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 16, 2025
Second Sunday of Great Lent
Tone 5 and Eothinon 5
Commemoration of Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessalonica
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. Gregory Palamas - Tone 8
O Star of Orthodoxy, support of the Church and its teacher, O comeliness of ascetics, and incontestable champion of those who speak in theology, Gregory the wonder-worker, the pride of Thessalonica and preacher of grace, implore thou constantly for the salvation of our souls.
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 for the Sundays in Lent – Tone 8
To thee, the Champion Leader, do I offer thanks of victory, O Theotokos, thou who hast delivered me from terror; but as thou that has that power invincible, O Theotokos, thou alone can set me free: from all forms of danger free me and deliver me, that I may cry unto thee: Hail, O Bride without Bridegroom.
Epistle – Hebrews 1:10-2:3 (Second Sunday in Lent)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 11.7, 1. You, O Lord, shall keep us and preserve us.
Verse. Save me, O Lord, for the godly man has failed.
“IN THE BEGINNING, you, O Lord, didst found the earth, and the heavens are the work of thy hands; they will perish, but thou remainest; they will all grow old like a garment, like a mantle thou wilt roll them up, and they will be changed. But thou art the same, and thy years will never end.” But to what angel has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand, till I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet?” Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?
Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For if the message declared by angels was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him.
Gospel – Mark 2:1-12 (Second Sunday in Lent)
AT THAT TIME, when Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to Jesus a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there, reasoning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak thus? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus reasoned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you reason thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your pallet and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins” – he said to the paralytic – “I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home.” And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”
Megalynarion – In thee rejoiceth, O full of grace, all creation: the angelic hosts, and the race of men, O hallowed temple and noetic paradise, glory of virgins, of whom God was incarnate and became a little child, even our God Who is before all the ages; for He made thy womb a throne and thy body He made more spacious than the heavens. In thee rejoiceth, O full of grace, all creation; and it glorifieth thee.
During Great Lent we celebrate the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great.
Next week’s homework: Hebrews 4:14-5:6 (Third Sunday of Great Lent)
Mark 8:34-9:1 (Sunday of the Holy Cross)
MARCH 16, 2025 – SECOND SUNDAY OF GREAT LENT – COMMEMORATION OF GREGORY PALAMAS, ARCHBISHOP OF THESSALONICA
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.
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.
MARCH IS WOMEN’S MONTH IN THE ANTIOCHIAN ARCHDIOCESE!
TODAY, MARCH 16 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Eleanor Couri, Dr. George B. Cury, Salwa Fauty, Gloria and Edward Jabara Sr., Maurice Khzam, Violette Shamas Mahab, Nadima and Alfred G. Makhoul, Thomas Russo, Frederick P. Schroeder, and Elias Shawah. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, MARCH 23 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Mary Ganim, Mary Hamaty, Atina Hanna, Gloria L. Harris, Terez Ivantchev, Bikturia Kaba, Albert Kaidy, Frederick Makhoul, Helen and Michael Nassoor, Olga and Abraham Saba, Marie Zarr, Edward A. Zraick, and Pamela Zraick Nakleh. 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.”
FASTING DISICIPLINE – The Great Fast has begun 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 – 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 IS LADIES MONTH! Our ushers today are Joyce Katen, Amanda Regnier, Marian Russo, and Gale Zarr. Barbara Deeb will read the Epistle in English, and Rana Yazji will read in Arabic.
PLEDGE GIVING - Our most recent Treasurer’s Report shows that our pledge giving is $15,000 behind last year at this time. Do we need to say more?
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, Gregory Hamaty, George Khoury, Joseph Khouri, Terry Mackoul, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, William Robinson, Raymond Saleeby, Joyce Samaha, and Victoria Sleyman (at home).
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING – The Annual Parish Meeting elected Gary Gangone, Dianna Kitchen, and Matthew Spolar to full three-year terms on the Parish Council. Fr. Michael appointed Diana Kaiami, Rob Sabbagh, and George Trisciuzzi to one-year terms. The newly constituted Council elected Christopher Athineos as Chair, Rob Sabbagh as Vice-Chair, Irene Tashji as Treasurer, and George Trisciuzzi as Secretary. We will install the new Parish Council and officers upon receipt of the blessing of Metropolitan SABA. God bless your efforts on behalf of Christ’s Holy Church!
LIVING FAITH SERIES – The Antiochian Women of the East will host Metropolitan SABA this evening at 6:30 PM as he shares thoughts from his new book, “Á Life Testimony.” Please see the flyer in this bulletin for registration information and the Zoom link.
OUR TIME – Our (over 50) senior fellowship, “Our Time”, meets every other Wednesday, including Wednesday, March 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.
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 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. “The rich man is not one who has much, but one who gives much.” St. John Chrysostom
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.
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.
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 Christopher Athineos.
ARCHDIOCESE CONVENTION – Registration is now open for this year’s Archdiocese Convention in Chicago, IL, July 20-27. Go to AC2025CHICAGO.org for event registration. The Early Bird discount ends on April 30. Make hotel reservations at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare Chicago at (847) 696-1234.
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 – Today as St. Gregory Palamas encourages us to embrace silence in seeking the Lord, let us also silently make a provision for Christ’s Holy Church in our will or estate plan, not blowing a trumpet or making a big announcement, but knowing that we are in silence supporting generations yet to come.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Monday, March 17 Great Compline, 7 PM
Tuesday, March 18 Great Compline in Arabic, 6:30 PM
Wednesday, March 19 “Our Time” Adult Fellowship, 1-3 PM
Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, 6:30 PM
Followed by Pot Luck Supper
Friday, March 21 Little Compline with Akathist/Madayeh, 6:30 PM
Followed by Our Time-sponsored Supper
Saturday, March 22 Great Vespers, 5 PM
Monday, March24 Great Vespers @ St. Nicholas Cathedral, 7 PM
Tuesday, March 25 Feast of the Annunciation
Festal Orthros, 9:30 AM
Divine Liturgy, 10:30 AM
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “If you want Christ to bless you and what you have, when you meet a poor individual, who is hungry and asks you for food, give him. Also, when you know a poor man, or a widow, or an orphan is hungry, do not wait for them to ask you for food, but give them. Give with pleasure, and be not afraid that you will become indigent. Have faith that Christ invisibly blesses your few possessions, and you shall never starve, nor will you be in want till the end of your life.”
- St. Arsenios of Paros