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 29, 2024
Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Tone 5 and Eothinon 3
Cyriacus the Hermit of Palestine
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 5
Let us believers praise and worship the Word, co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, born of the Virgin for our salvation. For he took pleasure in ascending the cross in the flesh to suffer death, and to raise the dead by his glorious resurrection.
Apolytikion for St. Kyriakos of Palestine - Tone 1
Thou didst prove to be a citizen of the desert, an angel in the flesh, and a wonderworker, O Kyriakos, our God-bearing Father. By fasting, vigil, and prayer thou didst obtain heavenly gifts, and thou healest the sick and the souls of them that have recourse to thee with faith. Glory to Him that hath given thee strength; glory to Him that hath crowned thee; glory to Him that worketh healings for all through 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 – II Corinthians 1:21-2:4 (Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 11.7, 1. You, O Lord, shall keep us and preserve us.
Verse. Save me, O Lord, for the godly man has failed.
BRETHREN, it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has commissioned us; he has put his seal upon us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
But I call God to witness against me – it was to spare you that I refrained from coming to Corinth. Not that we lord it over your faith; we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith. For I made up my mind not to make you another painful visit. For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained? And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all. For I wrote you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.
Gospel – Luke 6:31-36 (Second Sunday of Luke)
THE LORD SAID, “As you wish that men would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”
Next week’s homework: II Corinthians 4:6-15 (15th Sunday after Pentecost)
Luke 7:11-16 (Third Sunday of Luke)
HOLY BREAD – Linda and George Salamy have made a donation for the entire year. Many years! 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 October and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
FASTING DISCIPLINE FOR OCTOBER – We observe the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish, wine, olive oil, and their by-products) on Wednesdays and Fridays.
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.”
COFFEE HOUR – In the absence of a sponsor for today’s Coffee Hour, the Parish Council will place a basket on the table for our free will offerings.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
SEPTEMBER 29, 2024 – FOURTEENTH 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.
Today we are pleased and blessed to welcome Rt. Rev. Archimandrite Paul Matar, Hierarchical Assistant to the Metropolitan and for our diocese, to preside at the divine services in Fr. Michael’s absence. Welcome to St. Mary’s Church of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn!
TODAY, SEPTEMBER 29 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Lorraine Assatly, Victoria F. Dib, Gary Kassatly, Alexander Khoury, Addie, Mary Alice, Alfred and Edmund Nahas, Adrienne Poulakakos, Barbara Salamy, Herbert Trabulsi, Fred Zahka, and Antoun Zgheib. Memory eternal!
Alice Carolyn Furer offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of her mother, the handmaiden of God Victoria Fiani Dib. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Zahaya Dahab, Ghassan Fattouh, Dorothy Howie, Bernice Wardi Lufty, Rose Rowady, Edmund Shawah, Edith and Mitchell A. Tadross. Memory eternal!
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Isla Albishara (Cohen’s Children’s Hospital), Diana Finger (Meadowbrook, Freeport), Nancy Zarouni (NYC Lutheran), Rouda Abboud, Yvonne Allawh, Patti DeLuca, Anita Eyd, Alice Farkouh, Joseph Khouri, George Khoury, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, Victoria Sleyman, and Rose Zrake (at home).
SAINTS AND SINNERS GOLF AND TENNIS OUTING – The next edition of the Saints and Sinners Golf and Tennis Outing will take place tomorrow, at the Hempstead Country Club. Let’s pray for “seasonable weather” and God’s blessing on this event!
GREAT VESPERS - There will be no Great Vespers this Saturday, October 5, at St. Mary’s Church. Please take the opportunity to attend services at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church.
THEOLOGICAL OFFERING – Our October pledge envelopes included a green envelope marked “Theological Offering.” This account is one of the three mandatory “trays” we collect each year for the Antiochian Archdiocese and supports our seminaries in North America. Our minimum contribution as a parish is $500. Our faithful can either drop their envelope in the collection tray on Sundays or return it to the church office. If you are not receiving pledge envelopes, please inform the church office so that we can add you to our list of supporters. Thank you for your generous support of our seminaries.
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.
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 final session will be Wednesday, October 2, at 7 PM. Use the Zoom link https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81008521083?pwd=QUEyZm8wdmc4aUxTdTdOMzVPN2lRUT09. Orthodox spouses are also welcome!
FALL BIBLE STUDY – We will begin our “fall term” on Wednesday, October 16, at 7 PM. We will begin our study of the Gospel of Luke and Book of Acts of the Apostles. Watch this space to learn if the class will be in person, online, or both. We will use the Orthodox Study Bible which is available from our parish bookstore. Please see Lorraine Deeb to obtain a copy.
FAMILY NIGHT – Everyone is welcome to Family Night this Friday from 7 to 9 PM.
ON-LINE GIVING – Just visit https://smaoc.squarespace.com/donate and pay securely by credit card, debit card, or checking account.
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!
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.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Monday, September 30 Saints and Sinners Golf and Tennis Outing
Wednesday, October 2 Online Class, 7 PM
Dabke Lessons, 7 PM
Friday, October 4 Family Night, 7-9 PM
Saturday, October 5 No Great Vespers
Wednesday, October 9 “Our Time” Adult Fellowship, 1-3 PM
Friday, October 11 Grandma’s Love Radio Bingo
Saturday, October 12 Great Vespers, 5 PM
Saturday, October 19 Bay Ridge Cares Pancake Breakfast
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “For just as the poor should give thanks to God and return rich love to those who assist them, so all the more should the wealthy give thanks, for through God’s providence they are able to perform acts of charity, and so are saved both in this age and in the age to come. For without the poor they cannot save their souls or flee the temptations of wealth.”
- St. Peter of Damascus
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America