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, February 16, 2025
Sunday of the Prodigal Son
Tone 1 and Eothinon 1
Martyr Pamphilos, Priest of Caesarea in Palestine and His Companions
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 1
The stone being sealed by the Jews, and thy pure body being guarded by the soldiers, thou didst rise on the third day, O Saviour, granting life to the world. Wherefore, the heavenly powers acclaimed thee, O Giver of life, crying, glory to thy Resurrection, O Christ! Glory to thy kingdom! Glory to thy gracious providence, O thou only Lover of mankind.
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 Prodigal Son – Tone 3
When I disobeyed in ignorance thy fatherly glory, I wasted in iniquities the riches that thou gavest me. Wherefore, I cry to thee with the voice of the prodigal son, saying, I have sinned before thee, O compassionate Father, receive me repentant, and make me as one of thy hired servants.
Epistle – I Corinthians 6:12-20 (Prodigal Son)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 32.22,1. Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us.
Verse. Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous.
BRETHREN, “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be enslaved by anything. “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food” – and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I therefore take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who joins himself to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two shall become one flesh.” But he who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Shun immorality. Every other sin which a man commits is outside the body; but the immoral man sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body and in your spirit which belong to God.
Gospel – Luke 15:11-32 (Prodigal Son)
THE LORD SPOKE THIS PARABLE: “There was a man who had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that falls to me.’ And he divided his living between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living. And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have fed on the pods that the swine ate; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants.” And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to make merry.
Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.’ But the son was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!’ And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost and is found.’”
Next week’s homework: I Corinthians 8:8-9:2 (Meat Fare)
Matthew 25:31-46 (Last Judgment)
FEBRUARY 16, 2025 – SUNDAY OF THE PRODIGAL SON
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, FEBRUARY 16 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Mary Alexander, Margaret Fiani Dib, George Ganim, Malak Karkenny, Emily Nassour, Renges Orfaly, Alice Puccariella, and Alberta Samaha. Memory eternal!
Peter Elkas offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of his aunt, the handmaiden of God Emily Nassour. Memory eternal!
Farid Bassous offers Prayers of Oblation, the Holy Bread, and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of the soul of his twin brother, the servant of God Michelle Bassous, who departed this life in Brazil. A Coffee Hour in his memory will follow the Divine Liturgy. Memory eternal!
Marie Bryant and Family offer Prayers of Oblation and a One-Year Memorial for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Charlie Bryant. A Coffee Hour in his memory will follow the Divine Liturgy. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Thomas Abdallah, Almaza Allawh, Margaret and Charles Assatly, Mary Samara D’Angelico, Vincent D’Angelico, Wadie Jabbour, Rt. Rev. Ananias Kassab, George Kassab, Lilly Malouf, Robert Sabbagh, Areff Samara, Robert Samara, Rose Araktingi Samara, and Wendy Sadaka Zavolas. Memory eternal!
Rhonda Byrnes will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of her parents, the servants of God Margaret and Charles Assatly. Memory eternal!
Irene Tashji will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of her grandfather, the servant of God Thomas Abdallah. Memory eternal!
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.”
HOLY BREAD – Linda and George Salamy have once again offered the Holy Bread for the entire year. Many years! Farid Bassous has offered the Holy Bread for the month of February in memory of his brother, Michelle Bassous. Memory eternal! Additional donors are welcome for February and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
FASTING DISCIPLINE FOR FEBRUARY – The traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish, wine, olive oil or their byproducts) is observed on all Wednesdays and Fridays in February until Monday, February 24, when we begin fasting from meat until Holy Pascha.
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, George Atallah (Richmond University), Terry Mackoul (NYU Langone), John Petrick (Norwegian), Rouda Abboud, Isla Albishara, Yvonne Allawh, Patti DeLuca, Alice Farkouh, Diana Finger, Gregory Hamaty, George Khoury, Joseph Khouri, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, William Robinson, Raymond Saleeby, Joyce Samaha, and Victoria Sleyman (at home).
OUR TIME – Our (over 50) senior fellowship, “Our Time”, meets every other Wednesday, including Wednesday, February 19, 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.
WINTER COAT DRIVE – Teen SOYO will continue receiving coats and winter outerwear through February. 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.
VALENTINE’S DINNERS – Come and share a Father & Daughter Dinner on Monday, February 17, and a Mother & Son Dinner on Tuesday, February 18, both at 5 PM at Laila Restaurant. Please make your reservations by February 14 with Lara at (929) 666-9494. See the flyers in this bulletin for more information.
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.
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.” We have attorneys who can help.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Monday, February 17 Father & Daughter Valentine’s Dinner @ Laila, 5 PM
Tuesday, February 18 Mother & Son Valentine’s Dinner @ Laila, 5 PM
Wednesday, February 19 Our Time Adult Fellowship, 1-3 PM
Friday, February 21 Family Night, 7-9 PM
Midnight Run
Saturday, February 22 Saturday of the Souls Divine Liturgy, 10:30 AM
Sunday, February 23 Annual Parish Meeting
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “O my Strength, I will sing praises to thee, for thou, O God, art my fortress,the God who shows me steadfast love.”
- Psalm 59:17
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America