Today we remember all those faithful Saints who have come before us: “forefathers, fathers, patriarchs, prophets, apostles, preachers, evangelists, martyrs, confessors, ascetics and every righteous spirit made perfect in faith” (Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom). They come from every race, class, region, and time. What they share in common is that through their repentance and cooperation with the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives, they’ve been deified and come to participate in the life of the Holy Trinity to such an extent that they have become ‘holy ones,’for this is what the Greek word, “haggioi” means. Their life in Christ has made them holy, humble, and courageous in living out and witnessing to His truth in this world. It’s tempting to think of the Saints as some relic of the past; they are not: there are modern Saints in our own generation—St. John the Wonderworker of Shanghai and San Francisco, Priest Gheorghe Calciu, the Confessor, St. Tikhon, St. Raphael of Brooklyn, St. Elizabeth the New—just to name a few from this and the last century. At the same time, we realize that God doesn’t just call a few to be Saints, but all of us. That realization humbles us, reminds us of God’s great and unsurpassed love and mercy for us, which helps us persevere in our struggles for healing from our passions and worldly attitudes that would otherwise stand in our way of deeper communion with God, of salvation itself. The Lord honors our struggles; through them, we learn to entrust ourselves more to Him, to repent and pray more fervently, to participate more in the sacramental life in Christ. The “great cloud of witnesses” spurs us on to likewise live to the fullest for the glory of God. Holy Saints of God, pray for us sinners!
The Lord Jesus Christ bless you! Fr. Robert+
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 9:30Hours, 10 Divine Liturgy, Trapeza
- Tues., June 25, 5:30 p.m., June Catechumen Class(all are welcome!)
- Wed., June 26, 6:45,Patristics Study: Epistle to Diognetus
- Fri, June 28, 7-8:15 p.m.,Plebe Summer Ministry, USNA
- Sat., June 29,10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, Feast of Ss. Peter and Paulfollowed by Bookstore Coffee House Fellowship:
- 1-5?, Bookstore Coffee House Fellowship:spend some quality time in fellowship and outreach together over St. Tikhon’s Burning Bush iced coffee.
- Please note:Great Vespers will not be served this Saturday.
- Sun., June 30,9:30 Hours, 10 a.m., DivineLiturgy, Sunday of All Saints of North America, Trapeza to follow.
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 of our church: Archpriest George the Confessor, Gabriel, Rafael, Serafim, Basil, Rdr. Michael, and the newly-departed servant of God, Lily.
- 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, Michael, Elizabeth, Noah, Tommy, Thomas, Johann, Mat. Alexandra, Judith, Maggie, Frank, Karley, the Church in Georgia, Romania as they address the relativism of the West, speaking the truth in love, our persecuted brethren around the world, peace in Syria.
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 8
Thou didst descend fromon high, O Merciful One!
Thou didst accept the threeday burial
to free us from our sufferings!//
O Lord, our Lifeand Resurrection, glory to thee!
Troparion (from the Pentecostarion) Tone 4
As with fine porphyry and royal purple,
Thy Church has been adorned with Thy martyrs’ blood shed throughout allthe world.
She cries to Thee, O ChristGod:
“Send down Thy bounties on Thy people,//
grant peace to Thy habitation and great mercy to our 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 (from the Pentecostarion)Tone 8
The universe offers Theethe God-bearing Martyrs
as the first fruitsof creation, O Lord and Creator.
By their prayers keep Thy Church, Thy habitation, in abiding peace//
through the Theotokos, O mostMerciful One!
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.
Glory to God for All Things!
