Today the waters of the Jordan are transformed into healing by the coming of the Lord. Today the transgressions of men are washed away by the waters of the Jordan… Today we have been delivered from darkness and illuminated with the light of the knowledge of God. Today the blinding mist of the world is dispersed by the Epiphany of our God. Today the whole creation shines with light from on high. Today error is laid love and the coming of the Master has made for us a way of salvation. Today things above keep feast with things below, and things below commune with things above.”—From “the Great Blessing of the Waters”
THIS WEEK AT HOLY ARCHANGELS (all services at our church home—47 Spa Rd):
- Today: Pre-school aged children on up are invited to come to Sunday School during Trapeza
- Sat, Jan., 14, 6 p.m., Great Vespers, Confession following
- Sun, Jan. 15, 9:30a.m. Hours, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, Trapeza follows
Looking Ahead: Mark your Calendars!
- Wed, January 18, (weekly), 6:45 p.m., New Bible Study Begins: “St. Paul’s Letter to the Galatians as the Early Christians Saw it.” Share the opportunity to learn & grow in faith with your friends!
- Friday, Jan. 27, 10:30 a.m., Annual March for Life with His Beatitude and other Orthodox faithful. Meet at church and caravan to the March together.
Go Fund Me Campaign: Please share this opportunity with family, friends to keep Holy Archangels going and growing. Sharing via email and through social media makes a big difference. We need your help!
House Blessings: Last Friday began the season of house blessings. The faithful invite Christ into thier homes to have them blessed and pray God to make them places manifesting Christ’s light, peace, truth, and love, harbors in the midst of the storm of the world, places of refuge for our souls. Please contact Fr. Robert with two suggested days and times for a house blessing as soon as possible. He will do his best to accommodate you (n.b., Mondays, his day off, he is generally not available).
Confession and Reception: In keeping with OCA Guidelines, it is the discipline at Holy Archangels to practice monthly confession. If you wish to receive Communion and a month has passed and you have not made confession for good reason, or are visiting, please talk with Fr. Robert prior to the service and before approaching the Chalice to ask for a blessing to receive.
Prayer Requests:
- That God may grow our Mission “in spirit and in numbers…”
- For God’s financial provision for our Mission & ACM (Annapolis College Ministry);
- Forgiveness, memory eternal: Marie (Paul’s Aunt), Ryan, Gardner, victims of the St. Mark Cathedral terrorist attack, Charlene (Mother of Fr. Robert, 3rd anniversary on Jan. 10).
- Metropolitan Isaiah of Georgia, Archpriest George, Rdr. John, Gov. Hogan, Benedict, Daniel, Mat. Janet, Eric, Daniel, Noah, Norm, Svetlana, Alex, Gary, Timothy, Gabriela and the child she bears, Cecilia and the child she bears, the Church in Georgia & Romania as they address the relativism of the West, speaking the truth in love, our persecuted brethren in the Middle East, a peaceful resolution in Syria.
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 4
When the women disciples of the Lord
learned from the angel the joyous message of thy Resurrection,
they cast away the ancestral curse // and elatedly told the apostles:
“Death is overthrown! // Christ God is risen,// granting the world great mercy!”
Troparion of the Feast Tone 1
When Thou, O Lord, wast baptized in the Jordan, // the worship of the Trinity was made manifest.
For the voice of the Father bore witness to Thee, // and called Thee His beloved Son;
and the Spirit in the form of a dove // confirmed the truthfulness of His word.
O Christ our God, Who hast revealed Thyself// and hast enlightened the world, glory to Thee.
Troparion (Angels) Tone 4
O 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 (Resurrection) Tone 4
My Savior and Redeemer
as God rose from the tomb and delivered the earth-born from their chains.
He has shattered the gates of hell, // and as Master,// He has risen on the third day!
Kontakion of the Feast Tone 4
Today Thou hast shone forth to the world, O Lord,
and the light of Thy countenance has been marked on us. // Knowing Thee, we sing Thy praises:
“Thou hast come and revealed Thyself,// O unapproachable Light.”
Kontakion (Angels) 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,//
O Supreme Commanders of the Bodiless Hosts.
