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 12, 2024
New Sunday or Anti-Pascha
Sunday of Thomas the Apostle, Called “The Twin”
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!
Apolytikion of St. Thomas - Tone 7
While the tomb was sealed, thou didst shine forth from it, O Light. While the doors were closed, thou didst come in to thy Disciples, O Christ God, Resurrection of all, renewing in us through them an upright spirit, according to the greatness of thy 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 5:12-20 (Thomas Sunday)
Prokeimenon. Psalms 146.5; 134.3. Great is our Lord, and great is his power.
Verse. Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good.
IN THOSE DAYS, many signs and wonders were done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high honor. And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women, so that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and pallets, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
But the high priest rose up and all who were with him, that is, the party of the Sadducees, and filled with jealousy they arrested the apostles and put them in the common prison. But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out and said, “Go, and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.”
Gospel – John 20:19-31 (Thomas Sunday)
ON THE EVENING OF THAT DAY, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.
Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe.”
Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.
Next week’s homework: Acts 6:1-7 (Myrrh-Bearing Women)
Mark 15:43-16:8 (Myrrh-Bearing Women)
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.”
May 12, 2024 – NEW SUNDAY
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 12 - 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 offer Prayers of Oblation for the good health of Dn. Farid and Sh. Aline Farkouh. Many years!
Anita and John Eyd offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the servant of God William Eyd. 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!
Leila and Ramond Trabulsi offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Marilyn Roll, the mother-in-law of Dr. Edward Trabulsi. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, MAY 19 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Madeleine Abousleman, George M. Alsifi, Lorraine and Rose Ghiz, Abraham J. Karkenny, Margaret Kassatly, Valerie J. Konecny, Brian E. Mackoul, Buddy B. Saleeby, Samuel G. Samman, Mildred Sarkis, and Gloria Rose Shawah. Memory eternal!
NO FASTING – 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.
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 Trisciuzziand Rose Zrake (at home).
HOLY FRIDAY PROCESSION – John Alexander published an article in The Tablet, the newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn, about the joining of our church with Holy Cross Church on Holy Friday evening. Please follow this link for a photo and the article: https://thetablet.org/first-time-two-brooklyn-greek-orthodox-parishes-celebrate-good-friday-together/
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.
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.
EASTER OFFERINGS AND EASTER FLOWERS – We thank and acknowledge everyone who donated toward the flowers and other necessities for the Paschal season: Rose Abdallah, Ghassan and Zouka Alrassi, Eugene Arida, Sandra Arida, Issam and Samia Arnouk, Patricia Aznavoorian, Joan Bacon, Marie Bryant, Claudette Budai, Rhonda Byrnes, Christopher Castley, Barbara Deeb, Janice Deeb, Jordan and Nadine Eisenberg, Gaby and Majdeline Elkhoury, Father Michael and Laila Ellias, John and Anita Eyd, Diana Finger, John and Josette Generale, Krassimira Ivanchev, Gloria Jabara, Marian and George Kaba, Samer and Lina Kaiami, George Khoury, Nidal and Christine Khoury, George and Nicole Khouzami, George Maalouf, Sabry and Anne Mackoul, Corrine and Michael Mallia, Linda Mantia, Janette Mellor, George and Kathryn Nassoor, Jackie and William Robinson, Marian Russo, Janet Sadaka, Theodore Sadaka, Robert Sahadi, Louise Sahadi, George Salamy, Raymond and Catherine Saleeby, Roland Salloum, Wanda Salloum, Victor Samaha, Brenda Samman, Anthony Speer, Matthew and Karen Spolar, Tony and Karen Tadross, George Trisciuzzi, Marilyn and Michael Tulaney, Diana Zamaria, Gale Zarr, Jimmy Zgheib, and Malakie and Richard Zogob.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Monday, May 13 Parish Council, 7:00 PM
Saturday, May 18 No Great Vespers
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
“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