Sunday, May 10, 2020
Fourth Sunday of Pascha
Tone 3 and Eothinon 5
Sunday of the Paralytic
Apostle Simon the Zealot
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 the Resurrection – Tone 3
Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad; for the Lord hath done a mighty act with his own arm. He hath trampled down death and become the First-born from the dead. He hath delivered us from the depth of hades, granting the world the Great Mercy.
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 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 9:32-42 (Sunday of the Paralytic)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 46.6, 1. Sing praises to our God, sing praises.
Verse. Clap your hands, all you nations.
IN THOSE DAYS, as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also the saints that lived at Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.
Now there was at Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. In those days she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him entreating him, “Please come to us without delay.” So Peter rose and went with them. And when he had come, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping, and showing tunics and other garments which Dorcas made while she was with them. But Peter put them all outside and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, rise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and lifted her up. Then calling the saints and widows he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
Gospel – John 5:1-15 (Sunday of the Paralytic)
AT THAT TIME, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Hebrew called Bethza’tha, which has five porticoes. In these lay a multitude of invalids, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water; for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool, and troubled the water; whoever stepped in first after the troubling of the water was healed of whatever disease he had. One man was there, who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew that he had been lying there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is troubled, and while I am going another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your pallet, and walk.” And at once the man was healed, and he took up his pallet and walked.
Now that day was the Sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who was cured, “It is the Sabbath, it is not lawful for you to carry your pallet.” But he answered them, “The man who healed me said to me, ‘Take up you pallet and walk.’” They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, “take up your pallet, and walk’?” Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. Afterward, Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse befall you.” The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him.
Megalynarion – The angel spake to her that is full of grace, saying, O pure Virgin, rejoice; and I say also, Rejoice; for thy Son is risen from the tomb on the third day. We believers in unison bless thee, O Virgin, crying: Rejoice, O gate of the Lord. Rejoice, O living city. Rejoice, O thou from whom didst rise upon us from the dead the Light of Resurrection, He Who was born of thee.
Next week’s homework:
Acts 11:19-30 (Samaritan Woman)
John 4:5-42 (Samaritan Woman)
MAY 10, 2020 – FOURTH SUNDAY OF PASCHA: SUNDAY OF THE PARALYTIC
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, MAY 10 – We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Anita, George, Matilda, Nicholas and Yvonne Alwon, Asma Araman, Julia Awad, Michael Davis, William Eyd, Albert Farrah, Hadbo and Nadra Haddad, Murad Kaity, Ibrahim Laham, Liza Mashnouh, Wadea Massab, Yvonne Najjar, Toufic Nehme, Richard Sahadi, Samuel Samman, Nicholas, Peter and Rose Smatt, Ratiba Sukkarieh, Donald Texeira, and Careemy and George Zaher. Memory eternal!
Fr. Michael and Laila Ellias offer Prayers of Oblation for the health of Matthew and Jessica on their wedding anniversary and of Marie for her birthday. Many years!
Elise and Patrick Marano offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Victoria and Edgar Saadi. Memory eternal!
Charles and Audrey Sahadi offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Richard A. Sahadi. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, MAY 17 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Anita, George, Matilda, Nicholas and Yvonne Alwon, Asma Araman, Julia Awad, Michael Davis, William Eyd, Albert Farrah, Hadbo and Nadra Haddad, Murad Kaity, Ibrahim Laham, Liza Mashnouh, Wadea Massab, Yvonne Najjar, Toufic Nehme, Richard Sahadi, Samuel Samman, Nicholas, Peter and Rose Smatt, Ratiba Sukkarieh, Donald Texeira, and Careemy and George Zaher. 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 – Linda and George Salamy have made a donation for the rest of the year! Additional donors are welcome for May and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
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, Nadim Dahdouh, 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, 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.
PARISH COUNCIL – The Parish Council will hold its monthly meeting tomorrow, Monday, May 11 at 7:30 PM via Zoom.
FASTING DISCIPLINE – We maintain 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).
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, or contact Fr. Meletios Zafaran at meletioszafaran@yahoo.com. Fr. Meletios is celebrating in Arabic every Sunday morning. Services are also available in print on the Antiochian 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. A review of our April Financial Statement shows that the Church has received $10,000 less in pledge giving than last year at this time. 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. “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
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.
WORD MAGAZINE – The Word is the official news magazine of the Antiochian Archdiocese. If you are a member of St. Mary’s Church in good financial standing and do not already receive a free copy of The Word, or would like to subscribe for $20 per year, or change your address, you can do so at www.antiochian.org/address-updates.
APARTMENT AVAILABLE – A parishioner has a 2-bedroom apartment with living room and eat-in kitchen with access to a garage available for immediate occupancy. For more information, please call (917) 501-7305.
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.
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
DATES TO REMEMBER
Saturday, May 16 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Sunday, May 17 Matins, 9:30 AM, Divine Liturgy, 10:30 AM
Thursday, May 27 Leavetaking of Holy Pascha
Friday, May 28 Feast of the Ascension of Christ
We will livestream all divine services via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “One who busies himself with the sins of others, or who condemns his brother out of suspicion, has not yet begun to repent; and does not seek to know his own sins, which are – in truth – heavier than a quantity of lead weighing many talents. In addition, he does not realize why it is that a man becomes slow of heart, loving vanity and questing after falsehood. For this reason, as one foolish and walking in darkness, he disregards his own sins, and becomes preoccupied – in his imagination – with the sins of others – whether they really have occurred, or he merely suspects they have.”
St. Maximus the Confessor
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!