81st Street and Ridge Boulevard Website: www.smaoc.org
Brooklyn, NY 11209 Church Office: (718) 238-8008
Email: churchsecretary@smaoc.org Rectory: (718) 745-8481
His Eminence Metropolitan JOSEPH
Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of all North America
Very Rev. Fr. Michael Ellias, Pastor Rev. Deacon Farid Farkouh
Email: pastor@smaoc.org farkouhfarid@gmail.com
Sunday, April 3, 2022
Fourth Sunday of Great Lent
Commemoration of John Climacus, Author of “The Ladder of Divine Ascent”
Tone 8 and Eothinon 8
Abbot Nikitas the Confessor of Medikion
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 8
O Compassionate One, thou didst descend from the heights; thou didst submit to the three-day burial, that thou mightest deliver us from passion. Thou art our Life and our Resurrection, O Lord, glory to thee.
Apolytikion of St. John of the Ladder – Tone 8
The barren wilderness thou didst make fertile with the streams of thy tears; and by thy deep sighing thou hast given fruit through thy struggles a hundred-fold. Accordingly, thou hast become a star for the universe, sparkling with miracles. Therefore, O righteous Father John, intercede with Christ God to save our souls.
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 for the Sundays in Lent – Tone 8
To thee, the Champion Leader, do I offer thanks of victory, O Theotokos, thou who hast delivered me from terror; but as thou that has that power invincible, O Theotokos, thou alone can set me free: from all forms of danger free me and deliver me, that I may cry unto thee: Hail, O Bride without Bridegroom.
Epistle – Hebrews 6:13-20 (Fourth Sunday in Lent)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 28.11, 1. The Lord will give strength to his people.
Verse. Bring to the Lord, O sons of God, bring to the Lord honor and glory.
BRETHREN, when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore to himself, saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” And thus Abraham, having patiently endured, obtained the promise. Men indeed swear by a greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he interposed with an oath, so that through two changeable things, in which it is impossible that God should prove false, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
Gospel – Mark 9:17-31 (Fourth Sunday in Lent)
AT THAT TIME, a man came to Jesus, kneeling down and saying unto him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a dumb spirit; and wherever it seizes him, it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” And Jesus answered him, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.” And they brought the boy to him; and when the spirit saw Jesus, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at his mouth. And Jesus asked his father, “How long has he had this?” And he said, “From childhood. And it has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us.” And Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You dumb and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again.” And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse; so that most of them said, “He is dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when Jesus had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” And Jesus said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting.”
They went out from there and passed through Galilee. And Jesus would not have anyone know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him; and after he is killed, he will rise on the third day.”
Megalynarion – In thee rejoiceth, O full of grace, all creation: the angelic hosts, and the race of men, O hallowed temple and noetic paradise, glory of virgins, of whom God was incarnate and became a little child, even our God Who is before all the ages; for He made thy womb a throne and thy body He made more spacious than the heavens. In thee rejoiceth, O full of grace, all creation; and it glorifieth thee.
LITURGICAL NOTE: During Great Lent we celebrate the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great.
Next week’s homework: Hebrews 9:11-14 (Fifth Sunday of Great Lent)
Mark 10:32-45 (Fifth Sunday of Great Lent)
APRIL 3, 2022 – FOURTH SUNDAY OF GREAT LENT – COMMEMORATION OF JOHN CLIMACUS, AUTHOR OF “THE LADDER OF DIVINE ASCENT”
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.
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.
TODAY, APRIL 3 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Adele Hadad, Alexander Hamwi, Philip Hamwi, Helen Livreri, Roger Sabah, Henry Salloum, Robert Samara, Raymond Sayeg, Michel Shraky, Felipe Trabulsi, Florence Zagby, and Najeeb Zrake. Memory eternal!
Josette and John Generale offer Prayers of Oblation for the good health of the servant of God Charlie Sahadi. Many years!
Carol Makhoul offers Prayers of Oblation for the health of her sister, Denise McBride. Many years!
George Trisciuzzi offers Prayers of Oblation for the health of Cezar Perez of Quito, Ecuador, as well as for the repose of the souls of his parents, the servants of God Adele Mary and Teodoro Trisciuzzi. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, APRIL 10 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Robert Coogan, Mary Gehshan, Dr. George Ghiz, Lynn Lewis, Victoria and Esber Najjar, and Marie Tashji. Memory eternal!
Brenda Sabbagh and Family will offer Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Robert Sabbagh. A Coffee Hour in his memory will follow the Divine Liturgy. Memory eternal!
The Family of Edward Hanna will offer Prayers of Oblation and a One-Year Memorial for the repose of his soul. They will also commemorate the servants of God Atina Hanna (25 years) and Albert Hanna (twelve years). Memory eternal!
