Sunday, May 9, 2021
New Sunday or Anti-Pascha
Sunday of Thomas the Apostle, Called “The Twin”
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
After “Blessed is the Kingdom…”, “Christ is risen…” (3 times) and the Paschal Stichera
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 St. Thomas - Tone 7
While the tomb was sealed, thou didst shine forth from it, O Light. While the doors were closed, thou didst come in to thy Disciples, O Christ God, Resurrection of all, renewing in us through them an upright spirit, according to the greatness of thy mercy.
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 5:12-20 (Thomas Sunday)
Prokeimenon. Psalms 146.5; 134.3. Great is our Lord, and great is his power.
Verse. Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good.
IN THOSE DAYS, many signs and wonders were done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high honor. And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women, so that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and pallets, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
But the high priest rose up and all who were with him, that is, the party of the Sadducees, and filled with jealousy they arrested the apostles and put them in the common prison. But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out and said, “Go, and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.”
Gospel – John 20:19-31 (Thomas Sunday)
ON THE EVENING OF THAT DAY, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.
Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe.”
Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.
Next week’s homework: Acts 6:1-7 (Myrrh-Bearing Women)
Mark 15:43-16:8 (Myrrh-Bearing Women)
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church.
MAY 9, 2021 – NEW SUNDAY – SUNDAY OF THOMAS THE APOSTLE, CALLED “THE TWIN”
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 9 - We 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!
Fr. Michael and Laila Ellias offer Prayers of Oblation for the health of Jessica and Matthew on their wedding anniversary and for Marie on her birthday. Many years!
Louise Sahadi offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of her aunt, Salma Torpey. Memory eternal!
John and Josette Generale offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the souls of her parents, Hadbo and Nadra Haddad. Memory eternal! They also offer Prayers of Oblation for the good health of Robert Mackoul. Many years!
NEXT SUNDAY, MAY 16 – We will 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!
Hiam Sukkarieh will offer 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 her mother-in-law, Ratiba Sukkarieh. 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), 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).
FOOD FOR HUNGRY PEOPLE – Please remember to return your FFHP collection boxes and other donations as soon as possible.
MEMORY ETERNAL! We are saddened to announce that the handmaiden of God Renee Matouk departed this life on Holy Saturday in hope of the Resurrection. We celebrated a Bright Week funeral on Tuesday. We extend our sympathies to her daughter Judy Matouk of Staten Island and her family. Memory eternal!
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.
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 OPPORTUNITIES – Please contact Fr. Michael for information concerning the Edith Shagoury Scholarship Fund, the Georgette Maione Memorial Scholarship, and the Fr. Paul Schneirla Memorial Scholarship.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Monday, May 10 Parish Council, 7:30 PM via Zoom
Thursday, May 13 Teen Meeting, 7:30 PM via Zoom
Saturday, May 15 Najjar-Saka Wedding, 1:00 PM
Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
All services will be live streamed via smaoc - Twitch.
FROM THE FATHERS – “Blessed is he who consumes the bread of love, which is Jesus! He who eats of love eats Christ, the God over all, as John bears witness, saying, God is love.”
- St. Isaac the Syrian
CHRIST IS RISEN! INDEED HE IS RISEN!