Pride doesn’t just manifest itself in arrogance, but often—maybe even more often—in over-sensitivity and feelings of inferiority. The common denominator? Self-focus rather than Christ focus. Where ego and reliance on self is concerned, whether that be in regard to our appearance, our identity, our abilities, or our purpose in life, pride won’t be far behind. It will haunt us, belittle us, and try to make us forget who we are in Christ. This is why pride, of all the vices, is often said to be, not only to be the first of sins, but also the most destructive: “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov. 16:18). While pride often makes one feel invincible, one suffers from the greatest insecurities because of self-reliance, one’s own self-deception. God wants to free us from such sin-sickness. He Himself is humble, having condescended to our lowly nature to enter into that nature as man and renew our human nature as God. Today’s Gospel also gives us an example of how God exalts those who are humble. Through our fervent prayers for humility and against pride, through our worship and Confession, through our participation in the sacramental life of Christ in His Church, we grow more and more into the likeness of God, confident not in ourselves, but in who we are in Christ Jesus. InChrist’s love, Fr. Robert+
House Blessings:During this season, the faithful invite Christ into their homes to bless them and to pray God to make them places manifesting Christ’s light, peace, truth, and love—harbors, places of refuge for our souls. House blessings are a testimony to what we believe as Orthodox Christians. Please contact Fr. Robert with two suggested days/times for a house blessing as soon as possible. He will do his best to accommodate you.
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. 3, 9:30 Hours, 10 Divine Liturgy,Trapeza, Meeting for parents of Sunday School-aged children.
- 6 p.m., Daily Vespers, 6:45, PATRISTICS STUDY This Week: The Epistle of St. Clement to the Corinthians.
- Sat., Feb. 9,6:00 p.m., Great VespersConfession following
- Sun., Feb. 10,9:30 a.m., Hours, 10 Divine Liturgy,trapeza
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’sRealbreak Romaniamission trip for OCF students. Fr. Ignatius Green will be supplying for Fr. Robert.
- 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.
AMAZON. We’re now able to give 6.5%of our regular purchases from Amazon.comto Holy Archangels. Purchases are anonymous and will be automatically credited to Holy Archangels. Please Visit our website and click the link beforeyou shop at Amazon and it will be credited to us. Please note: This is not the same promotion as “Amazon Smile.”
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 3
Let the heavens rejoice!//Let the earthbe glad!// For the Lord has shown strengthwith His arm.//He has trampled downdeathby death.//He has become the firstborn of the dead.
He has delivered us from the depthsof hell,
and has granted to the world//greatmercy.
Troparion (Meeting of Our Lord) Tone 1
Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, Fullof Grace! // From thee shone the Sun of Righteousness, ^Christour God, // enlightening those who sat in darkness. //Rejoiceand be glad, O righteous Elder, // thou didst accept in thine arms the ^Redeemer of our souls,Who grants us the Resurrection!
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 3
On this day Thou didst rise from the tomb, O Merciful One,
leading us from the gatesof death. // On this day Adam exults as Eve rejoices; // with the Prophets and Patriarchs//
they unceasingly praise the divine majesty of Thy power.
Kontakion (Meeting of Our Lord) Tone 1
By Thy Nativity Thou didst sanctify the Virgin’s womb
and didst bless Simeon’s hands, ^O ChristGod.
Now Thou hast come and saved usthrough love.
Grant peaceto all Orthodox Christians,
O only Lover of Man!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.
