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 23, 2025
Third Sunday of Great Lent
Tone 6 and Eothinon 6
Veneration of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 6
When Mary stood at thy grave looking for thy sacred body, angelic powers shone above thy revered tomb, and the soldiers who were to keep guard became as dead men. Thou led hades captive and wast not tempted thereby. Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst give life to the world; O thou that art risen from the dead! O Lord, glory to thee.
Apolytikion of the Holy Cross – Tone 1
O Lord, save thy people and bless thine inheritance, granting our believing kings victory over the Barbarians, and by the power of thy Cross preserving thy commonwealth.
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 4:14-5:6 (Third Sunday in Lent)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 27.9, 1. O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse. To you, O Lord, have I cried, O my God.
BRETHREN, since we have a high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was.
So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, “Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee”; as he says also in another place, “Thou art a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”
Gospel – Mark 8:34-9:1 (Third Sunday in Lent)
THE LORD SAID, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” And Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.”
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 6:13-20 (Fourth Sunday of Great Lent)
Mark 9:17-31 (Fourth Sunday of Great Lent)
FEAST OF THE ANNUNCIAITON – We will celebrate Great Vespers tomorrow, March 24, at 7 PM at St. Nicholas Cathedral in anticipation of the Feast of the Annunciation. We will then celebrate Festal Orthros at 9:30 and the Divine Liturgy for the feast at 10:30 on Tuesday morning. In the fasting tradition, fish is permitted on this feast.
MARCH 23, 2025 – THIRD SUNDAY OF GREAT LENT – VENERATION OF THE PRECIOUS AND LIFE-GIVING CROSS
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 23 - We 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!
The Family of Helen and Michael Nassor offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of their souls. A Coffee Hour in their memory will follow the Divine Liturgy. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, MARCH 30 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Raymonde Alexander, Nadim Dahdouh, Dr. John D. Dalack, Mary and Raphael Davis, Matilda Eyd, Najibe Imtanios, George Kadour, Nazem Khoury, Rose Klam, and Maude Sarkis. Memory eternal!
The Family of Dr. Robert Madey will offer Prayers of Oblation, the Holy Bread, and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of his soul. Memory eternal!
MARCH IS LADIES MONTH! Our ushers today are Barbara Deeb, Janice Deeb, Lorraine Deeb, and Chaza Rafiaa. Barbara Deeb will read the Epistle in English, and Samia Keriaky will read in Arabic.
FASTING DISICIPLINE – The Great Fast 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.
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 Chris Athineos.
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.
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, John Petrick (Norwegian), Joyce Samaha (NYU Lutheran), Rouda Abboud, Isla Albishara, Yvonne Allawh, Patti DeLuca, Alice Farkouh, Diana Finger, George Khoury, Joseph Khouri, Terry Mackoul, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, William Robinson, Victor Samaha, and Victoria Sleyman (at home).
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.
LENTEN LITURGICAL SCHEDULE – There will be Great Compline each Monday night at 7:00 PM (except for this Monday), 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 week there will be Great Vespers at St. Nicholas Cathedral tomorrow at 7 PM in anticipation of the Feast of the Annunciation.
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.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Monday, March24 Great Vespers @ St. Nicholas Cathedral, 7 PM
Tuesday, March 25 Festal Orthros, 9:30 AM
Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Annunciation, 10:30 AM
Great Compline in Arabic, 6:30 PM
Wednesday, March 26 Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, 6:30 PM
Followed by Pot Luck Supper
Friday, March 28 Little Compline with Akathist Hymn/Madayeh, 6:30 PM
Followed by dinner sponsored by the Ladies of St. Mary’s
Saturday, March 29 Great Vespers, 5 PM
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “The joy of human life springs forth from the Cross.”
- Elder Ephraim of Katounakia
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America