Sunday, May 15, 2005
Sunday of the Myrrh Bearing Women
On which we also remember Saints Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus
This Sunday we pay special honor to the women who were the first witnesses to Christ's resurrection. It was their devotion to him during his life that made them faithful to him in death as well. By coming to the tomb early on the third day to honor Christ with the funeral anointing, they were the first to hear the joyous news: Christ has risen.
First among these women is Mary Magdalen, the model of Christ's call for a change of life. Mary, the mother of James, the mother of the sons of Zebedee, and the two sisters of Lazarus are also counted among the holy women.
With them, we also commemorate Joseph, the nobleman of Arimathea, and Nicodemus, leader of the Pharisees. During Christ's life they were secret followers, but with his death, they found the courage to ask Pilate for his body. It was they who performed Christ's burial, using Joseph's own newly fashioned tomb.
Now, in gratitude for their loving ministry, and in the joy of the resurrection of the master they so faithfully served, we remember these disciples.
Hymns at the Little Entrance
¨ Paschal Hymn, Tone 5
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and to those in the tombs bestowing life.
¨ Entrance Hymn
In the gathering places bless ye God the Lord from the springs of Israel. O Son of God, who didst rise from the dead, save us, who sing unto Thee. Alleluia.
¨ Hymn for Resurrection, Tone 2
When thou didst submit thyself unto death, O Thou deathless and immortal one, then Thou didst destroy Hell with Thy Godly pow'r, and when Thou didst raise the dead from beneath the earth, all the pow'rs of heaven did cry aloud unto Thee O Christ thou giver of life glory to Thee.
¨ Hymn for Joseph of Arimithea, Tone 2
The pious Joseph, having brought down thy pure body from the Tree, wrapped it in fine linen, embalmed it with ointment, provided for it, and laid it in a new tomb. But thou didst verily rise, after three days, O Lord, granting the world Great Mercy.
¨ Hymn for the myrrh bearing women, Tone 2
Verily, the angel came to the tomb and said to the ointment-bearing women, The ointment is meet for the dead, but Christ is shown to be remote from corruption. But cry ye, The Lord is risen, granting the world the Great Mercy.
¨ Hymn for St George, Tone 4
As deliverer of captives and defender of the poor, healer of the infirm and champion of kings, victorious great martyr George: intercede with Christ our God, that our souls may be saved.
¨ Kontakion for the Feast, Tone 8:
Although you went into the grave, immortal one, you destroyed the power of hell. You rose a mighty victor, Christ, our God, bringing peace to your apostles, joy for the myrrh-bearing women, and resurrection for the fallen.
EPISTLE
The reading is from the Acts of the Apostles.
(Chapter 6:1-7)
Brothers and Sisters: In those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." And what they said pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochoros, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmeanas, and Nicolaos, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands upon them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.
GOSPEL
The reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St John
(15:43-16:8 to end)
At that time, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. And Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. And he bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud, and laid him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid. And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?" And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back; --it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you." And they went out and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to any one, for they were afraid.
Following the Gospel and the Children’s Sermon, we go to page 104
Prayers at the Offering (page 106)
Confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed (James 5:16)
Mary Lou Harris
Mayme Silby
Nabiha Nasr
Margorie Autry
Lena Shaheen
Joseph Joseph
Lorraine Husson
Joseph Biafora
Josephine Khoury
Richard Barakett
Georgette Shahood
Ernie Barkett
Nellie Wakeam
Wadiah Moussa
Wasim Dahdal
George Zacur
Eric Mason
Happy Birthday
Archdeacon David Nimer 05/15
Mabel Morin 05/15
Danielle Marie Cassis 05/19
Jean Joseph 05/21
Barbara Jarrouge 05/21
Happy Anniversary
Michael and Diana Husson 05/20
Memory Eternal
Archbishop Iakovos
Fr Michael Husson
Mayme Saikaley
Joaquim Fonseca
Ibrahim Khoury
Dalel Battah
Fellowship hour sponsored by Michael and Diana Husson