Pride is one of those vices easy to come by and for this reason it’s so evident in our fallen world around us. Pride manifests itself in increasing self-focus, ego, and disregard for the value and divine image of those around us, leading to a great many sins. Humility, on the other hand, is hard to come by, precisely because it’s so much a virtue of the Kingdom of God, of humanity set right, of a soul conforming himself to Christ. When I think of the supreme examples of humility, God’s Incarnation quickly comes to mind, as does the Virgin Mary’s, yes to God, “may it be done unto me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). On Monday, we also remember St. Nino, Enlightener of Georgia, whose Akathist we prayed Saturday. She, in great humility, preached the word of God to the pagan people of Iberia, and loved that people enough to risk life and limb to save them from spiritual darkness and bring them to the Light of Life, Jesus Christ. Today’s Gospel gives us yet another example of saving humility in the woman from Canaan. She is fixed in faith on Christ. While many of the Jews around Christ, who should recognize Him as their and the world’s only Messiah, reject Him and His authority, this simple woman of faith—a foreigner (one of ‘the least of these’)—knows who Christ is and knows that He alone can grant healing. Do we know how to follow her lead and humble ourselves before God, knowing that as we humble ourselves, we become not only like Him, but are made more fit to be with Him for all eternity?. May Christ God continue to craft in us a desire for more of Him and grant us the humility you and I need for that communion. May we die to self that we may live to Him, knowing that as we humble ourselves, He is the One who lifts us up and exults us (Matt. 23:11).
House Blessings
House blessings are underway! 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 by Feb. 1 with 2 suggested days and times for a house blessing (Mon. and Thurs. he is generally not available).
This week at Holy Archangels:
- TODAY: Memorial Service for Anastasia (40th Day); Sunday School
- v Mondays, Fr. Robert’s Day Off (please don’t contact except for pastoral emergencies)
- v Tuesday, Jan. 28, 12:50-13:20, Sixth Hour prayers, USNA
- v Wednesday, Jan. 29, 9:30 a.m., Mission Council Meeting, Rectory
- v Wednesday, Jan. 29, 6:30, St. John’s Boathouse, Applied Orthodox Theology Discussion— Living toward Dying and Life after Death
- v Saturday, Feb. 1, 6:00 p.m., Great Vespers. Confession following
- v Sunday, Feb. 2, 9:30 Hours, 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy for the Great Feast of the Presentation of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the Temple
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. Michael, Rdr. John, Rdr. Zenon, 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 suffering brethren in Ukraine.
- The departed Mat. Claudia, Charlene (Fr. Robert’s Mother) 9th day, Anastasia, Woodrow.
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 6
The angelic powers were at Your tomb; // the guards became as dead men.
Mary stood by Your grave, // seeking Your most pure body.
You took hell captive, // not being tempted by it.
You came to the Virgin, granting life.// O Lord, Who rose from the dead, glory to You.
Troparion (New Martyrs of Russia) Tone 4
Today the Church of Russia joyfully forms a chorus, // 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 end of the age.
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 6
When Christ God the Giver of Life,
raised all of the dead from the valleys of misery with His mighty hand,
He bestowed resurrection on the human race.//
He is the Savior of all, the Resurrection, the Life, and the God of all.
Kontakion (New Martyrs of Russia) Tone 3
Today the new martyrs of Rus’ stand in white robes before the Lamb of 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 strength be to our God // unto the ages of ages. Amen.”
Kontakion (Holy Archangels) Tone 2
Commanders of God’s armies // and ministers of the divine glory,
