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, April 21, 2024
Fifth Sunday of Great Lent
Tone 5 and Eothinon 2
Commemoration of Our Righteous Mother Mary of Egypt
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 St. Mary of Egypt – Tone 8
Through thee the divine likeness was securely preserved, O Mother Mary; for thou didst carry the cross and followed Christ. By example and precept thou didst teach us to ignore the body because it is perishable, and to attend to the concerns of the undying soul. Therefore, doth thy soul rejoice with the angels.
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 – Hebrews 9:11-14 (Fifth Sunday in Lent)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 75.11, 1. Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse. God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.
BRETHREN, when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
Gospel – Mark 10:32-45 (Fifth Sunday in Lent)
AT THAT TIME, Jesus took his twelve disciples, and began to tell them what was to happen to him saying, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and deliver him to the Gentiles; and they will mock him, and scourge him, and spit upon him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise again.”
And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him, and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And Jesus said to them, “What do you want me to do for you? And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be servant of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
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: Philippians 4:4-9 (Palm Sunday)
John 12:1-18 (Palm Sunday)
APRIL 21, 2024 – FIFTH 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.
SUNDAY, APRIL 21 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Mary Ayoub, Jean and George Fadool, Marie Farkouh, Albert Hanna, Edward Hanna, George Kaiatt, Edward S. Mackoul, Violet Mamary, Linda and William Nafash, Olga and Abraham Saba, Mary B. Savarese, Leon Smatt, Felipe Trabulsi, John Wizeman, Albert G. Zarr. Memory eternal!
Rose Abdallah offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Olga and Abraham Saba and Jean and George Fadool. Memory eternal!
Sandra and Robert Coogan offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Mary B. Savarese. Memory eternal!
Peter Elkas will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of his uncle, the servant of God George Kaiatt. Memory eternal!
The Kaba Family offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Wajiha Kaba, Muneer Kaba, George Kadour, Afefeh Zaher, and Vicky Zaher. Memory eternal!
Drs. Lori and Michael Smatt offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Leon Smatt. Memory eternal!
The Ellias Family offers Prayers of Oblation and a One-Year Memorial for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Archpriest Angelo Artemas. Memory eternal!
Anna Zarr and Family offer Prayers of Oblation and a 10-Year Memorial for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Albert G. Zarr. A Coffee Hour in his memory will follow the Divine Liturgy. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, APRIL 28 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Helen Cook, James J. Coury, Thomas Gehshan, Yvonne and Alexander Hamwi, Michael Howie, Yvonne Khoury, Renee Matouk, Yvonne Nicholas, and Nazira and Gabriel Samen. Memory eternal!
The Family of Thomas Gehshan will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of his soul on the 25th anniversary of his repose, as well as for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Atina, Albert and Edward Hanna. Memory eternal!
HOLY BREAD – Donors are welcome for April, May, and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
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.
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Nicholas Massab (Norwegian), Howard Samara (Upper East Side Rehab), Rouda Abboud, Yvonne Allawh, Patti DeLuca, Alice Farkouh, George Khoury, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, Wade Saadi, Victoria Sleyman, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, Richard Zogob, and Rose Zrake (at home).
OUR TIME – Our (over 50) senior fellowship, “Our Time”, meets every other Wednesday, including Wednesday, April 24, 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.
PATRIARCH OFFERING – Our pledge envelopes for the month of April included a pink envelope marked “Patriarch Offering.” Please use this envelope to support the Metropolitan’s annual appeal on behalf of the Patriarch of Antioch, especially in the wake of last year’s earthquake. 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 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. “I have an agreement with God: I will empty my pockets in almsgiving, and He will fill them. He has never violated our agreement!” Elder Epiphanios of Athens
LENTEN LITURGICAL SCHEDULE – The final Great Compline of Great Lent will be here at St. Mary’s Church on Monday at 7 PM. On Wednesday we will celebrate the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts at 6:30 followed by a Pot Luck Supper. On Friday we will celebrate Little Compline with the Canon of St. Lazarus at 6:30 PM. On Saturday we will offer the Proskomedia/Prothesis (the preparation of the Holy Gifts) at 10 AM followed by the Divine Liturgy for Lazarus Saturday. There will be Great Vespers for Palm Sunday at 5 PM.
SACRAMENT OF REPENTANCE (CONFESSION) – The Great Fast is THE TIME for all believers to receive the Sacrament of Repentance (Confession). The pastor hears confessions by appointment and before and after all the divine services. Please do not wait until the last minute! If you would like to go to one of the other Orthodox priests in Brooklyn, feel free to do so, but inform the pastor.
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.
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.
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 – We can support future generations of parishioners at every stage of our lives. In our 50s we can share our values through a gift in our wills or living trusts, and it costs us nothing today! In our 60s we can transform our retirement plan or life insurance policy into a powerful gift by adding St. Mary’s Church as a beneficiary. In our 70s we can make a gift from our IRA directly to the church and avoid paying income taxes on the money. In our 80s, 90s and beyond, we can carry on our values through any of these legacy gifts to support the work in God’s Vineyard.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Monday, April 22 Great Compline, 7:00 PM
Wednesday, April 24 “Our Time” Adult Fellowship, 1-3 PM
Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, 6:30 PM
Followed by Pot Luck Supper
Friday, April 26 Little Compline with Canon of Lazarus, 6:30 PM
Saturday, April 27 Public Prothesis, 10 AM
Divine Liturgy of Lazarus Saturday, 10:45 AM
Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Sunday, April 28 Palm Sunday
Bridegroom Matins, 7:00 PM
Monday, April 29 Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, 9:00 AM
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – Prayer together with almsgiving can furnish us with countless good things from above. They can quench the fire of sin in our souls and can give us great freedom. Cornelius had recourse to these two virtues and sent his prayers up to heaven. Because of these two virtues he heard the angel say, “Thy prayers and thy alms have gone up and been remembered in the sight of God.”
- St. John Chrysostom
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America