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 Most Reverend 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, January 12, 2025
Sunday after the Theophany of Christ
Tone 4 and Eothinon 7
Martyr Tatiana of Rome and Those with Her
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 of Epiphany – Tone 1
By thy baptism, O Lord, in the River Jordan, worship to the Trinity hath made its appearance; for the voice of the Lord did come forth to thee with the testimony, naming thee His beloved Son; and the Spirit in the likeness of a dove, confirming the truth of the word. Wherefore, O thou who didst appear and lighted the world, O Christ, 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 Epiphany – Tone 4
Today thou hast appeared to the universe, O Lord, and thy light hath been shed upon us, who praise thee with knowledge, saying, Thou hast come and appeared, O unapproachable Light.
Epistle – Ephesians 4:7-13 (Sunday after Epiphany)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 32.22, 1. Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us.
Verse. Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous.
BRETHREN, grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore, it is said, “When he ascended on high, he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is he who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things. And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
Gospel - Matthew 4:12-17 (Sunday after Epiphany)
AT THAT TIME, when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth he went and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled;
“The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles – the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.”
From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Next week’s homework: Colossians 3:4-11 (Sunday of the Ten Lepers)
Luke 17:12-19 (Twelfth Sunday of Luke)
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.
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.
JANUARY 12, 2025 – SUNDAY AFTER THE THEOPHANY OF CHRIST
TODAY, JANUARY 12 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Eli Abdallah, Nora and Kalil Ballan, Ameenie Freije, Emily and Edward Ghazal, Pauline Haddad, Leila M. Khouri, Riad Malouf, Edma Saab, Robert Samara, Edmund Arthur Swaya, Nora Trefz, and Emil Tweel. Memory eternal!
Deacon Farid and Aline Farkouh offer Prayers of Oblation for the health of Santiago Ogando who entered the Orthodox Church this morning through the Sacrament of Holy Chrismation. They will sponsor today’s Coffee Hour in his honor. Many years!
John M. Shama of Manassas, VA, offers Prayers of Oblation for the health of the Robert Madey Family. Many years!
Rose Abdallah offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of her beloved husband, the servant of God Eli Abdallah. Memory eternal!
Naziha Mikhael Aldaia offers Prayers of Oblation and the Holy Bread for the repose of the souls of her parents, the servants of God Kazon and Michael. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, JANUARY 19 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Albert G. Absey, Alexander Azar, George Elkas, Rev. Melatios Fiani and Loretta Basile-Matta Fiani, Claudette Golam, John, Louise, Ned, and Viola Kalesh, Alexander G. Orfaly, Jr., Barbara Salamy, Renate and George Sheheri, Minas Sparsidis, and Thomas Anthony Zarr. Memory eternal!
Carol Furer will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of her grandparents, the servants of God Rev. Fr. Melatios and Kh. Loretta Basile-Matta Fiani. Memory eternal!
George Salamy will offer Prayers of Oblation and the Holy Bread for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Barbara Salamy. A Coffee Hour in her memory will follow the Divine Liturgy. Memory eternal!
HOLY BREAD – Donors are welcome for January and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Dr. Alice Farkouh (Eger, Staten Island), Gregory Hamaty (Mount Sinai), John Petrick (Norwegian), Rouda Abboud, Isla Albishara, Yvonne Allawh, Patti DeLuca, Diana Finger, George Khoury, Joseph Khouri, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, William Robinson, Raymond Saleeby, and Victoria Sleyman (at home).
MEMORY ETERNAL! We are saddened to announce that the handmaiden of God Nadia Zaher departed this life in the hope of the Resurrection on Wednesday. We will pray for the repose of her soul for the next 40 days. The Zaher Family will receive visitors this afternoon from 4-8 here in the church. Her funeral will be tomorrow at 10 AM. May her memory be eternal, and may the God of consolations and mercies be with her family.
WINTER COAT DRIVE –Teen SOYO will continue receiving coats and winter outerwear at least through January. There is a large green box in the vestibule. We will distribute all items to the Pan-Orthodox Holy Cross Outreach Center on 4th Avenue and during the Midnight Run.
PARISH COUNCIL – The Parish Council will meet tomorrow, January 13, at 7 PM.
BLESSING OF HOMES – Fr. Michael has begun blessing homes. Please use the form in this bulletin to request a home visit.
PRAYERS FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY – Deacon Farid and Aline Farkouh will once again organize our annual hosting of the Day of Prayer for Christian Unity following Great Vespers on Saturday, January 18. A light supper will follow the services. Please see Aline or the flyer in this bulletin for more information. All are welcome!
BASKETBALL – Teen SOYO is sponsoring basketball practice for children and teens on Saturday afternoons. Please see Lara Rustom Al-Laham or the flyer in this bulletin for more information. All are welcome!
ANTIOCHIAN VILLAGE CAMP – The Antiochian Village will host Winter Family Camp on January 17-20 with newly ordained Deacon Dr. Gregory Abdalah and Winter Camp on February 14-17 with Fr. Anthony Yazge, Deacon Marek Simon, and Fr. Michael Nasser. Also, registration for Summer Camp opened last Sunday. Please open an account and register at www.avcamp.org. Scholarship assistance is available from the camp and from the parish.
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 – What will I leave to my parish so that those who come after me will share the same and even greater blessings?
DATES TO REMEMBER
Monday, January 13 Parish Council, 7 PM
Saturday, January 18 Great Vespers, 5 PM
Service of Prayer for Christian Unity
Wednesday, January 22 Our Time Adult Fellowship, 1-3 PM
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “We must train ourselves that the mind, as it were, swims in the law of God, under the guidance of which our life must be governed. It is very useful to be occupied with reading the Word of God in solitude and to read the whole Bible through with understanding. When a man so equips his soul with the Word of God, then he is filled with understanding of what is good and what is evil.”
- St. Seraphim of Sarov
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America