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 4, 2024
Thirty-Second Sunday after Pentecost
Tone 2 and Eothinon 2
After-Feast of the Presentation (Meeting) of Christ
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 the Presentation of Christ into the Temple – Tone 1
Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, full of grace, for from thee arose the Sun of justice, Christ our God, lighting those who are in darkness. Rejoice and be glad, O righteous old man, carrying in thine arms the Deliverer of our souls, who granteth us resurrection.
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 Presentation of Christ in the Temple – Tone 1
Thou, O Christ God, who by thy Birth, didst sanctify the Virgin’s womb, and, as is meet, didst bless Simeon’s arms, and didst also come to save us; preserve thy fold in wars, and confirm them whom thou didst love; for thou alone art the Lover of mankind.
Epistle – I Timothy 4:9-15 (Thirty-Second Sunday after Pentecost)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 28.11, 1. The Lord will give strength to his people.
Verse. Bring to the Lord, O sons of God, bring to the Lord honor and glory.
TIMOTHY, my son, the saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.
Command and teach these things. Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Till I come, attend to the public reading of scripture, to preaching, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophetic utterance when the council of elders laid their hands upon you. Practice these duties, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress.
Gospel – Luke 19:1-10 (Fifteenth Sunday of Luke)
AT THAT TIME, Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. And there was a man named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector, and rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not, on account of the crowd, because he was small of stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Jesus, for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” So he made haste and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it they all murmured, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded any one of anything, I restore it fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Next week’s homework: II Corinthians 6:1-10 (16th Sunday after Pentecost)
Matthew 25:14-30 (Sixteenth Sunday of Matthew)
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.
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 January. 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.”
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
FEBRUARY 4, 2024 – THIRTY-SECOND 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 4 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Elaine Ateyeh, Lila Zayat Ara, Louis Assatly, Shamseh M. Dalack, Norman Alfred Galloway, and Violet Karkenny. Memory eternal!
Marc Galloway offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of his father, the servant of God Norman Alfred Galloway. Memory eternal!
The Ghattas Family offers Prayers of Oblation and a 9-Day Memorial for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Girgis (George) Ghattas who departed this life in Syria. Memory eternal!
Elias Hazem and Family offer Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of the soul of his brother, the servant of God Issa Hazem. A Coffee Hour in his memory will follow the Divine Liturgy. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Dr. William and Hend Arida, David Bittar, Elias Darzi, George Ganim, Emileen Hanna, Jacob Khoury, Emily Nassoor, George Sabah, and Louis Sabah. Memory eternal!
Dr. Kenneth and Jeannie Arida will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Dr. William and Hend Arida. A Coffee Hour in their memory will follow the Divine Liturgy. Memory eternal!
Peter Elkas will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of his aunt, the handmaiden of God Emily Nassour. Memory eternal!
Lisa Hurter will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Albert, Mabel, Stephanie, and Dr. David Bittar. Memory eternal!
Susan Nelson will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of her father, the servant of God Louis Sabah. Memory eternal!
HOLY BREAD – Linda and George Salamy have made a donation for the entire year. Additional donors are welcome for February and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
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.
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, John Eyd (Jewish Home, Freehold), Nicholas Massab (Norwegian), Richard Zogob (Norwegian), Rouda Abboud, Yvonne Allawh, Patti DeLuca, Alice Farkouh, George Khoury, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, Wade Saadi, Victoria Sleyman, Claudette Teen, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, and Rose Zrake (at home).
LADIES OF ST. MARY’S – The Ladies will hold their first meeting of the year following the Divine Liturgy. All women of the parish are welcome and encouraged to participate.
SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY – Teen SOYO invites everyone to support their Souper Bowl Sunday project by bringing one canned good and one dollar next Sunday. We will distribute the food locally, and the monetary donation will support the work of IOCC in Gaza, Syria, and Lebanon.
SUPER BOWL WATCH PARTY – Please see the flyer in this bulletin about the Super Bowl Watch Party next Sunday, February 11, in the Church Hall. Please see Sam Maalouf for more information.
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.
ANTIOCHIAN VILLAGE CAMP – The Antiochian Village will host Winter Camp for teens in grades 7-12 on February 16-19. Registration forms for campers and staff are available online at https://avcamp.org/programs/winter-camp/. Also, 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.
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 – People often say, “If I ever win the lottery, I would take care of the church.” Well, we have already won the lottery – we have received the forgiveness of our sins and the promise of eternal life. So, it’s time to take care of the church!
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Thursday, February 8 Pan-Orthodox High School Open House, 6:30 PM
Saturday, February 10 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Sunday, February 11 Super Bowl Watch Party, 5-10 PM
Monday, February 12 Parish Council, 7:00 PM
Sunday, March 3 Annual Parish Meeting
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. For His mercy endures forever.”
- Psalm 106:1