The blind man sat begging at the Temple every day, known to all. Christ God visits him and restores his sight, revealing Himself as God. The miracle is even more remarkable than it first seems: Not only has no one ever opened the eyes of one born blind before, BUT, as the Holy Fathers tell us, this man was born without eyes. Not only did Christ God, the Word of God through Whom all things were made and all life came forth, open the blind man’s eyes, He madeeyes for the blind man, which He then opened. Just as our first parent, Adam, was taken from the clay and made alive, so Jesus takes clay and makes eyes for the blind man. Remarkable! There is a clear parallel here to the first creation of man, but here there is even more: Christ God not only gives the blind man physical eyes, not only does He then open those eyes so the blind man can see, but even more importantly, He gives him the sight within—He awakens and illumines the blind man’s immortal soul, giving Him a living encounter with God, revealing Himself to him as Messiah, and bringing him to the knowledge and love of Him. The blind man comes to faith in the living God; he receives spiritual sight and worships God, his Creator, the only Lover of mankind. But he doesn’t stop there: he testifies boldly before the Pharisees, not fearing their wrath, for the sake of the truth of Christ and His life-giving power. For his testimony, the formerly blind man is thrown out of the synagogue. Lord, give each of us such courage to boldly and courageously testify to the truth of our life in Him, of the miracles He is working in us for our deification and salvation. With the blind man, we cry to God to illumine us as well and save us through repentance! Christ is risen! Fr. Robert+
2019 Pledges/Commitments. We give back a “first fruits” pledge to Christ from what He’s so mercifully given and entrusted to us. Everything we have is a gracious gift from God. Let us be as those servants who used their talentswisely and to God’s glory (Matt. 25:23). If you have not done so yet, please offer your pledge of talents today. To grow in faith and grow our Mission “in spirit and in numbers,” please give generously and faithfully. (II Cor. 9:7).
THIS WEEK at HOLY ARCHANGELS
- TODAY 9:30Hours, 10 Divine Liturgy, Trapeza
- Wed. June 5 ,6:30pm Vesperal Divine Liturgy, Holy Ascension (please note change in service schedule)
- Sat. June 8, 6pm, Great VespersConfession following
- Sun., June 9, 9:30 a.m., Hours, 10 Divine Liturgy, Trapeza,
Looking Ahead…Mark your Calendars!
- Wed., June 12, 6:45,Bible/Patristics Study Resumes
- Sat., June 15, 3 p.m.,Annual Pentecost Picnic at the Rectory(1353 Tydings Rd., BYOM anda side to share).
- Vigilof the Feast, 6 p.m. (at the Rectory). Bonfire and dessert following.
- Sun., June 16,9:30 Hours, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, Great Feast of Pentecost, Kneeling Prayers,Trapeza to follow.
- Sat., June 29,10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, Feast of Ss. Peter and Paulfollowed by Bookstore Coffee House Fellowship:
- 1-6?, Bookstore Coffee House Fellowship:spend some quality time in fellowship and outreach together over St. Tikhon’s Burning Bush iced coffee.
- Please note:Great Vespers will not be served this Saturday.
Confession & Reception:In keeping with OCA Guidelines, it’s the discipline at Holy Archangels to practice monthlyconfession. If a month has passed and you’ve not made confession for good reason, or, are visiting, please talk with Fr. Robert to ask a blessing to receive prior to the serviceand before approaching the Chalice.
TRAPEZA:The lunch and fellowship served after Divine Liturgy is an important part of our Mission’s family life together. We cannot draw closer to God if we’re not also drawing closer to each other. To grow “in spirit and in numbers,” such fellowship is important. Please sign up to help provide for this important ministry!
Prayer Requests: Our Mission’s Growth “in spirit & in numbers”
- For God’s financial provisionfor our Mission & college ministry, ACM (Annapolis Pan-Orthodox College Ministry);
- Departed founders of our church: Archpriest George the Confessor, Gabriel, Rafael, Serafim, Basil, Rdr. Michael,
- Met. Isaiah of Georgia, Archbishops Yohanna Ibrahim and Boulos Yazigi of Syria, Sbn. John, Gov. Hogan, Benedict, Benjamin, Daniel, Noah, Alex, Gary, Timothy, Sophia, Vivian, Beatrice, George, Helen, Helen, Geneva, Phoenix, Sydney, Young, Liam, Eleni, Valerie, Charlotte, Anastasia, Valentina, Linda, Susan, Michael, Elizabeth, Noah, Tommy, Thomas, Johann, Mat. Alexandra, Judith, Maggie, the Church in Georgia, Romania as they address the relativism of the West, speaking the truth in love, our persecuted brethren around the world, peace in Syria.
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 5
Let us, the faithful, praise and worship the Word, // co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, // bornfor our salvation from the Virgin; // for He willedto be lifted up on the Crossin the flesh,
to enduredeath, // and to raisethe dead//
by His glorious Resurrection.
Troparion (Angels) Tone 4
O Commanders of the heavenly hosts, // we who are unworthy beseechyou: // by your prayers encompass us beneath the wings of your immaterial glory, // and faithfully preserve us who fall down and cryto you://Deliver us from all harm, for you are the Commanders of the Powers on high!
Kontakion (from the Pentecostarion) Tone 4
I come to Thee, O Christ, blind from birth in my spiritual eyes,
and call to Thee in repentance://
“Thou art the most radiant Light of those in darkness.”
Kontakion (Pascha) Tone 8
Thou didst descend into the tomb, O Immortal, // Thou didst destroythe power of death. // In victory Thoudidst arise, O ChristGod, // proclaiming, “Rejoice!” tothe Myrrhbearing Women,// granting peace to ThineApostles, and bestowing
Resurrection on the fallen.
Kontakion (Angels) Tone 2
Commanders of God’s armiesand ministers of the divine glory,//princes of the bodiless Angelsandguidesof mankind//askfor what is good for us, and for great mercy,//O Supreme Commanders of the Bodiless Hosts.
~Glory to God for All Things!~
