St. Athanasius writes, “It was in the power of none other to turn the corruptible to incorruption, except the Savior Himself, that had at the beginning also made all things out of nought: and that none other could create anew the likeness of God’s image for men, save the Image of the Father…” (4th century, On the Incarnation). The Word became fully human while remaining fully God. He assumed complete human nature: body, soul, will, and emotion, to enter into this human nature of ours and vivify it, make it alive again as only God could. He invites all humanity to be renewed in His likeness and become part of the new deified race of Adam through new birth, of water and the spirit (John 3). We look to Christ, the Author and Finisher of our faith, who is become incarnate for our sake, for our salvation, to make us into the adopted sons and daughters of His Father and our Father, co-heirs of His eternal Kingdom. This is the “good news” we celebrate this week, beginning today on this Sunday before Nativity, the Sunday of the Ancestors of Christ—righteous men and women, sinners, who chose to follow the way of God’s revelation and become inheritors of eternal life in Him. May you and I choose the same path and thereby overcome the world and all that would otherwise separate us from Him who is Eternal Life! This Yes to God’s work in our own lives is the victory we celebrate at Nativity.
This week at Holy Archangels:
v Tuesday, Dec. 24, NATIVITY IN THE FLESH OF OUR LORD GOD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST
- 10:30 a.m., Royal Hours of the Feast of the Nativity
- 10:30 p.m., Vesperal Divine Liturgy of the Feast, Carols and Feasting Meal
- NO FASTING from Dec. 25-Jan. 4.
v Saturday, Dec. 28 , 6:00 p.m., Great Vespers. Confession following
v Sunday, Dec. 29, 9:30 Hours, 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy, Afterfeast of the Nativity of Christ, Joseph the Betrothed, King David, Apostle James
Looking Ahead/Mark Your Calendars for these Special Events:
- Thursday, Jan. 2, 5:30-8:30 p.m., “Colinde”—An Evening of Caroling, Joy, and Feasting at the Rectory. Please bring a main or side dish as this will be a potluck! Contact Psa. Krissy: KrissyMiclean@gmail.com (1353 Tydings Rd. Annapolis, MD)
- Sun., Jan. 5, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, EVE OF THEOPHANY (Christ’s Baptism)
v Following Trapeza: the Great Blessing of Water at the City Dock in Annapolis (Strict Fast—no flesh meats, dairy, wine, olive oil)
- Monday, Jan. 6, ROYAL HOURS followed by the Divine Liturgy of THEOPHANY
v Great Blessing of the Waters for the Faithful (bring your jar for holy water), Feasting Trapeza to follow.
Prayer Requests:
- That God may grow our Mission “in spirit and in numbers as a living witness of His love, healing, power, and glory;”
- For God’s continued financial provision for our Mission and our college ministry, ACM;
- For our Mission that we may find a Choir Director;
- Healing for Metropolitan TIKHON, Archpriest George, Archpriest Michael, Priest John, Deacon Basil, Deacon Michael, Rdr. Michael, Rdr. John, Benedict, Lance, Colette, Mary, Carol, Katherine, James, Charlene, Claudia, Daniel, Michael Anthony, Sarah, Seraphim, Ed, 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, the nuns and orphans of St. Thekla Monastery abducted by Syrian terrorist rebels.
- The departed Lelia and Woodrow.
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 1
When the stone had been sealed by the Jews,
while the soldiers were guarding Your most pure ^body,
You rose on the third day, O Savior, granting life to the world.
The powers of heaven therefore cried to You, O Giver of Life:
“Glory to Your Resurrection, O Christ!
Glory to Your ^Kingdom!// Glory to Your dispensation, O Lover of mankind!”
Troparion (Fathers) Tone 2
Great are the accomplishments of faith,
for the three Holy Youths rejoice in the fountain of flames as though in the waters of rest;
and the Prophet Daniel appeared // a shepherd to the lions as though they were sheep.//
So by their prayers, O Christ God, save our souls!
Troparion of the Forefeast Tone 4
Prepare, O Bethlehem, for Eden has been opened to all!
Adorn yourself, O Ephratha, for the Tree of Life blossoms forth from the Virgin in the cave!
Her womb is a spiritual paradise planted with the Divine Fruit;
if we eat of it, we shall live forever and not die like Adam.//
Christ comes to restore the image which He made in the beginning.
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 (Fathers) Tone 1
Rejoice, O Bethlehem! Prepare yourself, O Ephratha!
The Lamb is on her way to give birth to the Chief Shepherd she carries in her womb.
The God-bearing Forefathers will rejoice, beholding Him,
and with the shepherds, they will glorify the Virgin nursing Him.
Kontakion (Forefeast) Tone 3
Today the Virgin comes to the cave // to give birth to the Eternal Word.
Hear the glad tidings and rejoice, O universe! // Glorify with the Angels and the shepherds
the Eternal God, Who is willing to appear as a little child!
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
