Our Lord speaks to us today through His Gospel, saying, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Matt. 8:34). The cross stands in the middle of the Fast to spur us on, to remind us of this very truth: Without the cross, there is no defeat of sin and death. Without the cross before us, there is no value in our fasting and prayers; our faith would be in vain. But by Christ’s victory on the cross, we’re endowed with life. Christ God emerges from His encounter with the cross the Victor; He defeats the enemy—death is slain! By following Christ’s words here, we too can become fellow victors with Christ over sin and death; we too can triumph over the world and its hold on us; we too can find healing from our sin-sickness. We cling to Christ and venerate His cross, claiming it as our own weapon against the enemy at work in this world. In denying ourselves, our way, our will, we find freedom from enslavement to the passions; we learn obedience, humility—the virtues of the citizens of heaven; we learn to live for God and not for our own selfish will. With the cross before us, we too can follow Christ whom we have “put on” in baptism, so that entering into death with Christ, we too can emerge victorious. For, as the Holy Fathers attest, “that which is assumed (by Christ), is healed.” We deny ourselves our independent, rebellious ways now, so that we can attain to the Kingdom of God then. As we complete our journey to Christ’s passion, we do so knowing the end result—victory for the world and for us for all who put their hope in Christ! With much love in Christ, Fr. Robert+
THIS WEEK AT HOLY ARCHANGELS (all services at our church home—47 Spa Rd):
- Wed, March 22, 6:30 p.m., Presanctified Liturgy, followed by a Bible Study: “The Ten Commandments in the Life of the Faithful Christian” during our soup supper.
- Saturday, March 25, 10 a.m., Holy Annunciation, Divine Liturgy,
- Saturday, March 25, Annunciation Retreat: Gheorghe Calciu’s “Seven Words,” film, discussion, dinner, testimonies from his spiritual children, others. Register now here.
- Sat, March 26, 6:30 p.m., Great Vespers, Confession following.
- Sun, March 27, 9:40 Hours 10 Divine Liturgy, Sunday of St. John Climacus (of the Ladder)
Confession and Reception: In keeping with OCA Guidelines, it is the discipline at Holy Archangels to practice monthly confession. If you wish to receive Communion and 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 to ask for a blessing to receive.
YOUCARING—Expanding the Mission: Our Mission has the opportunity to move into the much larger space with a large front window on West St. to expand our bookstore and outreach efforts and make more room for new families and individuals. We’ve been offered a $5,000 matching grant to be used for this purpose. Please share the YOUCARING opportunity with your family and friends on social media. Also, we need an additional $400 (at a minimum) in monthly pledges to be able to make the move. Please give here.
Prayer Requests: That God may grow our Mission “in spirit and in numbers…”
- For God’s financial provision for our Mission & ACM (Annapolis College Ministry);
- Forgiveness, memory eternal: Marie (Paul’s Aunt), victims of St. Mark Cathedral terrorist attack
- Metropolitan Isaiah of Georgia, Archpriest George, Rdr. John, Gov. Hogan, Benedict, Daniel, Mat. Janet, Eric, Daniel, Noah, Norm, Svetlana, Alex, Gary, Timothy, 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, a peaceful resolution 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 (for the Cross) Tone 1
O Lord, save Thy people, // and bless Thine inheritance!
Grant victories to the Orthodox Christians // over their adversaries;
and by virtue of Thy Cross,//preserve Thy habitation!
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 (for the Cross) Tone 7
Now the flaming sword no longer guards the gates of Eden;
it has been mysteriously quenched by the wood of the Cross.
The sting of death and the victory of hell have been vanquished;
for Thou, O my Savior, hast come and cried to those in hell:// Enter again into Paradise!
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.
