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 22, 2024
Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Tone 4 and Eothinon 2
Hieromartyr Phocas, Bishop of Sinope
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 4
Having learned the joyful message of the Resurrection from the angel, the women disciples of the Lord cast from them their parental condemnation, and proudly broke the news to the disciples, saying, Death hath been spoiled. Christ God is risen, granting the world great mercy.
Apolytikion for St. Phocas of Sinope – Tone 4
By choosing the Apostles’ way of life, thou hast succeeded to their throne. Inspired by God, thou didst find the way to divine contemplation through the practice of virtue. After teaching the Word of Truth without error, thou didst defend the Faith to the very shedding of thy blood, O Holy Martyr among bishops Phocas. Entreat the Lord our God to save our souls.
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 – I Corinthians 16:13-24 (Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost)
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, be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.
Now, brethren, you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints; I urge you to be subject to such men and to every fellow worker and laborer. I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicos, because they have made up for your absence; for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such men.
The churches of Asia send greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord. All the brethren send greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Gospel – Luke 5:1-11 (First Sunday of Luke)
AT THAT TIME, Jesus was standing by the lake of Gennesaret. And he saw two boats by the lake; but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, Jesus asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when Jesus had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a great shoal of fish; and as their nets were breaking, they beckoned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men.” And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.
Next week’s homework: II Corinthians 1:21-2:4 (14th Sunday after Pentecost)
Luke 6:31-36 (Second 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.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
SEPTEMBER 22, 2024 – THIRTEENTH 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.
TODAY, SEPTEMBER 22 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Avjon Golam, Dimitry Golam, Werda Hadad, George Haddad, Eleanor Kalesh, George K. Moore, Very Rev. Fr. P.W.S. Schneirla, Shirley Schneirla, William Sutfin Schneirla Jr., and Donald O. Page, and Edward, Ronald, Valerie and Victoria Tadross. Memory eternal!
Brenda Sabbagh offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Eleanor Kalesh. Memory eternal!
Wade E. Saadi offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Nicholas Lian Massab. Memory eternal!
Gloria Jabara and Family 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 offers 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!
NEXT SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Lorraine Assatly, Victoria F. Dib, Kenneth Jabara, Gary Kassatly, Alexander Khoury, Addie, Mary Alice, Alfred Nahas, Edmund Nahas, Adrienne Poulakakos, Barbara Salamy, Herbert Trabulsi, Fred Zahka, and Antoun Zgheib. Memory eternal!
Alice Carolyn Furer will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of her mother, the handmaiden of God Victoria Fiani Dib. Memory eternal!
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.
CHURCH SCHOOL– Church School Superintendent Lorraine Deeb has posted a registration form in today’s bulletin, on the bulletin board, and at the bengari. Students ages 4-19 will receive Holy Communion first before proceeding to their classrooms.
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.”
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Diana Finger (Meadowbrook, Freeport), Rouda Abboud, Yvonne Allawh, Patti DeLuca, Anita Eyd, Alice Farkouh, George Khoury, Joseph Khouri, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, Wade Saadi, Victoria Sleyman, David Steurer, and Rose Zrake (at home).
SPECIAL ADULT EDUCATION CLASS – We will conclude our 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. The next session will be Wednesday September 25 at 7 PM, and we will extend one more Wednesday, October 2. Please note the new Zoom link https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81008521083?pwd=QUEyZm8wdmc4aUxTdTdOMzVPN2lRUT09. Orthodox spouses are also welcome!
FALL HAFLI – Congratulations to Leen Zgheib and her committee on hosting last evening’s very successful Fall Hafli.
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 are available today. Please see Sonia Abounaoum, Sam Maalouf, or Anthony Zrake at the Coffee Hour. Everyone should do something!
FALL HOUSE BLESSINGS – Several families have requested to have their homes blessed in the Fall. If interested, please email Fr. Michael at pastor@smaoc.org, or call the church office.
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 25 On-line Class, 7 PM
Dabke Lessons, 7 PM
Saturday, September 28 No Great Vespers
Monday, September 30 Saints and Sinners Golf and Tennis Outing
Friday, October 4 Family Night, 7-9 PM
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “Do not disdain your conscience, for it always gives you the best advice. It sets before you the will of God and the angels, frees you from the secret defilements of the heart, and grants you boldness before God at your departure from this life.”
- St. Maximus the Confessor
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America