In today’s Gospel, the blind men get themselves to Christ, beseeching Him to have mercy on them and acclaiming Him as the long-awaited Messiah by their words, “Son of David, have mercy on us!” It is both their acknowledgement of their need for healing and their coming to Christ, which so loudly demonstrates their faith. They know the One who has mercy to give, the One who alone can heal them—Jesus Christ, the Word of God, who knows us even in our mother’s womb. Christ God sees each one of us through His eyes of love and purpose for our lives. He desires the healing from sin-sickness and salvation of each of us. We see in the blind men the faith to present themselves to Christ for healing. God never turns away those who come to Him in faith, but as with our communion with Him, our healing and salvation demand something from us: our dying to self-will and our submission to His will, our opening of ourselves to His healing through the ‘tools’ He’s entrusted to us through His Church. Christ said to the blind men, “According to your faith, let it be to you.” Our participation in the divine services, daily prayers, fasting, struggling to repent and live to God’s glory, participating in the Sacraments, are all a cooperation with the Holy Spirit’s work and God’s will in our lives. In Christ’s love, Fr. Robert+
Important: 2018 Pledges/Commitments: We have reached our minimum need of $3,500 per month. Glory to God for His provision! To grow the Mission further, we need everyone to honor their monthly pledges and to give generously and faithfully so we can continue to provide for our church and ready ourselves for the next step. “Let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver” (II Cor. 9:7).
THIS WEEK at HOLY ARCHANGELS
- TODAY, 9:30 Hours, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy Trapeza following, Sunday School
- Sat, July 21, 6:15 p.m., Reader’s Vespers
- Sun, July 22, 9:30 a.m., Hours, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, trapeza. Fr. Damian Dantinne will be supplying for Fr. Robert. Please attend and welcome him. If you have not made Confession in the past month, you are invited to receive blessed antidoron and wine.
- July 29, 9:30 a.m., Hours, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, Trapeza, Sunday School. Fr. Robert will be back and serving.
Looking Ahead…Mark your Calendars!
- July 18-28th, Robert and family away for AAC (All American Council of the OCA in St. Louis).
- Mon, Aug. 6, 9:30 Hours, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, Great Feast of the Transfiguration, Trapeza (fish, wine, oil).
- Wed, Aug. 8, 6:30 p.m., Great Vespers, Feast of St. Herman of Alaska.
- Tues, Aug. 14, 6:30 p.m., Great Vespers, Lamentations, Holy Dormition of our Most-Blessed Lady Theotokos
- Wed, Aug. 15, 9:30 Hours, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, Dormition, Trapeza served (fish, wine, oil)
Confession and Reception: In keeping with OCA Guidelines, it is the discipline at Holy Archangels to practice at least monthly confession. If 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.
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 so important. Please sign up to help provide for this important ministry!
Prayer Requests: Our Mission’s Growth “in spirit and in umbers”
- For God’s financial provision for our Mission & college ministry, ACM (Annapolis Pan-Orthodox College Ministry);
- Isaiah of Georgia, Archbishops Yohanna Ibrahim and Boulos Yazigi of Syria, Archpriest George, Priest John, Sbn. John, Gov. Hogan, Benedict, Daniel, Daniel, Noah, Norm, Alex, Gary, Timothy, Sophia, Vivian, Beatrice, George, Helen, Helen, Geneva, Phoenix, Sydney, Young, Liam, Cynthia Eleni, Valerie, Charlotte, Anastasia, newly illumined Barbara, Isaiah, Samson, Matthew Constantine and godparents, 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, peace in Syria.
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 6
The Angelic Powers were at Thy tomb;
the guards became as dead men.
Mary stood by Thy grave, // seeking Thy most pure body.
Thou didst capture hell not being tempted by it.
Thou didst come to the Virgin, granting life.//
O Lord, Who didst rise from the dead, glory to Thee.
Troparion (Fathers) Tone 8
Thou art most glorious, O Christ our God!
Thou hast established the Holy Fathers as lights on the earth.
Through them Thou hast guided us to the true Faith.//
O greatly compassionate One, glory to Thee! (twice)
Troparion (Holy Prince Vladimir) Tone 4
O holy Prince Vladimir, // thou wast like a merchant in search of fine pearls. // By sending servants to Constantinople for the Orthodox Faith, // thou didst find Christ, the priceless Pearl. // He appointed thee to be another Paul, // washing away in baptism thy physical and spiritual blindness. // We celebrate thy memory, // asking thee to pray for all Orthodox Christians of Russia//and for us, thy spiritual children.
Troparion (Angels) Tone 4
O 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 6
When Christ God the Giver of Life, // raised all of the dead from the valleys of misery with His mighty hand, // He bestowed resurrection on the human race.// He is the Savior of all, the Resurrection, the Life, and the God of all.
Kontakion (Fathers) Tone 8
The Apostles’ preaching and the Fathers’ doctrines have established one Faith for the Church.
Adorned with the robe of truth, woven from heavenly theology,//it defines and glorifies the great mystery of piety.
Kontakion (Holy Prince Vladimir) Tone 8
O most glorious Vladimir, in thine old age thou didst imitate the great Apostle Paul // he abandoned childish things, while thou didst forsake the idolatry of thy youth. // Together with him thou didst reach the fullness of divine wisdom:
thou wast adorned with the purity of holy baptism.//
Now as thou standest before Christ our Savior, pray that all Orthodox Christians may be saved!
Kontakion (Angels) 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,//O Supreme Commanders of the Bodiless Hosts.
