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, February 18, 2024
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
Tone 4 and Eothinon 4
Leo the Great, Pope of Rome
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.
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 4
Having learned the joyful message of the Resurrection from the angel, the women disciples of the Lord cast from them their parental condemnation, and proudly broke the news to the disciples, saying, Death hath been spoiled. Christ God is risen, granting the world 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 6:16-7:1 (Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost)
Prokeimenon. Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse. God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.
BRETHREN, we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will live in them and move among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore come out from them, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch nothing unclean; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, and make holiness perfect in the fear of God.
Gospel – Matthew 15:21-28 (Seventeenth Sunday of Matthew)
AT THAT TIME, Jesus went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and cried, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely possessed by a demon.” But Jesus did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying after us.” Jesus answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” And Jesus answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed at that very hour.
Next week’s homework: II Timothy 3:10-15 (Pharisee and Publican)
Luke 18:10-14 (Pharisee and Publican)
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. There is no fasting the week of the Pharisee and Publican (February 25-March 2).
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 – Donors are welcome for February and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
BLESSING OF HOMES – Please see the flyer in this bulletin to request a home blessing.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
FEBRUARY 18, 2024 – SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
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.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Mary Alexander, Almaza Allawh, Margaret Fiani Dib, Malak Karkenny, Renges Orfaly, and Alice Puccariella. Memory eternal!
Lisa Karkenny offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of her parents, the servants of God Violet and Malak Karkenny. Memory eternal!
The Family of Joseph Rosa offers Prayers of Oblation and a One-Year Memorial for the repose of his soul. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Thomas Abdallah, Margaret and Charles Assatly, Wadie Jabbour, Rt. Rev. Ananias Kassab and George Kassab, Lilly Malouf, and Wendy Sadaka Zavolas. Memory eternal!
Rhonda Byrnes will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of her parents, the servants of God Margaret and Charles Assatly. A Coffee Hour in their memory will follow the Divine Liturgy. Memory eternal!
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Nicholas Massab (Norwegian), Richard Zogob (Norwegian), Rouda Abboud, Yvonne Allawh, Patti DeLuca, John Eyd, Alice Farkouh, Joyce Katen, George Khoury, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, Wade Saadi, Howard Samara, Victoria Sleyman, Claudette Teen, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, and Rose Zrake (at home).
WINTER COAT DRIVE – The Teen SOYO Winter Coat Drive will continue through February. Coats, scarves, gloves, blankets, and other cold weather attire are welcome. Please place your offerings on the table in the vestibule. We will distribute all items to local charities and recipients.
OUR TIME – Our (over 50) senior fellowship, “Our Time”, meets every other Wednesday, including Wednesday, February 28, 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.
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING – The Annual Parish Meeting will take place on Sunday, March 3, following the Divine Liturgy. Please submit your nominations for the Parish Council to Vice Chair Dianna Russo Kitchen after securing the nominee’s willingness to serve.
PARKING – We ask our faithful parishioners to reserve the limited parking spaces directly in front of the church for our senior members and for those with mobility issues. Thank you for your cooperation!
GREAT VESPERS – Fr. Michael will be out of town for a wedding this weekend, so there will be no Great Vespers on Saturday, February 24. We will resume as usual next week. Fr. Jeremy Davis will celebrate next Sunday’s Orthros and Divine Liturgy.
TEEN SOYO – Teen SOYO will attend Great Vespers next Saturday, March 2, before hosting a Black and Purple Neon Party featuring a Karaoke Night. All teens 12 and up are welcome to attend. Please see the flyer in this bulletin for more information.
OUTREACH CENTER – The Holy Cross Brooklyn Outreach Center will hold a fundraising event at Cebu on Monday, February 26, from 6-9 PM. Please see the flyer in this bulletin for more information.
ANTIOCHIAN VILLAGE CAMP – Registration for Summer Camp has opened. Please open an account and register at www.avcamp.org. Scholarship assistance is available from the camp and from the parish.
PARISH LIFE CONFERENCE – Registration is now open for this year’s Parish Life Conference at the Antiochian Village Heritage and Learning Center in Ligonier, PA. To register go to https://antiochianevents.com/ny. Please make your room reservation as soon as possible because space is limited at the Center.
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 – I wonder if I’ll get a tax refund this year? If I do, should I dedicate part of that refund to the future ministry of the parish by giving it to the Endowment Fund?
DATES TO REMEMBER
Saturday, February 24 No Great Vespers
Monday, February 26 Outreach Center Fundraiser at Cebu, 6-9 PM
Saturday, March 2 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Teen SOYO Glow-in-the-Dark Karaoke Party
Sunday, March 3 Annual Parish Meeting
Sunday, March 10 Meat Fare Sunday
Monday, March 11 Parish Council, 7:00 PM
Sunday, March 17 Cheese Fare/Forgiveness Sunday
Monday, March 18 Clean Monday – Great Lent Begins
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “Short and fleeting are the joys of this world’s pleasures which endeavors to turn aside from the path of life those who are called to eternity. The faithful and religious spirit, therefore, must desire the things which are heavenly, and being eager for the divine promises, lift itself to the love of the incorruptible Good and the hope of the true Light.”
- St. Leo the Great
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America