15TH Sunday after Pentecost (Afterfeast of the Elevation of the Cross/Sunday after the Elevation/Greatmartyr Euphemia)
Welcome to Holy Archangels Orthodox Church (OCA)! We’re glad to have you worshipping the Holy Trinity with us! If you are new or are worshiping with us for the first time, please introduce yourself to our priest, Fr. Robert Miclean, after the service.
Christ asks in today’s Gospel: “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” If we ask ourselves that question, we won’t so easily presume on God’s grace. Our eternal salvation, life with God, depends on our life with God now, each day. If we find we only have time for the things of God now and then, how are we to prepare to spend eternity with Him and in His near presence? We remember Christ’s closing words in today’s Gospel: “Whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” So, we pray that God will give us the ability—each day—“to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him.” We die to self so that we can die to sin, we live to God, so that we can live with Him for eternity by becoming partakers of His divine life, heirs of His heavenly Kingdom.
In Christ’s love, Fr. Robert+
This week at Holy Archangels:
- Wednesday, Sept.19, 6:30 p.m., Daily Vespers, Confession offered; 7:30 p.m., Continuing Bible Study on the Gospel of St. John, Location: St. John’s Boathouse.
- Saturday, Sept. 22, 6 p.m., Great Vespers with the Matins Gospel. Confession following.
- Sunday, Sept. 23, 9:30 Hours and Divine Liturgy followed by Trapeza.
Looking Ahead
- Oct. 17-20, Fr. Robert and family are moving to Annapolis. Help is needed. Please contact Fr. Robert by phone or email if you can volunteer one or more of these dates.
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for Azariah (Brian) as he looks for a teaching position.
- Please pray for our Mission that we may find a full-time Choir Director.
- Please pray for Psa. Krissy during her 40 days of healing.
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 6
The angelic powers were at Your tomb;
the guards became as dead men.
Mary stood by Your grave,
seeking Your most pure body.
You took captive hell,//
not being tempted by it.
You came to the Virgin, granting life.//
O Lord, Who rose from the dead, glory to You.
Troparion (For the Feast of the Elevation of the Cross) Tone 1
O Lord, save Your people
and bless Your inheritance!
Grant victories to the Orthodox Christians
over their adversaries;
and by virtue of Your Cross,//
preserve Your habitation!
Troparion (Great Martyr Euphemia) Tone 4
Your lamb Euphemia calls out to You, O Jesus, in a loud voice:
“I love You, my Bridegroom and in seeking You, I endure suffering.
In baptism I was crucified so that I might reign in You,
and I died so that I might live with You.
Accept me as a pure sacrifice,
for I have offered myself in love!”
Through her prayers save our souls, since You are merciful!
Troparion (Holy Archangels) Tone 4
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 (Resurrection) Tone 6
When Christ God the Giver of Life,
raised all of the dead from the valleys of misery with His mighty hand,
He bestowed resurrection on the human race.//
He is the Savior of all, the Resurrection, the Life, and the God of all.
Kontakion (Great Martyr Euphemia) Tone 4
You completed your struggle well, all-praised Euphemia;
even after death, you pour out healing on us for our sanctification.
We stand beside your venerable relics to honor your holy falling asleep,
that in faith we may be delivered from the weaknesses of our nature
and to obtain the grace of your miracles.
Kontakion (For the Feast of the Elevation of the Cross) Tone 4
As You were voluntarily raised upon the Cross for our sake,
grant mercy to those who are called by Your Name, O Christ God;
make all Orthodox Christians glad by your power,
granting them victories over their adversaries//
by bestowing on them the invincible trophy, Your weapon of peace!
