We learn through Christ and in His Church, that forgiveness is the path toward freedom—both for ourselves, our Church family, and the world. Fr. Alexander Schmemann says: “The triumph of sin, the main sign of its rule over the world, is division, opposition, separation, hatred. Therefore, the first break through this fortress of sin is forgiveness: the return to unity, solidarity, love…” On this Sunday, we’re reminded of Christ’s desire that we be free of hypocrisy, bitterness, pride. And so, we’re given this command to forgive as God has forgiven and does actively forgive us: “And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.” God in His love and mercy for us desires our freedom from revenge, grudges, bitterness, and the deceit of hypocrisy. God by the Holy Spirit can give us the strength to forgive and to love, and to interject into this broken world and into broken relationships the triumph of His Heavenly Kingdom through life with Him. In Christ’s love, Fr. Robert+
THIS WEEK AT HOLY ARCHANGELS:
- Saturday, August 22, 6 p.m., Great Vespers (Confession following)
- Sunday, August 23, 9:30am Hours; 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy, followed by Trapeza
July Financial Report: We received $3,299 in offerings in July. YTD $18,174 has been received. We are running a deficit of -$3,824. Your faithful contributions provide for this church and ministries. Thank God for His provision and your faithfulness, which means that our Mission can continue and grow! Holy Archangels Mission Council
Mid-Year Special Commitment Opportunity: To sustain our Mission, we need to raise an additional $500 per month in offerings, which we aim to have matched by the greater Church. We ask all faithful to take a Special Offering Card (on Back Table) and place it in the offering box. $100 has been matched so far.
Please Note: At Holy Archangels we do not pass an offering plate. Instead, we encourage the faithful to place an offering in the offering box on the Entrance (back) Table in support of this Mission and its Ministries. Thank you and may Christ God repay you with His spiritual blessings… “for God loves a cheerful giver” (II Cor. 9:7).
Prayer Requests:
- That God may grow our Mission “in spirit and in numbers…”
- For God’s financial provision for our Mission and ACM (Annapolis College Ministry);
- Newly-departed servant of God, Archpriest Gordon.
- Metropolitan Isaiah of Georgia, Archpriest George, Priest John, Dcn. Basil, Rdr. John, Governor Hogan, Benedict, James, Daniel, Seraphim, Bede, Wanda, Eric, George, Daniel, Ed, John, Eleni, Svetlana, the Church in Georgia & Romania as they address the relativism of the West, speaking the truth in love, our persecuted brethren in Iraq & Syria, a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine., a speedy end to Ebola.
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 2
When Thou didst descend to death, O Life immortal,
Thou didst slay hell with the splendor of Thy Godhead.
And when from the depths Thou didst raise the dead,
all the powers of heaven cried out://
“O Giver of life, Christ our God, glory to Thee!”
Troparion (Icon not-make-by-hands) Tone 2
We venerate Thy most pure image, O Good One;
and ask forgiveness of our transgressions, O Christ our God.
Of Thy good will Thou wast pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh
and deliver Thy creatures from bondage to the Enemy.
Therefore with thankfulness we cry aloud to Thee:
Thou hast filled all with joy, O our Savior,//
for Thou didst come to save the world.
Troparion (Dormition) Tone 1
In giving birth thou didst preserve thy virginity.
In falling asleep thou didst not forsake the world, O Theotokos.
Thou wast translated to life, O Mother of Life,//
and by thy prayers thou dost deliver our souls from death.
Kontakion (Resurrection) Tone 2
Hell became afraid, O almighty Savior,
seeing the miracle of Thy Resurrection from the tomb!
The dead arose! Creation, with Adam, beheld this and rejoiced with Thee,//
and the world, my Savior, praises Thee forever.
Kontakion (Icon not-make-by-hands) Tone 2
Uncircumscribed Word of the Father,
as we behold the victorious image of Thy true incarnation,
not made by hands, but divinely wrought
in Thine ineffable and divine dispensation towards us,//
we honor it with veneration.
Kontakion (Dormition) Tone 2
Neither the tomb, nor death, could hold the Theotokos,
who is constant in prayer and our firm hope in her intercessions.
For being the Mother of Life,
she was translated to life // by the One Who dwelt in her virginal womb.
