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, May 21, 2023
Sixth Sunday of Pascha: Sunday of the Blind Man
Tone 5 and Eothinon 8
Equals-to-the-Apostles Constantine and Helen
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 Constantine and Helen – Tone 8
Constantine, who is thine apostle among kings, O Lord, having beheld with his own eyes the sign of thy cross in heaven, and like Paul having accepted thy call not from man, entrusted the reigning city to thy hands, delivering it with safety for all time by the intercessions of the Theotokos, O thou who art alone the Lover of mankind.
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 26:1, 12-20 (Equals-to-the-Apostles Constantine and Helen)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 12:4, 1. Their sound has gone forth into all the earth.
Verse. The heavens declare the glory of God!
IN THOSE DAYS, Agrippa the king said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak on your own behalf.” Then Paul stretched out his hand, and delivered his defense, saying: “When I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests, at midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me with those who journeyed with me. And when we had all fallen upon the earth, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But rise, and stand upon your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose: to appoint you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen, and of the things in which I will appear in for you; delivering you from the people, and from the nations, to whom I will send you, to open their eyes, that they may turn back from darkness to light, and from the authority of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins and a portion among those who are sanctified by faith which is in Me.’ Wherefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but proclaimed first to those at Damascus, then at Jerusalem and throughout all the country of Judaea, and also to the nations, that they should repent and turn back to God, practicing works worthy of repentance.”
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 26:1, 12-20 (Saints Constantine and Helen)
John 9:1-38 (Sunday of the Blind Man)
HOLY BREAD – Joey and Gareth Ganim offer the Holy Bread of Oblation for the month of May in loving memory of the handmaiden of God Mary Ganim. Memory eternal! Refaat S. Kabah also offers the Holy Bread of Oblation for the month of May in loving memory of the servant of God George Kadour. Memory eternal! Linda and George Salamy have also made a donation for the entire year. Many years! Additional 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, May 25. There is also no kneeling until Holy Pentecost on June 4.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
MAY 21, 2023 – SIXTH SUNDAY OF PASCHA: SUNDAY OF THE BLIND MAN
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.
SUNDAY, MAY 21 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God George M. Alsifi, Lorraine and Rose Ghiz, James Vernon Harris, Abraham J. Karkenny, Margaret Kassatly, Valerie J. Konecny, Brian E. Mackoul, George and Marie Saab, Buddy B. Saleeby, Samuel G. Samman, and Gloria Rose Shawah. Memory eternal!
Refaat S. Kabah offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God George Kadour. Memory eternal!
Deborah and Robert Mackoul offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Brian Mackoul. Memory eternal!
Catherine and Raymond Saleeby offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Buddy Saleeby. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, MAY 28 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Archimandrite Agapios Golam, Madeleine Abousleman, Thomas Gehshan, Fares Deban, Rose and Victoria Makhoul, Nicholas Malouf and John and Maurice Moussy, Khalil Nader, Sebastian Rothammer, Victor M. Samra Jr., Mildred Sarkis, Christ Sparsidis, and Theodore Tadross. Memory eternal!
Christopher Castley will offer Prayers of Oblation and a 2-Year Memorial for the repose of the soul of his father, the servant of God Albert Castley. Memory eternal!
George Trisciuzzi will offer Prayers of Oblation and a 5-Year Memorial for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Sebastian Rothhammer. Memory eternal!
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Khalil Eid (Hamilton Park), Nicholas Massab (Norwegian), Rouda Abboud, Yvonne Allawh, Diana Finger, Robert Forcina, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, Wade Saadi, Victoria Sleyman, Claudette Teen, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, Dr. Samir Zamaria (MD) and Rose Zrake (at home).
FEAST OF THE ASCENSION – We will celebrate an Evening Divine Liturgy on Wednesday, May 24, at 7:00 PM, in anticipation of the Feast of the Ascension of Christ on May 25. Communicants should begin their Eucharistic fast after an early and light lunch.
ORTHODOXY ON TAP – Young adults are invited to the next Orthodoxy on Tap at St. George Orthodox Church, 307 West 54th Street in New York, on Tuesday, May 23, at 8:00 PM. Fr. Constantine will speak on “Ín the World but not of the World.” Drinks will follow at a local bar!
BACKYARD BBQ – The Parish Council will host a “Backyard Barbecue” on Sunday, June 4, following the Divine Liturgy for the Feast of Pentecost. Please see the flyer in this bulletin for more information. We will welcome special guest Roula Khoury, President of the Antiochian Women of the East that day.
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 annual award this year from the fund left to the church from Georgette’s estate. The college student who is awarded the scholarship must meet the following guidelines:
a) The recipient of the scholarship, must be an active member in good standing of St. Mary’s, and
b) The recipient must attend an accredited college or university in any state within the United States, c) The recipient must maintain an overall grade average of not less than a B- (82).
The duration of the scholarship covers one year, and a recipient may receive the annual scholarship more than once, if agreed upon by the pastor of St. Mary’s and the Chairman of the St. Mary’s Parish Council. 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.
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.
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
DATES TO REMEMBER
Wednesday, May 24 “Our Time” Adult Fellowship, 1-3 PM
Evening Divine Liturgy for the Ascension, 7:00 PM
Thursday, May 25 Feast of the Ascension of Christ
Saturday, May 27 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
June 28 - July 2 Parish Life Conference @ Antiochian Village
July 23 – 30 Archdiocese Convention in Phoenix, AZ
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “If you wish to gain victory over your thoughts, attend to your passions, whereby you will easily banish your thoughts from your mind. To be precise, when you are bothered by impure thoughts, you should fast, keep vigil, toil and avoid harmful associations. In order to ward off anger and sorrow, do not let either glory, dishonor, or material things interest you. In order to conquer resentment, pray with fervor for the one who who grieved you; and you will assuredly be freed from it.”
- St. Maximus the Confessor
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