In today’s Gospel, the blind men get themselves to Christ, beseeching Him to have mercy on them and acclaiming Him as the long-awaited Messiah by their words, “Son of David, have mercy on us!” It is both their acknowledgement of their need for healingand their coming to Christ, which so loudly demonstrates their faith. They know the One who has mercy to give, the One who alone can heal them—Jesus Christ, the Word of God, who knows us even in our mother’s womb from the moment of conception. Christ God sees each one of us through His eyes of love and purpose for our lives. He desires our healing from sin-sickness and salvation. We see in the blind men the faith to present themselvesto Christ for healing. God never turns away those who come to Him in faith, but as with our communion with Him, our healing and salvation demand something from us: our dying to self-will and our submission to Hiswill, our opening of ourselves to His healing through the ‘tools’ He’s entrusted to us through His Church. Christ said to the blind men, “According to your faith, let it be to you.” Our participation in the divine services and Sacraments, daily prayers, fasting, repentance, and living to God’s glory are all a cooperation with the Holy Spirit’s work and God’s will in our lives. Yours in Christ’s love, Fr. Robert+
2019 Pledges/Commitments. We give back a “first fruits” pledge to Christ from what He’s so mercifully given and entrusted to us. Everything we have is a gracious gift from God. Let us be as those servants who used their talentswisely and to God’s glory (Matt. 25:23). If you have not done so yet, please offer your pledge of talents today. To grow in faith and grow our Mission “in spirit and in numbers,” please give generously and faithfully. (II Cor. 9:7).
THIS WEEK at HOLY ARCHANGELS
- TODAY 9:30Hours, 10 Divine Liturgy, Trapeza
- Tues., Aug. 6,9:45 a.m., Great Feast of the Holy Transfiguration,trapeza: fish, wine, oil
- Wed., Aug. 7, 6 p.m., Akathist to St. Herman of Alaska(50 years since his Glorification, Aug. 9), Patristics study, 6:45 p.m.
- Wed., August 7, 6:45,Patristics Study:The First Apology, St. Justin the Philosopher and Martyr continued
- Sat., Aug. 10,6pm, Great Vespers, Confession following
- Sun., Aug.11,9:30 Hours, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, Trapeza
Looking Ahead: Mark your Calendars!
- Wed., Aug. 14, 630 p.m., Vesperal Divine Liturgy, Great Feast of the Holy Dormition(with the Lamentations)
Confession & Reception:In keeping with OCA Guidelines, it’s the discipline at Holy Archangels to practice monthlyconfession. If a month has passed and you’ve not made confession for good reason, or, are visiting, please talk with Fr. Robert to ask a blessing to receive prior to the serviceand before approaching the Chalice.
AMAZON. We’re now able to give 6.5%of our regular purchases from Amazon.comto Holy Archangels. Purchases are anonymous and will be automatically credited to Holy Archangels. Please Visit our website and click the link beforeyou shop at Amazon and it will be credited to us. Please note: This is not the same promotion as “Amazon Smile.”
TRAPEZA:The lunch and fellowship served after Divine Liturgy is an important part of our Mission’s family life together. We cannot draw closer to God if we’re not also drawing closer to each other. To grow “in spirit and in numbers,” such fellowship is important. Please sign up to help provide for this important ministry!
Prayer Requests: Our Mission’s Growth “in spirit & in numbers”
- For God’s financial provisionfor our Mission & college ministry, ACM (Annapolis Pan-Orthodox College Ministry);
- Departed founders of our church: Archpriest George the Confessor, Gabriel, Rafael, Serafim, Basil, Rdr. Michael
- Met. Isaiah of Georgia, Archbishops Yohanna Ibrahim, Boulos Yazigi of Syria, Sbn. John, Gov. Hogan, Benedict, Benjamin, Daniel, Noah, Alex, Gary, Timothy, Vivian, Beatrice, George, Helen, Helen, Geneva, Phoenix, Sydney, Young, Liam, Eleni, Valerie, Charlotte, Anastasia, Valentina, Linda, Susan, Michael, Elizabeth, Noah, Tommy, Thomas, Johann, Mat. Alexandra, Judith, Maggie, Frank, Karley, Christina, the Church in Georgia, Romania as they address the relativism of the West, speaking the truth in love, our persecuted brethren around the world, peace in Syria.
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 6
The Angelic Powers were at Thy tomb; // the guards became as deadmen. // Mary stoodby Thy grave, // seeking Thy most pure body. // Thou didst capture hell not being tempted by it.
Thou didst come to the Virgin, granting life.//
O Lord, Who didst rise from the dead, glory to Thee.
Troparion (Holy Seven Youths of Ephesus)Tone 4
Thy seven holy martyrs, O Lord, // through their sufferings have received incorruptible crowns from Thee, our God.
For having Thy strength they laid low their adversaries,
and shattered the powerless boldness of demons.//
Through their intercessions, saveour souls!
Troparion (Angels) Tone 4
O Commanders of the heavenly hosts, // we who are unworthy beseechyou: // by your prayers encompass us beneath the wings of your immaterial glory, // and faithfully preserve us who fall down and cryto 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 Godof all.
Kontakion (Holy Seven Youths of Ephesus)Tone 4
The Seven Holy Youths renounced the perishing comforts of this world, // preferring the eternal things of Heaven.
They were incorrupt after death and rosefrom the dead
and buried the snares of the devils.// O Faithful, let us then honor them, singing a hymn of praiseto Christ!
Kontakion (Angels) Tone 2
Commanders of God’s armiesand ministers of the divine glory,//princes of the bodiless Angelsandguidesof mankind//askfor what is good for us, and for great mercy,//O Supreme Commanders of the Bodiless Hosts.
~Glory to God for All Things!~
