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, May 1, 2022
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 or at home.
MAY 1, 2022 – NEW SUNDAY
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 1 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God James Coury, Diane Elkas Grinnell, Yvonne Khoury, Renee Matouk, Viola Mesnouh, Y. Nicholas, Nazira and Gabriel Samen, Margaret Soued, Nada Traboulsi, and Salma Torpey. Memory eternal!
Peter Elkas offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of his sister, the handmaiden of God Diane Elkas Grinnell. Memory eternal!
Nadia Soued offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Margaret Soued. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, MAY 8 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Edward Ateyeh, Nour Abou-Assali El Khoury, Rose Hanna, James Harris, and Gladys and Theodore Sadaka. Memory eternal!
FASTING DISCIPLINE – We now return to our normal fasting practice. Within the Patriarchate of Antioch some suspend fasting until the Feast of the Ascension, June 2. There is also no kneeling until Holy Pentecost on June 12.
HOLY BREAD – Today the family of James Harris offers the Holy Bread of Oblation for the repose of his soul. Memory eternal! Linda and George Salamy have made a donation for the balance of the year. 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, remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Rouda Abboud, Albert Absey, Yvonne Allawh, Claudette Budai, Diana Finger, Robert Forcina, Mary Ganim, Gabe Golam, Lily Lang, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, Renee Setteducato, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, Dr. Samir Zamaria (MD), and Rose Zrake (at home).
MAIONE SCHOLARSHIP – The Georgette Maione Memorial Scholarship will make its second award this year from the fund left to the church from Georgette’s estate. Please contact Fr. Michael for more information.
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, 2022.
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, 2022. 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.
FR. PAUL SCHNEIRLA MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP – Teen SOYO will once again offer this scholarship at the Parish Life Conference in loving memory of our beloved former pastor. This scholarship is presented on the basis of academic excellence.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Saturday, May 7 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Monday, May 9 Parish Council, 7:30 PM
Thursday, June 2 Ascension Thursday
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “True hope seeks only the Kingdom of God.”
- St. Seraphim of Sarov
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”
CHRIST IS RISEN! INDEED HE IS RISEN!
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America