Today’s Gospel reminds us that we are called as Christians not just to love those who are good to us, but even our adversaries. Likewise, we are to give and lend without expecting anything in return. We love and give as Christ loves and gives through our communion with the Author of that love and grace, our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ, whose likeness we continue to assume. Like that communion and participation in the life of the Holy Trinity that we’re (hopefully) constantly seeking to grow in, love is a virtue dependent on our growth in the knowledge and love of God. This means we learn increasingly to come “outside ourselves” to love and to serve others. Love manifests itself in this outpouring of concern for others, foremost, that they come to know the Author of Life, the Savior and only Lover of mankind, Jesus Christ. Our chief enemy to love is pride. Pride is the opposite of that which Christ calls us to in order to follow Him and inherit eternal life with Him. The remedy to a hard, prideful heart is to pray and fight for growth in humility. For this reason, St. Paul admonishes us, saying, “Let this mind be in you which is in Christ Jesus…” (Phil. 2:5). Through the Sacraments, the divine worship, our daily prayers, and the work of healing He is doing in each of us as we open up ourselves to Him, we grow in that knowledge and love of God. In this way, we can truly learn to love “even those that hate us” and lend and give “without hoping for a return. Then, we will be called “sons of the Most High.” Yours in Christ, Fr. Robert+
2019 Pledges/Commitments:We begin now to prayerfully consider what God would have us give of our Time, Talents, and Treasure for 2019. We give back to Christ from what He’s so mercifully 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). We offer up our 2019 Pledge Forms during the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, Oct. 21. To grow in faith and grow the Mission “in spirit and in numbers,” please give generously and faithfully. “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, 9:30Hours, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy,Trapeza, Sunday School.
- Starting , Oct. 3,6:15 Daily Vespers, 6:45, NEW PATRISTICS STUDY: Early Apostolic Fathers. Join us for a lively teaching, discussion on the earliest writings of the Church in the next generation after the Apostles! Books now available.
- Sat, Oct. 6,6:00 p.m., Great VespersConfession following
- Sun, Oct 7,9:30 a.m., Hours, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, trapeza, Sunday School.
Looking Ahead…Mark your Calendars!
- Thursday, Nov. 8,10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, Patronal Feast of the Holy Archangels and All the Bodiless Powers. Trapeza.
- Sat, Nov. 10,1 p.m., Patronal Feast Retreat,“The Faith Once Delivered: Proclaiming the Timeless Truth.”Guest Speaker, The Very Rev. Fr. John Parker, new Dean, St. Tikhon’s Seminary. Registration at: www.OrthodoxAnnapolis.org
Confession and Reception:In keeping with OCA Guidelines, it is the discipline at Holy Archangels to practice at least monthlyconfession. 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 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 so important. Please sign up to help provide for this important ministry!
Miclean Baby Registry: For those who’ve asked: From the Holy Archangels website, click the Amazon link. On the homepage click the “Registry,” tab, then “baby”, then type Kristina Miclean, Annapolis.
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 of our church: archpriest George, the Confessor, Gabriel, Rafael, Serafim, Basil, Rdr. Michael
- Isaiah of Georgia, Archbishops Yohanna Ibrahim and Boulos Yazigi of Syria, Archpriest George, Sbn. John, Gov. Hogan, Benedict, Benjamin, Daniel, Noah, Alex, Gary, Timothy, Sophia, Vivian, Beatrice, George, Helen, Helen, Geneva, Phoenix, Sydney, Young, Liam, Eleni, Valerie, Charlotte, Anastasia, Valentina, Susan and all suffering from cancer, 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 1
When thestonehad been sealed by the Jews,
while the soldiers were guarding Thy most pure body,
Thou didst riseon the third day, O Savior, granting lifeto the world.
The powers of heaven therefore cried to Thee, O Giver of Life:
“Glory to Thy Resurrection, O Christ!Glory to Thy ^Kingdom!//
Glory to Thy dispensation, O Thou who lovest of mankind!”
Troparion (Hieromartyr Gregory) 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 Gregory, 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 1
As God, Thou didst rise from the tomb in glory,
raising the worldwith Thyself.
Human nature praises Thee as God, for death has vanished.
Adam exults, O Master!
Eve rejoices, for she is freed from bondage and criesto Thee://
“Thou art the Giver of Resurrection to all, O Christ!”
Kontakion (Hieromartyr Gregory) Tone 2
Today, let us, the faithful, praise with songsand hymns
the admirable hierarch Gregory as an initiate in the sacred mysteries.
Hewas a contender for the truth, a vigilant pastor and teacher,
a light for the wholeworld,//
interceding with Christthat our soulsmay be saved.
Kontakion (Angels) Tone 2
Commanders of God’s armiesand ministers of the divine glory,//princes of the bodiless Angelsandguidesof mankind
//askfor what is good for us, and for great mercy,//O Supreme Commanders of the Bodiless Hosts.
Glory to God for all things!
