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, July 20, 2025
Prophet Elias (Elijah)
Tone 5 and Eothinon 6
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 the Prophet Elias – Tone 4
O angelic of body, pillar of the Prophets and their corner-stone, the forerunner of the Second Coming of Christ, the venerable and glorious Elijah, thou didst send grace from on high to Elisha to dispel sickness and to purify lepers. Wherefore, he ever overfloweth with healing to those who honour him.
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 – James 5:10-20 (The Prophet Elias)
Prokeimenon. Thou art a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.
Verse. The Lord said unto my Lord: Sit Thou on my right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool.
BRETHREN, take as an example of suffering and patience the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we call those happy who were steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath, but let your yes be yes and your no be no, that you may not fall under condemnation.
Is any one among your suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects. Elijah was a man of like nature with ourselves and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth its fruit.
My brethren, if any one among you wanders from the truth and some one brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
Gospel – Matthew 9:1-8 (Sixth Sunday of Matthew)
AT THAT TIME, Jesus got into a boat, crossed over and came to his own city. And behold, they brought to him a paralytic, lying on his bed; and when Jesus saw their faith he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins” – he then said to the paralytic – “Rise, take up your bed and go home.” And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they marveled, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.
Next week’s homework: II Timothy 2:1-10 (Great Martyr Panteleimon)
Matthew 9:27-35 (Seventh Sunday of Matthew)
HOLY BREAD – 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.
FASTING DISCIPLINE – We observe our customary fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays.
July 20, 2025 – PROPHET ELIAS (ELIJAH) THE TISHBITE
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, JULY 20 – We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Donald Abraham Ballan, Very Reverend Father Wakeem Dalack, Victor Farkouh, Gloria Saba Galloway, Joseph Imtanios, Josephine A. Khoury, Eissa Makarious Laham, Edmund Nahas, Marguerite Sabah, William Anthony Soued, Laurice Swaya, and George Zrake. Memory eternal!
Patricia Ballan offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Donald A. Ballan. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, JULY 27 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Rosanne Ganim Amodeo, Rose and Dewey Awad, Kenneth Jabara, Khourieh Rose Khoury, Lily Lang, George Sabbagh, and Georgette and John Shahood. 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.”
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).
OCPM – Our July pledge envelopes included a purple envelope for Prison Ministry (Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry). We will receive this collection on Sunday, July 27, Prison Ministry Sunday. Please be as generous as possible in support of this ministry. If you are not receiving monthly envelopes, please contact the church office.
GOLF OUTING – Invitations and sponsorship forms have gone out in the mail 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. We will honor Nahla Bittar Fattouh with our Lifetime Achievement Award and the late Alexander Deeb with the Victor M. Samra, Jr. Memorial Award. Please plan to support this event which has covered the cost of so many projects and capital improvements for our beloved parish.
ARCHDIOCESE CONVENTION – Fr. Michael will attend the Archdiocese Convention in Chicago, IL, from tomorrow, July 21, through Sunday, July 27. In the event of a pastoral emergency, please call Deacon Farid at (347) 524-7708. Fr. Bogdan Bucur, Professor of Patristics at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in Crestwood, NY, will celebrate the divine services next Sunday.
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.
SUMMER PLEDGES - As many people are away during the summer, it is very important that we continue sending in our pledges on a regular basis. So far this year our pledges are down over $10,000 compared to last year at this time.
ROOF APPEAL – 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, Helen and Fred Hadad, James Harris, Marianne Hindelly, Krassimira Ivanchev, Lina and Samer Kaiami, Lisa Karkenny, Joyce Katen, George Khoury, Dianna Russo Kitchen, Anne Mackoul, Edward Mackoul, Rafik Mahab, Corinne and Michael Mallia, Camil Malouf, Linda Mantia, Daria and Thomas Mayrose, Denise McBride, George Moore, Renee and Theodore Najjar, Holly and Mark Nakleh, Susan and Gordon Nelson, Chaza and Amer Rafiaa, 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, Kathleen and Karl Zarr, Leen Zgheib, Karen Zraick, Yvonne and Anthony Zrake, and Gregory Zrake.
ESTATE PLANNING – St. Mary’s Church gratefully acknowledges the recent bequest to the Endowment Fund from the estate of our beloved Rose Zrake who departed this life in the hope of the Resurrection on November 3, 2024. God willing, her thoughtful remembrance of her much-loved parish will inspire others to include the church in their wills or estate plans. Memory eternal!
DATES TO REMEMBER
August 1-14 Dormition of the Theotokos Fast
Tuesday, August 5 Evening Divine Liturgy, 7 PM
Wednesday, August 6 Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ
Thursday, August 14 Evening Divine Liturgy, 7 PM
Friday, August 15 Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos
Monday, September 8 Saints and Sinners Golf and Tennis Outing
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America