Dearly Beloved in Christ:
As we make our pilgrimage from Feast to Feast, from the Holy Transfiguration of our Lord to the Falling Asleep of the Birth-giver of God, the Blessed Ever-Virgin Mary, we consider what wonderful gifts God has given us through His blessed Mother, as the first-fruits of the Church. In Mary we see the prime example of what we as human beings aspire to. In her yes to God’s will, we see what Eve laid aside and the life she was tempted from. Mary, as the ‘new Eve’ shows us a better way, the way of strength and courage that is obedient to God, that does all to cooperate with His divine will. Whereas we trace our earthly life to our first parents, Adam and Eve, we trace our new life in Christ to Mary, the new Eve and giver of our life in Christ who at this Wednesday’s Great Feast, is laid in the tomb. Her womb was made the “Throne of the Most High” (Great Vespers for the Dormition, Festal Menaion), containing the uncontainable God. What a mystery, what a privilege. Like all us human beings, she fell asleep, she needed her Son and our God as her Savior too, for He trampled down sin and death on her behalf too, just as He did for all of us. Prepared and perfected by her readiness to bear God incarnate into the world for His life-saving work, we honor her–not just in memory through anamnesis, but remembering that she is ever present with us even now, praying for us, interceding for us before the “Throne of the Most High” in heaven, ever near her risen and ascended Son and God.
Intercede for us Holy Theotokos! In Christ’s love,
Fr. Robert+
This week at Holy Archangels:
- Tuesday, Aug. 14, 6:30 pm, Great Vespers for the Feast of the Dormition of our Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary with Lamentations.
- Wednesday, Aug. 15, 9:30 Hours and 10am Great Feast and Divine Liturgy of the Dormition of our Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary. Trapeza will follow.
- Saturday, Aug. 18, 6 p.m.,Great Vespers with the Matins Gospel. Confession following.
- Sunday, Aug 19, 9:30 Hours and Divine Liturgy followed by Trapeza.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray the hand-maiden of God, Mihaela, and her new baby, Maria
- Please pray for Azariah (Brian) as he looks for a teaching position.
- Please pray for our Mission that we may find a full-time Choir Director.
- Please pray for Fr. Robert and family as they look to sell their house and move to Annapolis. Please also pray for a safe delivery of their baby boy.
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 1
When the stone had been sealed by the Jews,
while the soldiers were guarding Your most pure ^body,
You rose on the third day, O Savior, granting life to the world.
The powers of heaven therefore cried to You, O Giver of Life:
“Glory to Your Resurrection, O Christ!
Glory to Your ^Kingdom!//
Glory to Your dispensation, O Lover of mankind!”
Troparion (Transfiguration of Christ) Tone 7
You were transfigured on the mountain, O Christ God,
revealing Your glory to Your Disciples as far as they could bear it.
Let Your everlasting Light also shine upon us sinners,
through the prayers of the Theotokos!//
O Giver of Light, glory to You!
Troparion (for St Maximus) Tone 8
Champion of Orthodoxy, teacher of purity and of true worship,
enlightener of the universe and the adornment of the hierarchs:
all-wise Father Maximus, your teachings have gleamed with light upon all things.//
Intercede before Christ God to save our souls!
Kontakion (Resurrection) Tone 1
As God, You rose from the tomb in glory,
raising the world with Yourself.
Human nature praises You as God, for death has vanished.
Adam exults, O Master!
Eve rejoices, for she is freed from bondage and cries to You://
“You are the Giver of Resurrection to all, O Christ!”
Kontakion (St Maximus) Tone 2
Maximus, divinely inspired champion of the Church,
sure and illumined exponent of Orthodoxy,
harp and trumpet of godliness,
divine and holy adornment of monks;//
never cease to intercede for us all.
Kontakion (Transfiguration of Christ) Tone 7
On the mountain You were transfigured, O Christ God,
and Your Disciples beheld Your glory as far as they could see it;
so that when they would behold You crucified,
they would understand that Your suffering was voluntary,
and would proclaim to the world//
that You are truly the Radiance of the Father.
