Sunday, May 16, 2021
Third Sunday of Pascha
Tone 2 and Eothinon 4
Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women
Pious Joseph of Arimathea and Righteous Nicodemus
Today’s Hymns and Readings
After “Blessed is the Kingdom…”, “Christ is risen…” (3 times)
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 2
When thou, O immortal Life, didst humble thyself unto death, then didst thou destroy death by the brightness of thy Godhead; and when thou didst raise the bowels of the earth, then all the heavenly powers exclaimed, O Christ, thou art the Giver of life! Glory to thee, O our God!
Apolytikion of the Pious Joseph and the Myrrh Bearing Women – Tone 2
The pious Joseph, having brought down thy pure body from the Tree, wrapped it in fine linen, embalmed it with ointment, provided for it, and laid it in a new tomb. But thou didst rise, after three days, O Lord, granting the world the Great Mercy.
Apolytikion of the Myrrh Bearing Women – Tone 2
Verily, the angel came to the tomb and said to the ointment-bearing women, The ointment is meet for the dead, but Christ is shown to be remote from corruption. But cry ye, the Lord is risen, 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 6:1-7 (Myrrh-Bearing Women)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 117.14, 18. The Lord is my strength and my son.
Verse. The Lord has chastened me sorely.
IN THOSE DAYS, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochoros, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaos, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands upon them.
And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Gospel – Mark 15:43-16:8 (Myrrh-Bearing Women)
AT THAT TIME, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. And Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether Jesus was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. And he bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud, and laid him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.
And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?” And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back – it was very large.
And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, “Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you.” And they went out and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
MEGALYNARION FOR PASCHA (Tone 1) – Shine, shine, O new Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord hath arisen upon thee; dance now and be glad, O Zion, and do thy exult, O pure Theotokos, in the arising of Him Whom thou didst bear.
COMMUNION HYMN (Tone 8) – Receive ye the body of Christ; taste ye the Fountain of immortality.
Next week’s homework: Acts 9:32-42 (Sunday of the Paralytic)
John 5:1-15 (Sunday of the Paralytic)
MAY 16, 2021 – THIRD SUNDAY OF PASCHA: SUNDAY OF THE MYRRH-BEARING WOMEN, PIOUS JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA, AND RIGHTEOUS NICODEMUS
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 16 - 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!
George Trisciuzzi offers Prayers of Oblation for the health of the servants of God Bridgit Abeniacar and her daughter Ana of Madrid, Spain, prior to surgery for both. Many years!
Hiam Sukkarieh offers Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of the soul of her sister, Hayfa Kalim Khalef, who departed this life in Lebanon. We will also commemorate 19-year old Sharbel Karam Kaleel, and Hiam’s mother-in-law, Ratiba Sukkarieh. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, MAY 23 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Albert Abdelnoor, George Alsifi, George Awad, Naseeba Farkouh, Joseph Figuccio, Lorraine Ghiz, Rose Ghiz, Kate Haddad, James Vernon Harris, Abraham Karkenny, Margaret Kassatly, Freida Khoury, Valerie Konecny, Brain Mackoul, Victor Saadi, Marie and George Saab, Spiro Sarkees, and Gloria Shawah. Memory eternal!
The Family of Gloria Harris will offer Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of her soul. Memory eternal!
The Ladies of St. Mary’s will offer Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Violet Mamary. Memory eternal!
The Aline Farkouh, Camil Malouf, and Corrine Nahas, will offer Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of their aunt, Victoria Malouf Kazaka, who departed this life in Lebanon at age 101. Memory eternal!
HOLY BREAD – Linda and George Salamy have made a donation for the balance of the year. Additional donors are welcome for May and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
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), Tiriz Alsifi, Diana Finger, Gary Gangone, Robert Mackoul, Alfred Nahas, Louis Savarese, Dr. Sam Shahem, Evelyn Shamoun, Leon Smatt, Jim Thompson (NJ), Marianne Trabulsi (PA), George Trisciuzzi, Dr. Samir Zamaria (MD), and Rose Zrake (at home).
FLOWER DONATIONS – God bless Rose Abdallah, Henry and Sonia Abou Naoum, Albert Absey, Fadi Albishara, Sandra Arida, Rita Arlen, Michele Ateyeh, Joan Bacon, Charles and Marie Bryant, Rhonda Byrnes, Christopher Castley, Hassan and Katherine Dagher, Gloria Darzi, Barbara Deeb, Janice Deeb, Patricia DeLuca, Nicolas El-Khoury, John and Anita Eyd, Deacon Farid and Aline Farkouh, Nahla Fattouh, Diana Finger, John and Josette Generale, Ronald and Frances Ghiz, Ata and Ida Haddad, Robert Haddad, James Harris, Elias and Rima Hazem, Marianne Hindelly, Thomas and Barbara Izzard, Samer and Lina Kaiami, Albert and Roberta Khoury, George Khoury, George and Nicole Khouzami, Anthony Kirshy, Lily Lang, George Maalouf, Anne and Sabry Mackoul, Carol Makhoul, Corrine and Michael Mallia, Linda Mantia, Janette Mellor, George Moore, George and Kathryn Nassoor, Dr. Amer and Chaza Rafiaa, Marian Russo, Wade and Gail Saadi, Charles and Audrey Sahadi, Robert Sahadi, George and Linda Salamy, Raymond and Catherine Saleeby, Wanda and Roland Salloum, Victor Samaha, Brenda Samman, Anastasia Savoulidis, Eve Schornstein, Renee Setteducato, Dennis and Barbara Shawah, Karen Slater, William Soued, Jr., Gary Speer, Hiam Sukkarieh, Anthony and Karen Tadross, Irene Tashji, Marilyn Tulaney, Mimi Zahka, Dr. Sam and Diane Zamaria, and Richard and Malakie Zogob for the donations for the flowers for Holy Week, Good Friday and Holy Pascha. Many years!
