7TH Sunday of Pascha: Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council at Nicaea/Afterfeast of the Ascension
Welcome to Holy Archangels Orthodox Church (OCA)! We’re glad to have you worshipping the Holy Trinity with us! If you are new or are worshiping with us for the first time, please introduce yourself to our priest, Fr. Robert Miclean, after the service.
This Sunday we remember the Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea in 325, who upheld the Apostolic and Orthodox Faith in the face of the ravages of Arianism. In our own day, it’s popular to be ‘spiritual’ rather than a professed Christian, doctrine is often seen as some constricting set of rules, and many people today think that they know Christianity better than those who walked with Christ and professed themselves as His followers. Many confidently assert their own version of ‘truth,’ without realizing the ramifications for themselves, those around them, and our culture and society as a whole. The Fathers in Nicaea rightly understood that what we believe has consequences on our lives, our society, and our posterity. They also understood that our responsibility as professing Christians is to live the “faith once received,” as those entrusted with “the pearl of great price.” Becoming a Christian and living the Christian life as a true follower of Christ, means coming to know Him who is the Way of salvation, the Truth itself, and the Life who created and sustains all that is living. Coming to know and grow in Him, Jesus Christ, not on our terms, but as inheritors of a precious gift, is the legacy left to us by the Fathers of the First Council and what it means to be an Orthodox Christian to this day. To live this Truth in its fullness is to truly love our neighbor as ourselves.
In Christ’s love and wishing you every blessing in Him, Fr. Robert+
This week at Holy Archangels:
- Saturday, June 2, 6 p.m.,Great Vespers for PENTECOST with the Matins Gospel. Confession following.
- Sunday, June 3, 9:30 PENTECOST Sunday with Baptism 9am Hours, 9:30 Baptism, 10am Divine Liturgy. Charlotte Juliana will be baptized and chrismated..
- Monday June 4-8, Fr. Robert and Pr. Krissy away. Please call only for emergencies.
- June 4-8, Fast free week before Sts. Peter and Paul Fast begins.
Looking Ahead:
- Saturday, June 9, 6pm, Great Vespers with the Matins Gospel. Confession following.
- Sunday, June 10, Hours and 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy followed by Trapeza
- Sunday June 10, 2:30, Fr Robert and Matushka Krissy’s Baby Shower
- Monday June 11, Sts. Peter and Paul Fast begins
- Wednesday, June13, 7 p.m., Continuing Bible Study on the gospel of St. John
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for Azariah (Brian) who is applying for teaching positions for the Fall.
- Please pray for our Mission that we may find a full-time Choir Director.
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 6
The angelic powers were at Your tomb;
the guards became as dead men.
Mary stood by Your grave,
seeking Your most pure body.
You took captive hell,//
not being tempted by it.
You came to the Virgin, granting life.//
O Lord, Who rose from the dead, glory to You.
Troparion (Ascension) Tone 4
You ascended in glory, O Christ our God,
granting joy to Your Disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit.
Through the blessing, they were assured,
that You are the Son of God,//
the Redeemer of the world!
Troparion (Fathers) Tone 8
You are most glorious, O Christ our God!
You have established the Holy Fathers as lights on the earth.
Through them You have guided us to the true Faith.//
O greatly compassionate One, glory to You!
Troparion (Holy Archangels) Tone 4
Commanders of the heavenly hosts,
we who are unworthy beseech you,
by your prayers encompass us beneath the wings of your immaterial glory,
and faithfully preserve us who fall down and cry to you:
“Deliver us from all harm, for you are the commanders of the powers on high!”
Kontakion (Fathers) Tone 8
The Apostles’ preaching and the Fathers’ doctrines have established one Faith for the Church.
Adorned with the robe of truth, woven from heavenly theology,//
It defines and glorifies the great mystery of piety.
Kontakion (Ascension) Tone 6
When You had fulfilled the dispensation for our sake,
and united earth to heaven,
You ascended in glory, O Christ our God,
not being parted from those who love You,
but remaining with them and crying://
“I am with you, and there is no one against you!”
Kontakion (Holy Archangels) Tone 2
Commanders of God’s armies and ministers of the divine glory,
princes of the bodiless angels and guides of mankind,
ask for what is good for us, and for great mercy,
supreme commanders of the Bodiless Hosts.
