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, and 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, being Himself humble. 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 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 soul, 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, not looking at our brother, but keeping our focus on Christ and our need to conform ourselves more and more to His holy likeness!
House Blessings
House blessings need to be completed during the Triodion (i.e., before Lent). We invite Christ into our homes to bless them and pray God to make them places of His light, peace, truth, and love. Please contact Fr. Robert ASAP with 2 suggested days and times for a house blessing.
This week at Holy Archangels:
- v Sunday, Feb. 9, Panikhida for Rdr. Michael, Fist Moving Sub-Committee, Sunday School
- v Mondays, Fr. Robert’s Day Off (please don’t contact except for pastoral emergencies)
- v Tuesday, Feb. 11, 12:50-13:20, Sixth Hour prayers, USNA
- v Wednesday, Feb. 13, 6:30, St. John’s College Boathouse, Applied Orthodox Theology Discussion—“I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.” (John 6)
- v Saturday, Feb. 15, 6:00 p.m., Great Vespers. Confession following.
- v Sunday, Feb. 16, 9:30 Hours, 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy, Sunday of the Prodigal Son
Save the Dates:
- Sat., Feb. 15, 10 a.m., Holy Archangels Sisterhood breakfast, Leeward Market, Eastport
- Sun., Feb. 16, Memorial Service for newly-departed Charlene, 40th day, Annual Meeting
- Sun., Feb. 23, Sunday of the Last Judgment, Meatfare, SUNDAY SCHOOL
- Sun., March 2, Forgiveness Sunday, Cheesefare, followed by the RITE of FORGIVENESS.
- Mon., March 3, “Clean Monday,” GREAT LENT BEGINS!
- Wed., March 5, 6:30 p.m.,FIRST PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY, Lenten potluck, St. Martin’s
Prayer Requests:
- That God may grow our Mission “in spirit and in numbers…”
- For God’s continued financial provision for our Mission and our college ministry, ACM;
- For our Mission that we may find a Choir Director;
- Archpriest George, Archpriest Michael, Priest John, Dcn. Basil, Rdr. John, Benedict, Colette, Mary, Carol, Katherine, James, Daniel, Sarah, Seraphim, Ed, the Church in Georgia and Romania as they address the relativism of the West, speaking the truth in love, our suffering Orthodox brethren in Syria, the nuns and orphans of St. Thekla Monastery abducted by Syrian terrorist rebels, our brethren in Ukraine.
- The newly-departed Reader Michael, Mat. Claudia, Charlene (Fr. Robert’s Mother)
- Elguja, 3-year Anniversary
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 8
You descended from on high, O Merciful One!
You accepted the three day burial to free us from our sufferings!//
O Lord, our Life and Resurrection, glory to You!
Troparion (Meeting of the Lord) Tone 1
Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, Full of Grace!
From you shone the Sun of Righteousness, ^Christ our God,
enlightening those who sat in darkness. // Rejoice and be glad, O righteous Elder,
you accepted in your arms the ^Redeemer of our souls, // Who grants us the Resurrection!
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 4
Let us flee from the pride of the Pharisee!Let us learn humility from the Publican’s tears! //
Let us cry to our Savior: “Have mercy on us,// O only merciful One!”
Kontakion (Meeting of the Lord) Tone 1
By Your Nativity You sanctified the Virgin’s womb
and blessed Simeon’s hands, ^O Christ God. // Now You have come and saved us through love.
Grant peace to all Orthodox Christians, // O only Lover of Man!
