“To fast is to do violence to nature. It is to do away with whatever pleases the palate. Fasting ends lust, roots out bad thoughts, frees one from evil dreams. Fasting makes for purity of prayer, an enlightened soul, a watchful mind, a deliverance from blindness. Fasting is the door of compunction, humble sighing, joyful contrition, an end to chatter, an occasion for silence, a custodian of obedience, a lightening of sleep, health of the body, an agent of dispassion, a remission of sins, the gate, indeed, the delight of Paradise.”
“Do not be surprised that you fall every day; do not give up, but stand your ground courageously. And assuredly, the angel who guards you will honor your patience.”
—St. John Climacus (6th-7th century) With much love in Christ, Fr. Robert+
THIS WEEK AT HOLY ARCHANGELS (all services at our church home—47 Spa Rd):
- Wed, March 29, 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.
- Thurs, March 30, 4 p.m., Catechumen/Inquirer Class & Meeting
- Thurs, March 30, 5:30 p.m., Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete
- Saturday, April 1, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Mission Work day—Moving and Appointing New Space
- Sat, April 1, 6 p.m., Great Vespers, Confession following. Please Make your Lenten Confession Now.
- Sun, April 2, 9:40 Hours 10 Divine Liturgy, Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt
Looking Ahead: MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
- Saturday, April 8, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy of Lazarus Saturday, beginning of Holy Week!
- See the Holy Week Schedule for the Rest of Holy Week and Pascha
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 see Fr. Robert and/or Rdr. Zenon if you can help.
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 7
By Thy Cross Thou didst destroy death. // To the thief Thou didst open Paradise.
For the Myrrhbearers Thou didst change weeping into joy,
and Thou didst command Thy disciples, O Christ God,
to proclaim that Thou art risen,// granting the world great mercy.
Troparion (Annunciation) Tone 4
Today is the beginning of our salvation, // the revelation of the eternal mystery!
The Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin // as Gabriel announces the coming of Grace.
Together with him let us cry to the Theotokos://“Rejoice, O Full of Grace,//the Lord is with thee!”
Troparion (Archangel) Tone 4
Gabriel, commander of the heavenly hosts, // we who are unworthy beseech thee,
by thy prayers encompass us beneath the wings of thine immaterial glory,
and faithfully preserve us who fall down and cry to thee://
“Deliver us from all harm, for thou art the commander of the powers on high!”
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 (Archangel) Tone 8
Supreme commander Gabriel, thou art the glorious intercessor and servant
before the all-radiant, worthy, all-powerful, infinite and awesome Trinity.
Ever pray now that we may be delivered from all tribulations and torments,//
so that we may cry out to thee: “Rejoice, protection of thy servants!”
Kontakion (Annunciation) Tone 8
O victorious leader of triumphant hosts! // We, thy servants delivered from evil
sing our grateful thanks to thee, O Theotokos.
As thou dost possess invincible might set us free from every calamity
so that we may sing: “Rejoice, O unwedded Bride!”
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.
