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, March 17, 2024
Sunday of Forgiveness (Cheese Fare)
Tone 8 and Eothinon 8
Venerable Alexios the “Man of God” and Patrick, Bishop of Armagh and Enlightener of Ireland
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 8
O Compassionate One, thou didst descend from the heights; thou didst submit to the three-day burial, that thou mightest deliver us from passion. Thou art our Life and our Resurrection, O Lord, glory to thee.
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 Cheese Fare Sunday – Tone 6
O Thou who guidest to wisdom, and givest understanding and intelligence, the instructor of the ignorant, and Helper of the poor, strengthen my heart and grant it understanding, O Master. Give me word, O Word of the Father; for behold, I shall not refrain my lips from crying to thee, O merciful One, have mercy upon me who am fallen.
Epistle – Romans 13:11-14; 14:1-4 (Cheese Fare Sunday)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 46.6, 1. O chant unto our God, chant ye.
Verse. Clap your hands, all ye nations.
BRETHREN, now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk becomingly, as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in chambering and licentiousness, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts.
But as for the one who is weak in faith, receive him, but not for disputes over opinions. For one believes he may eat anything; but the weak person eats herbs. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. Who are you to be the judge over the servant of a stranger? To his own master he either stands or falls; but he will be made to stand; for God is able to make him stand.
Gospel – Matthew 6:14-21 (Cheese Fare Sunday)
THE LORD SAID, “If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Next week’s homework: Hebrews 11:24-26, 32-40 (First Sunday of Lent)
John 1:43-51 (Sunday of Orthodoxy)
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 March and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
MARCH 17, 2024 – SUNDAY OF FORGIVENESS (CHEESE FARE)
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.
MARCH IS WOMEN’S MONTH IN THE ANTIOCHIAN ARCHDIOCESE!
SUNDAY, MARCH 17 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Dr. George B. Cury, Mary Ganim, Mary Hamaty, Gloria L. Harris, Gloria and Edward Jabara Sr., Bikturia Kaba, Maurice Khzam, Violette Shamas Mahab, Nadima and Alfred G. Makhoul, Thomas Russo, Frederick P. Schroeder, Elias Shawah, and. Robert Thabit. Memory eternal!
Mona Thabit of LaJolla, CA, offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of her father, the servant of God Robert (Bob) Thabit, Esq. Memory eternal!
Refaat Kabah offers Prayers of Oblation and a One-Year Memorial for the repose of the soul of the servant of God George Kaddour and prayers for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Dr. Vicky Zaher, Monir Kaba, Wajiha Kaba and Afifa Zaher. Memory eternal!
Gale Zarr offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Dr. Robert Haddad. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, MARCH 24 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Raymonde Alexander, Atina Hanna, Albert Kaidy, Nazem Khoury, Frederick Makhoul, Helen and Michael Nassoor, Abraham and Olga Saba, Edward A. Zraick, and Pamela Zraick Nakleh. Memory eternal!
Marie Bryant will offer Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of the soul of her husband, the servant of God Charles Bryant. Memory eternal!
The Ladies of St. Mary’s will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Charles Bryant. Memory eternal!
MARCH IS LADIES MONTH! Our ushers today are Elsa Khzam, Marian Russo, Audrey Sahadi, and Gale Zarr. The Epistle will be read by Audrey Sahadi in English and Nahla Bittar in Arabic. The Ladies will also assist with the distribution of the Holy Eucharist.
FORGIVENESS VESPERS – After the Divine Liturgy, please go to the hall for coffee or water and a bite to eat. During the Coffee Hour there will be a brief presentation about the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC). We will then return to church for the celebration of Forgiveness Vespers with the Rite of Forgiveness.
OCMC SUNDAY – Today is Missions Sunday in the Orthodox Churches in North America. We welcome Dan Christopulos from the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) to address us both at the end of the Divine Liturgy and during the Coffee Hour. We also welcome Mrs. Jeannie Arida from the OCMC Board of Trustees who will have materials available about Orthodox missions.
FASTING DISICIPLINE – Today is the last day we eat eggs, cheese, dairy and their by-products until Holy Pascha. The Great Fast begins tomorrow and continues until our celebration of the Feast of Feasts, Pascha: Our Lord’s Resurrection (May 5). 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 (Monday, March 25) fish, wine and olive oil are permitted.
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Nicholas Massab (Norwegian), Vicky Nahas (MA), Howard Samara (Upper East Side Rehab), Richard Zogob (Norwegian), Rouda Abboud, Yvonne Allawh, Patti DeLuca, John Eyd, Alice Farkouh, Joyce Katen, George Khoury, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, Wade Saadi, Bob Sahadi, Victoria Sleyman, Claudette Teen, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, and Rose Zrake (at home).
MEMORY ETERNAL! We are deeply saddened to announce that in the hope of the Resurrection the servant of God Dr. Robert Haddad departed this life last Friday. Bob Haddad was one of the great intellectual lights of Antiochian Orthodoxy and a faithful servant of the Archdiocese for many years. He was professor emeritus of Smith College in Northampton, MA, and a former president of the American University of Beirut. We extend our deepest sympathies to his sister, Josette Generale, as well as to his daughters Emily, Josette, and Laila and their families. Memory eternal!
MEMORY ETERNAL! We are deeply saddened to announce that in the hope of the Resurrection the servant of God Paul Lang departed this life on Tuesday. Paul was the widower of the former president of the Ladies of St. Mary’s, Lily Lang. His funeral was in Basking Ridge, NJ, on Friday. We extend our sympathies to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Memory eternal!
SATURDAY OF THE SOULS – There will be a Divine Liturgy for the “Miracle of the Kollyva” and the Saturday of the Souls on Saturday, March 23, at 10:30 AM. Please give the names of your departed loved ones to Fr. Michael.
FEAST OF THE ANNUNCIATION – We will celebrate the Evening Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom at 6:00 PM on Monday, March 25, for the Feast of the Annunciation of the Theotokos. Fr. Thomas Zain and the faithful of St. Nicholas Cathedral will join us.
ORDER OF ST. IGNATIS OF ANTIOCH – The Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch will host a Town Hall Meeting here at St. Mary’s Church on Monday, March 25, following the Evening Divine Liturgy for the Annunciation. A light meal will follow the Divine Liturgy. Mr. Edward Assile, a past president of the Governing Council of the Order and its current Treasurer, will make a presentation about the work of the Order. All current and potential members are welcome and encouraged to attend. Please see the flyer in this bulletin for reservation details.
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 Anthony Zrake.
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 – The traditional FFHP collection boxes are now available in the narthex. 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. This week’s Great Compline will be at St. Nicholas Cathedral. 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.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Sunday, March 17 Cheese Fare/Forgiveness Sunday
Monday, March 18 Clean Monday – Great Lent Begins
Great Compline @ St. Nicholas Cathedral, 7:00 PM
Wednesday, March 20 Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, 6:30 PM
Friday, March 22 Little Compline with Akathist/Madayeh, 6:30 PM
Saturday, March 23 Divine Liturgy of Kollyva & Saturday of the Souls, 10:30 AM
Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Monday, March 25 Vesperal Divine Liturgy for the Annunciation, 6:00 PM
Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch Town Hall
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “The amount we give is not judged by the largeness of our gifts but the largeness of our hearts.”
- St. John Chrysostom
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America