Sunday, April 12, 2020
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.
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
APRIL 12, 2020 – GLORIOUS AND BRILLIANT ENTRANCE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST INTO JERUSALEM (PALM SUNDAY)
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.
TODAY, APRIL 12 – We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Annetta Absey, Wilfred Jabara, Isabel Araman Zain and Adele Trisciuzzi. Memory eternal!
Albert Absey offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Annetta Absey. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, APRIL 19 - On Holy Pascha we pray for all “the quick and the dead” of the parish.
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 an online “chat.”
HOLY BREAD – Hanade and Ghassan Maalouf offer the Holy Bread of Oblation for the month of April for the health of the servant of God George Maalouf. Many years! Gloria Darzi also offers the Holy Bread of Oblation for April for the repose of the soul of her mother, Isabel Araman Zain, a former member of the Ladies of St. Mary’s. Memory eternal! Donors are welcome for May and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
TODAY’S USHERS – Members of the Parish Council will serve as ushers. There is no Church School today, so the children can remain with their parents and do not need to approach the chalice first. The ushers will assist us in proceeding row by row so that we can distribute Holy Communion “decently and in order.”
FOR THE INFIRM – Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Clair Banat (Norwegian), Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Philip Mantia, Charlie Sahadi (NYU Rusk), Charlie Bryant, Albert Castley (FL), Valerie Clements, Nadim Dahdouh, Aline Farkouh, Diana Finger, Robert Forcina, Mary Ganim, Susan Hadad, Louise Hamwi, George Khoury, Jr., Victor Khoury, Loulou Malouf, Emily Maren (ME), Alfred Nahas, Elena Paris, Louis Savarese, Evelyn Shamoun, Leon Smatt, Claudette Teen, Jim Thompson (NJ), Dr. Edward Trabulsi (NJ), Marianne Trabulsi (NJ), Dr. Sam Zamaria (MD), and Rose Zrake (at home). If a member of your family is in the hospital or recuperating at home, please call the church office and let us know as soon as possible.
HOLY WEEK LITURGICAL SCHEDULE – Please see the schedule below and go to twitch.tv/smaoc for the live stream of all services and where previous services are being archived.
EMAIL ADDRESSES – This pandemic has forced us to communicate through mass emails; however, we do not have a complete census of our members. Please send us email addresses for all members of your family so that we can distribute current information as fully as possible.
LITURGICAL RESOURCES – Other online services are available in English at Holy Transfiguration Monastery at www.orthodoxmonasteryellwoodcity.org or in Arabic at Our Lady of Balamand Patriarchal Monastery at www.balamandmonastery.org.lb. Services are also available in print on the Antiochian Archdiocese website at www.antiochian.org under “Liturgics” at the bottom of the home page.
SACRAMENT OF REPENTANCE (CONFESSION) – Holy Week is a time when many believers receive the Sacrament of Repentance (Confession). Under current circumstances it is not possible to hear confessions in person, but the pastor is available to speak by telephone with anyone who feels the need for spiritual direction or just to talk. Call either the office or the rectory at the numbers above.
PLEDGE GIVING – During these extraordinary times we ask everyone to maintain their pledge giving as much as possible. Please remember that St. Mary's Church now accepts donations online. Just visit https://smaoc.squarespace.com/donate and pay securely by credit card, debit card, or check. There is an option to indicate gifts made in honor of or in remembrance of someone.
PASTOR’S DISCRETIONARY FUND – The current crisis provides us the unique opportunity to support each other in many ways. We encourage our parishioners to contact the office if they need assistance with shopping, cooking, errands or light housework, and we have received offers to help with these tasks from a number of our members; however, we are beginning to recognize the financial stresses our families are experiencing. The Pastor’s Discretionary Fund can dispense some financial assistance anonymously and would welcome contributions. Please make your check payable to St. Mary’s Church and write “PDF” in the memo line.
FOOD FOR HUNGRY PEOPLE – In these stressful times our Lenten practice of almsgiving is of heightened importance. Many people will need help to weather this physical and economic crisis. Please continue using the traditional FFHP collection boxes. Remember the least of Christ’s brethren by depositing your extra change at the end of each day, and hold onto your box until we can all return to church. “Find out how much God has given you, and from it take what your need; the remainder is needed by others.” Blessed Augustan.
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, 2020.
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, 2020. For more information and other scholarships offered by the Archdiocese, go to www.antiochian.org/scholarships.
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 first award this year from the fund left to the church from Georgette’s estate. The Parish Council is in the process of finalizing the criteria for the award. 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 on the basis of academic excellence. Please contact Fr. Michael for more information.
PATRIARCH OFFERING – Our pledge envelopes for the month of April included a pink envelope marked “Patriarch Offering.” The Metropolitan has announced that we will forego this collection this year due to the current financial strain on the parishes; however, donations are still welcome to support the ministries of our Mother Church. If anyone is not receiving pledge envelopes, please contact the church office, or see Parish Council Chair Christopher Athineos or Treasurer Diana Kiami.
HOLY WEEK SERVICE BOOK – If you wish to obtain a copy of the new service book for Holy Week so that you can follow the services, please order one from the Antiochian Village Bookstore at
VIGIL AT THE TOMB OF CHRIST – Teen SOYO has historically sponsored the Vigil at the Tomb of Christ after the Matins of Holy Saturday with the Lamentations until the Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great on Holy Saturday morning. This year we must all keep a “virtual” vigil at home. “Let all mortal flesh keep silent.”
FASTING DISCIPLINE – Today, Palm Sunday, fish, wine and oil are permitted. During Great and Holy Week (April 13-19) wine and olive oil are permitted on Holy Thursday (April 16) morning after the Divine Liturgy, and wine is permitted on Holy Saturday (April 18) after the Divine Liturgy. There is no fasting on Holy Pascha (April 19) and throughout Bright Week (April 19-26).
DATES TO REMEMBER
Sunday, April 12 Bridegroom Matins, 7:00 PM
Monday, April 13 Bridegroom Matins, 7:00 PM
Tuesday, April 14 Bridegroom Matins, 7:00 PM
Wednesday, April 15 Matins of Holy Thursday, 7:00 PM
Thursday, April 16 Vesperal Divine Liturgy (Institution of the Eucharist), 10:00 AM
Matins of Holy Friday with Twelve Gospels, 7:00 PM
Friday, April 17 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, April 18 Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great, 10:00 AM
Nocturne, Orthros, Paschal Divine Liturgy, 10:00 PM
Sunday, April 19 Agape Vespers, 12:00 PM
FROM THE FATHERS – “At the approach of a great feast you must watch yourself with particular care. The enemy endeavors beforehand to chill your heart towards th event being celebrated, so that you will not honor it by whole-heartedly considering its reality…We must overcome the enemy by forcing ourselves to meditate and pray devoutly.”
- St. John of Kronstadt