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 26, 2024
Fourth Sunday of Pascha: Sunday of the Paralytic
Tone 3 and Eothinon 5
Apostle Karpos of the Seventy
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 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 11:19-30 (Sunday of the Samaritan Woman)
John 4:5-42 (Sunday of the Samaritan Woman)
May 26, 2024 – FOURTH SUNDAY OF PASCHA: SUNDAY OF THE PARALYTIC
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.
CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN!
TODAY, MAY 26 - We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Fares Deban, Archimandrite Agapios Golam, James Vernon Harris, Rose and Victoria Makhoul, Nicholas Malouf, John and Maurice Moussy, Khalil Nader, Sebastian Rothhammer, Victor M. Samra, Jr., Christ Sparsidis, and Theodore Tadross. Memory eternal!
George Trisciuzzi offers Prayers of Oblation for the health of the servants of God Jay Milnor, Scott Milnor, and Chrystyne Scotto. Many years!
NEXT SUNDAY, JUNE 2 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Shafica Debagie, George Fattouh, Wadih Massab, Alice Muscat, Nicholas Orfaly, Henrietta Shawah, and Marianne Trabulsi. Memory eternal!
POST-COMMUNION PRAYERS – At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, a reader will read the Post-Communion Prayers of Thanksgiving. Please reverently hear these prayers before beginning to “chat.”
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 13. There is also no kneeling until Holy Pentecost on June 23.
HOLY BREAD – Donors are welcome for May and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Nicholas Massab (Norwegian), Howard Samara (Upper East Side Rehab), Rouda Abboud, Yvonne Allawh, Patti DeLuca, Alice Farkouh, George Khoury, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, Wade Saadi, Victoria Sleyman, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi and Rose Zrake (at home).
TEENS AT ANTIOCHIAN ARCHDIOCESE – Metropolitan SABA has invited all the teens of the deanery to join him at the Antiochian Archdiocese headquarters in Englewood, NJ, on Saturday, June 1, from 11-1 PM. Anyone interested in attending this event should contact Fr. Michael, Amanda Regnier, Leen Zgheib, or Dianna Russo in order to facilitate transportation.
CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS – We have several families who would benefit from a little additional scholarship assistance for campers to attend the Antiochian Village this summer. If you are able to help, please make checks payable to the Pastor’s Discretionary Account from which we will make confidential disbursements. All donations will be tax deductible.
HOME BLESSINGS – Several parishioners have requested spring time blessings of their homes. Please feel free to call for an appointment between now and the Feast of the Ascension (June 13).
EASTERN DIOCESES PARISH LIFE CONFERENCE – The parish of St. Mary of Hunt Valley, MD, will host this year’s Parish Life Conference at the beautiful Antiochian Village Conference and Retreat Center in Ligonier, PA, from June 26-30. 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.
ESTATE PLANNING – Have I included St. Mary’s Church in my will or estate plan? It’s easy, it’s vital, and it won’t cost a penny during your lifetime. Simply say in your will, “I bequeath 25 shares of “Habibi Corporation” to St. Mary’s Orthodox Church of Brooklyn.”
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Saturday, June 1 Teens @ Antiochian Archdiocese, 11-1 PM
Zeina Abou Naoum Baptism, 3 PM
Great Vespers, 5 PM
Wednesday, June 5 “Our Time” Adult Fellowship, 1-3 PM
Friday, June 7 Family Night, 7-9 PM
Saturday, June 8 Great Vespers, 5 PM
Sunday, June 9 Savannah Saka Baptism, 1 PM
Monday, June 10 Parish Council, 7 PM
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
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 mawt,
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