Today on the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul we recount these two great Saints reclamation and restoration in Christ and how God worked through them to build His Church. Peter wept bitterly for his three-fold denial of Christ; Paul persecuted the Church only later to be persecuted himself for the sake of the Gospel. Together, their example of repentance, humility, and courage, their witness for the truth, their love for the sheep of Christ’s pasture, and zeal for the salvation of us all, encourage us to press forward in our own repentance and growth in Christ, in putting first our pursuit of Christ and His Kingdom, of prioritizing our life in Him in His Church above all else, so we too can become fellow heirs of Christ’s Kingdom.
Together these two Apostles proclaim to us this day: All things are possible for those who trust in Christ and seek first His Kingdom. No passion, no habit, no trouble is too great for the power of Christ to restore, to transform, to save. We too never despair of our salvation: for as long as we’re willing to repent and be restored, as they were, God quickens us, grows us, heal us of our spiritual maladies, and uses us to the glory and honor of His holy name, filling us to overflowing with His love, power, and grace. This is the spiritual fruit and encouragement of keeping the Feast of the Apostles.
Holy Saints Peter and Paul, pray for us sinners that we too may have the courage and strength to follow your lead, to humble ourselves through confession, and grow in love for the Truth you exemplify for us.
Blessings of the Feast! Fr. Robert+
THIS WEEK AT HOLY ARCHANGELS:
- v Saturday, July 5, 6 p.m., Great Vespers with Confession following
- v Sunday, July 6, 9:30 a.m., Hours, 10 am Divine Liturgy Trapeza following Liturgy
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);
- For our Mission that we may find a Choir Director;
- For blessed repose of the newly departed servant Giorgi
- Archpriest George, Archpriest Michael, Priest John, Dcn. Basil, Rdr. John, newly-illumined Simeon Mihai and his godparents, Priest John and Mat. Janette, Benedict, Colette, Mary, Carol, Katherine, James, Daniel, Sarah, Seraphim, Patricia, George, Anne, Ed, Johnson, Jeanette, and Family, Bede, Meriam and family imprisoned in the Sudan, the Church in Georgia and Romania as they address the relativism of the West, speaking the truth in love, our suffering Orthodox brethren in Syria and Iraq, a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 2
When You descended to death, O Life Immortal,
You destroyed hell with the splendor of Your Godhead.
And when from the depths You raised the dead,
all the powers of heaven cried out://
“O Giver of life, Christ our God, glory to You!”
Troparion (SS Peter and Paul) Tone 4
First-enthroned of the Apostles,
and teachers of the universe:
entreat the Master of all
to grant peace to the world,//
and to our souls great mercy!
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 2
Hell became afraid, O almighty Savior,
seeing the miracle of Your Resurrection from the tomb!
The dead arose! Creation, with Adam, beheld this and rejoiced with You,//
and the world, my Savior, praises You forever.
Kontakion (SS Peter and Paul) Tone 2
O Lord, You have taken up to eternal rest
and to the enjoyment of Your blessings
the two divinely inspired preachers, the leaders of the Apostles,
for You have accepted their labors and deaths as a sweet-smelling sacrifice,//
for You alone know what lies in the hearts of men.
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.
