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 11, 2025
Fourth Sunday of Pascha: Sunday of the Paralytic
Tone 3 and Eothinon 5
Cyril and Methodios, Equals-to-the-Apostles and Enlighteners of the Slavs
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 11, 2025 – 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 11 – We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Asma Araman, Michael Davis, William Eyd, Nadra and Hadbo Haddad, Murad Kaidy, Wadea Massab, Yvonne Najjar, Toufic E. Nehme, Ibrahim Makarus Laham, Richard A. Sahadi, Ratiba Sukkarieh, and Careemy and George Zaher.
Angela Athineos offers Prayers of Oblation and the Holy Bread for the health of her husband, the servant of God Christopher Athineos, as well as for Christopher Castley, Sr. and Christopher Castley, Jr., on their name day (May 9). Many years! She also offers Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of the soul of the handmaiden of God Schema Nun Macrina, Chrysoula Photopoulos in the world. Memory eternal!
Nicolas El-Khoury offers Prayers of Oblation and the Holy Bread for the repose of the soul of his mother, the handmaiden of God Nour Abouassali El-Khoury. Memory eternal!
The Family of Victor Samaha offers Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day Memorial for the repose of his soul. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, MAY 18 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Madeleine Abousleman, George M. Alsifi, Lorraine Ghiz, Rose Ghiz, Abraham J. Karkenny, Margaret Kassatly, Valerie J. Konecny, Brian E. Mackoul, Marie and George Saab, Buddy B. Saleeby, Samuel G. Samman, and Gloria Rose Shawah. Memory eternal!
The Family of Claudette Teen will offer Prayers of Oblation and a 40-Day memorial for the repose of her soul. A Coffee Hour in her memory will follow the Divine Liturgy. Memory eternal!
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, John Petrick (Norwegian), Joyce Samaha (Sunrise, Mountain Lakes), Alice Farkouh, Robert Ghiz, Charlie Sahadi, Renee Setteducato, Rouda Abboud, Isla Albishara, Yvonne Allawh, Diana Finger, Robert Ghiz, George Khoury, Denise McBride, Alfred Nahas, Charlie Sahadi, Victoria Sleyman, and Anthony Speer (at home).
BIBLE STUDY – Bible Study returns on Wednesdays at 7 PM. We will study the Book of Acts for 5 weeks. (On Wednesday, May 28, there will be a Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Ascension.) Please bring your Orthodox Study Bible, and read chapters 6-10 for this week.
OUR TIME – Our (over 50) senior fellowship, “Our Time”, meets every other Wednesday, including Wednesday, May 14, from 1-3 PM. All are welcome. Please see Marilyn Tulaney for more information.
PARISH LIFE CONFERENCE – The Eastern Dioceses Parish Life Conference will take place June 25-28 at the Antiochian Village. Event registration is now open at https://www.antiochianevents.org/events/diocese-of-new-york-and-charleston-mid-atlantic/registration. Room reservations at the Heritage and Learning Center are available at the same site or by calling the Antiochian Village Front Desk at 724-238-3677 x 300.
ARCHDIOCESE CONVENTION – Registration is now open for this year’s Archdiocese Convention in Chicago, IL, July 20-27. Go to AC2025CHICAGO.org for event registration. Make hotel reservations at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare Chicago at (847) 696-1234.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Monday, May 12 Parish Council, 7:00 PM
Wednesday, May 14 “Our Time” Adult Fellowship, 1-3 PM
Bible Study, 7:00 PM
Friday, May 16 Family Night, 7-9 PM
Saturday, May 17 NO GREAT VESPERS
Tuesday, May 20 1700-Year Anniversary of Council of Nicea, 7:30 PM @
Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Cathedral
Wednesday, May 28 Evening Divine Liturgy for the Ascension, 7:00 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 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