The three weeks before the start of Great Lent (the Triodion) has begun with the Parable of the Publican and Pharisee. Christ thrusts before us a stark contrast between the prideful, judgmental, self-righteous Pharisee and the humble, self-effacing, repentant Publican. Like the Pharisee, we can too easily find ourselves following all the ‘rules’ of Lent—fasting, services, alms-giving without allowing these tools to penetrate our hearts, to produce in us the kind of humility the Publican exemplifies and which is so pleasing to our Lord. The righteous acts of the Pharisee are good, but only if they serve to further His love of God and neighbor, only if they produce in him the humility that is needed for repentance and communion with God. The sins of the Publican don’t condemn him because he confesses them in humility before the Lord who alone loves mankind and restores his soul. While not abandoning those suffering from the ravages of sin-sickness or confronting sin when needed for the sake of their souls, we don’t judge; that is, we don’t condemn our brother. There is one judge—God—and He alone sees into the hearts and souls of us all. May Christ God continue to form in us a spirit of humility and contrition for our sins and offenses, that as we approach the ‘spiritual hospital’ of Lent, we may make fruitful progress on our journey with Christ and in His Kingdom, keeping our focus on Christ and our need to conform ourselves more and more to His holy likeness! In His love, Fr. Robert+
House Blessings
During the season of house blessings, we invite Christ into our homes to set them aside for blessing and protection, and to make them places manifesting Christ’s light, peace, truth, and love. This season is almost past so please contact Fr. Robert right away if you would like to receive this blessing.
THIS WEEK AT HOLY ARCHANGELS:
- Mon, Feb. 2, 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy, Great Feast of the Meeting of Christ in the Temple
- Wednesday, Feb 4, 7 p.m., Applied Orthodox Discussion, John’s Boathouse
- Sat, Feb. 7, 6:00 p.m. Great Vespers Confession offered following the service.
- Sun, Feb. 8, 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy, Sunday of Trapeza following
We welcome our newest brother in Christ, Ioane, baptized into Christ and chrismated Sunday, 1 February. God grant you, your parents, Rdr. Zenon and Nino, godparents Seraphim and Ilaria, Many Years!
Looking Ahead: Mark your Calendars!
- Sun, Feb. 15, Sunday of Meatfare, Trapeza, Annual Mission Meeting
- Sun, Feb. 22, Cheesefare/Forgiveness Sunday: Trapeza. Vespers with Rite of Forgiveness
- Mon, Feb., 23, Clean Monday, GREAT LENT begins
- Wed, Feb. 25, 6:30 p.m., First PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY, St. John’s Boathouse
- Sat-Sun., March 28-29, Lenten Retreat with His Beatitude, Metropolitan TIKHON
December Financial Report: Holy Archangels received a total of $3,681 in offerings in December. $2500 was pledged. $29193 was received in offerings from Jan. – Dec. 2014. The annual budgeted amount based on pledges was $30,000. The new year of pledging has started: Please stay current with your pledges/offerings. Thank God for His provision and your faithful support, which insures that our Mission can continue and grow! The Holy Archangels Mission Council
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 Robert
- Metropolitan Isaiah of Georgia, Archpriest George, Priest John, Dcn. Basil, Rdr. John, Benedict, James, Daniel, Seraphim, Ed, Bede, Wanda, George, Daniel, the Church in Georgia and Romania as they address the relativism of the West, speaking the truth in love, our persecuted Orthodox brethren in Iraq and Syria, a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine., for those suffering from the Ebola epidemic and a speedy end to the disease.
Troparion (Resurrection)Tone 1
When the stone had been sealed by the Jews,//while the soldiers were guarding Thy most pure body,
Thou didst rise on the third day, O Savior, // granting life to the world.
The powers of heaven therefore cried to Thee, O Giver of Life:
“Glory to Thy Resurrection, O Christ! // Glory to Thy Kingdom!//
Glory to Thy dispensation, O thou who lovest of mankind!”
Troparion (Forefeast)Tone 1
The celestial choir of heavenly Angels // bends down to the earth
and sees the First-born of all creation being carried into the Temple as a babe
by a Mother who has not known man, // and in amazement they sing along with us//
a hymn of the forefeast.
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 (Triodion)Tone 4
Let us free from the pride of the pharisee, // and let us learn humility from the publican’s tears.
Let us cry to our Savior: // Have mercy on us, // O only merciful one.
Kontakion (Forefeast) Tone 6
The Word unseen with the Father, // now is seen in the flesh, ineffably born of the Virgin,
and is given into the arms of the priest and Elder.// Let us worship Him, our True God.
