Holy Week has begun! We’ve traveled the road with Jesus from the raising of Lazarus in Bethany to Jerusalem! He’s entering the city now, having been revealed to be the Giver of Life who has the power over death and in confirmation of the universal resurrection. He’s vanquishing the false ideas and expectations of the Jewish leaders, who in their pride and fear thought that He’d overthrow the Romans. Instead, Jesus, the Messiah, the Word of God through Whom all things were made, comes riding humbly on the foal of an ass, just as the Prophet Zechariah foretold: “Do not fear, O daughter of Zion, behold thy King cometh unto thee: He is just and having salvation… lowly and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt, the foul of an ass.” (Zech 9:9) Those with child-like faith lay a carpet of clothes before Him, waving their palms in a sign of victory. They receive Him and unto them, salvation comes: “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name” (John 1:12) as He ushers them into His eternal Kingdom.
Now, it’s our turn: Will we receive Him as He has revealed Himself to us? Will we journey with Him to the cross, the grave, and the three-day resurrection? Christ God gives us in this one week the opportunity to journey with Him, to prioritize our life in Him, our healing, our salvation above all else. What is your joy? Join with Him! Receive Him, Experience to a greater extent than ever what He has endured for our sake, for our salvation, so that, experiencing His triumph over sin and death, we too may become fellow victors, uniting ourselves with Him in His passion and death, burial, so that we may also be united to Him in His glorious resurrection on the third day. Our salvation is at hand!
With much love in Christ, Fr. Robert+
THIS WEEK AT HOLY ARCHANGELS (all services at our new church home—47 Spa Rd):
Parking weekdays and Saturdays available in the neighborhood off Amos Garrett Blvd. (first right heading East/downtown). On Sundays, free parking is offered in the Amos Garrett Parking Garage.
- TODAY: Divine Liturgy of Palm Sunday (Christ’s Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem) with PROCESSION, Sunday School, Trapeza, followed by the First Bridegroom Matins.
- Mon-Sun, April 25 – May 1, Please refer to the Holy Week Schedule
Holy Archangels Rent,YOUCARING Fundraiser! We need to raise an additional $450 per month in rent. So far, $150 additional monthly support has been officially committed. Can you make a pledge or increase your pledge? We have taken a step of faith together, voting unanimously to move to our new church home. Please help us meet this challenge so we can grow “in spirit and in numbers.” Thank you to all who shared and contributed extra to our YOUCARING fundraiser. We’ve reached our goal, but it’s not too late to still make an impact through an additional contribution. May He bless the hands thru which He provides!
Confession and Reception: In keeping with OCA Guidelines, it’s 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.
Prayer Requests:
- That God may grow our Mission “in spirit and in numbers…”
- For God’s financial provision for our Mission & ACM (Annapolis College Ministry);
- Repose of Soul, forgiveness of sins for Handmaiden of God, Evgenia, Servant of God, Marin.
- Metropolitan Isaiah of Georgia, Archpriest George, Dcn. Basil, Rdr. John, Mat. Evgenia, Governor Hogan, Benedict, James, Daniel, Bede, Wanda, Eric, George, Daniel, John, Stephanie, Noah, Norm, Jean Claude, Sophie, Mark, Margaret, 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, a peaceful resolution in Syria.
Troparion Tone 1
By raising Lazarus from the dead before Thy passion,
Thou didst confirm the universal resurrection, O Christ God.
Like the children with the palms of victory,
we cry out to Thee, O Vanquisher of Death:
“Hosanna in the highest!//
Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord.”
Troparion Tone 4
When we were buried with Thee in baptism, O Christ God,
we were made worthy of eternal life by Thy Resurrection.
Now we praise Thee and sing:
“Hosanna in the highest!//
Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord!”
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 Tone 6
Sitting on Thy throne in Heaven,
carried on a foal on earth, O Christ God,
accept the praise of angels and the songs of children, who sing://
“Blessed is He Who cometh to recall Adam!”
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.
