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, March 2, 2025
Sunday of Forgiveness (Cheese Fare)
Tone 3 and Eothinon 3
Martyr Hesychios the Senator
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 3
Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad; for the Lord hath done a mighty act with his own arm. He hath trampled down death and become the First-born from the dead. He hath delivered us from the depth of hades, granting the world the Great Mercy.
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 Cheese Fare Sunday – Tone 6
O Thou who guidest to wisdom, and givest understanding and intelligence, the instructor of the ignorant, and Helper of the poor, strengthen my heart and grant it understanding, O Master. Give me word, O Word of the Father; for behold, I shall not refrain my lips from crying to thee, O merciful One, have mercy upon me who am fallen.
Epistle – Romans 13:11-14; 14:1-4 (Cheese Fare Sunday)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 46.6, 1. O chant unto our God, chant ye.
Verse. Clap your hands, all ye nations.
BRETHREN, now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk becomingly, as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in chambering and licentiousness, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts.
But as for the one who is weak in faith, receive him, but not for disputes over opinions. For one believes he may eat anything; but the weak person eats herbs. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. Who are you to be the judge over the servant of a stranger? To his own master he either stands or falls; but he will be made to stand; for God is able to make him stand.
Gospel – Matthew 6:14-21 (Cheese Fare Sunday)
THE LORD SAID, “If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Next week’s homework: Hebrews 12:1-10 (Forty Martyrs of Sebastia)
John 1:43-51 (First Sunday of Great Lent)
FASTING DISICIPLINE – Today is the last day we eat eggs, cheese, dairy and their by-products until Holy Pascha. The Great Fast begins tomorrow and continues until our celebration of the Feast of Feasts, Pascha: Our Lord’s Resurrection (April 20). The traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, dairy, eggs, fish, wine, olive oil, and their by-products) is observed on all weekdays. On Saturdays and Sundays, wine and olive oil are allowed. On the Great Feast of the Annunciation (Tuesday, March 25) fish, wine and olive oil are permitted.
HOLY BREAD – Linda and George Salamy have made an offering for the whole year. Many years! The Zarr Family offers the Holy Bread of Oblation for the month of March in loving memory of their beloved parents, the servants of God George Zarr and Marie Zarr. Memory eternal! Rafik Mahab offers the Holy Bread of Oblation for the month of March in loving memory of his mother, the handmaiden of God Violette Chammas. Memory eternal! Additional donors are welcome for March and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
MARCH 2, 2025 – SUNDAY OF FORGIVENESS (CHEESE FARE)
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.
MARCH IS WOMEN’S MONTH IN THE ANTIOCHIAN ARCHDIOCESE!
TODAY, MARCH 2 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Yvonne Absey, Najibi Anthony, Ronald J. Couri, Nicholas Ghiz, William Haddad, Sr., and Mounir Kaba. Memory eternal!
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. Thank you!
NEXT SUNDAY, MARCH 9 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Dr. Robert Haddad, Laila Nassr, Laurice Merhige Schuh, Gloria Sparsidis, and Robert William Thabit. 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.”
FORGIVENESS VESPERS – We will celebrate Forgiveness Vespers today following the Coffee Hour. All are welcome and encouraged to participate.
The Family of Dr. Robert Haddad and William Haddad will offer Prayers of Oblation and a One-Year Memorial for the repose of Robert’s soul and a 20-Year Memorial for the repose of William’s soul. A Coffee Hour in their memory will follow the Divine Liturgy. Memory eternal!
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, John Petrick (Norwegian), Rouda Abboud, Isla Albishara, Yvonne Allawh, Patti DeLuca, Alice Farkouh, Diana Finger, George Khoury, Joseph Khouri, Terry Mackoul, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, William Robinson, Raymond Saleeby, Joyce Samaha, and Victoria Sleyman (at home).
MARCH IS LADIES MONTH! Our ushers today are Joan Bacon, Marianne Hindelly, Linda Mantia, and Marilyn Tulaney. Karen Spolar will read the Epistle in English, and Sonia Abou-Naoum will read in Arabic.
OUR TIME – Our (over 50) senior fellowship, “Our Time”, meets every other Wednesday, including Wednesday, March 5, 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.
OCMC SUNDAY – Today is Missions Sunday in the Orthodox Churches in North America. Please see the appeal from the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in this bulletin, and we will receive an offering at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy.
SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY – St. Nicholas Cathedral will host Great Vespers for the Sunday of Orthodoxy next Sunday, March 9, at 5 PM. Please see the flyer in this bulletin for more information.
