Sunday, April 19, 2020
Great and Holy Pascha
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.
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Entrance Hymn – In the gathering places bless ye God the Lord from the springs of Israel. O Son of God, who art risen from the dead, save us, who sing unto Thee. Alleluia!
Troparion of Holy Pascha – Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life!
Hypakoe of Holy Pascha – Tone 4
They who were with Mary came before the dawn, found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher, and heard the angels say unto them, Why seek ye him as man with the dead, who dwells in light eternal? Behold the grave wrappings; make haste and declare to the world that the Lord is risen, and hath caused death to die; for he is the Son of God, the Savior of mankind.
Kontakion of Holy Pascha – Tone 8
Though thou, O deathless One, didst descend into the grave, thou didst destroy the power of hell and, as Victor, thou didst rise again, O Christ our God. Thou didst greet the ointment bearing women, saying, rejoice! Thou didst bestow peace upon thy Disciples, and resurrection upon those that are fallen.
Epistle – Acts of the Apostles 1:1-8 (Holy Pascha)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 117.24, 29. This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Verse. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his mercy endures forever.
IN THE FIRST BOOK, O Theophilos, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. To them he presented himself alive after his passion by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days, and speaking of the kingdom of God. And while staying with them he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “You heard from me, for John baptized with water, but before many days you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom of Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.”
Gospel – John 1:1-17 (Holy Pascha)
IN THE BEGINNING was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but was to bear witness to the light.
The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world knew him not. He came to his own, and his own received him not. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God; who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. John bore witness to him, and cried, “This is he of whom I said, ‘he who comes after me ranks before me, for he was before me.’” And from his fullness have we all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
Next week’s homework:
Acts 12:1-11 (Second Sunday of Holy Pascha)
John 20:19-31 (Thomas Sunday)
APRIL 19, 2020 – GREAT AND HOLY PASCHA
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.
CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN!
NO FASTING – The church prohibits fasting all week due to the joy of the Resurrection. Within the Patriarchate of Antioch some suspend fasting until the Feast of the Ascension, May 28. There is also no kneeling until Holy Pentecost on June 7.
TODAY, APRIL 19 - On Holy Pascha we pray for all “the quick and the dead” of the parish.
NEXT SUNDAY, 26 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Najla Arida, Mary Ayoub, Helen Cook, James J. Coury, Antoine Khalil Debbas, Fred Dibbs, George Fadool, Marie Farkouh, Raymond Farkouh, Jean Haddad, Albert Hanna, Michael Howie, George Kaiatt, Yvonne Khoury, Edward S. Mackoul, Alex Mashnouk, Vivian Massab, Viola Mesnooh, Linda and William Nafash, Victoria and Esber Najjar, Stanley Najjar, Donald O. Page, Rose and Abraham Saba, Charles Norman Sabah, Nazira and Gabriel Samen, Mary Savarese, Felipe Trabulsi, Adele Trisciuzzi, John Wizeman,,and Albert Zarr. Memory eternal!
Peter G. Elkas will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God George Kaiatt. Memory eternal!
AGAPE BREAKFAST - Audrey and Charles Sahadi and Robert Sahadi have made their annual donation toward the Breakfast for Holy Pascha, even though it will not occur this year, in loving memory of Najla, Wade and Richard Sahadi, and Ameenie Freiji. There may be another opportunity when things return to “normal.” Memory eternal!
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.
AGAPE VESPERS – At Agape Vespers at noon on Holy Pascha, April 19, we will read the Gospel in many (maybe 5 this year?) languages.
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.
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Clair Banat (Norwegian), Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Charlie Sahadi (NYU Rusk), Charlie Bryant, Albert Castley (FL), Valerie Clements, Nadim Dahdouh, Aline Farkouh, George Farkouh, Diana Finger, Robert Forcina, Mary Ganim, Susan Hadad, Louise Hamwi, George Khoury, Jr., Victor Khoury, Loulou Malouf, Philip Mantia, Emily Maren (ME), Alfred Nahas, Elena Paris, Audrey Sahadi, Louis Savarese, Evelyn Shamoun, Leon Smatt, Claudette Teen, Jim Thompson (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.
MANY THANKS – To Deacon Farid Farkouh, Sonia Abou Naoum, Sandra Arida, Kh. Laila Ellias, Marie Ellias, Wilson Haddad, Andrea Zrake, Anthony Zrake, and Christina Zrake for their beautiful and dedicated service throughout this most unusual Holy Week and Holy Pascha. We also thank our newly elected Parish Council Chair Christopher Athineos for faithfully attending and live streaming every Holy Week service. We even learned that he can sing!
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.
EMAIL ADDRESSES – Please submit or update all your family email addresses so that we can contact our parishioners with timely news.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Sunday, April 19 Agape Vespers, 12:00 PM
Thursday, April 23 Feast of the Great Martyr George
Saturday, April 25 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Sunday, April 26 Matins, 9:30 and Divine Liturgy, 10:30 AM
Thursday, May 28 Ascension Thursday
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “As, then, Jonah spent three days and as many nights in the whale’s belly, and was delivered up sound again, so shall we all, who have passed through the three stages of our present life on earth – I mean the beginning, the middle, and the end, of which all this present time consists – rise again. For there are altogether three intervals of time, the past, the future, and the present. And for this reason the Lord spent so many days in the earth symbolically, thereby teaching clearly that when the fore-mentioned intervals of time have been fulfilled, then shall come our resurrection, which is the beginning of the future age, and the end of this.”
St. Methodius of Olympus
Christ is risen from the dead trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.
Al Maseeh qam min bain il amwat, wa wati al mawt bil bawt, wa wahabal hiyat lil la dhina fil qoobur.
Christos anesti ek nekron thanato thanaton patisas, kai tis en tis mnimaszi zoin, charisamenos.
“Christ is risen” “Truly/Indeed He is risen!
“Christos Anesti” “Alithos Anesti”
“Christos Voskrese” “Vo Istinu Voskrese”
“Al Maseeh Qam” “Ha’an Qam”
CHRIST IS RISEN! INDEED HE IS RISEN!
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
Great and Holy Pascha 2020
Before the symbolical ark, David, God’s forefather, did leap and dance. Let us, therefore, the holy people, seeing the fulfillment of these symbols, rejoice with divine rejoicing; for Christ the Almighty is risen.
Fourth Ode of the Paschal Canon
Christ is Risen! Indeed, He is Risen!
Reverend Clergy, Esteemed Parish Council members and beloved faithful:
During this bright feast of Holy Pascha, let us not be cast down with thoughts of what we lack but filled with divine rejoicing at all that Christ the Almighty has bestowed on us. No longer do we need an Ark or a Temple to come into the presence of God for Christ has descended into Hades and risen from the dead, “that He might fill all things with Himself.” No longer do we fear death for Christ is the “First-born from the dead” and “He shall be all things, the first in all things.”
Beloved in Christ, although we have spent these days in physical distance from one another, let us nevertheless dance and leap for joy at the Resurrection of Christ unites each one of us to God, to one another, and to the inhabitants of the heavens.
With fervent prayers for a joyous feast of Pascha and a hastening of that day when we will gather together once again in our churches, I remain,
Yours in the Risen Lord,
+JOSEPH
Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of all North America