On the Protection of the Theotokos
Today, we commemorate the miraculous appearance of the Mother of God occurred in the mid-tenth century in the Blachernae church of Constantinople where her robe, veil, and part of her belt were preserved after being transferred from Palestine in the fifth century. On Sunday, October 1, during the All Night Vigil, when the church was overflowing with those at prayer, the Fool-for-Christ Saint Andrew, at the fourth hour, lifted up his eyes towards the heavens and beheld our most Holy Lady Theotokos coming through the air, resplendent with heavenly light and surrounded by an assembly of the Saints. Saint John the Baptist and the holy Apostle John the Theologian accompanied the Queen of Heaven. On bended knees the Most Holy Virgin tearfully prayed for Christians for a long time. Then, coming near the Bishop’s Throne, she continued her prayer.
After completing her prayer she took her veil and spread it over the people praying in church, protecting them from enemies both visible and invisible. The Most Holy Lady Theotokos was resplendent with heavenly glory, and the protecting veil in her hands gleamed “more than the rays of the sun.” Saint Andrew gazed trembling at the miraculous vision and he asked his disciple, the blessed Epiphanius standing beside him, “Do you see, brother, the Holy Theotokos, praying for all the world?” Epiphanius answered, “I do see, holy Father, and I am in awe.”
The Theotokos implored the Lord Jesus Christ to accept the prayers of all the people calling on His Most Holy Name, and to respond speedily to her intercession, “O Heavenly King, accept all those who pray to You and call on my name for help. Do not let them go away from my icon unheard.” Saints Andrew and Epiphanius were made worthy to see the Theotokos at prayer, and “for a long time observed the Protecting Veil spread over the people and shining. As long as the Most Holy Theotokos was there, the Protecting Veil was also visible. With her departure, it also became invisible. Taking it with her, she left behind the grace of her visitation.”
“Remember us in your prayers, O Lady Virgin Mother of God, that we not perish by the increase of our sins. Protect us from every evil and from grievous woes, for in you do we hope, and venerating the Feast of your Protection, we magnify you” even as we worship your Son and our God, our Lord Jesus Christ (adapted from OCA.org).
Yours in Christ, Fr. Robert+
THIS WEEK at HOLY ARCHANGELS
- TODAY, 9:30, Hours, 10, Divine Liturgy, Trapeza, Sunday School
- WED, Oct. 4, 6:45-8:15 p.m.; BIBLE STUDY: THE BOOK OF DANIEL, chapters 2-3: Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar’s dream
- THURS, Oct. 5, 5:30-7 p.m., Catechumen Class and Meeting
- SAT, Oct. 7, 6 p.m., Great Vespers (confession offered after service)
- SUN, Oct. 8, 9:30 Hours 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, Trapeza followed by Sunday School
Looking Ahead: Mark your Calendars
- Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 4-5, Patronal Feast Retreat with His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon. Fr. Chad Hatfield, President of St. Vladimir’s Seminary, will speak on, “Three Ways to Know the Body of Christ: Incarnation, Mission, Sacrament.” Registration coming soon!
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.
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. Please place your 2018 pledge (or increased pledge) in the offering box today!
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 are not also drawing closer to each other. If we wish to grow “in spirit and in numbers,” such fellowship needs to be part of our life together in Christ. Please sign up to help provide for this important ministry.
Prayer Requests: That God may grow our Mission “in spirit and in numbers…”
- For God’s financial provision for our Mission & college ministry, ACM (Annapolis Pan-Orthodox College Ministry);
- Forgiveness, memory eternal: Fran (Aunt of Marian Soriano), Dante, Victims of the hurricanes, flooding, terror attacks
- Metropolitan Isaiah of Georgia, Archpriest George, Priest John, Rdr. John, Gov. Hogan, Benedict, Daniel, Eric, Daniel, Noah, Norm, Alex, Gary, Timothy, Sophia, Marlena and her baby, Beatrice, George, Linda, 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.
From the Fathers…
“If you truly love someone, you desire for them the supreme good: salvation.”—Fr. Dumitru Staniloae
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 8
Thou didst descend from on high, O Merciful One!
Thou didst accept the three day burial // to free us from our sufferings!//
O Lord, our Life and Resurrection, glory to Thee!
Troparion (for the Protection) Tone 4
Today the faithful celebrate the feast with joy, llumined by thy coming, O Mother of God.
Beholding thy pure image, we fervently cry to thee:
“Encompass us beneath the precious veil of thy protection;
deliver us from every form of evil by entreating Christ, thy Son and our God,//
that He may save our souls.”
Troparion (for Venerable Romanus) Tone 4
Thou didst gladden Christ’s Church by thy melodies
like an inspired heavenly trumpet. Thou wast enlightened by the Mother of God
and didst shine on the world as God’s poet.//
We lovingly honor thee, O righteous Romanus.
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 on high
Kontakion (Resurrection) Tone 8
By rising from the tomb, Thou didst raise the dead and resurrected Adam.
Eve exults in Thy Resurrection,
and the world celebrates Thy rising from the dead, O greatly Merciful One!
Kontakion (for Venerable Romanus) Tone 8
Thou wast adorned from childhood with the godly virtues of the Spirit;
thou wast a precious adornment of the Church of Christ, all-wise Romanus,
for thou didst make it lovely with beautiful hymnody.
Therefore we entreat thee, grant thy divine gift to those who desire it,
that we may cry out to thee: “Rejoice, all-blessed Father, beauty of the Church!”
Kontakion (for the Protection) Tone 3
Today the Virgin stands in the midst of the Church,
and with choirs of saints she invisibly prays to God for us.
Angels and bishops worship, // Apostles and Prophets rejoice together,//
since for our sake she prays to the pre-eternal God.
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.
