We’re admonished in today’s Epistle against the sin of division (schism), which manifests itself not only in false doctrine and false morality but also in our idle talk, our disobedience to Christ and the Church. In our culture today, there are many things competing for our time, energy, and identity. Wherever we listen to those voices that would have us take on another identity above that which Christ God gives us, we will be divided. Likewise, there are many ‘forces’ at work today that try to shame us away from putting Christ (and our identity in Him) first. Humanism, like Communism or any other “ism” before it cannot take the place of that for which we are created—communion with God. And these ‘religions’ of man cannot unite the human race together because they are full of man’s own vanity and selfishness. Christ gives us a new identity—one that transcends all the other competing, prideful identities that separate us and lead otherwise to schism. In Him and in Him alone, we’re given a new name and become “a new creation,” (II Cor. 5:17). We witness to the truth of this new, unifying life, by living it out in our own lives, individually and corporately, by submitting ourselves to Christ and the Church—even when the culture tells us differently. If we want to see our culture change to embrace Christ and the Church, we “take up our cross” and follow Christ too. We build up our church, we make ourselves faithful members of it; we pray and practice, desiring to love Christ, His Church and each other more. But be prepared: St. Paul says: “the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” May we each put our trust in God and ground our identity in Christ, who is eternal, rather than who the culture says we should be with all that is passing away. In Christ’s love, Fr. Robert+
THIS WEEK AT HOLY ARCHANGELS:
- Saturday, August 1, 6 p.m., Great Vespers (Confession following)
- Sunday, August 2, 9:30am Hours; 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy, followed by Trapeza
Looking Ahead:
- Thurs, Aug. 6, 11 a.m., Matins, 12 Noon, Great Feast of the Transfiguration at our new Orthodox Chapel at the U.S. Naval Academy (Bancroft Hall to right of main stairs inside Rotunda)
- Sat, Aug. 15, Great Feast of the Holy Dormition of the Theotokos, location/time TBA.
June Financial Report: We received $2443 in offerings in June. $3,000 was needed. YTD $14,875 has been received, $13,998 was expected. We are running a deficit of $3,082. Your faithful contributions provide for this church and ministries. Thank God for His provision and your faithfulness, which means that our Mission can continue and grow! Holy Archangels Mission Council
Mid-Year Special Commitment Opportunity: To sustain our Mission, we need to raise an additional $500 per month in offerings, which we aim to have matched by the greater Church. We ask all faithful to take a Special Offering Card (on Back Table) and place it in the offering box by Sunday, July 26.
Please Note: At Holy Archangels we do not pass an offering plate. Instead, we encourage the faithful to place an offering in the offering box on the Entrance (back) Table in support of this Mission and its Ministries. Thank you and may Christ God repay you with His spiritual blessings… “for God loves a cheerful giver” (II Cor. 9:7).
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);
- Metropolitan Isaiah of Georgia, Archpriest George, Priest John, Dcn. Basil, Rdr. John, Governor Hogan, Benedict, James, Daniel, Seraphim, Bede, Wanda, Eric, George, Daniel, Ed, John, the Church in Georgia & Romania as they address the relativism of the West, speaking the truth in love, our persecuted brethren in Iraq & Syria, a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine., those suffering from Ebola.
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 7
By Your Cross You destroyed death. To the thief You opened Paradise.
For the Myrrhbearers You changed weeping into joy.
And You commanded Your disciples, O Christ God, to proclaim that You are risen,//
granting the world great mercy.
Troparion (St Jacob) (Alaskan melody) Tone 4
O righteous Father Jacob, adornment of Atka and the Yukon Delta;
you offered yourself as a living sacrifice to bring light to a searching people.
Offspring of Russian America, flower of brotherly unity,
healer of sickness and terror of demons:
O Holy Father Jacob,//pray to Christ God that our souls may be saved!
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 7
The dominion of death can no longer hold mankind captive,
for Christ descended, shattering and destroying its powers.
Hell is bound, while the Prophets rejoice and cry:“The Savior has come to those in faith;//
enter, you faithful, into the Resurrection!”
Kontakion (St Jacob) Tone 3
O Holy Father Jacob, teacher of the knowledge of God, you revealed your love for your people,
taking up your cross and following Christ, enduring hardships like the Apostle Paul.
Pray on our behalf to Christ our God//to grant us great mercy!
