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 SABA
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 30, 2023
Third Sunday of Pascha: Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women,
Pious Joseph of Arimathea and Righteous Nicodemus
Tone 2 and Eothinon 4
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 2
When thou, O immortal Life, didst humble thyself unto death, then didst thou destroy death by the brightness of thy Godhead; and when thou didst raise the bowels of the earth, then all the heavenly powers exclaimed, O Christ, thou art the Giver of life! Glory to thee, O our God!
Apolytikion of the Pious Joseph and the Myrrh Bearing Women – Tone 2
The pious Joseph, having brought down thy pure body from the Tree, wrapped it in fine linen, embalmed it with ointment, provided for it, and laid it in a new tomb. But thou didst rise, after three days, O Lord, granting the world the Great Mercy.
Apolytikion of the Myrrh Bearing Women – Tone 2
Verily, the angel came to the tomb and said to the ointment-bearing women, The ointment is meet for the dead, but Christ is shown to be remote from corruption. But cry ye, the Lord is risen, granting the world the Great 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 6:1-7 (Myrrh-Bearing Women)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 117.14, 18. The Lord is my strength and my son.
Verse. The Lord has chastened me sorely.
IN THOSE DAYS, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochoros, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaos, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands upon them.
And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Gospel – Mark 15:43-16:8 (Myrrh-Bearing Women)
AT THAT TIME, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. And Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether Jesus was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. And he bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud, and laid him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.
And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?” And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back – it was very large.
And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, “Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you.” And they went out and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
MEGALYNARION FOR PASCHA (Tone 1) – The angel cried unto her that is full of grace: O pure Virgin, rejoice, and again I say, rejoice; for thy Son hath arisen from the grave on the third day. 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 9:32-42 (Sunday of the Paralytic)
John 5:1-15 (Sunday of the Paralytic)
APRIL 30, 2023 – THE HOLY MYRRH-BEARING WOMEN, PIOUS JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA, AND PIOUS NICODEMUS
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.
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 30 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Helen Cook, James J. Coury, Yvonne and Alexander Hamwi, Michael Howie, Yvonne Khoury, Renee Matouk, Yvonne Nicholas, and Gabriel and Nazira Samen. Memory eternal!
The Kadour Family offers Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of the soul of the servant of God George Kadour. Memory eternal!
The Family of Leon Smatt offers Prayers of Oblation and a One-Year Memorial for the repose of his soul. Memory eternal
NEXT SUNDAY, MAY 7 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Edward Ateyeh, Nour Abu-Assali El Khoury, William Eyd, Diane Elkas Grinnell, Rose Hanna, Viola Mesnooh, Yvonne Najjar, Gladys and Theodore Sadaka, Margaret Soued, Salma Torpey, and Nada Traboulsi, Careemy. Memory eternal!
Peter Elkas will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Diane Elkas Grinnell. Memory eternal!
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Nicholas Massab (Norwegian), Wade Saadi (Cornell), Rouda Abboud, Yvonne Allawh, Diana Finger, Robert Forcina, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, Victoria Sleyman, Claudette Teen, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, Dr. Samir Zamaria (MD) and Rose Zrake (at home).
HOLY BREAD – Donors are welcome for May and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
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.
ENTHRONEMENT – The enthronement of His Eminence, the Most Reverend Metropolitan Archbishop SABA, will take place on Saturday, May 13, at 11:00 AM at St. Nicholas Cathedral. A banquet will follow the enthronement at the Marriott Hotel on Adams Street. Please see this bulletin for reservation information and the schedule of events.
PATRIARCH – Our pledge envelopes for the month of April included a pink envelope marked “Patriarch.” Please use this envelope to support the Metropolitan’s annual appeal on behalf of the Patriarch of Antioch, especially in the wake of the recent earthquake. Our minimum contribution as a parish is $500. If anyone is currently not receiving pledge envelopes, please see Fr. Michael or Parish Council Chair Anthony Zrake.
FOOD FOR HUNGRY PEOPLE – Please remember to submit your FFHP donations as soon as possible. If writing a check, please make it payable to St. Mary’s Church with FFHP in the memo line.
“OUR TIME” – Due to the Holy Week postponement of their regular schedule, there will be an additional gathering this month of “Our Time,” our senior fellowship, on Wednesday, April 26, from 1:00-3:00 PM. We will resume the regular schedule of the first and third Wednesday of each month on May 3. All are welcome! Please see Marilyn Tulaney for more information.
