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 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, June 29, 2025
The Holy and Glorious Apostles Peter and Paul
Tone 2 and Eothinon 3
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 2
When thou, O immortal Life, didst humble thyself unto death, then didst thou destroy death by the brightness of thy Godhead; and when thou didst raise the bowels of the earth, then all the heavenly powers exclaimed, O Christ, thou art the Giver of life! Glory to thee, O our God!
Apolytikion of Saints Peter and Paul – Tone 4
O Foremost in the ranks of Apostles, and teachers of the world, intercede with the Master of all to grant safety to the world and to our souls 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 the Theotokos – Tone 2
O undisputed intercessor of Christians, the mediatrix unrejected by the Creator, turn not away from the voice of our petitions, though we be sinners. Come to us in time, who cry to thee in faith, with assistance; for thou art good. Hasten to us with intercessions, O Theotokos, who dost ever intercede for those who honour thee.
Epistle – II Corinthians 11:21-33; 12:1-9 (Saints Peter and Paul)
Prokeimenon. Their sound hath gone forth into all the earth.
Verse. The heavens show forth the glory of God.
BRETHREN, whatever anyone dares to boast of – I am speaking as a fool – I also dare to boast of that. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one – I am talking like a madman – with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. Five times I have received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I have been beaten with rods; once I was stoned. Three times I have been shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brethren; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure upon me of my anxiety for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant?
If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed forever, knows that I do not lie. At Damascus, the governor under King Aretas guarded the city of Damascus in order to seize me, but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped his hands.
I must boast; there is nothing to be gained by it, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven – whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. And I know that this man was caught up into Paradise – whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows – and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. Though if I wish to boast, I shall not be a fool, for I shall be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. And to keep me from being too elated by the abundance of revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I besought the Lord about this, that it should leave me; but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Gospel – Matthew 16:13-19 (Holy Apostles Peter and Paul)
AT THAT TIME, when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do men say that I, the Son of man, am?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” Jesus said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona: for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Next week’s homework: Romans 6:18-23 (Fourth Sunday after Pentecost)
Matthew 8:5-13 (Fourth Sunday of Matthew)
June 29, 2025 – HOLY AND GLORIOUS APOSTLES PETER AND PAUL
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.
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, JUNE 29 – We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Linda Abdallah, Fouad Allawh, William Assatly, Sr., Angela Boojamra, Mae Karram, Maggy Karam, George Massabni, Helen Sahadi and Salvatore Savarese. Memory eternal!
Rima Al Sifi offers Prayers of Oblation and the Holy Bread for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Maria Kryakous. Memory eternal!
Sandra and Robert Coogan offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Salvatore Savarese. Memory eternal!
Corinne and Michael Mallia and Family offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Maggy Karam. Memory eternal!
Irene Tashji offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of her grandmother, the handmaiden of God Linda Abdallah. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, JULY 6 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Dr. Fuad Yousef Dirbas, Jamila Eadeh, Marguerite and Fred Farkouh, Michael Eyd, and Nora Hamod, Viola Kazan, George T. Lewis, Georgette Maione, Lillian and Leon Hattab, and Baseem and Valentine Trabulsi. Memory eternal!
Regina and Brian Farkouh will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Marguerite and Fred Farkouh. Memory eternal!
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, John Petrick (Norwegian), Joyce Samaha (Sunrise, Mountain Lakes), Alice Farkouh, Robert Ghiz, Renee Setteducato, Rouda Abboud, Isla Albishara, Yvonne Allawh, Diana Finger, George Khoury, Terry Mackoul, Denise McBride, and Alfred Nahas (at home).
SUMMER DRESS - With the warm summer Sundays upon us, please remember to dress properly for services. No shorts and t-shirts (especially with writing or logos on them) for adults and teens. Remember we are coming to worship in a sacred place.
HOLY BREAD – Diane Zamaria offers the Holy Bread for the month of June for the repose of the soul of her beloved husband, the servant of God Dr. Samir Zamaria. Memory eternal! Paula Arnuk and Family have offered the Holy Bread for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Dr. Issam Arnuk for the month. Memory eternal! Additional donors are welcome for July and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
OCMC – Our June pledge envelopes included a yellow envelope for OCMC (Orthodox Christian Mission Center). Please be as generous as possible in support of Orthodox missions and missionaries throughout the world. If you are not receiving monthly envelopes, please contact the church office.
BACKPACK PROJECT – Teen SOYO will once again sponsor 48 backpacks for underprivileged students in District 20 of the NYC Department of Education in cooperation with FOCUS. We welcome donations of $25/backpack. Our total commitment is $1200. Please make checks payable to St. Mary’s Church with “Backpack” in the memo line. The Teens thank you for supporting their community outreach project!
GOLF OUTING – Mark your calendars for this year’s edition of the St. Mary’s Church Saints and Sinners Golf and Tennis Outing on Monday, September 8, the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos! This year we will be in a new location, the beautiful Richmond County Golf and Country Club on Staten Island, so it will be easier for Brooklyners, Staten Islanders, and New Jerseyites to attend. We will honor Nahla Bittar Fattouh with our Lifetime Achievement Award and the late Alexander Deeb with the Victor M. Samra, Jr. Memorial Award. Invitations and sponsorship forms will be in the mail within the next two weeks. Please plan to support this event which has covered the cost of so many projects and capital improvements for our beloved parish.
ROOF APPEAL – The Parish Council has mailed an appeal for the replacement of the church roof. If all of our 300 households contributed approximately $400 each, we would cover the cost. Let’s prayerfully consider our response to this necessary project. We acknowledge donations from Rose Abdallah, Sonia and Henry Abounaoum, Anita Absey, Dr. Bassam and Naziha Aldaia, Nicole and Jeff Anderson, Kim and Gary Gangone, Majed Atalla and Samia Keriaky, Angela and Christopher Athineos, Sandra Arida, Joan Bacon, Patricia Ballan, John J. DeLuca Foundation, Nicholas El-Khoury, Father Michael and Laila Ellias, Anita and John Eyd, Deacon Farid and Aline Farkouh, Alice and David Furer, Josette and John Generale, Giorgi Guguberidze, James Harris, Krassimira Ivanchev, Joyce Katen, George Khoury, Dianna Russo Kitchen, Anne Mackoul, Edward Mackoul, Rafik Mahab, Corinne and Michael Mallia, Linda Mantia, Daria and Thomas Mayrose, Denise McBride, George Moore, Holly and Marc Nakleh, Susan and Gordon Nelson, Karen and Robert Rich, Marian Russo, Brenda Sabbagh, Audrey and Charles Sahadi, Louise Sahadi, Robert Sahadi, Linda and George Salamy, Catherine and Raymond Saleeby, Sam Salhany, Caroline and Peter Schneirla, Barbara and Dennis Shawah, Karen and Anthony Tadross, Irene Tashji, George Trisciuzzi, Marilyn and Mike Tulaney, Gale Zarr, and Karen Zraick.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Monday, July 14 Parish Council, 7 PM
Monday, September 8 Saints and Sinners Golf and Tennis Outing
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.