Sunday, May 30, 2021
Fifth Sunday of Pascha; Sunday of the Samaritan Woman
Tone 4 and Eothinon 7
Father Isaac, Founder of the Dalmatian Monastery in Constantinople
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’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 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 Mid-Pentecost – Tone 8
In the midst of this Feast, O Saviour, give thou my thirsty soul to drink of the waters of true worship; for thou didst call out to all, saying, Whosoever is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Wherefore, O Christ our God, Fountain of life, glory to thee.
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 11:19-30 (Sunday of the Samaritan Woman)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 103.24, 1. O Lord, how magnificent are your works. You have made all things in wisdom.
Verse. Bless the Lord, O my soul.
IN THOSE DAYS, those apostles who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to none except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number that believed turned to the Lord. News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad; and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose; for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a large company was added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul; and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church, and taught a large company of people; and in Antioch the disciples were for the first time called Christians.
Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabos stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world; and this took place in the days of Claudius. And the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brethren who lived in Judea, and they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
Gospel – John 4:5-42 (Sunday of the Samaritan Woman)
AT THAT TIME, Jesus came to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and so Jesus, wearied as he was with his journey, sat down beside the well. It was about the sixth hour.
There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ’Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep; where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, and his sons, and his cattle?” Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst forever; the water that I shall give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.”
Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying ’I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and he whom you now have is not your husband; this you said truly.” The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshipped on this mountain; and you say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for such the Father seeks to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming [he who is called Christ]; when he comes, he will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”
Just then his disciples came. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but none said, “What do you wish?” or, “Why are you talking with her?” So the woman left her water jar, and went away into the city, and said to the people, “Come, see a man who said to me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” They went out of the city and were coming to him.
Meanwhile the disciples besought him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” But he said to them, “I have food to eat of which you do not know.” So the disciples said to one another, “Has any one brought him food?” Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me, and to accomplish his work. Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see how the fields are already white for harvest. He who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor; others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.”
Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He said to me all that I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his words. They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of your words that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.”
MEGALYNARION FOR PASCHA – 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. Rejoice and be glad, O gate of the divine Light; for Jesus Who disappeared in the tomb hath risen with greater radiance than the sun, illuminating all believers, O Lady favored of God.
(KOINONIKON) COMMUNION HYMN OF PASCHA – Receive ye the body of Christ; taste ye the Fountain of immortality.
Next week’s homework: Acts 16:16-34 (Sunday of the Blind Man)
John 9:1-38 (Sunday of the Blind Man)
MAY 30, 2021 – FIFTH SUNDAY OF PASCHA: SUNDAY OF THE SAMARITAN WOMAN
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 30 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Madeleine Aboulsleman, Kamel Arida, Mitry Azar, Fares Deban, Alan Fadel, Archimandrite Agapios Golam, Edward Habre, Adel Jobe Inguilli, George Jasous, Anna Karkenny, Marie, Victoria Makhoul, Nicholas Malouf, Phillip Manessa, Raymond Massad, Lorice Mulhern, Mary and Thomas Rahal, Sebastian Rothhammer, Badri Saleeby, Mildred Sarkis, Christ Sparsidis, Laurice Sarraf, and Theodore Tadross. Memory eternal!
George Trisciuzzi offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Sebastian Rothhammer. Memory eternal!
Tiriz Alsaifi and Family offer Prayers of Oblation and a 10-Year Memorial for the repose of the soul of the servant of God George Alsaifi. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, JUNE 6 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Adele and Joseph Abouchar, Joseph G. Corey, Patricia Khouri Costa, George Fattouh, Thomas Gehshan, Rose Haddad, Edward Hanna, Rose Khoury, George Monier, Alice Muscat, Sam Shamas, Adolph, Nicholas and Rose Smatt. Memory eternal!
The Family of Edward Hanna will offer Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of his soul. Memory eternal!
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, Gary Gangone, Robert Mackoul, Alfred Nahas, Louis Savarese, Evelyn Shamoun, Leon Smatt, Jim Thompson (NJ), Marianne Trabulsi (PA), George Trisciuzzi, Dr. Samir Zamaria (MD), and Rose Zrake (at home).
HOLY BREAD – Rima Alsaifi has been baking some of the Holy Bread for several months now. We pray for her and her family for her offering. Linda and George Salamy have also made a donation for the balance of the year. Additional donors are welcome for June 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.
OUTREACH CENTER – The Holy Cross Brooklyn Outreach Center will hold its Grand Opening on Saturday, June 5 at 3:00 PM. Hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be served. The Center is located at 6022 4th Avenue. We will also soon be placing a container for food and clothing items in the vestibule in support of this Pan-Orthodox charity.
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”
“Krishi eshte ringialle” “Verete eshte ringialle”
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Monday, May 31 Memorial Day
Saturday, June 5 Grand Opening – Holy Cross Outreach Center, 3:00 PM
Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Wednesday, June 9 Evening Divine Liturgy for the Ascension, 7:00 PM
Thursday, June 10 Holy Ascension
Teen SOYO Meeting, 7:00 PM
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 – “People are generally called intelligent through a wrong use of this word. The intelligent are not those who have studied the sayings and writings of the wise men of old, but those whose soul is intelligent, who can judge what is good and what is evil; they avoid what is evil and harms the soul and intelligently care for and practice what is good and profits the world, greatly thanking God.”
- St. Anthony the Great
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UPDATED COVID POLICY
Christ is risen! Indeed He is risen!
At its last meeting on May 10, the Parish Council updated our policies to reflect the positive progress that has been made regarding COVID numbers. The Parish Council’s COVID response committee met via Zoom in response to the latest updates from the CDC, the Archdiocese, and New York State. After much discussion, we determined that we will continue, for the time being, with the decisions made at the May 10 council meeting.
Specifically, we will continue to require all parishioners to wear masks while in church and to social distance for several reasons. The CDC and the state have said that fully vaccinated people can go without a mask indoors. That is important language -- fully vaccinated people. Both the CDC and the state agree what it means to be fully vaccinated (2nd Moderna shot plus 2 weeks; or 2nd Pfizer shot plus 2 weeks; or single Johnson & Johnson shot plus 2 weeks). The state and the CDC have not provided any guidance on how organizations (including churches) should determine who is vaccinated or who is not.
We do not feel that St. Mary's Church should be in the business of asking for proof from parishioners as to who is vaccinated and who is not. To be loving as a church, and for the good of the entire community, we will not take that step at this time and will instead keep the mask policy in place. This practice protects those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons; this practice protects our children under 12 years old for whom there is no approved vaccine at this time; this practice protects those who are declining the vaccine for personal or political reasons; and this practice protects those who are in the middle of the vaccination process but have not yet reached fully vaccinated status.
We will continue to monitor the situation and to follow the science as we continue to emerge from this pandemic, and we strive to make St. Mary's safe and available for all of our parishioners and visitors. We have started serving a modified outdoor social hour, weather permitting. We have also begun teaching outdoor church school classes for grades 1 through 12.
We encourage all of our parishioners to get vaccinated as soon as possible, unless your doctor has directed you otherwise for medical reasons. As noted in a previous parish email, we have a local doctor who can have you come to his office or even come to the church for this purpose.
We thank you for your cooperation and understanding, as we ask each of you to stand in solidarity with the children who have no available vaccine yet, and to serve as an example to our children, of common sacrifice for the greater good.
In the Risen Christ,
Fr. Michael Ellias, Pastor
St. Mary’s Church Parish Council, Christopher Athineos, Chair
COVID Response Committee, Dr. Yvonne Zrake, Chair