MYRRH-BEARING WOMEN – Many thanks to the women, men, and girls who lovingly and beautifully adorned the Tomb of Christ for Holy Friday evening: Rima Alsifi Hazem, Sonia Abounaoum, Naziha Aldaia, Roula Alsifi, Sandra Arida, Joan Bacon, Nahla Bittar, Barbara Deeb, Laila Ellias, Joyce Katen, Arabella Kitchen, Samia Kyriaki, Chloe LeClair, Dianna Russo Kitchen, Asber Noma, Easa Noma, Christina Noma, Chaza Rafiaa, Alice Regnier, Susanna Regnier, Karen Spolar, Paula Spolar, Renna Yazge, and Lina Zaher.
CHOIR, CHANTERS AND READERS – Many thanks to Sandra Arida and our dedicated choir for their inspirational singing throughout Great Lent and Holy Week. We also thank the chanters and readers who served so faithfully and beautifully: Sonia Abounaoum, Chris Castley, Christopher Castley, Laila Ellias, Wilson Haddad, Oscar Hernandez, Michael Regnier, Irene Tashji, George Trisciuzzi, Andrea Zrake, and Anthony Zrake.
SPECIAL COLLECTION – Today we will pray for the repose of the soul of a 39-year-old man who leaves behind a wife and three young daughters. Donors who would like to make a contribution for this family may make checks payable to St. Mary Church with “GK” in the memo line, and the church will accumulate a gift of love.
EMAIL ADDRESSES – Please submit or update all your family email addresses to pastor@smaoc.org, so that we can contact our parishioners with timely news.
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:
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 in loving memory of our beloved former pastor. This scholarship is presented at the Parish Life Conference on the basis of academic excellence. Please contact Fr. Michael for more information.
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, 2023. For more information and other scholarships offered by the Archdiocese, go to www.antiochian.org/scholarships.
EASTERN DIOCESES PARISH LIFE CONFERENCE – The parish of St. Moses the Black of Pittsburgh, PA, will host this year’s Parish Life Conference at the beautiful Antiochian Village Conference and Retreat Center in Ligonier, PA, from June 28-July 2. Information and registration are now open on-line at www.antiochianevents.com. Please register and make room reservations now in order to secure a place at the conference center itself.
56th ANTIOCHIAN ARCHDIOCESE CONVENTION, Phoenix, AZ – Sunday, July 23, 2023-Sunday, July 30, 2023 – Hosted by St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Phoenix, AZ, at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort and Spa. To book rooms at the hotel, register for the convention, purchase convention event tickets and obtain forms to place a message in the Souvenir Journal, go to www.ac2023az.org. Rooms are booking quickly for this historic convention.
VISITATION OF THE SICK AND HOUSE-BOUND – If someone in your household is sick at home, in the hospital or in a convalescent center, please notify the church office as soon as possible. Please do not assume that we will know simply “through the grapevine.”
WORD MAGAZINE – All registered members of the parish are entitled to receive the Word Magazine at home. If you are not receiving the Word, please contact the church office so that we can submit your name for the mailing list, or go to https://forms.gle/89UzjjM2Ad4ubiC5A to subscribe or change your contact information directly.
ANTIDORON – After receiving Holy Communion and at the end of the Divine Liturgy, it is customary to receive a piece of blessed bread or antidoron, the bread that remains after the preparation of the Holy Communion. While antidoron is not Holy Communion, it is blessed, and as such should be eaten carefully so that crumbs do not fall. Both adults and children should always remember to treat and consume the antidoron with respect.
ON-LINE GIVING – St. Mary's Church now accepts donations online. Just visit https://smaoc.squarespace.com/donate and pay securely by credit card, debit card, or checking account. 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
Friday, May 5 Family Night, 7:00-9:00 PM
Saturday, May 6 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Monday, May 8 Parish Council, 7:30 PM
Saturday, May 13 Enthronement of Metropolitan SABA
Wednesday, May 24 Evening Divine Liturgy for the Ascension, 7:00 PM
Thursday, May 25 Feast of the Ascension of Christ
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “The man who has found love eats and drinks Christ evrey day and hour and so is made immortal. Whoever eats of this bread, He says, which I will give him, will never taste death. 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 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