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 29, 2022
Sixth Sunday of Holy Pascha: Sunday of the Blind Man
Tone 5 and Eothinon 8
Martyrs Theodosia of Tyre and Theodosia of Constantinople
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 5
Let us believers praise and worship the Word, co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, born of the Virgin for our salvation. For he took pleasure in ascending the cross in the flesh to suffer death, and to raise the dead by his glorious resurrection.
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 16:16-34 (Blind Man)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 11.7, 1. You, O Lord, shall keep us and preserve us.
Verse. Save me, O Lord, for the godly man has failed.
IN THOSE DAYS, as we apostles were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by soothsaying. She followed Paul and us, crying, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” And this she did for many days. But Paul was annoyed, and turned and said to the spirit, “I charge you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.
But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the market place before the rulers; and when they had brought them to the magistrates they said, “These men are Jews and they are disturbing our city. They advocate customs which it is not lawful for us Romans to accept or practice.” The crowd joined in attacking them; and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely. Having received this charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and every one’s fetters were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas, and brought them out and said, “Men, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their wounds, and he was baptized at once, with all his family. Then he brought them up into his house, and set food before them; and he rejoiced with all his household that he had believed in God.
Gospel – John 9:1-38 (Sunday of the Blind Man)
AT THAT TIME, when Jesus was passing, he saw a man blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be made manifest in him. I must work the works of him who sent me, while it is day; night comes, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” As he said this, he spat on the ground and made clay of the spittle and anointed the man’s eyes with the clay, saying to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Silo’am” [which means Sent]. So he went and washed and came back seeing. The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar, said, “Is not this the man who used to sit and beg?” Some said, “It is he”; others said, “No, but he is like him.” He said, “I am the man.” They said to him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” He answered, “The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to Silo’am and wash’; so I went and washed and received my sight.” They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.”
They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. Now it was a Sabbath day when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes. The Pharisees again asked him how he had received his sight. And he said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.” Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” There was a division among them. So they again said to the blind man, “What do you say about him, since he has opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.”
The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight, until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight, and asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” His parents answered, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but how he now sees we do not know, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age, he will speak for himself.” His parents said this because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if any one should confess him to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue. Therefore, his parents said, “He is of age, ask him.”
So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and said to him, “Give God the praise; we know that this man is a sinner.” He answered, “Whether he is a sinner, I do not know; one thing I know, that though I was blind, now I see.” They said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” He answered them, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you too want to become his disciple?” And they reviled him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.” The man answered, “Why this is a marvel! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if any one is a worshipper of God and does his will, God listens to him. Never since the world began has it been heard that any one opened the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” They answered him, “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?” And they cast him out.
Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, “Do you believe in the Son of God?” He answered, “And who is he, Sir, that I may believe in him?” Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and it is he who speaks to you.” He said, “Lord, I believe”; and he worshipped 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 20:16-18, 28-36 (Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council)
John 17:1-13 (Sunday of the Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council)
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.
MAY 29, 2022 – SIXTH SUNDAY OF PASCHA: THE SUNDAY OF THE BLIND MAN
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 29 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Madeleine Abousleman, Thomas Gehshan, Archimandrite Agapios Golam, Rose Makhoul, Victoria Makhoul, Nicholas Malouf, John Moussy, Maurice Moussy, Khalil Nader, Sebastian Rothhammer, Victor M. Samra, Jr., Mildred Sarkis, Christ Sparsidis, and Theodore Tadross. Memory eternal!
Gabriel Golam offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of his uncle, the servant of God Archimandrite Agapios Golam. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, JUNE 5 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God. George Fattouh, Wadih Massab, and Henrietta Shawah. Memory eternal!
Dr. Michael Smatt and Family will offer Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Leon Smatt. 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, Lily Lang, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, Renee Setteducato, Tony Tadross, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, Dr. Samir Zamaria (MD), and Rose Zrake (at home).
FASTING DISCIPLINE FOR JUNE – There is also no kneeling until Holy Pentecost on June 12. The week following Holy Pentecost (June 13-19) is fast free. The Fast of the Apostles begins on Monday, June 20, and continues through Tuesday, June 28, in anticipation of the Feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul on June 29.
HOLY BREAD – Linda and George Salamy have made a donation for the balance of the year. Donors are welcome for June and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
FEAST OF THE ASCENSION – Fr. Michael will travel to Boston this week for the funeral of Robert H. Laham, the former long-time treasurer of the Antiochian Archdiocese; therefore, there will be no services for the Feast of the Ascension at St. Mary’s Church. We encourage our faithful either to attend Matins at 6 PM and the Divine Liturgy at 7 PM on Wednesday, June 1, at St. Nicholas Cathedral, or to attend Matins at 8:30 AM and the Divine Liturgy at 9:45 AM on Thursday, June 2, at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church. If attending the services at St. Nicholas, please begin your Eucharistic fast after an early and light lunch.
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. Our next gathering is Wednesday, June 8. Watch for more information and share your thoughts and ideas with Marilyn Tulaney at (718) 208-3616.
BAKING GENIUSES – In anticipation of their Palm Sunday Ma’amoul Bake Sale a wonderful group of bakers set out to make 250 dozen ma’amoul. By the time they stopped taking orders and baking they had made over 450 dozen! As a result, on Friday, Fr. Michael presented a check for $10,000 to International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) in support of their programs on behalf of the suffering people of Syria and Lebanon. The baking was excellent, the fellowship was better, and their efforts supported a vitally important cause. We thank Audrey and Charlie Sahadi for their very generous donation of many of the necessary ingredients. Congratulations to Sonia Abunaoum, Rima Alsifi-Hazem, Mayada Baroudy, Nahla Bittar, Majdeline Elkhoury, Marie Fallah, Aline Farkouh, Siham Fattouh, Antoinette Ghattas, Alyssa Haddad, Roula Hana, Hilani Hanna, Marianne Hindelly, Terez Khoury, Kinana Isber, Hanadi Kaba-Maalouf, Daria Mayrose, Hend Kaba, Lina Kaba, Maha Kaba. Samia Keriaky, Razan Khoury-Maalouf, Nahla Laham, Chaza Rafiaa, Vanda Salloum, Irene Tashji, Rana Yaziji, Josephine Zgheib, Leen Zgheib, and Yvonne Zrake. God bless your very talented hands!
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. 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. Please contact Fr. Michael for more information.
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
Wednesday, June 1 Leavetaking of Holy Pascha
Orthros, 6 PM and Divine Liturgy,7 PM @ St. Nicholas
Thursday, June 2 Ascension Thursday
Orthors, 8:30 AM and Divine Liturgy, 9:45 @ Holy Cross
Saturday, June 4 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Wednesday, June 8 “Our Time” Senior Fellowship, 1-3 PM
Sunday, June 12 Holy Pentecost
Monday, June 13 Parish Council, 7:30 PM
Saturday, June 18 Young Adult-Sponsored Whiskey & Wine Tasting, 7:00 PM
Monday, June 20 Apostles Fast Begins
Saturday, June 25 Final Great Vespers
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “Let no one grieve at his poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed. Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again; for forgiveness has risen from the grave. Let no one fear death, for the death of our Savior has set us free. He has destroyed it by enduring it.”
- St. John Chrysostom
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! TRULY HE IS RISEN!
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America