We learn through Christ and in His Church, that forgiveness is the path toward freedom—both for ourselves, our Church family, and the world. Fr. Alexander Schmemann says: “The triumph of sin, the main sign of its rule over the world, is division, opposition, separation, hatred. Therefore, the first break through this fortress of sin is forgiveness: the return to unity, solidarity, love…” (Great Lent). On this Sunday, we’re reminded of Christ’s desire that we be freed from hypocrisy, bitterness, pride. And so, we are given this command to forgive as God has forgiven and does actively forgive us: “And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.” God in His love and mercy for us desires our freedom from revenge, grudges, bitterness, and the deceit of hypocrisy. God by the Holy Spirit can give us the strength to forgive and to love, and to interject into this broken world His Heavenly Kingdom.
In Christ’s love, Fr. Robert+
THIS WEEK AT HOLY ARCHANGELS:
- v Sunday, Aug. 24, Blessing of new Vehicles immediately following Liturgy, before Sunday School.
- v Saturday, August 30, 6 p.m., Great Vespers, 1120 Spa Rd. (St. Martin’s)
- v Sunday, August 31, 9:30 a.m., Hours, 10 am Divine Liturgy, Trapeza
- v Sunday, Aug 31, Iacob Miclean’s 2nd Birthday party during Trapeza
Save the Date!
- Wed., Sept. 3, 7 p.m., St. John’s Boathouse (parking in Gym lot or on King George St.): FIRST Applied Orthodox Theology Discussion: A discussion on the “how” of living out the Orthodox Christian Faith in our daily lives. Have a question/topic for us? Email Fr. Robert (Fr.RobertMiclean@gmail.com)
- Monday, Sept. 8, 10 a.m., Great Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos
- Sat., Sept. 13, 5:30 p.m., Special Vigil, Feast of the Elevation of the Life-Giving Cross
- Sunday, Sept. 14, Great Feast of the Elevation of the Life-Giving Cross
6-Month Financial Report: Holy Archangels received a total of $2143 in offerings in July. $2500 was pledged. $14,529 was received in offerings from January thru July 2014. The budgeted amount based on pledges is $17,500. This leaves us a gap of nearly $3000 to make up between now and Dec. to meet our expenses! Please stay current with your pledges/offerings, and consider increasing your offering or making a special one-time offering to help meet this deficit. Thank God for His provision and thank you for your faithful contributions! The Holy Archangels Mission Council
Prayer Requests:
- That God may grow our Mission “in spirit and in numbers…”
- For God’s financial provision for our Mission and ACM (Annapolis College Ministry);
- For our Mission that we may find a Choir Director;
- Departed handmaiden of God, Ana (grandmother of Mihaela Bedia-Ulmer)
- Archpriest George, Priest John, Dcn. Basil, Rdr. John, Benedict, James, Daniel, Seraphim, Ed, Johnson and Family, Bede, the Church in Georgia and Romania as they address the relativism of the West, speaking the truth in love, our suffering, persecuted Orthodox brethren in Iraq and Syria, a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 2
When You descended to death, O Life Immortal,
You destroyed hell with the splendor of Your Godhead.
And when from the depths You raised the dead, // all the powers of heaven cried out://
“O Giver of life, Christ our God, glory to You!”
Troparion (Hieromartyr Eutychius) Tone 4
By sharing in the ways of the Apostles, // you became a successor to their throne.
Through the practice of virtue, you found the way to divine contemplation, O inspired one of God;
by teaching the word of truth without error, you defended the
Faith, even to the shedding of your blood.
Hieromartyr Eutýchius, entreat Christ God to save our souls!
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 (Resurrection) Tone 2
Hell became afraid, O almighty Savior,
seeing the miracle of Your Resurrection from the tomb!
The dead arose! Creation, with Adam, beheld this and rejoiced with You,//
and the world, my Savior, praises You forever.
Kontakion (Hieromartyr Eutychius) Tone 3
A successor of the Apostles and an excellent example to bishops,
Eutýchius, you were glorified as a martyr. // You shone forth like the sun enlightening all,
dispelling the dark night of godlessness.
Therefore, we honor you as truly a godly celebrant of the Mysteries of Christ.
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.
