One week and counting: that’s how long we have until Holy Lent begins—the Great Fast! We begin now preparing ourselves, body and soul, and our households to make the most of this holy season of fasting and increased prayer that is before us. We do so in order to heal, to grow in Christ, to take a few steps forward in faith and participation in the life in Christ God, so that, arriving at Pascha, we are changed and renewed further into those beloved children of God that He has formed us and called us to be.
In the same manner, Christ places before us today the remembrance of the fearful Last Judgment, when Christ will come again to judge the living and the dead. The timing is neither accidental nor random: Christ through His holy Church knows that it is our Orthodox understanding of sin and judgment that can be not only the catalyst to change, to increased cooperation with the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, but also the vehicle through which that change comes. We keep in remembrance the Last Judgment, so that daily, judging ourselves in light of the Gospel and the revealed life of Christ through His holy Church, we may address the sin-sickness in our lives, find healing for our souls and increased participation in the life of the Holy Trinity, and in this way, hear the words of Christ on the Last Day, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you.” In His love, Fr. Robert+
THIS WEEK AT HOLY ARCHANGELS:
- TODAY, After Liturgy: Thanksgiving Moleban, Trapeza, Annual Mission Meeting
- Wed, Feb 18, NO Applied Orthodox Discussion in preparation for Great Lent.
- Sat, Feb. 21, 6:00 p.m., Great Vespers Confession offered following the service.
- Sun, Feb. 22, 9:30 Hours, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy. Sunday of Cheesefare/Forgiveness Sunday, Trapeza of Cheesefare. ForgivenessVespers with Rite of Forgiveness
Looking Ahead: Mark your Calendars!
- Mon, Feb., 23, Clean Monday, GREAT LENT begins!
- Tues, Feb. 25, 6:30 p.m., First PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY, St. John’s Boathouse
- Wed, March 4, 7 p.m., (please note time/location change), Presanctified Liturgy, St. Martin’s, Fellowship Room A.
- Sat-Sun., March 28-29, LENTEN RETREAT with His Beatitude, Metropolitan TIKHON, entitled, “The Ascetic Disciplines of the Orthodox Life: Baptizing the Culture in an Age of Disbelief.” Please register and see flyer online at our website.
We welcome into the Catechumenate Michael & Natalie Morgan. Pray for them as they journey to holy illumination!
January Financial Report: Holy Archangels received a total of $1,833 in offerings in January. $2333 was pledged. We have made our pledges to God, which is something we are to take very seriously. Please make up any pledges not made in January and stay current with your pledges/offerings. Thank God for His provision and your faithful offerings, 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, newly-illumined Ioane, 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., those suffering from the Ebola epidemic and a speedy end to the disease.
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 (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 (from the Lenten Triodion) Tone 1
When Thou, O God, shalt come to earth with glory, // all things shall tremble,
and the river of fire shall flow before Thy judgment seat;
the books shall be opened, and the hidden things disclosed;
then deliver me from the unquenchable fire,//
and make me worthy to stand at Thy right hand, O Righteous Judge!
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.
