Triodion begins! The three weeks before Great Lent (the Triodion) has begun with the Parable of the Publican and Pharisee Saturday at Great Vespers. Christ thrusts before us a stark contrast between the prideful, judgmental, self-righteous Pharisee and the humble, self-effacing, repentant Publican. Like the Pharisee, we too can easily find ourselves following all the ‘rules’ of Lent—fasting, services, alms-giving, without allowing these tools to penetrate our hearts, to produce in us the kind of humility and love for God the Publican exemplifies. The righteous acts of the Pharisee are good, but only if they serve to further His love of God and neighbor, only if done for love of God, only if they produce in him the humility needed for repentance and communion with God. The sins of the Publican don’t condemn him because he confesses them in humility before the Lord. While not abandoning those suffering from the ravages of sin-sickness or confronting sin when needed, we don’t judge; we don’t condemnour brother. God alone is judge. He sees into the hearts of us all. May Christ God continue to form in us a spirit of humility and repentance, and as we approach the ‘spiritual hospital’ of Lent, we may make fruitful progress on our journey with Christ in His Heavenly Kingdom. In Christ’s love, Fr. Robert+
House Blessings—Last Call: House blessings are a testimony to what we believe as Orthodox Christians. They are an invitation to bring Christ God into our homes to bless them with His blessing through His priest. Please contact Fr. Robert this week to schedule a house blessing if you would still like to have this blessings for your home as Great Lent is fast approaching.
TIME, TALENT, TREASURE: First Fruits Pledge 2020.
Throughout time, God’s people have given back to God a tenth, i.e., a Tithe, of all they had. In the early Church, some gave away all to build up the Church and glorify God. While as Christians we recognize that everything belongs to God, the tithe is an important way to open our hearts to God, to learn to love God more, to step forward in faith and trust in God. Please offer your “Time, Talent, Treasure” pledge today, knowing that God will give you much more in return. “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” (II Cor. 9:6)
THIS WEEK at HOLY ARCHANGELS:
- TODAY 9:30 am, Hours, 10 am, Divine Liturgy, Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee,Trapeza,
- Wed., Feb. 11,6 p.m., Daily Vespers
- Wed., Feb. 11, 7 p.m.,New 4-week Bible Study: The Psalms of the Hours. This week: 6th Hour
- Sat., Feb. 15, 6 p.m., Great Vespers, (Confession offered)
- Sun., Feb. 16, 9:30 am, Hours, 10, Divine Liturgy, Sunday of the Prodigal Son,Trapeza
Looking Ahead: Important/Mark your Calendars!
- Sun., 1 March,Sunday of Forgiveness, Cheesefare,Vespers and Rite of Forgiveness
- Mon., 2 March,Clean Monday, 1stDay of Great Lent!
- Mon., 2 March, 6 p.m., First part, Canon of St. Andrew
- Tues., 3 March, 6 p.m., 2nd part, Canon of St. Andrew
- Wed., 4 March, 6:30 pm, 1st Presanctified Liturgy, trapeza
- Fri., 6 March – 14 March,Fr. Robert leading OCF Realbreak to Romania with 8 students.
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.
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: Archpriest George the Confessor, Gabriel, Rafael, Serafim, Basil, Rdr. Michael, Handmaidens of God Estera (great Aunt of Fr. Robert) and Cristiana (sister-in-law of Victor)
- Met. Isaiah of Georgia, Archbishops Yohanna Ibrahim, Boulos Yazigi of Syria, Sbn. John, Benedict, Benjamin, Daniel, Noah, Alex, Gary, Timothy, Vivian, Beatrice, George, Helen, Helen, Sydney, Young, Valerie, Anastasia, Valentina, Linda, Susan, Michael, Elizabeth, Noah, Tommy, Thomas, Mat. Alexandra, Judith, Maggie, Frank, Karley, Christina, Erin, Joseph, James, Julie, Elaine, Steven, Lia, Jordan, Cezar, Daria, the Church in Georgia, Romania as they battle relativism inthe West, speaking the truth in love, our persecuted brethren in the Middle East, peace in Syria.
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 8
Thou didst descendfrom on high, O Merciful One! //Thou didst acceptthe threeday burial to free us from our sufferings!//
O Lord, our Lifeand Resurrection, glory to Thee!
Troparion (Feast) 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 8
By rising fromthe tomb, Thou didst raise the dead and resurrected Adam. // Eve exults inThy Resurrection,
and the world celebrates Thy rising from the dead, O greatly Merciful One!
Kontakion 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 armies and ministers of the divine glory//princes of the bodiless Angels and guidesof mankind// askfor what is good for us, and for great mercy,//O Supreme Commanders of the Bodiless Hosts.
Glory to God for All Things!