SEMINARIANS – Our pledge envelopes for the month of March included a blue envelope marked “Seminarians.” Please use this envelope to support the Metropolitan’s annual appeal on behalf of our theological students. Our minimum contribution as a parish is $500. If anyone is currently not receiving pledge envelopes, please see Fr. Michael or Parish Council Chair Anthony Zrake.
LENTEN RESOURCES – Great Lent is here. Our parish Bookstore, dedicated to the memory of Elena Paris, has copies of the service books for Great Lent, including Little Compline with the Akathist Hymn, the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, and Holy Week. There are also a few Lenten cookbooks available. Please visit the bookstore after the Divine Liturgy, or contact Lorraine Deeb at ldeebsped@verizon.net or (718) 491-4996 to reserve your books.
FOOD FOR HUNGRY PEOPLE – This year marks the 51st anniversary of this charitable project. The traditional FFHP collection boxes are no longer available, and the committee recommends that children and families prepare their own “alms box” for home use. Remember the least of Christ’s brethren by depositing your extra change at the end of each day, and return the box on or before Palm Sunday. “Let us fill up what is lacking in our fasting with almsgiving for the poor.” Leo the Great
LENTEN LITURGICAL SCHEDULE – There will be Great Compline each Monday night at 7:00 PM, the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts each Wednesday at 6:30 PM and the Akathist/Madayeh Service each Friday at 6:30 PM. A Pot Luck Supper will follow each Wednesday service, and each parish organization will host a dinner after the Friday service. Great Vespers will continue each Saturday at 5:00 PM. This Saturday, March 8, we will celebrate Orthros at 9:30 and the Divine Liturgy for the Miracle of Kollyva at 10:30 AM. Volunteers are welcome to prepare the kollyva.
LADIES OF ST. MARY’S - The Ladies of St. Mary’s invite all our parishioners (men too!) to participate in our humanitarian project this year. We once again request the preparation of hygiene kits to be distributed to the homeless during the Midnight Run each month. In a one-gallon ZipLock bag please include: 1 washcloth, bar of soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, nail clipper, comb, 3 band-aids, disposable razor (optional). Feel free to prepare more than one kit! The kits can be given to Sandra Arida or any one of the Ladies. Thank you all for your support.
SACRAMENT OF REPENTANCE (CONFESSION) – The Great Fast is THE TIME for all believers to receive the Sacrament of Repentance (Confession). The pastor hears confessions by appointment and before and after all the divine services. Please do not wait until the last minute! If you would like to go to one of the other Orthodox priests in Brooklyn, feel free to do so, but inform the pastor.
CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS – Each year the Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch offers scholarships for campers at the Antiochian Village Summer Camp. Please let Fr. Michael know if your children are planning to attend camp this summer before March 31.
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING – At last week’s Annual Parish Meeting the assembly elected Gary Gangone, Dianna Russo Kitchen, and Matthew Spolar to full three-year terms. Fr. Michael appointed Diana Kaiami, Robert Sabbagh, and George Trisciuzzi to one-year terms. The newly constituted council will elect its officers at its Monday, March 10, monthly meeting.
ANTIDORON – After receiving Holy Communion and at the end of the Divine Liturgy, it is customary to receive a piece of blessed bread or antidoron, the bread that remains after the preparation of the Holy Communion. While antidoron is not Holy Communion, it is blessed, and as such should be eaten carefully so that crumbs do not fall. Both adults and children should always remember to treat and consume the antidoron with respect.
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 – The Elder Epiphanios of Athens once said, “I have an agreement with God: I will empty my pockets in almsgiving, and He will fill them. He has never violated our agreement. Will I violate it? May it never happen!” Our first act of almsgiving should be to our church. In addition to making provision for the custody and material wellbeing of our children in our estate plans, we should also provide for their spiritual wellbeing by designating something for St. Mary’s Church and her future.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Monday, March 3 Great Compline, 7 PM
Wednesday, March 5 Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, 6:30 PM
Followed by Pot Luck Supper
Friday, March 7 First Little Compline with Akathist Hymn, 6:30
Followed by dinner sponsored by Church School/PTO
Saturday, March 8 Matins, 9:30 AM
Divine Liturgy of the Kollyva, 10:30 AM
Great Vespers, 5 PM
Sunday, March 9 Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers @ St. Nicholas, 5 PM
Monday, March 10 Parish Council, 7 PM
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “Let us fast in a way that is acceptable and pleasing to the Lord. True fasting is flight from evils, temperance of the tongue, refrain from anger, separation from lustful desires, and from lies, from falsehood and from perjury. The absence of all these makes our fasting true and acceptable.”
- Aposticha idiomelon
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America