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 19, 2025
Twenty-Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
Tone 5 and Eothinon 8
Venerable Makarios of Alexandria
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 of St. Makarios of Egypt – Tone 1
Thou didst prove to be a citizen of the desert, an angel in the flesh, and a wonderworker, O Makarios, 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 Presentation of Christ in the Temple – Tone 1
Thou, O Christ God, who by thy Birth, didst sanctify the Virgin’s womb, and, as is meet, didst bless Simeon’s arms, and didst also come to save us; preserve thy fold in wars, and confirm them whom thou didst love; for thou alone art the Lover of mankind.
Epistle – Colossians 3:4-11 (Twenty-Ninth 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, when Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience. In these you once walked, when you lived in them. But now put them all away; anger, wrath, malice, slander, and foul talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free man, but Christ is all, and in all.
Gospel – Luke 17:12-19 (Twelfth Sunday of Luke)
AT THAT TIME, as Jesus entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When Jesus saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed.
Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice, and fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then said Jesus, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And Jesus said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”
Next week’s homework: I Timothy 4:9-15 (32nd Sunday after Pentecost)
Luke 19:1-10 (Fifteenth 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 19, 2025 – TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
TODAY, JANUARY 19 - We 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!
Peter Elkas offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God George Elkas. Memory eternal!
George Salamy offers 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!
NEXT SUNDAY, JANUARY 26 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Charles Eugene Bryant, Najat Cristo, Katherine B. Cury, Siham Damalts, Josephine Hadad, Dr. Douglas George Kalesh, Marie Meena, Mitchell Merhige and Phillip Merhige, Victoria and Edward Saadi, Yvonne Sahadi, Suraya and Samuel Samaha, William Shamoun, and Gail Hall Zarr. Memory eternal!
HOLY BREAD – Donors are welcome for January and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
FASTING DISCIPLINE FOR JANUARY – The traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish, wine, olive oil or their byproducts) is observed on all Wednesdays and Fridays in January.
COFFEE HOUR – In the absence of a sponsor for this week’s Coffee Hour the Parish Council will place a basket on the table for our free will offerings.
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Dr. John Petrick (Norwegian), Rouda Abboud, Isla Albishara, Yvonne Allawh, Patti DeLuca, Dr. Alice Farkouh, Diana Finger, Gregory Hamaty, George Khoury, Joseph Khouri, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, William Robinson, Raymond Saleeby, and Victoria Sleyman (at home).
MEMORY ETERNAL! We were saddened to learn of the repose of the servant of God Anthony “Tony” Kirshy who departed this life in the hope of the Resurrection on January 9. He and his departed wife Terry were long-time members of the community before Tony’s move to Southampton. His funeral was at Dormition of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church of the Hamptons on Saturday, January 11. We extend our sympathies to his children Anthony Kirshy (Anastasia), Dr. David Kirshy (Claire), and Marybeth Rogers, and their families, and we will commemorate Tony for the next 40 days. Memory eternal!
OUR TIME – Our (over 50) senior fellowship, “Our Time”, meets every other Wednesday, including Wednesday, January 22, from 1-3 PM. All are welcome. Please see Marilyn Tulaney for more information. In addition, Our Time sponsors Pickleball on Tuesday and Thursday from 7-9 PM. All players and spectators are welcome.
BLESSING OF HOMES – Fr. Michael has begun blessing homes. Please use the form in this bulletin to request a home visit.
ANTIOCHIAN VILLAGE CAMP – The Antiochian Village will host Winter Camp on February 14-17 with Fr. Anthony Yazge, Deacon Marek Simon, and Fr. Michael Nasser. Also, registration for Summer Camp has opened. Open an account and register at www.avcamp.org. Scholarship assistance is available from the camp and from the parish.
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.
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!
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING – The Annual Parish Meeting will take place on Sunday, February 23, following the Divine Liturgy. Please submit your nominations for the Parish Council to Vice Chair Robert Sabbagh after securing the nominee’s willingness to serve.
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 – Have I included St. Mary’s Church in my will or estate plan? It’s easy, it’s vital, and it won’t cost a penny during your lifetime. Simply say in your will, “I bequeath 25 shares of “Habibi Corporation” to St. Mary’s Orthodox Church of Brooklyn.”
DATES TO REMEMBER
Wednesday, January 22 “Our Time” Adult Fellowship, 1-3 PM
Saturday, January 25 Great Vespers, 5 PM
Tea Party!
Sunday, February 2 Feast of the Presentation of Christ
Monday, February 10 Parish Council, 7 PM
Sunday, February 23 Meat Fare Sunday and Annual Parish Meeting
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “O relatives and close ones of the dead! Do for them what is needful for them and within your power. Use your money not for outward adornment of the coffin and grave, but in order to help those in need, in memory of your close ones who have died, for churches, where prayers for them are offered. Show mercy to the dead, take care of their souls. Before us all stands the same path, and how we shall then wish that we would be remembered in prayer! Let us therefore be ourselves merciful to the dead.”
- St. John Maximovitch of San Francisco
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America