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 31, 2024
Second Sunday of Great Lent
Tone 2 and Eothinon 10
Commemoration of Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessalonica
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 St. Gregory Palamas - Tone 8
O Star of Orthodoxy, support of the Church and its teacher, O comeliness of ascetics, and incontestable champion of those who speak in theology, Gregory the wonder-worker, the pride of Thessalonica and preacher of grace, implore thou constantly for the salvation of our souls.
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 1:10-2:3 (Second Sunday in Lent)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 11.7, 1. You, O Lord, shall keep us and preserve us.
Verse. Save me, O Lord, for the godly man has failed.
“IN THE BEGINNING, you, O Lord, didst found the earth, and the heavens are the work of thy hands; they will perish, but thou remainest; they will all grow old like a garment, like a mantle thou wilt roll them up, and they will be changed. But thou art the same, and thy years will never end.” But to what angel has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand, till I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet?” Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?
Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For if the message declared by angels was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him.
Gospel – Mark 2:1-12 (Second Sunday in Lent)
AT THAT TIME, when Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to Jesus a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there, reasoning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak thus? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus reasoned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you reason thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your pallet and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins” – he said to the paralytic – “I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home.” And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”
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 4:14-5:6 (Third Sunday of Great Lent)
Mark 8:34-9:1 (Third Sunday of Great Lent)
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
MARCH 31, 2024 – SECOND SUNDAY OF GREAT LENT
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.
MARCH IS WOMEN’S MONTH IN THE ANTIOCHIAN ARCHDIOCESE!
SUNDAY, MARCH 31 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Nadim Dahdouh, Dr. John D. Dalack, Matilda Eyd, Najibe Imtanios, George Kadour, Raphael and Mary Davis, Terez Ivantchev, Rose Klam, Maude Sarkis, and Michael Shraky. Memory eternal!
Dr. Gregory Dalack and Kh. Laila Ellias offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of their father, the servant of God Dr. John D. Dalack. Memory eternal!
Mary Ann Shraky offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Michael Shraky. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, APRIL 7 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Robert Coogan, Jr., Adele Hadad, Philip Hamwi, Helen Livreri, Roger Sabah, Henry Salloum, Robert Samara, Raymond Sayeg, Marie Louise Tashji, Florence Zagby, and Najeeb Zrake. Memory eternal!
Sandra Coogan will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of her son, the servant of God Robert Coogan, Jr. Memory eternal!
The Tashji Family will offer Prayers of Oblation and a 5-Year Memorial for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Marie Louise Tashji. A Coffee Hour in her memory will follow the Divine Liturgy. Memory eternal!
FASTING DISICIPLINE – The Great Fast 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.
MARCH IS LADIES MONTH! Our ushers today are Angela Athineos, Majdeline Boutros Elkhoury, Rima Alsifi Hazem, and Chaza Rafiaa. The Epistle will be read by Amanda Regnier in English and Majdeline Boutros Elkhoury in Arabic. The Ladies will also assist at the distribution of the Holy Eucharist.
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Nicholas Massab (Norwegian), 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, Victoria Sleyman, Claudette Teen, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, and Rose Zrake (at home).
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.
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. “Let us fill up what is lacking in our fasting with almsgiving for the poor.” St. Leo the Great
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.
ESTATE PLANNING – We should all make a will. Unless you have a valid will, the state will decide who will manage your affairs at your death. Have I included St. Mary’s Church in my will or estate plan?
DATES TO REMEMBER
Monday, April 1 Great Compline @ St. Nicholas Cathedral, 7:00 PM
Wednesday, April 3 Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, 6:30 PM
Followed by Pot Luck Supper
Friday, April 5 Little Compline with Akathist/Madayeh, 6:30 PM
Followed by Church School and PTO Dinner
Saturday, April 6 No Great Vespers
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “Fasting is an admirable thing, but it is more admirable to forgive insults. Through fasting a man is preparing for charity, but by forgiving insults, a person shows charity. Fasting precedes forgiveness, but fasting alone does not save without forgiveness.”
- St. Nicholai of Zica
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America