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 28, 2024
Glorious and Brilliant Feast of the Entrance
of Our Lord Jesus Christ into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday)
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Entrance Hymn of Palm Sunday
Blessed is He Who cometh in the Name of the Lord: God is the Lord and hath appeared unto us. Save us, O Son of God, Who didst sit upon the foal of an ass; who sing to Thee. Allelluia.
Apolytikion of Righteous Lazarus – Tone 1
O Christ God, when thou didst raise Lazarus from the dead, before thy Passion, thou didst confirm the universal resurrection. Wherefore, we, like babes, carry the insignia of triumph and victory, and cry to thee, O Vanquisher of death, Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord.
Apolytikion of Palm Sunday – Tone 4
O Christ God, when we were buried with thee in Baptism, we became deserving of thy resurrection to immortal life. Wherefore, we praise thee, crying, Hosanna in the highest, blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord.
Kontakion for Palm Sunday – Tone 6
Upborne upon the heavenly throne, and seated upon the earthly foal, O Christ our God, receive the praises of angels and the hymns of men, exclaiming before thee, Blessed is he that cometh to restore Adam.
Epistle – Philippians 4:4-9 (Palm Sunday)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 117.26, 1. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Verse. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His mercy endures forever.
BRETHREN, rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you.
Gospel – John 12:1-18 (Palm Sunday)
SIX DAYS BEFORE THE PASSOVER, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus who had died was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at table with him. Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. But Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, one of his disciples [he who was to betray Jesus], said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” This he said, not because he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box he used to take what was put into it. Jesus said, “Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of my burial. The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”
When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came, not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus also to death, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.
The next day a great crowd who had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel!” And Jesus found a young ass and sat upon it; as it is written, “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on an ass’s colt.”
His disciples did not understand this at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that this had been written of him and had been done to him. The crowd that had been with Jesus when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead bore witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet Jesus was that they heard he had done this sign.
Next week’s homework: Acts 1:1-8 (Great and Holy Pascha)
John 1:1-17 (Great and Holy Pascha)
HOLY WEEK BEGINS THIS EVENING AT 7:00 PM WITH THE BRIDEGROOM MATINS.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
APRIL 28, 2024 – GLORIOUS AND BRILLIANT ENTRANCE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST INTO JERUSALEM (PALM SUNDAY)
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 28 - We 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!
Nasiba Abou Assaly offers Prayers of Oblation for the health of the servants of God Amal Baydoon and George Dagheem. Many years!
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!
The Family of Thomas Gehshan offers 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!
NEXT SUNDAY, MAY 5 – On Holy Pascha we pray for all “the quick and the dead” of the parish.
HOLY BREAD – Donors are welcome for May and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
FASTING DISCIPLINE – Today, Palm Sunday, fish, wine and oil are permitted. During Great and Holy Week (April 29-May 4) wine and olive oil are permitted on Holy Thursday (May 2) morning after the Divine Liturgy, and wine is permitted on Holy Saturday (May 4) after the Divine Liturgy. There is no fasting on Holy Pascha (May 5) and throughout Bright Week (May 5-11).
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).
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
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.
FOOD FOR HUNGRY PEOPLE – Please remember to submit your FFHP donations as soon as possible. If writing a check, please make it payable to St. Mary’s Church with FFHP in the memo line.
LITURGICAL RESOURCES – Holy Week is here. Our parish Bookstore, dedicated to the memory of Elena Paris, has copies of the service books for Holy Week and Holy Pascha. Please contact Lorraine Deeb at ldeebsped@verizon.net or (718) 491-4996 to reserve your books.
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.
SACRAMENT OF REPENTANCE (CONFESSION) – Holy Week 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.
VIGIL AT THE TOMB OF CHRIST – Teen SOYO has historically sponsored the Vigil at the Tomb of Christ after the Matins of Holy Saturday (on Friday evening) with the Lamentations until the Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great on Holy Saturday morning. Everyone is welcome to participate and to read the Psalms and the Gospel in English and Arabic.
PALM SUNDAY MA-AMOUL SALE – We thank the faithful ladies who labored so lovingly this week to provide ma-amoul for our holiday celebrations. Those who placed an order in advance may pick up their orders today following the Divine Liturgy. There will not be any additional items available today because of the robust pre-sales. The proceeds from this project will go to International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) for their projects in support of the suffering people of Lebanon, Syria and Turkey.
ST. NICHOLAS CATHEDRAL MOTHER’S DAY GALA – St. Nicholas Cathedral invites everyone to share their Mother’s Day Gala on Friday, May 10, at Dyker Beach Golf Course. The Cathedral will honor the pastor, Archpriest Thomas Zain for his 30 years in the holy priesthood. To reserve please contact Siham Hazim at (347) 232-7542 or Christine Kaba at (646) 388-3679 by April 30.
ANTIOCHIAN VILLAGE CAMP – It is time to start planning for summer camp! Registration for all programs except Family Camp has opened. Parents, please register your campers as soon as possible. We expect this year to return to normal following the pandemic years. Go to www.avcamp.org to open an account and register. Scholarships are available through Fr. Michael.
