Weekly Update and Bulletin From Fr. Robert Miclean – April 7, 2013

Jesus Christ speaks to us today through His Gospel, saying, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Matt. 8:34).  The cross stands in the middle of the Fast to remind us of this very truth: Without the cross, there is no defeat of sin and death.  By Christ’s victory on the cross, we’re endowed with life.  Christ God emerges from His encounter with the cross the Victor; He defeats the enemy—death is slain!  By following Christ’s words here, we too can become fellow victors with Christ over sin and death; we too can triumph over the world and its hold on us; we too can find healing from our sin-sickness.  We cling to Christ and venerate His cross, claiming it as our own weapon against the enemy at work in this world.  In denying ourselves, our way, our will, we find freedom from enslavement to the passions; we learn obedience, humility—the virtues of a citizen of heaven; we learn to live for God and with eternity before our eyes.  With the cross before us, we know we can follow Christ whom we have “put on” in baptism, so that entering into death, we too can emerge victorious, for as St. Athanasius says, “that which is assumed (by Christ), is healed.”  We deny ourselves our independent, rebellious ways now, so that we can attain to the Kingdom then.  As we complete the rest of our journey to Christ’s passion, we do so knowing the end result—victory for the world and for us for all who put their hope in Christ!

With much love in Christ,                                                                        Fr. Robert+

This week at Holy Archangels:

  • Wednesday, April 10, 6:30, Presanctified Liturgy Lenten Potluck Dinner following and Fr. Robert’s continuing teaching on the LORD’S PRAYER, St. John’s Boathouse.
  • Saturday, April 13, 6 p.m.,Great Vespers with Matins Gospel. Confession following.
  • Sunday, April 14, 9:30 a.m. Hours 10 am Divine Liturgy followed by Trapeza
  • Sunday, April 14, SUNDAY SCHOOL—Focus on Holy Week!
  • Sunday, April 14, 2pm Heathryn Alethia’s Wedding Shower!!

Looking Ahead: Save the Dates!

  • Please refer to handout for the Holy Week Schedule or online!!

Prayer Requests:

  • Pray for God’s ongoing financial provision for our Mission.
  • Please pray for our Mission that we may find a Choir Director and that we may continue to grow in spirit and in numbers as a living witness of God’s love, healing, power, and glory.
  • Healing for Archpriest George, Priest John, Benedict, Marina, Colette, Mary, Carol, Katherine, Katherine, Carey, Hannah, Luke, Caroline, Elizabeth, baby Carrie, Fr. Robert’s parents, James and Charlene, Daniel.
  • For the newly illumined servant of God, Emiliane, and for Adele, Ivan.

 
Troparion              (Resurrection) Tone 3           
Let the heavens rejoice!// Let the earth be glad!
For the Lord has shown strength with His arm. // He has trampled down death by death.
He has become the first born of the dead. // He has delivered us from the depths of hell,
and has granted to the world// great mercy.
Troparion              (for 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            (for St Tikhon) Tone 1           
Let us praise Tikhon, the Patriarch of All Russia, // and Enlightener of North America,
an ardent follower of the apostolic traditions, // and good pastor of the Church of Christ,
who was elected by Divine Providence, // and laid down his life for his sheep!
Let us sing to him with faith and hope, // and ask for his hierarchical intercessions:
keep the Church in Russia in tranquility, // and the Church in North America in peace;
gather her scattered children into one flock,
bring to repentance those who have renounced the True Faith,
preserve our lands from civil strife, // and entreat God’s peace for all people!
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 3           
On this day You rose from the tomb, O Merciful One, // leading us from the gates of death.
On this day Adam exults as Eve rejoices; // with the Prophets and Patriarchs//
they unceasingly praise the divine majesty of Your power.
Kontakion            (St Tikhon) Tone 3*           
Today the assembly of New Martyrs // stands together with us in the Church,
and together we raise a festive song,
celebrating the uncovering of the relics of our Hierarch Father Tikhon,
who defeated the enemy and preserved the Faith, // while protecting the flock entrusted to him.
For he ever prays to all,// that we may never be deprived of the love of God.
Kontakion            (for the Cross) Tone 7           
Now the flaming sword no longer guards the gates of Eden;
it has been mysteriously quenched by the wood of the Cross.
The sting of death and the victory of hell have been vanquished;
for You, O my Savior, have come and cried to those in hell:// “Enter again into Paradise!”
Kontakion            (Holy Archangels) 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,// Supreme Commanders of the Bodiless Hosts.