Zacchaeus Sundayis here and we’re given an important truth on our journey with Christ toward salvation. Zacchaeus is a sinner, but he becomes for us an icon of repentance and confession. Zacchaeus lays all his earthly cares aside to seek and to see Christ. Of all the people who came out to see Jesus that day, Zacchaeus may have had the most to overcome. But he doesn’t let his ‘handicaps’, his short stature or his past sins, stand in his way of getting himself to Christ and being transformed by this encounter. He is done with defrauding others and is instead bent on this one desire: to see Jesus, the long-awaited Savior of the human race, God incarnate—the only One who can save us by giving us the possibility of new life, a transformed life in the Life that He alone is. Our Lord rewards his repentant spirit by receiving him, dining with him, and giving him a share in His Kingdom, entering his home. What are your ‘handicaps’ to ‘seeing’ Christ, to finding healing from sin-sickness, brokenness, lack of faith, doubts, whatever sin? Are you willing to give them up for an opportunity to see Christ, to have Him dine with you? Renew your zeal for God. Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Christ will add to you all the rest you need. In Christ’s love, Fr. Robert+
House Blessings—Last Call! During this season, the faithful invite Christ into their homes to bless them and to make them places manifesting Christ’s light, peace, truth, and love—harbors, places of refuge for our souls. Please contact Fr. Robert with two suggested days/times for a house blessing as soon as possible.
2019 Pledges/Commitments. We give back a “first fruits” pledge to Christ from what He’s so mercifully given and entrusted to us. Everything we have is a gracious gift from God. Let us be as those servants who used their talentswisely and to God’s glory (Matt. 25:23). If you have not done so yet, please offer your pledge of talents today. To grow in faith and grow our Mission “in spirit and in numbers,” please give generously and faithfully. (II Cor. 9:7).
THIS WEEK at HOLY ARCHANGELS
- TODAY Feb. 10, 9:30 Hours, 10 Divine Liturgy,Trapeza, Sunday School, Zacchaeus Sunday.
- 6 p.m., Daily Vespers, 6:45, PATRISTICS STUDY This Week: The Epistle of St. Clement to the Corinthians.
- Sat., Feb. 16,6:00 p.m., Great Vespers, Triodion begins, Sunday of the Publican & Pharisee, Confession following
- Sun., Feb. 17,9:30 a.m., Hours, 10 Divine Liturgy,Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee, Trapeza, Sunday School.
Looking Ahead…Mark your Calendars!
- Tues. Feb. 19, 5:30-7:30, Catechumen & Inquirer Class
- Fri., March 1-Sat., March 9, Fr. Robert leading National OCF’s Realbreak Romaniamission trip for OCF students nationwide. Fr. Ignatius Green will be serving for Fr. Robert.
- Sun., March 3,Meatfare Trapeza: Everyone bring a meat dish.
- Sun., March 10, Forgiveness Sunday(Cheesefare). Trapeza, Forgiveness Vespers, Rite of Forgiveness, Liturgical Entry into Lent!
- Mon., March 11, Clean Monday—Begin the Lenten Fast
- Wed.,March 13,6:30 pm, Presanctified Liturgy,Soup Supper
Confession & Reception:In keeping with OCA Guidelines, it’s the discipline at Holy Archangels to practice monthlyconfession. If a month has passed and you’ve not made confession for good reason, or, are visiting, please talk with Fr. Robert to ask a blessing to receive prior to the serviceand before approaching the Chalice.A
TRAPEZA:The lunch and fellowship served after Divine Liturgy is an important part of our Mission’s family life together. We cannot draw closer to God if we’re not also drawing closer to each other. To grow “in spirit and in numbers,” such fellowship is important. Please sign up to help provide for this important ministry!
Prayer Requests: Our Mission’s Growth “in spirit & in numbers”
- For God’s financial provisionfor our Mission & college ministry, ACM (Annapolis Pan-Orthodox College Ministry);
- Departed founders of our church: Archpriest George the Confessor, Gabriel, Rafael, Serafim, Basil, Rdr. Michael,
- Met. Isaiah of Georgia, Archbishops Yohanna Ibrahim and Boulos Yazigi of Syria, Sbn. John, Gov. Hogan, Benedict, Benjamin, Daniel, Noah, Alex, Gary, Timothy, Sophia, Vivian, Beatrice, George, Helen, Helen, Geneva, Phoenix, Sydney, Young, Liam, Eleni, Valerie, Charlotte, Anastasia, Valentina, Linda, Susan, Jessica (sister of Kelly Vernet), Michael, Elizabeth, Noah, Jocelyn, Tommy, Thomas, Johann, newly illumined Daniela Serafima, godmother Naşa Elena, the Church in Georgia, Romania as they address the relativism of the West, speaking the truth in love, our persecuted brethren throughout the world, peace 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: // “Deathis overthrown! // Christ God is risen,//
granting the world great mercy!”
Troparion (Hieromartyr Haralambos) Tone 4
Thou didst become a firm pillar in the Church of Christ, wise Haralambos;// a lamp of everlasting lightto the world:
well known to the world through thy martyrdom,
thou didst dispell the dark night of idolatry.//
Boldly intercede with Christ God that He may saveour souls!
Troparion (Angels) Tone 4
O Commanders of the heavenly hosts,// we who are unworthy beseechyou:// by your prayers encompass us beneath the wings of your immaterial glory,// and faithfully preserve us who fall down and cryto 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 gatesof hell,//and as Master,//He has risen on the thirdday!
Kontakion (Hieromartyr Haralambos) Tone 4
Thou didst rise from the East like a star, Hieromartyr Haralambos,//and didst enlighten the faithful with the brightness of thy miracles.//Therefore we honor thy holy contest
Kontakion (Angels) Tone 2
Commanders of God’s armiesand ministers of the divine glory,//princes of the bodiless Angelsandguidesof mankind
//askfor what is good for us, and for great mercy,//O Supreme Commanders of the Bodiless Hosts.
