On Luke 2:25-26: For the righteous Simeon, his one desire is to see and hold the babe Christ, the long-awaited Messiah made flesh, before he dies. God, by His mercy, grants his heart’s desire. Here too, we see that singular desire to see Christ, to be with Christ, to encounter Christ, to be in His near presence.
Zaccheaus too has something we always need more of: single-minded zeal to see the Lord. He is bent on seeing Him, being near Him. Zaccheaus, whatever his past sins and trans-gressions, refuses to let them hinder him in his quest to see God. There aren’t any promises that anything else will happen, just that maybe he will see Christ. That’s all. That’s his hope and faith—and that means everything to him because Christ is God, He is the life of all. Christ comes to him and says, “Zaccheaus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” We do well to follow their example in prioritizing our own lives. The Lord’s blessing, Fr. Robert+
House Blessings: Today begins the season of house blessings: The faithful invite Christ into their homes to have them blessed and to pray God to make them places manifesting Christ’s light, peace, truth, and love, harbors in the midst of the storm of the world, places of refuge for our souls. House blessings are a testimony to what we believe as Orthodox Christians. Please contact Fr. Robert as soon as possible with two suggested days and times for a house blessing. He will do his best to accommodate you.
TIME, TALENT, TREASURE: First Fruits Pledge 2020.
Throughout time, God’s people have given back to God a tenth, i.e., a Tithe, of all they had. In the early Church, some gave away all to build up the Church and glorify God. While as Christians we recognize that everything belongs to God, the tithe is an important way to open our hearts to God, to learn to love God more, to step forward in faith and trust in God. Please offer your “Time, Talent, Treasure” pledge today, knowing that God will give you much more in return. “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” (II Cor. 9:6)
THIS WEEK at HOLY ARCHANGELS:
- TODAY 9:30 am, Hours, 10 am, Divine Liturgy,Trapeza, Annual Meeting
- Wed., Feb. 4, 6 p.m.,Daily Vespers
- Wed., Feb. 4, 7 p.m., New 4-week Bible Study: The Psalms of the Hours. This week: 3rdHour
- Sat., Feb. 8, 6 p.m.,Great Vespers, (Confession offered)
- Sun., Feb. 9, 9:30 am, Hours, 10, Divine Liturgy, Trapeza
Looking Ahead: Important/Mark your Calendars!
- Sun., 1 March,Sunday of Forgiveness, Cheesefare,Vespers and Rite of Forgiveness
- Mon., 2 March,Clean Monday, 1stDay of Great Lent!
- Mon., 2 March, 6 p.m., First part, Canon of St. Andrew
- Tues., 3 March, 6 p.m., 2nd part, Canon of St. Andrew
- Wed., 4 March, 6:30 pm, 1st Presanctified Liturgy, trapeza
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.
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: Archpriest George the Confessor, Gabriel, Rafael, Serafim, Basil, Rdr. Michael
- Met. Isaiah of Georgia, Archbishops Yohanna Ibrahim, Boulos Yazigi of Syria, Sbn. John, Benedict, Benjamin, Daniel, Noah, Alex, Gary, Timothy, Vivian, Beatrice, George, Helen, Helen, Sydney, Young, Valerie, Anastasia, Valentina, Linda, Susan, Michael, Elizabeth, Noah, Tommy, Thomas, Mat. Alexandra, Judith, Maggie, Frank, Karley, Christina, Erin, Joseph, James, Julie, Elaine, Steven, Lia, Jordan, the Church in Georgia, Romania as they battle the relativism of the West, speaking the truth in love, our persecuted brethren in the Middle East, peace in Syria.
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 7
By Thy CrossThou didst destroy death. // To the thief Thou didst open Paradise. // For the Myrrhbearers Thou didst change weeping into joy, // and Thou didst command Thy disciples, O ChristGod, // to proclaimthat Thou art risen,//
granting the worldgreat mercy.
Troparion (New Martyrs of Russia) Tone 4
Today the Church of Russia forms a chorus in joy, // praising her new martyrs and confessors; // hierarchs and priests, royal passion-bearers,right-believing princes and princesses//venerable men and women, and all Orthodox Christians. // Having laid down their life for faith in Christ during the days of godless persecution, // they preserved the truth by the shedding of blood.// By their protection, O long-suffering Lord, preserve our land in Orthodoxy till the endof the age.
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 7
The dominion of death can no longer hold men captive,
for Christ descended, shattering and destroying its powers.
Hell is bound, while the Prophets rejoiceand cry:
“The Savior has come to thosein faith;//
enter, you faithful, into the Resurrection!”
Kontakion (New Martyrs of Russia) Tone 3
Today the new martyrs of Rus’ stand in white robes before the Lambof God, // and with the angels they sing to God the hymn of victory: // “Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and praise, and honor, // and power, and strengthbe to our God
unto theages of ages. Amen.” Glory to God for All Things!