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.
MA’AMOUL BAKESALE – We extend our thanks and congratulations to all the ladies who worked so hard to bake ma’amoul during Holy Week in support of the suffering people of both Lebanon and Syria. Through their efforts we were able to send $6900 to IOCC to support programs in both countries in cooperation with the Patriarch of Antioch.
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”
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Saturday, May 22 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Thursday, June 10 Holy Ascension
Sunday, June 20 Holy Pentecost
Father’s Day
Monday, September 20 Saints and Sinners Golf and Tennis Outing
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “If any thought gives life to the heart, then that thought is true; while, on the contrary, if any thought gives agony and death to the heart, that thought is false. Our Lord is peace and life, and He dwells in our hearts by peace and life.”
- St. John of Kronstadt
CHRIST IS RISEN! INDEED HE IS RISEN!
***********************************************************************************************
COVID-19 REOPENING PROTOCOLS
At its Monday, May 10, meeting the Parish Council discussed protocols for safely returning to full participation in the life of the church. The Parish Council will continue to monitor directives both from the civil authorities and from the Antiochian Archdiocese concerning reopening procedures. In that context the Parish Council is recommending the following actions:
1) Although many people are now fully vaccinated, we will continue to ask everyone who is worshipping in church to continue wearing a mask for the time being. We can remove our masks to receive Holy Communion, but we should replace the mask immediately after receiving and wait until the end of the Divine Liturgy before consuming the antidoron;
2) While continuing to wear a mask, it is now permissible to reverence icons through the mask and to receive a blessing from the priest at the dismissal of the Divine Liturgy. The priest will bless each person and touch the blessing cross to each worshipper’s head. As he does with the distribution of the Holy Eucharist, the priest will again wear a mask;
3) We will return readers to the center of the solea to read the epistle in both Arabic and English, and readers will continue to wear their masks;
4) Beginning today, May 16, weather permitting, there will be a safely distanced “social” hour outside of the church. Although there will not be coffee, per se, parishioners can receive a pre-packaged snack and an individually prepared beverage from one of the volunteers. Donations are always welcome!
5) Beginning next Sunday, May 23, weather permitting, we will resume limited Church School classes. As we have done in the past, the children, teachers, and volunteers will receive Holy Communion first and will then proceed to an outside location. We anticipate that we will continue classes through Sunday, June 20, which is both Holy Pentecost and Father’s Day;
6) We have increased seating capacity in the church itself to 50%. The ushers will continue to seat people in alternating rows. In the event that we exceed capacity, there will be additional seating downstairs in the church hall where there will be a livestream of the services;
7) We will resume the traditional practice of receiving an offering during the Megalynarion to the Theotokos. An usher will approach each row both from the middle aisle and from the side aisle;
8) Dr. John Ashkar is making the Moderna vaccine available to anyone who wants it at his office, 355 Ovington Avenue, Suite 202. Please call (718) 621-7100. He stresses that there is no insurance required and no other documentation is necessary. He is also willing and prepared to bring the vaccine to church for anyone’s convenience.
Thanks be to God, to our knowledge no one has contracted COVID-19 here at St. Mary’s, and we strive to maintain parishioner safety. We particularly want to acknowledge Dr. Yvonne Zrake who has been monitoring conditions and advising the Parish Council on safety protocols. God willing, in coming weeks we will be able to return to full participation and to robust spiritual and social life.
**************************************************************************************************
ST. MARY’S CHURCH PLEDGE PROGRAM
Our parish’s pledge program is based on the principle of proportionate giving. It involves two key elements: first, our level of giving rises out of our personal wealth, and second, our gift is a thankful response for God’s many blessings.
Our pledge should not be a token amount but rather an honest contribution based on what the parish of St. Mary’s means to us. We must be fair about the amount of money we give the church.
Guide for Proportional Giving to St. Mary’s Church of Brooklyn
Annual Gross
Household Income 2% 4% 6% 8% 10%
$20,000 $400 $800 $1,200 $1,600 $2,000
$30,000 $600 $1,200 $1,800 $2,400 $3,000
$40,000 $800 $1,600 $2,400 $3,200 $4,000
$50,000 $1,000 $2,000 $3,000 $4,000 $5,000
$75,000 $1,500 $3,000 $4,500 $6,000 $7,500
$100,000 $2,000 $4,000 $6,000 $8,000 $10,000
$150,000 $3,000 $6,000 $9,000 $12,000 $15,000
$200,000 $4,000 $8,000 $12,000 $16,000 $20,000
EACH OF US MUST ASK “WHERE AM I ON THIS CHART?”
As of December 31, 2020, St. Mary’s Church had 275 pledge commitments. Here is a summary of the pledge amounts in various categories. Where do I fit in?
$10,000 1
$6,000 4
$5,000 4
$2,000 - $5,000 14
$1,000 - $2,000 46
$750 - $1,000 14
$500 - $750 72
$250 - $500 82
$10 - $250 23