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 11, 2024
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
Tone 6 and Eothinon 7
After-Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 6
When Mary stood at thy grave looking for thy sacred body, angelic powers shone above thy revered tomb, and the soldiers who were to keep guard became as dead men. Thou led hades captive and wast not tempted thereby. Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst give life to the world; O thou that art risen from the dead! O Lord, glory to thee.
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.
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 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 – Romans 15:1-7 (Seventh 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.
BRETHREN, we who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves; let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to edify him. For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached thee fell on me.” For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
Gospel – Matthew 9:27-35 (Seventh Sunday of Matthew)
AT THAT TIME, when Jesus was passing by, two blind men followed him, crying aloud and saying, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” Then Jesus touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly charged them, “See that no one knows it.” But they went away and spread his fame through all that district.
As they were going away, behold, a dumb demoniac was brought to Jesus. And when the demon had been cast out, the dumb man spoke; and the crowds marveled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.” But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.”
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity of the people.
Next week’s homework: I Corinthians 1:10-17 (Eighth Sunday after Pentecost)
Matthew 14:14-22 (Eighth Sunday of Matthew)
HOLY BREAD – The Arnuk and Spolar Families offer the Holy Bread of Oblation for the month of August in loving memory of the servant of God Dr. Issam Arnuk. Memory eternal! James Harris offers the Holy Bread of Oblation in loving memory of his sister, the handmaiden of God Barbra Ann Harris. Memory eternal! The Zarr Family offers the Holy Bread of Oblation for the month of August in loving memory of their parents Marie George and Zarr. Memory Eternal! Additional 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.”
FEAST OF THE DORMITION OF THE THEOTOKOS – The Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos is Thursday, August 15. We will celebrate Festal Orthros at 9:30 and the Divine Liturgy at 10:30 AM. We will share Great Vespers for the feast at Kimisis Greek Orthodox Church at 7 PM on Wednesday.
AUGUST 11, 2024 – SEVENTH 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.
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, AUGUST 11 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Stephanie Bittar, Agnes Hamwi, George J. Kalesh, Robert Karkenny, Salwa Khoury, Itidal Makdissi, Gabriel Maloof, LouLou Malouf, and Margaret Razook. Memory eternal!
Susan Nelson offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Salwa Khoury. Memory eternal!
The Farkouh and Malouf Families offer Prayers of Oblation and the Holy Bread in loving memory of Loulou and George Malouf. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, AUGUST 18 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Thuraya Abualehawareb, Gabriel Golam, Lorice Grasso, Braheim Merhige, Laya Nehme, Alex Zagby, and Laila Zamlout. Memory eternal!
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Howard Samara (Upper East Side Rehab), Rouda Abboud, Yvonne Allawh, Patti DeLuca, Anita Eyd, Alice Farkouh, George Khoury, Joseph Khouri, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, Wade Saadi, Victoria Sleyman, and Rose Zrake (at home).
FASTING DISCIPLINE FOR AUGUST – The Dormition Fast for the Dormition of the Theotokos began on Thursday, 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 Thursday, August 29, we remember the Beheading of St. John the Baptist with the traditional fasting discipline.
MEMORY ETERNAL! We are deeply saddened to announce that the servant of God Nicholas Massab departed this life in the hope of the Resurrection on Tuesday, August 6. His family will receive visitors at McLaughlin Funeral Home on Tuesday from 2-5 and 7-9 PM, and his funeral will be here at St. Mary’s Church on Wednesday at 10 AM. We extend our sympathies to his sister Gabrielle and brother Ronald as well as to his extended family. Memory eternal!
PARISH COUNCIL – The Parish Council will meet tomorrow, August 12, at 7:00 PM
SUMMER SEMESTER –We will conclude our online class this Tuesday, August 13, at 7 PM. The Zoom 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. If you cannot afford the price of the book, please see Fr. Michael in confidence. This week we will review chapter 6.
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. Invitations went out this week. Please let us know if you did not receive one.
BACKPACK PROJECT – Teen SOYO will assemble the backpacks and supplies for their service project following the Divine Liturgy. We still need a couple of sponsors at $25 per backpack. The Teens thank you for supporting their community outreach project in cooperation with FOCUS!
ESTATE PLANNING – After we have made financial provision for our children, grandchildren, and godchildren, could we not make provision for their spiritual wellbeing as well by leaving something in our estate plan for the church and its youth ministry?
DATES TO REMEMBER
August 1-14 Dormition Fast
Monday, August 12 Parish Council, 7:00 PM
Tuesday, August 13 Summer Semester Class, online, 7 PM
Wednesday, August 14 Great Vespers @ Kimisis G.O. Church, 7 PM
Thursday, August 15 Festal Orthros, 9:30 and Divine Liturgy, 10:30 AM
Friday, August 16 Family Night, 7-9 PM
Saturday, September 7 Great Vespers, 5 PM
Sunday, September 8 Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos
Wednesday, September 18 “Our Time” Senior Fellowship, 1-3 PM
Saturday, September 21 Fall Hafli
Monday, September 30 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 – “Beloved Christians, you and your children shall appear at that Judgment of Christ, and you shall give account for them to the just Judge. He will not ask whether you have taught the children the arts or whether you have taught them to speak French, or German, or Italian, but whether you have taught them to live as Christians.”
- St. Tikhon of Zadonsk
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America