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 15, 2022
Fourth Sunday of Pascha: Sunday of the Paralytic
Tone 3 and Eothinon 5
Venerable Pachomios the Great of Egypt
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 the Resurrection – Tone 3
Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad; for the Lord hath done a mighty act with his own arm. He hath trampled down death and become the First-born from the dead. He hath delivered us from the depth of hades, 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 9:32-42 (Sunday of the Paralytic)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 46.6, 1. Sing praises to our God, sing praises.
Verse. Clap your hands, all you nations.
IN THOSE DAYS, as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints that lived at Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.
Now there was at Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. In those days she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him entreating him, “Please come to us without delay.” So Peter rose and went with them. And when he had come, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping, and showing tunics and other garments which Dorcas made while she was with them. But Peter put them all outside and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, rise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and lifted her up. Then calling the saints and widows he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
Gospel – John 5:1-15 (Sunday of the Paralytic)
AT THAT TIME, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Hebrew called Bethza’tha, which has five porticoes. In these lay a multitude of invalids, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water; for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool, and troubled the water; whoever stepped in first after the troubling of the water was healed of whatever disease he had. One man was there, who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew that he had been lying there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is troubled, and while I am going another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your pallet, and walk.” And at once the man was healed, and he took up his pallet and walked.
Now that day was the Sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who was cured, “It is the Sabbath, it is not lawful for you to carry your pallet.” But he answered them, “The man who healed me said to me, ‘Take up your pallet and walk.’” They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, “take up your pallet, and walk’?” Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. Afterward, Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse befall you.” The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him.
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 11:19030 (Sunday of the Samaritan Woman)
John 4:5-42 (Sunday of the Samaritan Woman)
MAY 15, 2022 – FOURTH SUNDAY OF PASCHA: THE SUNDAY OF THE PARALYTIC
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.
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.
CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN!
TODAY, MAY 15 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Asma Araman, Michael Davis, William Eyd, Nadra and Habdo Haddad, James Harris, Murad Kaidy, Ibrahim Laham, Wadea Massab, Yvonne Najjar, Toufic Nehme, Richard Sahadi, Ratiba Sukkarieh, and Careemy and George Zaher. Memory eternal!
Corinne and Michael Mallia and Family offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God May Achou Tan, who departed this life in Paris in the hope of the Resurrection. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, MAY 22 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God George Alsifi, Lorraine Ghiz, Rose Ghiz, Abraham Karkenny, Margaret Kassatley, Valerie Konecny, Brian Mackoul, Marie and George Saab, Samuel Samman, and Gloria Rose Shawah. Memory eternal!
Dr. Rami Atallah and Family will offer Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of the soul of his mother, the handmaiden of God Hind Atallah, who departed this life in Syria in the hope of the Resurrection. Memory eternal!
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, Gloria and Kenneth Jabara. Lily Lang, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, Jackie Jabara Robinson, Renee Setteducato, Tony Tadross, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, Dr. Samir Zamaria (MD), and Rose Zrake (at home).
FASTING DISCIPLINE – We have returned 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.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
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.
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. Our next gathering will be Wednesday, May 25. So, bring your cards, games and friends for an afternoon of fellowship and fun. Watch for more information and share your ideas with Marilyn Tulaney at (718) 208-3616.
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.
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.
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. Contact Fr. Michael for more information.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Saturday, May 21 NO GREAT VESPERS
100th Anniversary Banquet, Little Falls, NJ, 6-11 PM
Wednesday, May 25 “Our Time” – Senior Fellowship, 1-3 PM
Saturday, May 28 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Thursday, June 2 Ascension Thursday
Saturday, June 18 Young Adult-Sponsored Whiskey & Wine Tasting, 7:00 PM
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “The Lord Himself will be your helper in all things. Simply desire it wholeheartedly and turn to the Lord for His much-needed help. His grace-filled power will merge with your effort, and things will go easily and successfully. As there is no sin that can overcome the mercy of God, so there is no moral uncleanness that can resist the grace-filled power that aconsumes it. Only on your part, let there be a lack of desire for this uncleanness, an earnest effort to repulse it, and your recourse in faith to the Lord.”
- St. Theophan the Recluse
CHRIST IS RISEN! INDEED HE IS RISEN!
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America