“Today the waters of the Jordan are transformed into healing by the coming of the Lord. Today the transgressions of men are washed away by the waters of the Jordan… Today we have been delivered from darkness and illuminated with the light of the knowledge of God. Today the blinding mist of the world is dispersed by the Epiphany of our God. Today the whole creation shines with light from on high. Today error is laid love and the coming of the Master has made for us a way of salvation. Today things above keep feast with things below, and things below commune with things above.”—From “the Great Blessing of the Waters”
House Blessings
Monday begins the season of house blessings. We invite Christ into our homes to set them aside another year, to bless them, and pray God to make them places manifesting Christ’s light, peace, truth, and love. Please contact Fr. Robert this month with two suggested days and times for a house blessing as soon as possible. He will do his best to accommodate you (n.b., Mondays and Thursdays he is generally not availabe).
This week at Holy Archangels:
v Following Trapeza TODAY: the Great Blessing of Water at the City Dock in Annapolis (Strict Fast—no flesh meats, dairy; wine, olive oil allowed). Please join us as we witness to the truth of our Faith and Christ’s holy Baptism in the waters of the Jordan!
v Monday, Jan. 6, 9 a.m., AbbreviatedMatins followed by the Divine Liturgy of THEOPHANY
- Great Blessing of the Waters for the Faithful (bring your jar for holy water), Feasting Trapeza to follow.
v Saturday, Jan 11 , 6:00 p.m., Great Vespers. Confession following and First Saturday Potluck Dinner and Fellowship.
v Sunday, Jan 12, 9:30 Hours, 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy for Afterfeast of Theophany
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, Lance, Colette, Mary, Carol, Katherine, James, Charlene, Claudia, 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 Lelia, Woodrow, and Anastasia.
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 of the Forefeast Tone 4
The river Jordan was turned back by the mantle of Elisha,
after Elijah had been taken up to heaven. // The waters were parted in two,
and the stream became a dry path. // This was truly a type of baptism,
by which we pass over the stream of life.//
Christ has shone forth in the Jordan to sanctify the waters.
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 3
On this day You rose from the tomb, O Merciful One, // leading us from the gates of death.
On this day Adam exults as Eve rejoices; // with the Prophets and Patriarchs//
they unceasingly praise the divine majesty of Your power.
Kontakion of the Forefeast Tone 4
Today the Lord enters the Jordan and cries out to John:
“Do not be afraid to baptize me,// for I come to save Adam, the first-formed man!”
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
