoun Abouasalie offers Prayers of Oblation and the Holy Bread for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Jamal Abouasalie. Memory eternal!
Alice Farkouh offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Katherine B. Cury. Memory eternal!
Edgar G. Saadi of Los Altos, CA, offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of his uncle, the servant of God Robert Sabbagh. Memory eternal!
Victor Sahama offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Suraya and Samuel Samaha. Memory eternal!
Nahla Bittar offers Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of the soul of her brother, the servant of God Nabil Bittar. A Coffee Hour in his memory will follow the Divine Liturgy. Memory eternal!
Marie and Tony Aflak of Mid-East Bakery offer the Holy Bread of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Nabil Bittar. Memory eternal!
The Ladies of St. Mary’s offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Nabil Bittar. Memory eternal!
The Family of Robert Mackoul offers Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of his soul. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Elaine Ateyeh, Lila Zayat Ara, Louis Assatly, Shamseh M. Dalack, Norman Alfred Galloway, and Violet Karkenny. Memory eternal!
Marc Galloway will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of his father, the servant of God Norman Alfred Galloway. Memory eternal!
Elias Hazem and Family will offer Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of the soul of his brother, the servant of God Issa Hazem. A Coffee Hour in his memory will follow the Divine Liturgy. Memory eternal!
COFFEE HOUR – Deacon Farid and Aline Farkouh will sponsor today’s Coffee Hour.
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Rouda Abboud (SI University), John Eyd (Jewish Home, Freehold), Nicholas Massab (Norwegian), Anthony Speer (Maimonides), Richard Zogob (SI University), Yvonne Allawh, Patti DeLuca, Alice Farkouh, George Khoury, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, Wade Saadi, Victoria Sleyman, Claudette Teen, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, and Rose Zrake (at home).
MEMORY ETERNAL! We are saddened to announce that our former Parish Council Secretary, the servant of God Charles Bryant, departed this life in the hope of the Resurrection on Thursday evening. We extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Marie (Nassr), their daughter Laura and James Wallace, and their grandsons Luke and Oliver. As of this writing, visitation details were not finalized.
FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION – We will celebrate a Vesperal Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Presentation of Christ on Thursday, February 1, at 7:00 PM. Communicants will begin the Eucharistic fast after an early and light lunch.
LADIES OF ST. MARY’S – The Ladies will hold their first meeting of the year next Sunday, February 4, following the Divine Liturgy. All women of the parish are welcome and encouraged to participate.
ANTIOCHIAN VILLAGE CAMP – The Antiochian Village will host Winter Camp for teens in grades 7-12 on February 16-19. Registration forms for campers and staff are available online at https://avcamp.org/programs/winter-camp/. Also, registration for Summer Camp has opened. Please open an account and register at www.avcamp.org. Scholarship assistance is available from the camp and from the parish.
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING – The Annual Parish Meeting will take place on Sunday, March 3, following the Divine Liturgy. Please submit your nominations for the Parish Council to Vice Chair Dianna Russo Kitchen after securing the nominee’s willingness to serve.
OUR TIME – Our (over 50) senior fellowship, “Our Time”, meets every other Wednesday, including Wednesday, January 31, from 1-3 PM. All are welcome. Please see Marilyn Tulaney for more information. In addition, Our Time sponsors Pickleball on Tuesday and Thursday from 7-9 PM.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Thursday, February 1 Vesperal Divine Liturgy - Feast of the Presentation, 7 PM
Saturday, February 3 Great Vespers, 5:00
Sunday, February 4 Ladies of St. Mary’s Meeting after services
Thursday, February 8 Pan-Orthodox High School Open House, 6:30 PM
Sunday, February 11 Super Bowl Watch Party, 5-10 PM
Sunday, March 3 Annual Parish Meeting
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “There is joy in heaven over those who are being saved, and Christ, like the father of the prodigal son, makes a feast for his rescued child.”
- St. Gregory of Nyssa