Today we celebrate the triumph of Orthodoxy and with it the consistent proclamation of the truth of who Christ is: “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6) as He is revealed to be, first through the creation, second through the prophets, and third and especially, by virtue of His Incarnation. With the victory of the “right-believing” (Orthodox) Christians, came the defeat of all those heretics and heresies that twisted the truth that Jesus Christ is, and therefore, threatened the healing and salvation of the human race. There is nothing arbitrary in Holy Tradition, the faith “once received” by the Saints. An Orthodox Christian today believes the same as one in the first century because our faith is about coming to know and grow in communion with God the Holy Trinity, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Indeed, this and only this is what it means to be “in communion” (koinonia): we share that same fullness of faith and life in Christ that those did who came before us did. There are threats to the Orthodox Faith in every age, including our own. We glorify God this day that those who’ve come before us have preserved the truth for us, so that we, in turn, may come to know Him who is that Truth. It’s incumbent on us then, likewise, to live and proclaim the same Faith—in its fullness—that others after us may come to know the one, true God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and so, likewise find healing from passions and life eternal.. In Christ’s Love, Fr. Robert+
For the Service of the Triumph of Orthodoxy, after reciting the Creed in its original form (with “We” instead of “I” we proclaim together the following affirmation:“This is the faith of the apostles! This is the faith of the fathers! This is the Orthodox faith! This faith has established the universe!”
THIS WEEK AT HOLY ARCHANGELS (all services at our church home—47 Spa Rd):
- Today: Sunday of Orthodoxy Procession, followed by Annual Meeting ALL are welcome and encouraged to attend (Voting members are those who have confessed and received at Holy Archangels in 2016, contribute financially, and are 18 or older).Trapeza
- , March 8, 6:30 p.m., Second Presanctified Liturgy, New Bible Study: “The Ten Commandments in the Life of the Faithful Christian” during our soup suppers.
- March 10-18, Robert leading ten OCF students for National OCF Realbreak Mission to Romania. Fr. Ignatius Green, will serve in Father’s stead on Sunday, March 12.
- , March 11, 6 p.m., Great Vespers, Confession following. Fr. Ignatius Green serving.
- , March 12, Divine Liturgy, Sunday of St Gregory Palamas. Fr. Ignatius Green serving.
Looking Ahead: Mark your Calendars!
- Saturday, March 25, Annunciation Retreat: Gheorghe Calciu’s “Seven Words,” film, discussion, dinner, testimonies from his spiritual children, others. More details TBA.
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 donate here 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 4
When the women disciples of the Lord
learned from the angel the joyous message of thy Resurrection,
they cast away the ancestral curse // and elatedly told the apostles:
“Death is overthrown! // Christ God is risen,// granting the world great mercy!”
Troparion (Sunday of Orthodoxy) Tone 2
We venerate Thy most pure image, O Good One;
and ask forgiveness of our transgressions, O Christ our God.
Of Thy good will Thou wast pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh
and deliver Thy creatures from bondage to the Enemy.
Therefore with thankfulness we cry aloud to Thee:
“Thou hast filled all with joy, O our Savior,// for Thou alone hast come to save the world.”
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 (from the Lenten Triodion) Tone 8
No one could describe the Word of the Father;
but when He took flesh from thee, O Theotokos, He accepted to be described,
and restored the fallen image to its former state by uniting it to divine beauty.//
We confess and proclaim our salvation in words and images.
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.
