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 27, 2025
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.”
April 27, 2025 – 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, APRIL 27 – We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Mary Ayoub, Helen Cook, James J. Coury, Marie Farkouh, Yvonne and Alexander Hamwi, Albert Hanna, Michael Howie, George Kaiatt, Yvonne Khoury, Edward S. Mackoul, Linda and William Nafash, Yvonne Nicholas, Isaak Powers, Nazira and Gabriel Samen, Mary B. Savarese, Leon Smatt, Marie Louise Tashji, John Wizeman, and Albert G. Zarr!
Sandra Coogan offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of her grandmother, the handmaiden of God Mary B. Savarese, on the 30th anniversary of her repose. Memory eternal!
Peter Elkas offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of his uncle, the servant of God George Kaiatt. Memory eternal!
Irene Tashji offers Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of her mother, the handmaiden of God Marie Louise Tashji. A Coffee Hour in her memory will follow the Divine Liturgy. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, MAY 4 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Edward Ateyeh, Nour Abu-Assali El Khoury, Diane Elkas Grinnell, Margaret Hanna, Rose Hanna, Renee Matouk, Viola Mesnooh, Gladys and Theodore Sadaka, Salma Torpey, and Nada Traboulsi. Memory eternal!
Louise Sahadi will offer Prayers of Oblation for the repose of the soul of her aunt, the handmaiden of God Selma Torpey. Memory eternal!
Anne Mackoul and Family will offer Prayers of Oblation, the Holy Bread, and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Sabry Mackoul. A Coffee Hour in his memory will follow the Divine Liturgy. Memory eternal!
NO FASTING – Within the Patriarchate of Antioch some suspend fasting until the Feast of the Ascension, May 29. There is also no kneeling until Holy Pentecost on June 8.
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Alice Farkouh (Richmond University, SI), John Petrick (Norwegian), Joyce Samaha (Heritage Rehab), Renee Setteducato (Atlantic Rehab, Madison), Rouda Abboud, Isla Albishara, Yvonne Allawh, Diana Finger, George Khoury, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, Victoria Sleyman, and Anthony Speer (at home).
HOLY BREAD – Diana Zamaria and Family offer the Holy Bread for the month of April for the health of their family and friends and for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Dr. Sam Alexander Zamaria, Helen and Michael Nassoor, and all their departed loved ones. Memory eternal! Additional donors are welcome for April 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 Christopher Athineos or Treasurer Irene Tashji.
MYRRH-BEARING WOMEN – Many thanks to the women, men, boys and girls who lovingly and beautifully adorned the Tomb of Christ and the church for Holy Friday evening: Rima Alsifi Hazem, Sonia Abounaoum, Naziha Aldaia, Jack Alsaifi, Sandra Arida, Angela Athineos, Nahla Bittar, Barbara Deeb, Janice Deeb, Laila Ellias, Marie Ellias, Arabella Kitchen, Dianna Russo Kitchen, Nahla Laham, Therese Maalouf, Asber Noma, Christina Noma, Easa Noma, Christina Noma, Alice Regnier, Isaac Regnier Susanna Regnier, Karen Spolar, Paula Spolar, Irene Vivcharyk, and Renna Yazji.
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, Lara Rustom Al-Laham, Chris Castley, Christopher Castley, Laila Ellias, Wilson Haddad, Asber Noma, Christina Noma, Isaac Regnier, Michael Regnier, Susana Regnier, Irene Tashji, George Trisciuzzi, Andrea Zrake, Christina 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, Sonia and Henry Abou Naoum, Naziha and Bassam Aldaia, Eugene Arida, Sandra Arida, Majed Atalla, Angela and Christopher Athineos, Joan Bacon, Timothy Bittar, Marie Bryant, Claudette Budai, Rhonda Byrnes, Katherine and Hassan Dagher, Barbara Deeb, Janice Deeb, Jordan and Nadine Eisenberg, Gaby and Majdeline Elkhoury, Father Michael and Laila Ellias, Nahla Fattouh, Diana Finger, Gary and Kim Gangone, Josette and John Generale, Frances and Ronald Ghiz, Lara and Henry Hadad, James Harris, Marianne Hindelly, Gloria Jabara, Christine Kaiami, Diana Kaiami, Lina and Samer Kaiami, George Khoury, Victor Khoury, Bassam and Razan Maalouf, George Maalouf, Corrine and Michael Mallia, Camil Malouf, Linda Mantia, Janette Mellor, Kathryn and George Nassoor, Christine Perry, Jackie and William Robinson, Dianna Russo Kitchen, Marian Russo, Charles and Audrey Sahadi, Louise Sahadi, Robert Sahadi, George and Linda Salamy, Catherine and Raymond Saleeby, Roland Salloum, Wanda Salloum, Brenda Samman, Samar and Sam Shahem, Barbara and Dennis Shawah, Tamam Sheheri, Gary Speer, Karen and Tony Tadross, Irene Tashji, Waffa and Milad Tohme, George Trisciuzzi, Marilyn and Michael Tulaney, Miriam Zahka, Diana Zamaria, Gale Zarr, and Leen Zgheib.
ST. NICHOLAS CATHEDRAL MOTHER’S DAY GALA – St. Nicholas Cathedral invites everyone to share their Mother’s Day Gala on Friday, May 9, at Russo’s on the Bay. 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, will go to International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) for their projects in support of the suffering people of Lebanon and Syria.
OUR TIME – Our (over 50) senior fellowship, “Our Time”, meets every other Wednesday, including Wednesday, April 30, from 1-3 PM. All are welcome. Please see Marilyn Tulaney for more information. In addition, Our Time sponsors Pickleball on Tuesday and Thursday from 7-9 PM. All players and spectators are welcome.
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 (May 29).
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Sunday, April 27 Thomas Sunday
Wednesday, April 30 “Our Time” Adult Fellowship, 1-3 PM
Saturday, May 3 Great Vespers, 5:00 PM
Friday, May 9 St. Nicholas Cathedral Mother’s Day Gala @ Russo’s
Monday, May 12 Parish Council, 7:00 PM
Tuesday, May 20 1700-Year Anniversary of Council of Nicea, 7:30 PM @
Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Cathedral
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 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