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 8, 2024
Sunday before the Elevation of the Holy Cross
Tone 2 and Eothinon 11
Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos
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’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 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 Nativity of the Theotokos – Tone 4
By thy holy nativity, O pure one, Joachim and Anne were delivered from the reproach of barrenness; and Adam and Eve were delivered from the corruption of death; thy people do celebrate it, having been saved from the stain of iniquity, crying unto thee, the barren doth give birth to the Theotokos, who nourisheth our life.
Epistle – Galatians 6:11-18 (Sunday before the Holy Cross)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 27:9, 1. O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse. To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.
BRETHREN, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and not only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God.
Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.
Gospel – John 3:13-17 (Sunday before the Elevation of the Holy Cross)
THE LORD SAID, “No one has ascended into heaven but He who descended from heaven, the Son of man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent His Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.”
Next week’s homework: Galatians 2:16-20 (Sunday after the Elevation of the Cross)
Mark 8:34-9:1 (Sunday after the Elevation of the Cross)
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 September 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.”
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
SEPTEMBER 8, 2024 – SUNDAY BEFORE THE ELEVATION OF THE HOLY CROSS AND
FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF THE THEOTOKOS
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 8 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Gloria Dirbas, Olga Lewis, Louise M. Martin, Nicholas L. Massab, and Mary Zagby. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 – We will 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!
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, Sean McCrossan, Alfred Nahas, Wade Saadi, Howard Samara, Victoria Sleyman, and Rose Zrake (at home).
NATIVITY OF THE THEOTOKOS – Today we celebrate the patronal feast of our church. Depending on the weather there will be a modified picnic either inside or outside after the Divine Liturgy with shawarma and sojok sandwiches with fries for sale. Please see Leen Zgheib or Sam Malouf for more information.
FLOWERS FOR THE HOLY CROSS – Donors are welcome for next Sunday’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.
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 this month, as well as on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross on Saturday, September 14.
ON-LINE CHANT CLASS – The Archdiocese’s new Antiochian Orthodox Ecclesiastical Online Music School will offer virtual classes for Byzantine chant and choral singing for church musicians, new or experienced, starting the week of September 9. The school will also offer a course on the Typicon and how to arrange the divine services.
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 on Sunday, September 15, following the procession with the Holy Cross.
PARISH COUNCIL – The Parish Council will meet tomorrow, September 9, at 7 PM.
SPECIAL ADULT EDUCATION CLASS – During September we will offer a 3-week class as an introduction to the Orthodox Church for the non-Orthodox spouses of Orthodox parishioners. Anyone who is interested should let Fr. Michael know at pastor@smaoc.org. We are planning one-hour online sessions on Wednesdays September 11, 18, and 25.
Use https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81008521083?pwd=QUEyZm8wdmc4aUxTdTdOMzVPN2lRUT09.
FEAST OF THE ELEVATION OF THE HOLY CROSS – Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church will celebrate their patronal feast with Great Vespers at 7 PM on Friday, September 13, and the Divine Liturgy at 9:30 AM on Saturday, September 14. We will hold the procession with the precious and life-giving cross on Sunday, September 15 at St. Mary’s Church.
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. Please see the insert in this bulletin for journal and sponsorship opportunities, pick up a form at the bengari, or go to saintsandsinnersgolfclassic.com. The Journal deadline is September 9.
DABKE CLASS – Lynn Rose Saleem has resumed Dabke Class at 7 PM on Wednesdays. More information will follow in the weeks ahead.
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 – As we celebrate the Nativity of the Theotokos, let us all make a provision in our wills and estate plans for this church under her protection. Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
DATES TO REMEMBER
Sunday, September 8 Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos
Monday, September 9 Parish Council, 7 PM
Wednesday, September 11 “Our Time” Senior Fellowship, 1-3 PM
Orthodoxy for the Non-Orthodox Spouse, 7 PM
Dabke Class, 7 PM
Friday, September 13 Great Vespers at Holy Cross G.O. Church, 7 PM
Saturday, September 14 Divine Liturgy at Holy Cross, 9:30 AM
Great Vespers, 5 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.
FROM THE FATHERS – “All the saints wrote many praises to the Theotokos. But I, the poor one, have found no words more elegant or sweet to describe her, than to cry out to her at every moment: My dear Mother! My dear, sweet Mother! When my soul departs, may it come into thy hands, and through them may it be given to its Creator, thine Only-begotten Son.”
- Elder Joseph the Hesychast
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America