Today we reflect on Christ’s miraculous healing of the blind man. The blind man repeatedly and undauntedly calls after Christ God for His mercy, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Undeterred by those who would silence him, the man catches Christ’s attention who rewards him for his faith in the living God, who alone is able to heal our bodies and our souls. We ask ourselves this day the question, where is my ‘blindness’? Is there any spiritual blindness that I suffer from. Where it is discovered, we have the opportunity to beseech God in like manner, as did the blind man, and to call after Christ God with all that we have for His healing. This desire is the beginning of faith through which God can work His salvation in our lives and give us the spiritual sight we need to progress in His Kingdom, conquering vices and gaining in the virtues that are reflective of an inheritor of eternal life in Christ’s holy and near presence.
In Christ’s love,
Fr. Robert+
House Blessings
The season of house blessings is underway. We invite Christ into our homes to set them aside, to bless them, and pray God to make them places manifesting Christ’s light, peace, truth, and love. Please contact Fr. Robert ASAP with two suggested days and times for a house blessing. He will do his best to accommodate you (n.b., On Mondays and Thursdays he is generally not available).
This week at Holy Archangels:
- v Tuesday, Jan 21, 12:50-13:20, Sixth Hour prayers, USNA
- v Wednesday, Jan 22, 6:30, St. John’s Boathouse, Applied Orthodox Theology Discussion—How do we live out our Orthodox belief in the “Sanctity of all human life”?
- v Saturday, Jan 25 , 6:00 p.m., Great Vespers. Confession following
- v Sunday, Jan 26, 9:30 Hours, 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy
- v Sunday, Jan. 26, Following Trapeza, Akathist to St. Nino, Feast of St. Nino of Georgia
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;
- Archpriest George, Archpriest Michael, Priest John, Deacon Basil, Rdr. Michael, Rdr. John, Benedict, Colette, Mary, Tina, 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, for our suffering Orthodox brethren in Syria and Egypt, the nuns and orphans of St. Thekla Monastery abducted by Syrian terrorist rebels.
- The departed Mat. Claudia, Charlene (Fr. Robert’s Mother) 9th day, Anastasia, Woodrow.
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 5
Let us, the faithful, praise and worship the Word, // co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit,
born for our salvation from the Virgin; // for He willed to be lifted up on the Cross in the flesh,
to endure death, // and to raise the dead// by His glorious Resurrection.
Troparion (St Macarius of Egypt) Tone 1
Dweller of the desert and angel in the body
You were shown to be a wonder-worker, our God-bearing Father Macarius.
You received heavenly gifts through fasting, vigil, and prayer;
healing the sick and the souls of those drawn to you by faith.
Glory to Him Who gave you strength! // Glory to Him Who granted you a ^crown!
Glory to Him Who through you grants healing to all!
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 (Resurrection) Tone 5
You descended into hell, O my Savior, // shattering its gates as Almighty,
resurrecting the dead as Creator, // and destroying the sting of death.
You have delivered Adam from the curse, O Lover of Man,//
and we cry to You: “O Lord, save us!”
Kontakion (Venerable Macarius the Great of Egypt) Tone 4
The Lord truly placed you in the house of abstinence,
as a star enlightening the ends of the earth, // Venerable Macarius, Father of Fathers.
Kontakion of the Feast Tone 4
Today You have shone forth to the world, O Lord,
and the light of Your countenance has been marked on us. // Knowing You, we sing Your praises.
You have come and revealed Yourself,// O unapproachable Light.
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
