Our Lord speaks to us today through His Gospel, saying, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Matt. 8:34). The cross stands in the middle of the Fast to spur us on, to remind us of this very truth: Without the cross, there is no defeat of sin and death. Without the cross before us, there is no value in our fasting and prayers; our faith would be in vain. But by Christ’s victory on the cross, we’re endowed with life. Christ God emerges from His encounter with the cross the Victor; He defeats the enemy—death is slain! By following Christ’s words here, we too can become fellow victors with Christ over sin and death; we too can triumph over the world and its hold on us; we too can find healing from our sin-sickness. We cling to Christ and venerate His cross, claiming it as our own weapon against the enemy at work in this world. In denying ourselves, our way, our will, we find freedom from enslavement to the passions; we learn obedience, humility—the virtues of the citizens of heaven; we learn to live for God and not for our own selfish will. With the cross before us, we too can follow Christ. As we complete our journey to Christ’s passion, we do so knowing the end result—victory for the world and for us for all who put their hope in Christ! With much love in Christ, 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, Sunday of the Cross Procession,Trapeza
- Tues. April 2, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Catechumen/Inquirer Class
- Weds. April 3, 6:30 pm, Presanctified Liturgy, Soup Supper
- Sat., April 6,,6:00 p.m., Great Vespers, Confession following
- Sun., April 7,9:30 a.m., Hours, 10 Divine Liturgy, Trapeza, Sunday School, Choir Practice for Holy Week/Pascha
Looking Ahead…Mark your Calendars!
- Thurs., April 11, 5:30 p.m., Great Canon of St. Andrew with the Life of St. Mary of Egypt
- Holy Week 2019 begins Saturday, April 13with Divine Liturgy for Lazarus Saturday and continues until Pascha Night, April 20. Holy Week Schedule now available in print, online!
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.AMAZON. We’re now able to give 6.5%of our regular purchases from Amazon.comto Holy Archangels. Purchases are anonymous and will be automatically credited to Holy Archangels. Please Visit our website and click the link beforeyou shop at Amazon and it will be credited to us. Please note: This is not the same promotion as “Amazon Smile.”
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, Jessica (sister of Kelly Vernet), Michael, Elizabeth, Noah, Jocelyn, Tommy, Thomas, Johann, the Church in Georgia, Romania as they address the relativism of the West, speaking the truth in love, our persecuted brethren throughout the world, peace in Syria.
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 3
Let the heavens rejoice!//Let the earthbe glad!
For the Lord has shown strengthwith His arm.
He has trampled down deathby death.
He has become the firstborn of the dead.
He has delivered us from the depthsof hell,
and has granted to the world//greatmercy.
Troparion (for the Cross) Tone 1
O Lord, save Thy people, // and bless Thine inheritance!
Grantvictories to the Orthodox Christians//over their
adversaries; //and by virtue of Thy Cross,//
preserve Thy habitation!
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 (for the Cross) Tone 7
Now the flaming sword no longer guards the gates of Eden;
it has been mysteriously quenched by the woodof the Cross.
The stingof death and the victory of hell have been vanquished;
for Thou, O my Savior, hast come and cried to thosein hell://
“Enter againinto Paradise!”
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!~
