Weekly Update and Bulletin From Fr. Robert Miclean – May 19, 2013

The myrrhbearing women, the pious Joseph and Nicodemus, all had courage.  Ordinarily, when we think of great courage, we think of heroic exploits of warriors or military heroes.  But the myrrhbearing women were soft-spoken, humble, modest in demeanor, loving.  They weren’t puffed up on themselves or their exploits, but servants at heart.  They were able to ‘risk’ everything, even death, to anoint Jesus, to take Jesus down from the cross, to bury Him, and to go to Him after His life-giving death, because they loved with the love of God, the love He Himself had shown them.  “Perfect love casts out fear”  (I Jn. 4:18).  No surprise then, that, motivated by such love, they would ‘risk’ everything to go to Him.  Such was their faith and love–nothing would stop them from caring for Jesus.  It’s fitting, then, that the Lord first appeared to them in His resurrected body.

In our culture today, we’re called on to have courage to witness to the timeless truth of Christ and our message often meets with rejection or even mocking.  Ultimately, such courage in the face of adversity emanates from a love for those around us if our witness is to have its desired effect.  Otherwise, St. Paul assures us, we are as a “sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal.” (I Cor. 13).  May we stand firm in the conviction of our faith, as inheritors of a precious treasure that is not just for ourselves but for the whole world.  And may we come to exemplify the courage, humility and love for Christ and His truth so that we can help bring others to the healing and love of Christ as well.  Holy Myrrhbearears, pious Joseph, righteous Nicodemus, pray for us sinners!

This week at Holy Archangels:

  • Saturday, May 25, 6 p.m. Great Vespers with Matins Gospel. Confession following.
  • Sunday, May 26, 9:30 a.m. Hours 10 am Divine Liturgy, Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women followed by Trapeza

We welcome David Brock today into the Catechumenate (Gk: “one who is being instructed”).  Please pray for him as he journeys toward holy illumination, that the Lord may “make (him) worthy in due time of the laver of regeneration, the remission of sins, and the robe of incorruption…” (from the Prayer for the Catechumens).

Looking Ahead: Save the Dates!

  • Thursday, June 13, The Holy Ascension of our Lord, Special Hours followed by Divine Liturgy begin at 9:30 a.m.
  • Sunday, June 16, Fathers of the 1st Ecumenical Council and Fathers’ Day.  We will remember our fathers (godfathers, fathers, and grandfathers), departed and living.  Please send names by email to Fr. Robert by 3 p.m. Saturday, specifying living and departed.
  • Sunday, June 23,  Picnic at the Rectory: Pentecost Sunday (bring a large blanket and your Trapeza contribution to share for a picnic at the Rectory, 1353 Tydings Rd., Annapolis).  Rainy day reschedule date is Sunday, June 30.

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 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              (from the Pentecostarion) Tone 2           
The noble Joseph, // when he had taken down Your most pure Body from the Tree,
wrapped it in fine linen and anointed it with spices, // and placed it in a new tomb.
But You rose on the third day, O Lord,// granting the world great mercy.
Troparion              (from the Pentecostarion) Tone 2           
The Angel came to the Myrrhbearing Women at the tomb and said:
“Myrrh is fitting for the dead;  // but Christ has shown Himself a stranger to corruption!
So proclaim: ‘The Lord is risen,// granting the world 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            (from the Pentecostarion) Tone 2            
You commanded the Myrrhbearers to rejoice, O Christ God.
By Your Resurrection, You stopped the lamentation of Eve, the first mother.
You commanded them to preach to Your Apostles:// “The Savior is risen from the tomb!”
Kontakion  (Pascha) Tone 8           
You descended into the tomb, O Immortal, // You destroyed the power of death.
In victory You arose, O Christ God, // proclaiming: “Rejoice!” to the Myrrhbearing Women,
granting peace to Your Apostles, and bestowing Resurrection on the fallen.
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