St. Paul describes the faith of the Saints of old and what they endured for the sake of the truth of God as follows, they: “subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong… Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They … were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented of whom the world was not worthy” (Hebrews 11:33-38). St. Paul’s reference to the Saints of the Old Testament could equally apply to the Saints of North America whom we commemorate today. They brought the one true faith of Christ to North America, becoming the “fishers of men” at great personal cost. Through their saintly lives and denial of self, they witnessed to the truth of Christ so that our forefathers in this land could come likewise to the knowledge and love of God. Two of them, after serving as missionaries for many years in this land, Saints Innocent and Tikhon, went on to become Metropolitan and Patriarch of Moscow, respectively. So, fittingly, we share this day with the Saints of Russia as well, declaring the same faith. Christ calls us likewise to become “fishers of men” like them, to love God and our fellow man to such an extent that we are willing to ‘die to self’ in order to gain and proclaim Christ in this world that is in such great need of His healing and salvation. We do so by prioritizing our life in Christ and His holy Church above all else. Christ and His life through the Church are not meant to be a tangential part of our life in the world, but our first love. Only in this way, by prioritizing our communion with God the Holy Trinity above all else, can we hope to make the spiritual progress that life with God necessitates. Rejoice holy Saints of North America and pray for the souls of us sinners!
Christ is in our midst! Fr. Robert+
This week at Holy Archangels:
- v Friday, July 12, 7 p.m., Plebe Summer Ministry (incoming class) at the USNA
- v Saturday, July 13, 6 p.m. Readers Vespers with Rdr. Zenon .
- v Sunday, July 14, 9 a.m., Plebe Summer Ministry at the USNA
- v Sunday, July 14, 9:30 a.m. Hours, Confession offered 10 am Divine Liturgy, All Saints of North America
Looking Ahead:
v Sunday, July 21, Planning Meeting for Romania Pilgrimage 2014, Following Trapeza.
Prayer Requests:
- That God may grow our Mission in spirit and in numbers as a living witness of God’s love, healing, power, and glory;”
- For God’s ongoing financial provision for our Mission;
- For our Mission that we may find a Choir Director;
- Healing for Archpriest George, Priest John, Benedict, Marina, Colette, Mary, Carol, Katherine, James, Charlene, Daniel, Adele, Michael Anthony, Alethia, Rdr. Andrew, Sarah, the Church in Georgia and Romania as they address the relativism of the West, speaking the truth in love, our suffering Orthodox brothers and sisters in Syria and Egypt.
- For the faithfully departed: Archimandrite Iustin, Matushka Tatiana
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 1
When the stone had been sealed by the Jews,
while the soldiers were guarding Your most pure ^body,
You rose on the third day, O Savior, granting life to the world.
The powers of heaven therefore cried to You, O Giver of Life:
“Glory to Your Resurrection, O Christ! // Glory to Your ^Kingdom!//
Glory to Your dispensation, O Lover of mankind!”
Troparion (All Saints of North America) Tone 8
As the bountiful harvest of Your sowing of salvation,
the lands of North America offer to You, O Lord, all the saints who have shone in them.
By their prayers keep the Church and our land in abiding peace
through the Theotokos, O most Merciful One!
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 1
As God, You rose from the tomb in glory, // raising the world with Yourself.
Human nature praises You as God, for death has vanished. // Adam exults, O Master!
Eve rejoices, for she is freed from bondage and cries to You://
“You are the Giver of Resurrection to all, O Christ!”
Kontakion (All Saints of North America) Tone 3
Today the choir of Saints who were pleasing to God in the lands of North America
now stands before us in the Church and invisibly prays to God for us.
With them the Angels glorify Him,
and all the Saints of the Church of Christ keep festival with them;
and together they all pray for us to the Pre-eternal God.
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.
