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 5, 2024
Great and Holy Pascha
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.
Today’s Hymns and Readings
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!
Troparion of Holy Pascha – Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life!
Hypakoe of Holy Pascha – Tone 4
They who were with Mary came before the dawn, found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher, and heard the angels say unto them, Why seek ye him as man with the dead, who dwells in light eternal? Behold the grave wrappings; make haste and declare to the world that the Lord is risen, and hath caused death to die; for he is the Son of God, the Savior of mankind.
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 1:1-8 (Holy Pascha)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 117.24, 29. This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Verse. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his mercy endures forever.
IN THE FIRST BOOK, O Theophilos, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. To them he presented himself alive after his passion by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days, and speaking of the kingdom of God. And while staying with them he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “You heard from me, for John baptized with water, but before many days you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom of Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.”
Gospel – John 1:1-17 (Holy Pascha)
IN THE BEGINNING was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but was to bear witness to the light.
The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world knew him not. He came to his own, and his own received him not. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God; who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. John bore witness to him, and cried, “This is he of whom I said, ‘he who comes after me ranks before me, for he was before me.’” And from his fullness have we all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
Next week’s homework: Acts 5:12-20 (Second Sunday of Holy Pascha)
John 20:19-31 (Thomas Sunday)
May 5, 2024 – GREAT AND HOLY PASCHA
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 5 - On Holy Pascha we pray for all “the quick and the dead” of the parish. Memory eternal!
NO FASTING – The church prohibits fasting all week due to the joy of the Resurrection. 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.
NEXT SUNDAY, MAY 12 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Asma Araman, Edward Ateyeh, Michael Davis, Nour Abu-Assali El Khoury, William Eyd, Diane Elkas Grinnell, Nadra and Hadbo Haddad, Rose Hanna, Murad Kaidy, Ibrahim Makarus Laham, Wadea Massab, Viola Mesnooh, Yvonne Najjar, Toufic E. Nehme, Gladys and Theodore Sadaka, Richard A. Sahadi, Ratiba Sukkarieh, Salma Torpey, Nada Traboulsi, and Careemy, and George Zaher. Memory eternal!
Josette and John Generale will offer Prayers of Oblation for the good health of Dn. Farid and Sh. Aline Farkouh. Many years!
Peter Elkas will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of his sister, the handmaiden of God Diane Elkas Grinnell. Memory eternal!
Louise Sahadi will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of her aunt, the handmaiden of God Salma Torpey. Memory eternal!
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, Helen and Fred Hadad, George Khoury, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, Wade Saadi, Victoria Sleyman, Jim Thompson (NJ), George Trisciuzzi, Richard Zogob, and Rose Zrake (at home).
AGAPE BREAKFAST - Audrey and Charles Sahadi and Robert Sahadi have once again underwritten the Breakfast for Holy Pascha in loving memory of Najla and Wade Sahadi, Richie Sahadi, and Ameenie Freije. Memory eternal!
AGAPE VESPERS – At Agape Vespers at noon on Holy Pascha, May 5, we will read the Gospel in many languages. Please see Fr. Michael if you would like to read the Gospel in a foreign language.
HOLY BREAD – Donors are welcome for May and succeeding months. We ask for a donation of $50/week.
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.
PATRIARCH OFFERING – Our pledge envelopes for the month of April included a pink envelope marked “Patriarch Offering.” Please use this envelope to support the Metropolitan’s annual appeal on behalf of the Patriarch of Antioch, especially in the wake of last year’s 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.
ST. NICHOLAS CATHEDRAL MOTHER’S DAY GALA – St. Nicholas Cathedral invites everyone to share their Mother’s Day Gala on Friday, May 10, at Dyker Beach Golf Course. The Cathedral will honor the pastor, Archpriest Thomas Zain for his 30 years in the holy priesthood. To reserve please contact Siham Hazim at (347) 232-7542 or Christine Kaba at (646) 388-3679 immediately!
PALM SUNDAY MA-AMOUL SALE – We thank the faithful ladies who labored so lovingly this Great Lent to provide ma-amoul for our holiday celebrations. The proceeds from this project, estimated at $10,000, will go to International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) for their projects in support of the suffering people of Lebanon, Syria and Turkey.
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.
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, 2024.
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, 2024. For more information and other scholarships offered by the Archdiocese, go to www.antiochian.org/scholarships.
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 – As we celebrate the Resurrection of Christ, the feast of feasts and the holy day of all holy days, let us contemplate the incalculable gift that God has given us – eternal life in the unending light of the Kingdom of God! How can we put a price on our salvation, won for us by the Blood of Christ? Can we not at least make a provision in our will or estate plan to leave something to Christ’s Holy Church in order to assure that future generations will have a place to proclaim, “Christ is risen!”
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Sunday, May 5 Agape Vespers, 12:00 PM
Wednesday, May 8 “Our Time” Adult Fellowship, 1-3 PM
Friday, May 10 St. Nicholas Cathedral Mother’s Day Gala
Saturday, May 11 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Sunday, May 12 Thomas Sunday
Monday, May 13 Parish Council, 7:00 PM
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – A holy soul cares for his neighbor, either close at hand or far away. He cares where the homeless will spend the night, how the hungry will be fed, with what the naked will be clothed. He cares and he prays for the salvation of his neighbors: that their hearts may be filled with love towards God, that their minds may be directed towards God, that the wicked may turn from the paths of wickedness, that the hesitant may be confirmed in faith, that the firm may persevere, that the departed may behold the face of God, that the living may be written in the Book of Life in the Kingdom of Light.
- St. Nikolai Velimirov
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