Sunday, April 26, 2020
New Sunday or Anti-Pascha
Eothinon 1
Sunday of Thomas the Apostle, Called “The Twin”
Hieromartyr Basil, Bishop of Amasea with Venerable Glaphyra
Stephen, Bishop of Perm
Venerable Ioanikios of Devitch in Serbia
Today’s Hymns and Readings
After “Blessed is the Kingdom…”, “Christ is risen…” (3 times) and the Paschal Stichera
During the Little Entrance, “Christ is risen…”
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!
Apolytikion of St. Thomas - Tone 7
While the tomb was sealed, thou didst shine forth from it, O Light. While the doors were closed, thou didst come in to thy Disciples, O Christ God, Resurrection of all, renewing in us through them an upright spirit, according to the greatness of thy mercy.
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 5:12-20 (Thomas Sunday)
Prokeimenon. Psalms 146.5; 134.3. Great is our Lord, and great is his power.
Verse. Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good.
IN THOSE DAYS, many signs and wonders were done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high honor. And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women, so that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and pallets, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
But the high priest rose up and all who were with him, that is, the party of the Sadducees, and filled with jealousy they arrested the apostles and put them in the common prison. But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out and said, “Go, and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.”
Gospel – John 20:19-31 (Thomas Sunday)
ON THE EVENING OF THAT DAY, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.
Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe.”
Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.
Megalynarion for Thomas Sunday – Tone 1
O most radiant lamp, the Theotokos, the immeasurable honor, which is more exalted than all creatures, with praises do we magnify thee.
Next week’s homework:
Acts 6:1-7 (Myrrh-Bearing Women)
Mark 15:43-16:8 (Myrrh-Bearing Women)
APRIL 26, 2020 – NEW SUNDAY OR ANTI-PASCHA: SUNDAY OF THOMAS THE APOSTLE, CALLED “THE TWIN”
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 26 – We 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!
NEXT SUNDAY, MAY 3 – George Adams, Asma Arida, Edward Ateyeh, Helen Cook, James Coury, George Deeb, Edward Farkouh, Diane Elkas Grinell, Margaret Hanna, Rose Hanna, Nour El-Khoury, Yvonne Khoury, Jacob Kaibney, Olga Haick Kent, Mary Khoury, Nesta Khoury, Rose Massab, Gebron Matar, Edward Migdalene, Haleem Migdalene, Gladys and Theodore Sadaka, Gabriel and Nazira Samen, John Samen, Adal Saleeby, Salma Torpey, Nada Traboulsi, and Viola Mesnooh. Memory eternal!
Michele Ateyeh will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of her father, the servant of God Edward Ateyeh. Memory eternal!
Peter Elkas will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of his sister, the handmaiden of God Diane Elkas Grinell. Memory eternal!
Georgette Macrina and Louise Sahadi will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of her aunt, the handmaiden of God Salma Sahadi Torpey. Memory eternal!
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.
FASTING DISCIPLINE – This week we return to our typical pattern of fasting on Wednesday and Friday; however, some within the Patriarchate of Antioch suspend fasting until the Feast of the Ascension (May 28). There is no kneeling until the Feast of Pentecost (June 7).
FOR THE INFIRM – Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Clair Banat (Norwegian), Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Charlie Bryant, Albert Castley (FL), Roy Abou Naoum, Valerie Clements, Nadim Dahdouh, Aline Farkouh, George Farkouh, Diana Finger, Robert Forcina, Mary Ganim, Susan Hadad, Louise Hamwi, Gloria Harris, George Khoury, Jr., Victor Khoury, Loulou Malouf, Philip Mantia, Emily Maren (ME), Alfred Nahas, Elena Paris, Audrey Sahadi, Charlie 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.
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. Several people submitted contributions before this announcement. We will hold those donations until later in the year and then determine how best to disburse those monies. If anyone is not receiving pledge envelopes, please contact the church office, or see Parish Council Chair Christopher Athineos or Treasurer Diana Kaiami.
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!
LITURGICAL RESOURCES – 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 available in print on the Archdiocese website at www.antiochian.org under “Liturgics” at the bottom of the home page.
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. We also 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. 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. “When you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.” Matthew 6:3-4
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 – 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.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Saturday, May 2 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Sunday, May 3 Sunday of the Myrr-Bearing Women
Matins, 9:30 AM and Divine Liturgy, 10:30 AM
Friday, May 8 Feast of St. John the Divine
Thursday, May 27 Leavetaking of Holy Pascha
Friday, May 28 Feast of the Ascension of Christ
Sunday, June 7 Feast of Pentecost
We will livestream all divine services via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “Why do they put rubber tires with inner tubes on cars? So that they give in, collapsing a little with every little stone or pothole in the road, and in this way they pass obstacles. If the wheels were firm and unyielding, the car wouldn’t be able to move forward. It would fall apart after a short distance because of the vibration from the small inconsistencies of terrain. The same thing happens with yielding to others in the family. In this way many problems are suprassed and continuous spiritual progress is assured.”
- Elder Epiphanios of Athens
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”
“Hristos a Inviat” “Adeverat a Inviat”
“Cristo ha resucitado” “Verdaderamente ha resucitado!
“Cristo e risorto” “E veramente risorto”
“Christ est Ressuscite” En Verite, Il est Resussuscite”
“Kriste aghsdga” Cheshmaritad aghsdga”
CHRIST IS RISEN! INDEED HE IS RISEN!
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America