The Last of Lent: Lent is quickly drawing to a close. This next week we enter Holy Week. I encourage you to make the most of the short time that remains for your healing and growth in divine grace. While everyone who comes at the 11th Hour is welcomed and loved, we want to sow abundantly so that we can reap abundantly. Come to Wednesday’s last Presanctified Liturgy, plan to attend next Saturday’s raising of Lazarus, make confession, attend the festive Great Vespers and blessing of the Palms. Together, we “seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness,” knowing that “all these things will be added” to us (Matt. 6:33), as our Lord promises, when we prioritize our communion with God. The spiritual ‘hospital’ of Lent and Holy Week only come around once a year; don’t let this important next week pass you by without using it for spiritual gain and allowing the Holy Spirit to work in you and through you.
Holy Week: I also encourage you to plan now to take time off work and school so that you can participate in as much of Holy Week as possible. You will not be disappointed if you do so! Christ lovingly leads us on a deifying journey through His Church and the divine services to His voluntary Passion, burial, harrowing of Hades, and triumphant resurrection on the third day, so that you and I, dying with Christ, may likewise be raised with Christ at His glorious resurrection. The journey begins this Saturday with the raising of Lazarus, continues with Palm Sunday and Christ’s triumphant but humble entry into Jerusalem, riding on an ass, and then propels us into the lessons that Christ would have us focus on in the Bridegroom services as His passion approaches. Please don’t miss this opportunity to be changed, to grow, to be renewed in Christ!
TODAY: We welcome His Beatitude, Metropolitan TIKHON, to Holy Archangels. Following the Divine Liturgy we will enjoy a festive fasting meal with Vladyka and a time of discussion and Q & A.
THIS WEEK AT HOLY ARCHANGELS:
- Wed, April 1, 6:30 p.m., Presanctified Liturgy, Lenten Supper following, Continued teaching on the Lord’s Prayer, St. John’s Boathouse
- Fri, April 3, 10am Sisterhood Bake sale BayForest Shopping Center at 948 Bay Ridge Road, Annapolis, 21403 in front of the Giant
- Sat, April 4, 10 am Divine Liturgy for Lazarus Saturday
- Sat, April 4, 6 p.m., Great Vespers, Litya, blessing of Palms for Feast of Palm Sunday.
- Sun, April 5, 9:30 Hours, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy for Palm Sunday followed by procession with the palms/willows.
Looking Ahead: Mark your Calendars!
- HOLY WEEK begins with LAZARUS SATURDAY, April 4. Please refer to the Holy Week Schedule for the complete Holy Week schedule.
February Financial Report: Holy Archangels received a total of $3,209 in offerings in February. $2333 was pledged. Glory to God for this faithful response! We God for His provision and your faithfulness, which insures that our Mission can continue and grow! Holy Archangels Mission Council
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 Archpriest Thomas, Priest Matthew
- Metropolitan Isaiah of Georgia, Archpriest George, Priest John, Dcn. Basil, Rdr. John, Benedict, James, Daniel, Seraphim, Ed, Bede, Wanda, George, Daniel, Maria and family, Margaret, 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 (St Mary of Egypt) Tone 8
The image of God was truly preserved in thee, O Mother,
for thou tookest up the Cross and didst follow Christ.
By so doing, thou taughtest us to disregard the flesh for it passes away;
but to care instead for the soul, for it is immortal.//
Therefore thy spirit, O holy Mother Mary, rejoices with the angels.
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 (St Mary of Egypt) Tone 3
Having been a sinful woman,
thou becamest through repentance a bride of Christ.
Having attained angelic life, thou didst defeat demons with the weapon of the Cross.//
Therefore, O most glorious Mary, thou art a bride of the Kingdom.
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.
