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 15, 2024
Sunday after the Elevation of the Holy Cross
Tone 3 and Eothinon 1
Great-Martyr Nikitas the Goth and Those with Him
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 3
Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad; for the Lord hath done a mighty act with his own arm. He hath trampled down death and become the First-born from the dead. He hath delivered us from the depth of hades, granting the world the Great Mercy.
Apolytikion of the Holy Cross – Tone 1
O Lord, save thy people and bless thine inheritance, granting our believing kings victory over the Barbarians, and by the power of thy Cross preserving thy commonwealth.
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 Holy Cross – Tone 4
Do thou, who of thine own good will wast elevated upon the Cross, bestow thy bounties upon the new people, which is called by thy Name, O Christ our God; make glad with thy might our believing kings, granting them victory over their adversaries. May thine aid be a panoply of peace, a trophy invincible.
Epistle – Galatians 2:16-20 (The Sunday after the Elevation of the Precious Cross)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 103.24, 1. O Lord, how magnificent are your works. You have made all things in wisdom.
Verse. Bless the Lord, O my soul.
BRETHREN, you know that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again those things which I tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Gospel – Mark 8:34-9:1 (The Sunday after the Elevation of the Precious Cross)
THE LORD SAID, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Kingdom of God come with power.”
Next week’s homework: I Corinthians 16:13-24 (13th Sunday after Pentecost)
Luke 5:1-11 (First Sunday of Luke)
HOLY BREAD – Roland Salloum and Wanda Salloum sponsor the Holy Bread for the month of September for the repose of the souls of Wadih Salloum and all their departed family members. Memory eternal! Additional donors are welcome for September and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
FASTING DISCIPLINE FOR SEPTEMBER – We observe the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish, wine, olive oil, and their by-products) on Wednesdays and Fridays.
FLOWERS FOR THE HOLY CROSS – Donors are welcome for today’s procession with the precious and life-giving Cross. Please make your check payable to St. Mary’s Church with “flowers” in the memo line.
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.”
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
SEPTEMBER 15, 2024 – SUNDAY AFTER THE ELEVATION OF THE HOLY CROSS
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.
TODAY, SEPTEMBER 15 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Elizabeth Ganim Cohen, George Fauty, Victor Hamaty, Emileen Hanna, Katherine and Wilfred Jabara, Stephen Paul James, Alexander Orfaly, Wajieha Sabbagh, and Edward M. Traboulsi. Memory eternal!
Diane Zamaria offers the Holy Bread and Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Dr. Salem Al Naber as well as for the health of his wife Mary and their children Jennifer, Ibrahim, Thomas and their families.
NEXT SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Avjon Golam and Dimitry Golam, Werda Hadad, George Haddad, Eleanor Kalesh, George K. Moore, Very Rev. Fr. W. P. S. Schneirla, Shirley Schneirla, William Sutfin Schneirla Jr., and Donald O. Page, and Edward, Ronald, Valerie and Victoria Tadross. Memory eternal!
Brenda Sabbagh will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Eleanor Kalesh. Memory eternal!
Gloria Jabara and Family will offer Prayers of Oblation and a 2-Year Memorial for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Kenneth Jabara. A Coffee Hour in his memory will follow the Divine Liturgy. Memory eternal!
Our Parish Family will offer Prayers of Oblation and a 10-Year Memorial for the repose of the soul of our beloved former pastor, Very Rev. Fr. Paul W.S. Schneirla. Memory eternal!
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Diana Finger (Meadowbrook, Freeport), David Steurer (Mt. Sinai), 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).
SPECIAL ADULT EDUCATION CLASS – During September we are offering a 3-week class as an introduction to the Orthodox Church for the non-Orthodox spouses of Orthodox parishioners. No commitment to join the Church is required. We are planning two more one-hour sessions on Wednesdays September 18 and 25. These classes will be on line at 7 PM using the link https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81008521083?pwd=QUEyZm8wdmc4aUxTdTdOMzVPN2lRUT09. Orthodox spouses are also welcome!
CHURCH SCHOOL REGISTRATION – Church School Superintendent Lorraine Deeb has posted a registration form on the bulletin board, and she has placed additional forms at the bengari. Classes for students 4-19 will resume today following the procession with the Holy Cross.
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. Pre-sales for 50/50 Raffle tickets for this event will begin today. Please see Sonia Abounaoum, Sam Maalouf or Anthony Zrake at the Coffee Hour. Everyone should do something!
DABKE CLASS – Lynn Rose Saleem has resumed Dabke Class at 7 PM on Wednesdays. More information will follow in the weeks ahead.
MIDNIGHT RUN – On the third Friday of each month Deacon Farid leads a group of volunteers on the Midnight Run to help feed and clothe the homeless and immigrant communities in Manhattan in cooperation with Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church. Please see Deacon Farid to volunteer.
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 – Why should I include St. Mary’s Church in my will or estate plan? In order to assure that my children and grandchildren will have a place to worship God, to baptize their children, to get married, to bury their dead, and to share the fellowship of fellow Christians – no matter what economic conditions there may be in the future!
DATES TO REMEMBER
Wednesday, September 18 On-line Class, 7 PM
Dabke Class, 7 PM
Friday, September 20 Midnight Run
Saturday, September 21 Allaham Baptism, 3 PM
Great Vespers, 7 PM
Fall Hafli
Saturday, September 28 No Great Vespers
Monday, September 30 Saints and Sinners Golf and Tennis Outing
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “Humility is the direction of the whole of our lives as Christians, or its foundation. For humility, God gives us grace. And grace gives us the strength to observe firmly the divine commandments. Fulfillment of these commandments makes us particpants of the joy of Christ, both here and in the life to come. If humility is in us, then all the Christian virtues will be inherent to us, as humility is their foundation. For the sake of humility and meekness, grace will preserve us from all intrigues of the enemy, will turn all our sorrows into joy, will forever unite us with Christ, and, while still in our earthly life, we will experience the inexpressible heavenly joy of this union with God.
- St. Seraphim of Sofia
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America