St. Paul admonishes us today with some powerful words: we’re warned against the sin of division (schism). This unity and the remedy to our sad divisions is found in the holy Orthodox Faith through which Christ God unites us to Himself and with each other. In our culture today, there are many things that compete for our time, energy, and identity, that divide us. Likewise, there are many ‘forces’ at work today that try to shame us away from putting Christ (and our identity in Him) first. Humanism, like Communism or any other “ism” before it cannot take the place of that for which we are created—communion with God. And these ‘religions’ of man cannot unite the human race together because they are full of man’s own vain materialist efforts. Christ gives us a new identity—one that transcends all the other competing, prideful identities that separate us and lead otherwise to schism. In Him and in Him alone, we’re given a new name and become “a new creation,” (II Cor. 5:17). What is demanded of us is that we prioritize Christ and His Kingdom above all else, as Christ says, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness…” (Matt. 6:33). We witness to the truth of this new, unifying life, by living it out in our own lives, individually and corporately. If we want to see our culture change to embrace Christ and the Church, we must truly “take up our cross” and follow Christ. But be prepared, as St. Paul says today, “the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
In Christ’s love, Fr. Robert+
This week at Holy Archangels:
- v Tuesday, August 20, 12:50-13:20, 6th Hour, U.S. Naval Academy
- v Friday, August 23, 12:50-13:20, 6th Hour, U.S. Naval Academy
- v Saturday, August 24, 6 p.m. Great Vespers with Matins Gospel. Confession following.
- v Sunday, August 25, 9:30 a.m. Hours, 10 am Divine Liturgy,
- v Tuesday, August 27, 12:50-13:20, 6th Hour, U.S. Naval Academy
Looking Ahead:
- v Sunday, Sept. 8, During Trapeza, Iacob’s First Birthday Party
Prayer Requests:
- That God may grow our Mission “in spirit and in numbers as a living witness of God’s love, healing, power, and glory;”
- For God’s ongoing financial provision for our Mission and ACM;
- For our Mission that we may find a Choir Director;
- Healing for Archpriest George, Priest John, Rdr. Michael, Rdr. John, Rdr. Andrew, Alethia, Benedict, Marina, Colette, Mary, Carol, Katherine, James, Charlene, Daniel, Michael Anthony, Sarah, the Church in Georgia and Romania as they address the relativism of the West, speaking the truth in love, for our suffering Orthodox brethren in Syria and Egypt.
- For the faithfully departed: Archimandrite Iustin, Matushka Tatiana, Kh. Jackie
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 7
By Your Cross You destroyed death. // To the thief You opened Paradise.
For the Myrrhbearers You changed weeping into joy.
And You commanded Your disciples, O Christ God,
to proclaim that You are risen,// granting the world great mercy.
Troparion (Dormition) Tone 1
In giving birth you preserved your virginity.
In falling asleep you did not forsake the world, O Theotokos.
You were translated to life O Mother of Life,//
and by your prayers you deliver our souls from death.
Troparion (Martyrs Florus and Laurus) Tone 4
Let us praise as is meet, you faithful, // the most comely, radiant and divinely wise martyrs:
Most blessed Florus and all venerable Laurus, // who proclaimed to all the uncreated Trinity.
Suffering unto bloodshed, // they were adorned with brilliant crowns.//
Entreat Christ our God to save our souls!
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 7
The dominion of death can no longer hold mankind captive,
for Christ descended, shattering and destroying its powers.
Hell is bound, while the Prophets rejoice and cry: // “The Savior has come to those in faith;//
enter, you faithful, into the Resurrection!”
Kontakion (Martyrs Florus and Laurus) Tone 8
Today all the world honors in glory the divinely wise Florus and Laurus as pious martyrs who suffered for Christ. // Through their prayers may we receive grace and mercy
and be delivered from calamity and temptation, and from wrath and
sorrow on the Day of Judgment!
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
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.
