St. Paul describes the faith of the Saints of old and what they endured for the sake of the truth of God, saying, 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). His reference could equally apply to the Saints of North America whom we commemorate today: at great personal cost, they brought the true faith of Christ to North America, becoming the “fishers of men” Christ calls all of us to be by virtue of our baptism into Christ. Through their saintly lives and denial of self—their cross—they witnessed to the truth of Christ in this land so that our forefathers in this land could come to the knowledge and love of God, keep the true Faith in this land, and spread it through evangelization. Two of these Saints, after serving as missionaries for many years here, Saints Innocent and Tikhon, went on to become Metropolitan and Patriarch of Moscow, respectively. Another, St. John Kochurov, who served as priest in America for many years, was the first to be martyred by the Bolsheviks upon returning from America to serve the Church in Russia.
If we are to be faithful to Christ’s calling on our lives, we too need to be ready to prioritize our life in Christ and in His Church above all else—not only in imitation of the heritage of the Saints who’ve come before us, but in obedience to Christ’s command (“Go, therefore, and make disciples…”) and for love of Christ. Indeed, it’s because of our love for God that we are willing to endure and suffer all for the sake of the Gospel, to faithfully witness to the truth in our age, to give sacrificially to the building up of Christ’s Church, to repent and live a life compatible with the Kingdom of God.
Christ is in our midst! Fr. Robert+
THIS WEEK AT HOLY ARCHANGELS:
- Today: Hours, 9:30 a.m., Divine Liturgy, 10 a.m., Robert presents on OCMC Mission to Moldova during Trapeza.
- Wednesday, June 17, 10 a.m., Mission Council Meeting, Rectory
- Saturday, June 20, 6 p.m., Great Vespers
- Sunday, June 21, 9:30 a.m., Hours, 10 am Divine Liturgy, followed by Trapeza
Mark your Calendar!
- Monday, June 29, Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Apostles, Saints Peter and Paul
- Sunday, July 5, Plebe Summer ministry begins at the USNA
Prayer Requests:
- That God may grow our Mission “in spirit and in numbers…”
- For God’s financial provision for our Mission and ACM (Annapolis College Ministry);
- Newly-departed Paraskeva, Harvy (father of Frank Greenwell)
- Metropolitan Isaiah of Georgia, Archpriest George, Priest John, Dcn. Basil, Rdr. John, Benedict, James, Daniel, Seraphim, Ed, Bede, Wanda, Eric, George, Daniel, Ed, Ann, the Church in Georgia & Romania as they address the relativism of the West, speaking the truth in love, our persecuted brethren in Iraq & Syria, a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine., those suffering from Ebola and a speedy end to the disease.
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 1
When the stone had been sealed by the Jews,//while the soldiers were guarding Thy most pure body,
Thou didst rise on the third day, O Savior, // granting life to the world.
The powers of heaven therefore cried to Thee, O Giver of Life:
“Glory to Thy Resurrection, O Christ! // Glory to Thy Kingdom!//
Glory to Thy dispensation, O thou who lovest of mankind!”
Troparion (All Saints of North America) Tone 8
As the bountiful harvest of Thy sowing of salvation,
the lands of North America offer to Thee, 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, Thou didst rise from the tomb in glory, // raising the world with Thyself.
Human nature praises Thee as God, for death has vanished. // Adam exults, O Master!
Eve rejoices, for she is freed from bondage and cries to Thee://
“Thou art 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.
