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, July 14, 2024
Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the Fourth Ecumenical Council
Tone 2 and Eothinon 3
Apostle Aquila of the Seventy
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 Holy Fathers – Tone 8
Thou, O Christ, art our God of exceeding praise who didst establish our holy Fathers as luminous stars upon earth, and through them didst guide us unto the true Faith, O most merciful One, glory to thee.
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 – Titus 3:8-15 (Holy Fathers)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 31.11, 1. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous.
Verse. Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven.
TITUS, my son, the saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men. But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are unprofitable and futile. As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or twice, knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned.
When I send Artemas or Tychicos to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful.
All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith.
Grace be with you all. Amen.
Gospel – Matthew 5:14-19 (Holy Fathers)
THE LORD SAID to his disciples, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
“Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
HOLY BREAD – The Arnuk and Spolar Families offer the Holy Bread of Oblation for the months of July and August in loving memory of the servant of God Dr. Issam Arnuk. Memory eternal! Additional donors are welcome for July 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.”
Next week’s homework: Romans 6:18-23 (Fourth Sunday after Pentecost)
Matthew 8:5-13 (Fourth Sunday of Matthew)
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
JULY 14, 2024 – SUNDAY OF THE HOLY FATHERS OF THE FOURTH ECUMENICAL COUNCIL
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.
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.
TODAY, JULY 14 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Mary Farkouh, Amelia Khoury, Victor Makhoul, John Molfino, Edmund Saleeby, and Bassem Sukkarieh. Memory eternal!
The Farkouh Family offers Prayers of Oblation and the Holy Bread for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Mary and Ray Farkouh. Memory eternal!
Joey and Gareth Ganim offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of Joey’s brother, the servant of God John Molfino. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, JULY 21 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Donald Abraham Ballan, Very Reverend Father Wakeem Dalack, Victor Farkouh, Gloria Saba Galloway, Joseph Imtanios, Josephine A. Khoury, Eissa Makarious Laham, Edmund Nahas, Marguerite Sabah, William Anthony Soued, Laurice Swaya, and George Zrake. Memory eternal!
Patricia Ballan will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Donald Abraham Ballan. Memory eternal!
Marc Galloway will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of his mother, the handmaiden of God Gloria Saba Galloway. Memory eternal!
Dr. Firas and Teeba Marsheh will offer Prayers of Oblation, the Holy Bread, and a One-Year Memorial for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Fouad Marsheh. Memory eternal!
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Nicholas Massab (Norwegian), Howard Samara (Upper East Side Rehab), Rouda Abboud, Yvonne Allawh, Patti DeLuca, Anita Eyd, Alice Farkouh, George Khoury, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, Wade Saadi, Victoria Sleyman, and Rose Zrake (at home).
SUMMER PLEDGES – As many members take their summer vacations, we ask everyone to maintain their pledge commitments as the summer months tend to be a little lean.
SAINTS AND SINNERS GOLF AND TENNIS OUTING – The next edition of the Saints and Sinners Golf and Tennis Outing will take place on Monday, September 30, at the Hempstead Country Club. This year we will honor Dr. John and Denise Alexander with the parish’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and we will remember Yvonne and Albert Absey with the Victor Samra, Jr. Memorial Award. Mark your calendar, and details will appear early this summer.
SUMMER SEMESTER – Our continuing education class for adults will meet exclusively on-line on most Tuesdays of July and August at 7:00 PM. The link is:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81008521083?pwd=QUEyZm8wdmc4aUxTdTdOMzVPN2lRUT09.
Our text will be Orthodox Christianity, Vol. 5: Sacraments and Other Rites by Metropolitan HILARION (Alfeyev). Please purchase a copy of the book at the parish bookstore. We will order them at a discount from St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press. If you cannot afford the price of the book, please see Fr. Michael in confidence. This week we will review chapter 3.
BACKPACK PROJECT – Teen SOYO will once again sponsor 48 backpacks for underprivileged students in District 20 of the NYC Department of Education in cooperation with FOCUS. We welcome donations of $25/backpack. Our total commitment is $1200. Please make checks payable to St. Mary’s Church with “Backpack” in the memo line. The Teens thank you for supporting their community outreach project!
DABKE CLASS – Lynn Rose Salim offers a Dabke Class on Wednesdays at 7 PM here in our social hall. Contact Lynn at (917) 227-1651 or lynnrose2000@hotmail.com for more information.
FAMILY NIGHT –Our next gathering will be on Friday, July 19, at 7:00 PM. All are welcome!
ON-LINE GIVING – St. Mary's Church 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 – “Summertime and the living is easy!” While things are slow and relatively quiet, July would be an excellent time to review our estate plans and to provide something for St. Mary’s Church in our wills for the sake of future generations!
DATES TO REMEMBER
Tuesday, July 16 Summer Semester Class, 7-8 PM online
Wednesday, July 17 Dabke Class, 7 PM
Friday, July 19 Family Night, 7-9 PM
July 22-26 Clergy Symposium at Antiochian Village
August 1-14 Dormition Fast
Tuesday, August 6 Festal Orthros, 9:30 and Divine Liturgy, 10:30 AM
Thursday, August 15 Festal Orthros, 9:30 and Divine Liturgy, 10:30 AM
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “Descend into your heart, and in it you will find the ladder which leads to the Kingdom of God.”
- St. Isaac the Syrian