Today Christ calls His foremost disciples, Peter, James, and John, from the simple life of fishermen to one of being “fishers of men,” a calling to die to themselves for the sake of the Gospel and the Kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit transforms these ‘simple’ fishermen into the great disciples and then Apostles of the Church. But their calling to be “fishers of men” is not unique: it’s the calling given to each of us by virtue of our baptism into Christ. We too are called, as Christ says, to be “the salt of the earth,” “the light of the world.” St. Paul likens us to “ambassadors for Christ.” Our struggling and striving to live out our faith, not in accordance to our or society’s standards, but in accordance to the “faith once delivered by the Saints” (Jude 1:3), is a testimony to the truth of Christ—the same hope of healing and salvation for every age. Our repentance, worship, daily prayers, how we act and speak, are all engaging aspects of our witness, of becoming “fishers of men” like them. Our living out of our faith often gives us the opportunity to speak about our faith and testify to the truth that is Christ and the life in Him. Christ God, as He calls His disciples and all of us to be “fishers of men,” evangelists, also teaches us how to witness, saying, “Do not be afraid!” May we attain to the courage of the Apostles to follow Christ’s call, to live out our baptism, and continue to make our Mission a place of refuge, healing, and salvation for all who seek the fullness of life in Him. InChrist’s love,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:All Services held at our new church home at 73 Franklin St. (CLT Building), historic Annapolis
- TODAY 9:30Hours, 10, Divine Liturgy, Trapeza
- Tues., Sept. 24,4:30-5:30 p.m., St. John’s OCF Patristics Study, Cohen study room, library
- Tues., Sept. 24, 5:45-7:30 p.m.,Sept. Catechumen Class (7thEcumenical Council, Church etiquette, Q & A, History of Orthodox Church in North America, OCA)
- Wed., Sept 25, 6 p.m.,Daily Vespers
- Thurs., Sept. 26, 1-1:20 p.m., Sixth Hour Prayers, St. Nicholas Orthodox Chapel, USNA
- Sat., Sept. 28, 6 p.m., Great Vespers (Confession offered)
- Sun., Sept. 29, 9:30 a.m., Hours, 10, Divine Liturgy, Trapeza
Looking Ahead: Mark your Calendars!
- Sun., Sept. 29, 3-5:30 p.m.,Annapolis Pan Orthodox College Ministry (ACM) 15-year Anniversary Celebration, St. John’s President, Pano Kanellos’ House
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: Archpriest George the Confessor, Gabriel, Rafael, Serafim, Basil, Rdr. Michael, Archbishop Nikon, Archpriest John (Moses), Archpriest John (Matusiak)
- Met. Isaiah of Georgia, Archbishops Yohanna Ibrahim, Boulos Yazigi of Syria, Sbn. John, Benedict, Benjamin, Daniel, Noah, Alex, Gary, Timothy, Vivian, Beatrice, George, Helen, Helen, Geneva, Sydney, Young, Valerie, Anastasia, Valentina, Linda, Susan, Michael, Elizabeth, Noah, Tommy, Thomas, Mat. Alexandra, Judith, Maggie, Frank, Karley, Christina, the Church in Georgia, Romania as they address the relativism of the West, speaking the truth in love, our persecuted brethren around the world, those suffering from Hurricane Dorian, peace in Syria.
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 5
Let us, the faithful, praise and worship the Word,
co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit,
bornfor our salvation from the Virgin;
for He willedto be lifted up on the Crossin the flesh, to enduredeath, // and to raisethe dead//by His glorious Resurrection.
Troparion (Holy Apostle Quadratus) Tone 3
Holy Apostle Quadratus,// entreat the merciful God,//
to grant our soulsforgiveness of transgressions!
Troparion (Hieromartyr Phocas) Tone 4
By sharing in the ways of the Apostles,// Thou didst become a successor to their throne.// Through the practice of virtue, thou didst find the way to divine contemplation, O inspiredone of God;// By teaching the word of truth without error, thou didst defend the Faith, even to the shedding of thy blood.//
Hieromartyr Phocas, entreat Christ God to saveour 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 (Resurrection) Tone 5
Thoudidst descend into hell, O my Savior, // shattering its gates as Almighty, // resurrecting the dead as Creator, // and destroying the stingof death.//Thou hast delivered Adam from the curse, O Lover of man,/and we cry to Thee: O Lord,saveus!
Kontakion (Holy Apostle Quadratus) Tone 8
The universe offers Thee, O Lord, the Apostle Quadratus
as a most honored hierarch and athlete of greatstrength;
with hymns it honors hisall-venerable memory,
And asks that through himThou grant forgiveness of transgressions to those who singhis praise.
Kontakion (Hieromartyr Phocas) Tone
The Master established thee as a brilliant sun
shining on all the faithful, glorious Hieromartyr Phocas.
He has accepted thy life, faith and contest as myrrh,
for He is richin mercy.
Kontakion (Angels) Tone 2
Commanders of God’s armiesand ministers of the divine glory//princes of the bodiless Angelsand guidesof mankind// askfor what is good for us, and for great mercy,//O Supreme Commanders of the Bodiless Hosts.
Glory to God for All Things!
