Weekly Update and Bulletin From Fr. Robert Miclean – December 16, 2012

28th Sunday after Pentecost (Sunday of the Forefathers/Prophet Haggai)

Welcome to Holy Archangels Orthodox Church (OCA)! We’re glad to have you worshipping the Holy Trinity with us! If you are new or are worshiping with us for the first time, please introduce yourself to our priest, Fr. Robert Miclean, after the service.

The murder of twenty children and six adults in Connecticut has deeply grieved us. We ask ourselves, how can anyone target little children? Any of us, and particularly any of us with small children, cannot fathom how anyone could harm them. Another reason we are so shaken by the loss of such precious life is our inability to comprehend such violence in general. Police and the public at large look for a ‘motive.’ Likely, one will never be found. Why? Because of the nature of the crime, we know the cause: the evil one, Satan, and his minions. He is the murderer of man, the one who tempted Eve to sin, Cain to murder his brother. He is behind all dehumanization and all crimes against these little ones who are so precious in God’s sight. Wherever senseless violence and murder is present, we know it is demonic. It is likely that the perpetrator of this crime was demon-possessed. Recognizing this attack as such does not comfort us, but it does remind us that this diabolical attack is not ‘random.’ There is a cause: it demonstrates the hopelessness of nihilism, of those who reject the life in God alone, and the consequences for our society where humanism is promoted in place of faith in the living God. Our world seems to becoming more nihilistic, more secular. As it does so, such violence will likely only increase–unless and until hearts change and people turn to God for hope and purpose in the life that He alone is. We need to pray for the victims and their families. We also need to share Christ’s love and the hope we have in us with those around us, that we may be part of creating a culture of life, healing, and hope. In the end, our faith in God the Holy Trinity is our best defense against such violence, despair, and hopelessness we may see around us. Similarly, God alone through His Holy Spirit is the only One who can bring comfort and healing from such tragedy and demonic violence.

May our Lord Jesus Christ bless you this holy season of preparation!
In His love, Fr. Robert+

This week at Holy Archangels:

  • Saturday, Dec. 22, 6 p.m., Great Vespers with the Matins Gospel. Confession following.
  • Sunday, Dec. 23, 9:30 a.m. Hours, Divine Liturgy, Sunday before Nativity, followed by Trapeza.

Looking Ahead: Save the Dates!

  • Monday, Dec. 24, 10:30 a.m. , ROYAL HOURS for the Eve of Nativity
  • Monday, Dec. 24, 10:30 p.m., NATIVITY of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ, followed by festive Trapeza for the Feast.
  • Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013, 5 p.m. Vigil for the Eve of THEOPHANY with the GREAT BLESSING OF WATER (strict fast day—bring a jar for holy water)
  • Sunday, Jan. 6, 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy for the Feast of THEOPHANY followed by caravan to the Annapolis City Dock for the Blessing of the waters.
  • Saturday, January 12, 3 p.m., Baby Shower for Nini!

Prayer Requests:

  • Pray for the victims of the Connecticut school shooting and their families
  • Please pray for our Mission that we may find a full-time Choir Director.
  • Please pray for Azariah (Brian) as he looks for a teaching position.
  • Healing for Fr. George Johnson, Viorica, Benedict, Vera, Marina, Colette, Mary, Leah and her baby, Katherine.

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 (Forefathers)Tone 2
Through faith You justified the Forefathers,
betrothing through them the Church of the gentiles.
These saints exult in glory,
for from their seed came forth a glorious fruit:
she who bore You without seed.//
So by their prayers, O Christ God, have mercy on us!
O greatly compassionate One, glory to You!

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 (Forefathers) Tone 6*
You did not worship the graven image,
O thrice-blessed ones,
but armed with the immaterial Essence of God,
you were glorified in a trial by fire.
From the midst of unbearable flames you called on God, crying:
“Hasten, O compassionate One!
Speedily come to our aid,//
for You are merciful and able to do as You will!”

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.