Fathers are often the butt of jokes these days—in commercials, in movies, on TV. If there’s one person in the family who “doesn’t get it,” doesn’t “pull his weight,” is self-centered or stupid, it’s the father. Feminists argue that it’s just that—absentee fathers and fathers fathering but not otherwise providing for their children are rampant. True, but if so, it’s a ‘house’ that our culture (and Feminism) has helped build. Men today are often taught that they have no value in being men, in being fathers, and they have scant role-models to show them how to be men and fathers, and so, dysfunction begets more dysfunction. Many, otherwise confused, give up before they’ve even tried or know how to try. Telling men they are failures doesn’t inspire them to be more.
Thank God, in the Church, the Lord has given us such role-models of godly fatherhood: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, who says a lot about fathering in his repentance as one who fell away from his divine fatherly calling. We remember Tobit, who sacrificed so much in loving his son , family, and neighbors. We also think of Joachim, the father of the Theotokos, who raised her in the fear and love of God; we remember also Basil the Elder, father of St. Gregory of Nyssa and St. Basil the Great, St. Macrina, and St. Peter of Sebaste. Fathers can have such a great influence on the world by prioritizing the things of God with their children, and by courageously modeling the humility and love of God before them .
As we remember the spiritual Fathers of the Church today—those who courageously upheld the Orthodox Faith against the Arians, we also remember in our culture today our departed and living fathers, godfathers, and grandfathers. In doing so, those of us who are fathers or godfathers remember our own calling, granted by God, to love our children with a holy love, with the love of God, to discipline and direct, mentor, and model the Orthodox Christian Faith for them, that they too may be formed in Christ and glorify Him with their lives. May Christ God empower us and the men of His Church to be examples in this and every culture of what godly fatherhood looks like.
In the love and mercy of the risen Christ, Fr. Robert+
This week at Holy Archangels:
- v Saturday, June 22, 6 p.m. Great Vespers with Matins Gospel. Confession following.
- v Sunday, June 23, 9:30 a.m. Hours, 10 am Divine Liturgy, Pentecost Sunday—the “kneeling prayers” will follow Divine Liturgy!
Looking Ahead: Save the Dates!
- v Sunday, June 30, Picnic at the Rectory (Rescheduled) (bring a large blanket and your Trapeza contribution to share for a picnic at the Rectory, 1353 Tydings Rd., Annapolis).
- v Saturday, June 29, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy for the Feast of Ss Peter and Paul
Prayer Requests:
- Pray for God’s ongoing financial provision for our Mission.
- Please pray for our Mission that we may find a Choir Director and that we may continue to grow “in spirit and in numbers as a living witness of God’s love, healing, power, and glory.”
- Healing for Archpriest George, Priest John, Benedict, Marina, Colette, Mary, Carol, Katherine, Katherine, Carey, Hannah, Luke, Caroline, Elizabeth, Carrie, James, Charlene, Daniel, Adele, Michael Anthony, Alethia, Rdr. Andrew, the Church in Georgia.
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 captive hell,// not being tempted by it.
You came to the Virgin, granting life.// O Lord, Who rose from the dead, glory to You.
Troparion (Ascension) Tone 4
You ascended in glory, O Christ our God,
granting joy to Your Disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit.
Through the blessing, they were assured, // that You are the Son of God,//
the Redeemer of the world!
Troparion (Fathers) Tone 8
You are most glorious, O Christ our God!
You have established the Holy Fathers as lights on the earth.
Through them You have guided us to the true Faith.//
O greatly compassionate One, glory to You!
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 (Fathers) Tone 8
The Apostles’ preaching and the Fathers’ doctrines have established one Faith for the Church.
Adorned with the robe of truth, woven from heavenly theology,//
It defines and glorifies the great mystery of piety.
Kontakion (Ascension) Tone 6
When You had fulfilled the dispensation for our sake, // and united earth to heaven,
You ascended in glory, O Christ our God, // not being parted from those who love You,
but remaining with them and crying: // “I am with you, and there is no one against you!”
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.
