Sunday, May 2, 2021
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)
MAY 2, 2021 – 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!
TODAY, MAY 2 - On Holy Pascha we pray for all “the quick and the dead” of the parish.
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, June 10. There is also no kneeling until Holy Pentecost on June 20.
NEXT SUNDAY, MAY 9 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God George Adams, Asma Arida, Edward Ateyeh, George Deeb, Edward Farkouh, Margaret Hanna, Rose Hanna, Nour El-Khoury, Jacob Kaibney, Olga Haick Kent, Mary Khoury, Nesta Khoury, Rose Massab, Gebron Matar, Edward Migdalene, Haleem Migdalene, Gladys and Theodore Sadaka, John Samen, Adal Seleeby, Salma Torpey, and Nada Traboulsi. 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 Freije. There may be another opportunity when things return to “normal.” Memory eternal!
HOLY BREAD – 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, May 2, we will read the Gospel in many languages. Please see Fr. Michael if you would like to read in a foreign language.
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), Mary Ganim (Heritage Rehab), Robert Mackoul (Columbia Presbyterian), Diana Finger, 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).
MANY THANKS – To Deacon Farid Farkouh, Sonia Abou Naoum, Sandra Arida, Christopher Athineos, Chris Castley, Christopher Castley, Barbara Deeb, Kh. Laila Ellias, Marie Ellias, Anita Eyd, Aline Farkouh, Wilson Haddad, Sam Kaiami, Chaza Rafiaa, Michael Regnier, Susana Regnier, Audrey Sahadi, Nicholas Sahadi, Irene Tashji, Wilson Haddad, Felix Seraphim Yang, Andrea Zrake, and Anthony Zrake, for their beautiful and dedicated singing and reading throughout Great Lent, Holy Week and Holy Pascha. We thank our Parish Council Chair Christopher Athineos for faithfully attending and live streaming every Lenten and Holy Week service, assisted by Sonia Abou Naoum, Anita Eyd, and Amanda Regnier. We were also blessed by the contributions of Seminarians John Corbin, Ghassan Kassab, and Gabriel Khoury with his wife Elizabeth.
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 first 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.
EMAIL ADDRESSES – Please submit or update all your family email addresses to pastor@smaoc.org so that we can contact our parishioners with timely news.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Sunday, May 2 Agape Vespers, 12:00 PM
Saturday, May 8 Christian Freij Baptism, 1:00 PM
Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Sunday, May 9 Mother’s Day and Thomas Sunday
Matins, 9:30 and Divine Liturgy, 10:30 AM
Monday, May 10 Parish Council, 7:30 PM via Zoom
Thursday, May 13 Teen Meeting, 7:30 PM via Zoom
Saturday, April 15 Najjar-Saka Wedding, 1:00 PM
Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Thursday, June 10 Ascension Thursday
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “God the Lord surrendered His own Son to death on the Cross for the fervent love of creation. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son to death for our sake (cf. John 3:16). This was not, however, because He could not have redeemed us in another way, but so that His surpassing love, manifested hereby, might be a teacher unto us. And by the death of His only begotten Son He made us near to Himself. Yea, if He had had anything more precious, He would have given it to us, so that by it our race might be His own.”
- St. Isaac the Syrian
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 Anest
“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
The Paschal Homily of St John Chrysostomos (Archbishop of Constantinople)
If any be a devout lover of God,
let him partake with gladness from this fair and radiant feast.
If any be a faithful servant,
let him enter rejoicing into the joy of his Lord.
If any have wearied himself with fasting,
let him now enjoy his reward.
If any have laboured from the first hour,
let him receive today his rightful due.
If any have come after the third,
let him celebrate the feast with thankfulness.
If any have come after the sixth,
let him not be in doubt, for he will suffer no loss.
If any have delayed until the ninth,
let him not hesitate but draw near.
If any have arrived only at the eleventh,
let him not be afraid because he comes so late.
For the Master is generous and accepts the last even as the first.
He gives rest to him who comes at the eleventh hour
in the same was as him who has laboured from the first.
He accepts the deed, and commends the intention.
Enter then, all of you, into the joy of our Lord.
First and last, receive alike your reward.
Rich and poor, dance together.
You who fasted and you who have not fasted, rejoice together.
The table is fully laden: let all enjoy it.
The calf is fatted: let none go away hungry.
Let none lament his poverty;
for the universal Kingdom is revealed.
Let none bewail his transgressions;
for the light of forgiveness has risen from the tomb.
Let none fear death;
for death of the Saviour has set us free.
He has destroyed death by undergoing death.
He has despoiled hell by descending into hell.
He vexed it even as it tasted of His flesh.
Isaiah foretold this when he cried:
Hell was filled with bitterness when it met Thee face to face below;
filled with bitterness, for it was brought to nothing;
filled with bitterness, for it was mocked;
filled with bitterness, for it was overthrown;
filled with bitterness, for it was put in chains.
Hell received a body, and encountered God. It received earth, and confronted heaven.
O death, where is your sting?
O hell, where is your victory?
Christ is risen! And you, o death, are annihilated!
Christ is risen! And the evil ones are cast down!
Christ is risen! And the angels rejoice!
Christ is risen! And life is liberated!
Christ is risen! And the tomb is emptied of its dead;
for Christ having risen from the dead,
is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
To Him be Glory and Power, now and forever, and from all ages to all ages.
Amen!