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:
SHAGOURY SCHOLARSHIP – The Edith Shagoury Scholarship Fund offers an award for the coming academic year to an undergraduate student from St. Mary’s Church. The qualifications for this award are parish participation, scholarship, and financial need. The amount of the scholarship varies depending on the return on the fund’s investment. Please contact Fr. Michael for more information.
MAIONE SCHOLARSHIP – The Georgette Maione Memorial Scholarship will make its second award this year from the fund left to the church from Georgette’s estate. Please contact Fr. Michael for more information.
FR. PAUL SCHNEIRLA MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP – Teen SOYO will once again offer this scholarship in loving memory of our beloved former pastor. This scholarship is presented at the Parish Life Conference on the basis of academic excellence. Please contact Fr. Michael for more information.
ANTIOCHIAN WOMEN’S SCHOLARSHIP – Scholarships are available to women 26 years of age or older who are continuing their education in order to improve their circumstances and those of their families. See Fr. Michael, or go to www.antiochian.org/scholarships for applications and more information, or contact Dianne O’Regan, Grant Coordinator, at (512) 930-2671 or doregan@stites.com. Application deadline is June 1, 2024.
FRANCIS MARIA SCHOLARSHIP – The Antiochian Archdiocese awards several scholarships of $5,000 each to students attending an accredited 4-year college. Applications must be postmarked by May 15, 2024. For more information and other scholarships offered by the Archdiocese, go to www.antiochian.org/scholarships.
ANTIDORON – After receiving Holy Communion and at the end of the Divine Liturgy, it is customary to receive a piece of blessed bread or antidoron, the bread that remains after the preparation of the Holy Communion. While antidoron is not Holy Communion, it is blessed, and as such should be eaten carefully so that crumbs do not fall. Both adults and children should always remember to treat and consume the antidoron with respect.
VISITATION OF THE SICK AND HOUSE-BOUND – If someone in your household is sick at home, in the hospital or in a convalescent center, please notify the church office as soon as possible. Please do not assume that we will know simply “through the grapevine.”
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.”
WORD MAGAZINE – Every member of a parish in the Antiochian Archdiocese is entitled to receive the Word Magazine at their home. If you are not receiving the Word and wish to subscribe, go to https://forms.gle/sughatopgYmqJXXE7 to submit your address, or let Fr. Michael know. The Archdiocese also publishes the Word each month on its website www.antiochian.org.
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 – A bequest is one of the easiest gifts to make in order to impact the ministry of the Church significantly. An estate plan can include a provision that leaves a lasting gift to St. Mary’s Church. A bequest could be a gift of specific assets, a dollar amount, or a percentage of the estate. A bequest could also be the residue of an estate after all gifts have been made to heirs. Consider naming St. Mary’s as a beneficiary on your retirement accounts (such as an IRA). Qualified charities are able to receive the full value of dollars in these plans without incurring income taxes.
HOME BLESSINGS – Several parishioners have requested spring time blessings of their homes. Please feel free to call for an appointment between now and the Feast of the Ascension (June 13).
OFFERING ENVELOPES – Please note that if you receive monthly envelopes and do not use them, we cannot guarantee proper credit to your account. There are always envelopes in the vestibule for this purpose. Kindly use one of these envelopes if you have forgotten your own instead of just depositing a check in the basket. If you do not receive monthly envelopes, kindly inform the office, and the secretary will submit your name to the mailing company. Thank you!
DATES TO REMEMBER
Sunday, April 28 Palm Sunday
Bridegroom Matins, 7:00 PM
Monday, April 29 Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, 9:00 AM
Bridegroom Matins, 7:00 PM
Tuesday, April 30 Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, 9:00 AM @ St. Nicholas
Bridegroom Matins, 7:00 PM
Wednesday, May 1 Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, 9:00 AM
Sacrament of Holy Unction, 7:00 PM
Thursday, May 2 Vesperal Divine Liturgy (Institution of the Eucharist), 10:00 AM
Matins of Holy Friday with Twelve Gospels, 7:00 PM
Friday, May 3 Royal Hours, 10:00 AM
Great Vespers and Descent from the Cross, 3:00 PM
Matins of Holy Saturday and Lamentations, 7:00 PM
Saturday, May 4 Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great, 10:00 AM
Nocturne, Rush, Orthros, Paschal Divine Liturgy, 10:00 PM
Sunday, May 5 Great and Holy Pascha
Agape Vespers, 12:00 PM
May 6-11 Fast Free Week
Wednesday, May 8 “Our Time” Senior Fellowship, 1:00-3:00 PM
Friday, May 10 St. Nicholas Cathedral Mother’s Day Gala @ Dyker Beach
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “If you want Christ to bless you and what you have, when you meet a poor individual, who is hungry and asks you for food, give him. Also, when you know a poor man, or a widow, or an orphan is hungry, do not wait for them to ask you for food, but give them. Give with pleasure, and be not afraid that you will become indigent. Have faith that Christ invisibly blesses your few possesions, and you shall never starve, nor will you be in want until the end of your life.”
- St. Arsenios of Paros
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America