Sunday, April 25, 2021
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.
APRIL 25, 2021 – 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.
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 25 – We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Diane Elkas Grinell, Yvonne Khoury, and Felipe Trabulsi. Memory eternal!
Peter Elkas offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Diane Elkas Grinnell. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, MAY 2 – 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 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%. There is always a possibility that the church may reach social distance capacity in which case worshippers may wait safely outside the church. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy people outside may enter the church as attendees exit to receive Holy Communion, holy bread, and/or light a candle. We still ask everyone who wants to attend in person either to call the church office or email pastor@smaoc.org ahead of time.
FOR THE INFIRM – Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Clair Banat (Norwegian), Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Mary Ganim (Heritage Rehab), Renee Matouk (Sunrise, Staten Island), Diana Finger, Robert Forcina, Susan Hadad, Alfred Nahas, Louis Savarese, Dr. Sam Shahem, Evelyn Shamoun, Leon Smatt, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, Dr. Samir Zamaria (MD), and Rose Zrake (at home).
MEMORY ETERNAL! We are saddened to report that the servant of God Edward Hanna departed this life in the hope of the Resurrection on Sunday, April 18. His funeral was from St. Mary’s on Wednesday. We extend our sympathies to his siblings and family. Memory eternal!
MEMORY ETERNAL! We are saddened to report that the handmaiden of God Violet Mamary departed this life in the hope of the Resurrection on Monday, April 19. His funeral was from St. Mary’s on Thursday. We extend our sympathies to her children and grandchildren. Memory eternal!
FASTING DISCIPLINE – Today, Palm Sunday, fish, wine and oil are permitted. During Great and Holy Week (April 25-May 1) wine and olive oil are permitted on Holy Thursday (April 29) morning after the Divine Liturgy, and wine is permitted on Holy Saturday (May 1) after the Divine Liturgy. There is no fasting on Holy Pascha (May 2) and throughout Bright Week (May 2-9).
SACRAMENT OF REPENTANCE (CONFESSION) – Holy Week is THE TIME for all believers to receive the Sacrament of Repentance (Confession). The pastor hears confessions by appointment and before and after all the divine services. Please do not wait until the last minute! If you would like to go to one of the other Orthodox priests in Brooklyn, feel free to do so, but inform the pastor.
FOOD FOR HUNGRY PEOPLE – Please remember to return your FFHP boxes as soon as possible. If writing a check, please make it payable to St. Mary’s Church with FFHP in the memo line.
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.
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 to pastor@smaoc.org for all members of your family so that we can distribute current information as fully as possible.
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, 2021.
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, 2021. 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 second award this year from the fund left to the church from Georgette’s estate. 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 Kaiami.
LITURGICAL RESOURCES – Holy Week is here. Our parish Bookstore, recently dedicated to the memory of Elena Paris, has copies of the service books for Holy Week and Holy Pascha. Please contact Lorraine Deeb at ldeebsped@verizon.net or (718) 491-4996 to reserve your books.
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.”
ANTIOCHIAN VILLAGE CAMP – The Village has announced that there are still openings for camp this summer, and in some sessions there are even opportunities for a second week. Slots are filling fast, so please contact the camp office at office@avcamp.org, or call (724) 238-9565 ASAP. Contact Fr. Michael for information about scholarship opportunities.
INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY – District Attorney Eric Gonzalez has announced the application process for high school juniors and seniors interested in participating in a four-week virtual summer internship program. The summer internship is open to students who live and/or attend high school in Brooklyn and are interested in learning about careers within the criminal justice system. This year’s summer internship will run from July 6 to July 30, 2021. Visit brooklynda.org/internships, or email harrisf@brooklynda.org.
PALM SUNDAY MA-AMOUL SALE – We thank the faithful ladies who labored so lovingly this week to provide ma-amoul for our holiday celebrations. Those who placed an order in advance may pick up their orders today following the Divine Liturgy. There will not be any additional items available today because of the robust pre-sales. We thank Audrey and Charlie Sahadi for their generous donation of the ingredients for this effort. The proceeds from this project will go to International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) for their projects in support of the suffering people of Lebanon and Syria.
ESTATE PLANNING – A bequest is one of the easiest gifts to make in order to impact the ministry of the Church significantly. An estate plan can include a provision that leaves a lasting gift to St. Mary’s Church. A bequest could be a gift of specific assets, a dollar amount, or a percentage of the estate. A bequest could also be the residue of an estate after all gifts have been made to heirs.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Sunday, April 25 Bridegroom Matins, 7:00 PM
Monday, April 26 Bridegroom Matins, 7:00 PM
Tuesday, April 27 Bridegroom Matins, 7:00 PM
Wednesday, April 28 Matins of Holy Thursday, 7:00 PM
Thursday, April 29 Vesperal Divine Liturgy (Institution of the Eucharist), 10:00 AM
Matins of Holy Friday with Twelve Gospels, 7:00 PM
Friday, April 30 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, May 1 Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great, 10:00 AM
Nocturne, Orthros, Paschal Divine Liturgy, 10:00 PM
Sunday, May 2 Agape Vespers, 12:00 PM
May 2 – May 9 Fast Free Week
We livestream all divine services via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “The unseen patron of evil is full of evil ingenuity. Right at the beginning he can drag away, by means of hopelessness and lack of faith, the foundations of virtue already laid in the soul. Again, by means of indifference and laziness, he can make an attempt on the on the walls of virtue’s house just when they are being built up. Or he can bring down the roof of good works after its construction, by means of pride and madness. But stand firm, do not be alarmed, for a diligent man is even more ingenious in good things, and virtue has superior forces to deploy against evil. It has at its disposal supplies and support in battle from Him Who is all-powerful, Who in His goodness strengthens all lovers of virtue. So not only can virtue remain unshaken by the various wicked devices prepared by the enemy, but it can also lift up and restore those fallen into the depths of evil, and easily lead them to God by repentance and humility.”
- St. Gregory Palamas
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America