Ordinarily, when we think of great courage, we think of heroic exploits of warriors or military heroes. But in their outward and inward appearance, the myrrh-bearing women were soft-spoken, humble, modest in demeanor, loving. They were able to ‘risk’ everything, even death, to anoint Jesus, to take Jesus down from the cross, to bury Him, and to go to Him after His life-giving death, to proclaim the Good News of Christ’s resurrection even while all the others fled or hid from fear. Why? Because they loved with the love of God, the love He Himself had shown them. “Perfect love casts out fear,” the Holy Scriptures affirm (I Jn. 4:18). No surprise then, that, motivated by such love, they would ‘risk’ everything to go to Him and in Joseph’s case, to bury Christ. Such was their faith and love, exercised in humility–nothing would stop them from caring for Jesus. In our secular culture today, we need such courage to faithfully witness to the timeless truth of Christ. But, how easy it is to fear. Ultimately, such witness to have a fruitful effect must emanate from a love for God and for those around us. Otherwise, St. Paul assures us, we are as a “sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal.” (I Cor. 13). We are inheritors of a precious treasure that is not just for ourselves but for the whole world. May we come to exemplify the courage, humility and love for Christ and His truth of the Holy Myrrh-bearers, so that we can help bring others to the healing and love of Christ with us. In the love of the risen Christ, Fr. Robert+
THIS WEEK AT HOLY ARCHANGELS (all services at our church home—47 Spa Rd):
- Wednesday, May 3, 6:30 p.m., Daily Paschal Vespers
- Thursday, May 4, 6 p.m., Catechumen Class
- Sat, May 6, 6 p.m., Great Vespers, Confession following.
- Sun, May 7, 9:40 Hours 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, Trapeza and Sunday School following
Looking Ahead:
- May 10-27, Robert leading a pilgrimage in Romania; Rev. Fr. Ignatius Green will be serving in Father’s stead. For pastoral emergencies only, please call: (724) 316-8878
- Saturday, June 3, Annual Pentecost Cookout and Great Vespers at the Rectory, 2:30 p.m.
- Sunday, June 4, Pentecost Sunday
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.
Monthly Giving—Expanding the Mission: Our Mission has taken a big step of faith to move into our new church home, to expand our bookstore and outreach efforts, and make more room for new families and individuals. We need your help to afford our new space. Monthly pledges are key to our sustainability. Please place your pledge (or increased pledge) in the offering box.
TRAPEZA: The lunch and fellowship we serve after Divine Liturgy is an important part of our Mission’s life together. We cannot draw closer to God if we are not also drawing closer to each other. If we wish to grow “in spirit and in numbers,” such fellowship needs to be part of our life together in Christ. Please sign up to help provide for this important ministry.
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: John, cousin of Paula Eisengrein and John, friend of Marian.
- Metropolitan Isaiah of Georgia, Archpriest George, Rdr. John, Gov. Hogan, Benedict, Daniel, Mat. Janet, Eric, Daniel, Noah, Norm, Svetlana, Alex, Gary, Timothy, Sophia, 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, esp. Egypt and Syria, a peaceful resolution in Syria.
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 2
When Thou didst descend to death, O Life Immortal,
Thou didst slay hell with the splendor of Thy Godhead.
And when from the depths Thou didst raise the dead,
all the powers of heaven cried out:// “O Giver of life, Christ our God, glory to Thee!”
Troparion (from the Pentecostarion) Tone 2
The noble Joseph, // when he had taken down Thy most pure Body from the Tree,
wrapped it in fine linen and anointed it with spices, // and placed it in a new tomb.
But Thou didst arise on the third day, O Lord,// granting the world great mercy.
Troparion (from the Pentecostarion) Tone 2
The Angel came to the myrrhbearing women at the tomb and said: // “Myrrh is fitting for the dead;
but Christ has shown Himself a stranger to corruption!
So proclaim: ‘The Lord is risen,// granting the world great mercy.’”
Troparion (St James) Tone 8
Thou wast called to be a disciple and warrior of Christ, one of the exalted choir of Apostles.
With thy brother John, thou didst abandon all to follow the Master, O James;
thou wast filled with the Holy Spirit and didst proclaim Him to all.
Thou didst bow thy head to the sword, the first of the twelve to shed thy blood!//
We celebrate thy memory, O blessed one!
Kontakion (Apostle James) Tone 2
O James, having heard the voice of the Word calling thee,
thou didst abandon thy father’s love and run to Christ, together with thy brother John.
With him thou wast counted worthy//to behold the divine Transfiguration of Christ.
Kontakion (from the Pentecostarion) Tone 2
Thou didst command the Myrrhbearers to rejoice, O Christ God.
By Thy Resurrection, Thou didst stop the lamentation of Eve, the first mother.
Thou didst command them to preach to Thine Apostles://“The Savior is risen from the tomb!”