George Lewis will offer Prayers of Oblation and a 5-Year Memorial for the repose of the soul of his sister, the handmaiden of God Lynn Lewis. Memory eternal!
HOLY BREAD – Linda and George Salamy have made an offering for the Holy Bread of Oblation for the entire year. Additional donors are welcome for April and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
POST-COMMUNION PRAYERS – As the faithful approach to reverence the cross, receive a blessing and a piece of antidoron (holy bread) at the dismissal, a reader will read the Post-Communion Prayers of Thanksgiving. Please greet each other quietly as we reverently hear these prayers.
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Rouda Abboud, Albert Absey, Yvonne Allawh, Claudette Budai, Diana Finger, Mary Ganim, Gabe Golam, Lily Lang, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, Leon Smatt, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, Dr. Samir Zamaria (MD), and Rose Zrake (at home).
LADIES OF ST. MARY’S – The Ladies of St. Mary’s will hold an in person meeting following this morning’s Divine Liturgy. All women of the parish are welcome and encouraged to participate. See President Sandra Arida for more information.
BYZANTINE CHANT CLASS – In an effort to cultivate additional chanters and readers for the divine services the pastor will offer a class on the rudiments of Byzantine chant at 4:30 on Saturday afternoons prior to the celebration of Great Vespers. Singers and readers of all ages, experience, and abilities are welcome to participate.
FOOD FOR HUNGRY PEOPLE – “Whoever gives a hand to help his neighbor is helped by God’s own hand.” (St. Isaac the Syrian) Please make your checks payable to St. Mary’s Church with “FFHP”” in the memo line and submit on or before Palm Sunday.
LENTEN LITURGICAL SCHEDULE – There will be Great Compline at St. Mary’s on Monday at 7:00 PM, the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts each Wednesday at 6:30 PM, and the Akathist/Madayeh Service each Friday at 7:30 PM. A Pot Luck Supper will follow each Wednesday service, and each parish organization will host a dinner prior to the Friday service. Great Vespers will continue each Saturday at 5:00 PM. This week only there will be special services on
FASTING DISCIPLINE FOR APRIL - The traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, cheese, eggs, dairy, fish, wine, olive oil or their by-products) is observed on all days with the exception of wine and olive oil being allowed on Saturdays and Sundays. On the Great Feast of the Lord’s Entrance into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday, April 17), fish, wine, and olive oil are permitted. There is no fasting after Holy Pascha (April 24) until the Great Feast of the Lord’s Ascension (June 2).
FIRST CONFESSION – The Church School historically has prepared second graders to participate in the Sacrament of Holy Confession/Reconciliation for the first time on Lazarus Saturday. Due to the pandemic a couple of classes have missed this opportunity; therefore, Laila Ellias will offer several special sessions to prepare the current class and two previous years’ students after the Divine Liturgy. Please see Laila, Church School Director Lorraine Deeb, or Dr. Yvonne Zrake 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 Aline Farkouh or Treasurer Diana Kaiami.
SENIOR FELLOWSHIP – We are happy to announce the start of “Our Time” at St. Mary’s. This is an opportunity for our seniors and their friends to gather in our church hall to socialize, play cards, bingo, backgammon or any other activity they would enjoy. The past two years have been very isolating for many. As the pandemic wanes and our masks come off, we would like to open the Church twice a month on Wednesdays at 1:00 and meet for a pleasurable two hours. So, bring your cards, games and friends for an afternoon of fellowship and fun. Watch for more information, and share your thoughts and ideas with Marilyn Tulaney at (718) 208-3616.
LENTEN RESOURCES – Great Lent is here. Our parish Bookstore, dedicated to the memory of Elena Paris, has copies of the service books for Great Lent, including Little Compline with the Akathist Hymn, the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, and Holy Week. There are also a few Lenten cookbooks available. Please contact Lorraine Deeb at ldeebsped@verizon.net or (718) 491-4996 to reserve your books.
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.
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. Consider naming St. Mary’s as a beneficiary on your retirement accounts (such as an IRA). Qualified charities are able to receive the full value of dollars in these plans without incurring income taxes
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Monday, April 4 Great Compline, 7:00 PM
Monday and Tuesday Ladies Baking
Wednesday, April 6 Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, 6:30 PM
Followed by Pot Luck Supper
Thursday, April 7 Little Compline with Great Canon and Life of St. Mary of Egypt, 7 PM
Friday, April 8 Young Adults Sponsor Dinner, 6:30 PM
Fifth Madayeh/Akathist Hymn, 7:30 PM
Saturday, April 9 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Monday, April 11 Parish Council, 7:30 PM
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “The Holy Fathers have cleared the way for us and have shown us the way to labor with the help of God. God is powerful, and He can deliver us from any evil.”
- Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America