The blind man sat begging at the Temple every day, known to all. Christ God restores his sight, revealing Himself as God. The miracle is even more remarkable than it seems: Not only has no one ever opened the eyes of one born blind before, but, as the Holy Fathers tell us, this man was born without eyes. Not only did Christ, the Word of God through Whom all things were made, open the blind man’s eyes, He made eyes for the blind man, which He then opened. Just as our first parent, Adam, was taken from the clay and made alive, so Jesus takes clay and makes eyes for the blind man. Christ God not only gives the blind man physical eyes, not only does He then open those eyes so he can see. Even more importantly, He gives him the sight within—He illumines the blind man’s immortal soul, giving Him a living encounter with God, revealing Himself to him as Messiah, and bringing him to the knowledge and love of Him. The blind man comes to faith in the living God; he testifies boldly before the Pharisees, not fearing their wrath. For his testimony, the formerly blind man is thrown out of the synagogue. May the Lord give us such courage to boldly testify to the truth of our life in Him. With the blind man, we cry to God to illumine us as well and save us through repentance! Yours in the risen Christ, Fr. Robert+
Important: 2018 Pledges/Commitments: If you have not yet offered your pledge for 2018, PLEASE place it in the offering box today. As of now we have $2900 total in monthly commitments. We need $3,500. To all for whom this Mission is dear, please give generously so we can continue to pay rent and other necessary expenses to provide for our church and her growth. “Let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver” (II Cor. 9:7).
THIS WEEK at HOLY ARCHANGELS
- TODAY, 9:15 Hours,10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, Trapeza, Sunday School, (Sunday of the Blind Man)
- Wed, May 16, 6:30 p.m., Festal Great Vespers with Litya, Great Feast of the Ascension of our Lord
- Thurs, May 17, 10 a.m., Great Feast of the Ascension
- Sat, May 19, 6 p.m., Great Vespers, Confession following.
- Sun, May 20, 9:40 Hours 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, Trapeza and Sunday School (Focused on Ascension)
Looking Ahead…
- Tuesday, May 15-Friday, May 31, Robert is leading the Romania Pilgrimage, “Spiritual Treasures of Romania.” Fr. Ignatius Green will be serving in Father’s stead.
- Sat, May 26, 6 p.m., Festal Great Vespers with Litya, Great Feast of Pentecost
- Sun, May 27, 9:30 Hours, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, Great Feast of Pentecost/Descent of the Holy Spirit
- , June 4, Saints Peter and Paul Fast begins
- , June 16, 3:30 p.m., Annual Picnic at the Rectory (1353 Tydings Rd., Annapolis). BYOM to grill, a side and/or drink to share. Great Vespers at 6 p.m. on the deck, fire in the fire pit, edifying fellowship.
Sisterhood Tea: Thank you to the six Sisters who participated in our FIRST Sisterhood Tea. A beautiful time of fellowship, tea, and goodies were shared by all in the Miclean Sun Room.
Confession and Reception: In keeping with OCA Guidelines, it is the discipline at Holy Archangels to practice at least monthly confession. If 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.
Monthly Giving—Expanding the Mission: Our Mission has taken a big step of faith to move into our new church home, to expand our bookstore and outreach efforts, and make more room for new families and individuals. We need your help to afford our new space. Monthly pledges and giving are key to our sustainability and our growth.
TRAPEZA: The lunch and fellowship we serve after Divine Liturgy is an important part of our Mission’s 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 so important. Please sign up to help provide for this important ministry.
Prayer Requests: Our Mission’s Growth “in spirit and in umbers”
- For God’s financial provision for our Mission & college ministry, ACM (Annapolis Pan-Orthodox College Ministry);
- Departed servant of God, Alfie
- Isaiah of Georgia, Archpriest George, Priest John, Sbn. John, Gov. Hogan, Frederica, Benedict, Daniel, Eric, Daniel, Noah, Norm, Alex, Gary, Timothy, Sophia, Vivian, Beatrice, George, Helen, Helen, Geneva, Phoenix, Sydney, Young, Liam, Cynthia, Valerie, Charlotte, Zachary and Angela, 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, peace in Syria.
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 5
Let us, the faithful, praise and worship the Word,
co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit,
born for our salvation from the Virgin;
for He willed to be lifted up on the Cross in the flesh,
to endure death,// and to raise the dead, by His glorious Resurrection.
Troparion (Midfeast) Tone 8
In the middle of the feast, O Savior, // fill my thirsting soul with the waters of piety, // as Thou didst cry to all: “If anyone thirst, let him come to Me and drink!”//
O Christ God, Fountain of our life, glory to Thee!
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 Pentecostarion) Tone 4
I come to Thee, O Christ, blind from birth in my spiritual eyes,
and call to Thee in repentance://
“Thou art the most radiant Light of those in darkness.”
Kontakion (Pascha) Tone 8
Thou didst descend into the tomb, O Immortal,
Thou didst destroy the power of death.
In victory Thou didst arise, O Christ God,
proclaiming, “Rejoice!” to the Myrrhbearing Women,//
granting peace to Thine Apostles, and bestowing
Resurrection on the fallen.
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.
