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 9, 2025
Sunday of the Pharisee and the Publican and
Leave-Taking of the Presentation of Christ
Tone 8 and Eothinon 11
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 8
O Compassionate One, thou didst descend from the heights; thou didst submit to the three-day burial, that thou mightest deliver us from passion. Thou art our Life and our Resurrection, O Lord, glory to thee.
Apolytikion of the Presentation of Christ into the Temple – Tone 1
Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, full of grace, for from thee arose the Sun of justice, Christ our God, lighting those who are in darkness. Rejoice and be glad, O righteous old man, carrying in thine arms the Deliverer of our souls, who granteth us resurrection.
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 – II Timothy 3:10-15 (Pharisee and Publican)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 75.11, 1. Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse. God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.
TIMOTHY, my son, you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, my sufferings, what befell me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra, what persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and imposters will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
Gospel – Luke 18:10-14 (Pharisee and Publican)
THE LORD SPOKE THIS PARABLE: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Next week’s homework: I Corinthians 6:12-20 (Prodigal Son)
Luke 15:11-32 (Prodigal Son)
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.
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 – Farid Bassous has offered the Holy Bread for the month of February in memory of his brother, Michelle Bassous. Memory eternal! Gloria Zain Darzi and her daughters Yvette, Michele, and Nicole and their families offer the Holy Bread for the month of February in loving memory of Elias A. Darzi. 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.
FEBRUARY 9, 2025 – SUNDAY OF THE PHARISEE AND THE PUBLICAN AND THE LEAVE-TAKING OF THE PRESENTATION OF CHRIST
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 9 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God David Bittar, Elias A. Darzi, Jacob Khoury, and Louis Sabah. Memory eternal!
Marie Bryant and Laila Ellias offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of their grandfather, the servant of God Jacob Khoury. Memory eternal!
Gloria Zain Darzi and Family offer Prayers of Oblation, the Holy Bread for the month of February, and a 10-Year Memorial for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Elias A. Darzi. Memory eternal!
Susan Nelson offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Louis Sabah. Memory eternal!
The Family of Nadia Shafik Al Zaher offers Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of her soul. A Coffee Hour in her memory will follow the Divine Liturgy. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16 – We will 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 will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of his aunt, the handmaiden of God Emily Nassour. Memory eternal!
Marie Bryant and Family will 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!
Farid Bassous will offer 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 Michele Bassous, who departed this life in Brazil. A Coffee Hour in his memory will follow the Divine Liturgy. Memory eternal!
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, George Atallah (Clove Lakes), 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).
LADIES OF ST. MARY’S - The Ladies of St. Mary’s will have their first meeting of 2025 today immediately following the Divine Liturgy. All women of the parish are invited and welcome!
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 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.
SUPER BOWL PARTY – Join us to watch the Super Bowl today at 5 PM. $25 for adults and $5 for children. B.Y.O.B. $32 at the door. Call Sam at (718) 288-7677 or Marwan at (347) 400-3633.
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.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Sunday, February 9 Ladies of St. Mary’s Meeting
Super Bowl Party
Monday, February 10 Parish Council, 7 PM
Saturday, February 15 Anderson-Shuldham Wedding, 1 PM
Great Vespers, 5 PM
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 – “Nothing contributes to a virtuous and moral way of life as does the time you spend here in church. The time we spend here in church is the basis of every blessing.”
- St. John Chrysostom
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America