Sunday, April 18, 2021
Fifth Sunday of Great Lent
Commemoration of Our Righteous Mother Mary of Egypt
Tone 4 and Eothinon 1
Venerable John, Disciple of Gregory of Decapolis
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 4
Having learned the joyful message of the Resurrection from the angel, the women disciples of the Lord cast from them their parental condemnation, and proudly broke the news to the disciples, saying, Death hath been spoiled. Christ God is risen, granting the world great mercy.
Apolytikion of St. Mary of Egypt – Tone 8
Through thee the divine likeness was securely preserved, O Mother Mary; for thou didst carry the cross and followed Christ. By example and precept, thou didst teach us to ignore the body because it is perishable, and to attend to the concerns of the undying soul. Therefore, thy soul rejoices with the angels.
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 the Theotokos – Tone 2
O undisputed intercessor of Christians, the mediatrix unrejected by the Creator, turn not away from the voice of our petitions, though we be sinners. Come to us in time, who cry to thee in faith, with assistance; for thou art good. Hasten to us with intercessions, O Theotokos, who dost ever intercede for those who honour thee.
Epistle – Hebrews 9:11-14 (Fifth Sunday in Lent)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 75.11, 1. Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse. God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.
BRETHREN, when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
Gospel – Mark 10:32-45 (Fifth Sunday in Lent)
AT THAT TIME, Jesus took his twelve disciples, and began to tell them what was to happen to him saying, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and deliver him to the Gentiles; and they will mock him, and scourge him, and spit upon him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise again.”
And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him, and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And Jesus said to them, “What do you want me to do for you? And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be servant of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Megalynarion – In thee rejoiceth, O full of grace, all creation: the angelic hosts, and the race of men, O hallowed temple and noetic paradise, glory of virgins, of whom God was incarnate and became a little child, even our God Who is before all the ages; for He made thy womb a throne and thy body He made more spacious than the heavens. In thee rejoiceth, O full of grace, all creation; and it glorifieth thee.
LITURGICAL NOTE: During Great Lent we celebrate the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great.
Next week’s homework: Philippians 4:4-9 (Palm Sunday)
John 12:1-18 (Palm Sunday)
APRIL 18, 2021 – FIFTH SUNDAY OF GREAT LENT – COMMEMORATION OF OUR RIGHTEOUS MOTHER MARY OF EGYPT
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.
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 reverence the cross and to partake of the blessed bread at the dismissal. Please introduce yourself to our pastor, and ask him about membership in the Orthodox Church.
TODAY, APRIL 18 – We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Annette Absey, Isabel Araman Zain, and Albert Zarr. Memory eternal!
George Trisciuzzi offers Prayers of Oblation for the health of the servant of God Jay Milnor of Boston, MA. Many years!
Sandra Arida, Joan Bacon, and Leila and Raymond Trabulsi of Lincoln, RI, offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Jack Schondorf as well as for the health of Gladys, Amy, Jeremy, and Family.
The Castley Family offers Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Albert Castley. Memory eternal!
The Family of Gloria Harris offers Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of her soul. Memory eternal!
Our Parish Family offers Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of the soul of our former Associate Pastor, Very Rev. Fr. George Morelli. Memory eternal!
The Family of Robert Thabit offers Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of his soul. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, APRIL 25 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Diane Elkas Grinell, Yvonne Khoury, and Felipe Trabulsi. 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 to “chat.”
HOLY BREAD – The Farkouh and Mackoul Families offer the Holy Bread of Oblation for the month of April in loving memory of Margaret and Edward Mackoul and Mary and Ray Farkouh. Memory eternal! Additional donors are welcome for May and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
CHURCH ATTENDANCE - We have increased capacity to 50%. In anticipation of Palm Sunday and Holy Week we are preparing the church hall with a screen and projector to stream the divine services should the church itself reach full capacity. We are also leaving the doors and windows open so that the services will be audible outside. We ask everyone’s full cooperation with the ushers.
FOR THE INFIRM – Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Clair Banat (Norwegian), Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Mary Ganim (Heritage Rehab), Diana Finger, Robert Forcina, Susan Hadad, Edward Hanna, Alfred Nahas, Louis Savarese, Evelyn Shamoun, Leon Smatt, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, Dr. Samir Zamaria (MD), and Rose Zrake (at home).
LENTEN LITURGICAL SCHEDULE – We will celebrate be Great Compline on Monday at 7:00 PM, the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts on Wednesday at 7:00 PM, the Little Compline with Canon of Lazarus on Friday at 7:00 PM. We will perform the “Prothesis” for the Divine Liturgy publicly on Saturday at 10:00 AM followed by the liturgy itself, and Great Vespers on Saturday at 5:00 PM.
FOOD FOR HUNGRY PEOPLE – Remember the least of Christ’s brethren by depositing your extra change at the end of each day in the FFHP box, and return the box on or before Palm Sunday.
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.
LENTEN RESOURCES – Holy Week approaches. Our parish Bookstore has copies of the service book for Holy Week and Holy Pascha. Please contact Lorraine Deeb at ldeebsped@verizon.net or (718) 491-4996 to reserve your book.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Monday, April 19 Great Compline, 7:00 PM
Wednesday, April 21 Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, 7:00 PM
Friday, April 23 Little Compline with Canon of Lazarus, 7:00 PM
Saturday, April 24 Public Prothesis, 10:00 AM
Divine Liturgy of Lazarus Saturday, 10:30 AM
Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Sunday, April 25 Matins, 9:30 AM, Divine Liturgy, 10:30 with Procession
We livestream all divine services via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “Even if we have thousands of acts of great virtue to our credit, our confidence in being heard must be based on God’s mercy and His love for men. Even if we stand at the very summit of virtue, it is by mercy that we shall be saved.”
- St. John Chrysostom
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America