“Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever… Those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, Bound in affliction and irons—Because they rebelled against the words of God, And despised the counsel of the Most High, Therefore He brought down their heart with labor; They fell down, and there was none to help. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, And He saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, And broke their chains in pieces. Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!” (Psalm 108 LXX). As Orthodox Christians, our giving thanks has an object: God the Holy Trinity, who in His mercy has saved us from the worst of ourselves so that He can heal us from our sin-sickness and re-make us into the best of ourselves—the men and women of God that He created us and called us to be. Thanksgiving is one American holiday that we as Orthodox should join in to celebrate—even if it does fall in the Nativity Fast! In celebrating Thanksgiving we keep the focus of our thankfulness on the Source of all good things. May we all take time on this special day to glorify God, to thank Him for His unmerited grace and mercy to us sinners, and give Him the glory for all His bounty to us. A blessed Thanksgiving to all!
In Christ’s love, Fr. Robert+
This week at Holy Archangels:
- Tuesday, Nov. 20, Great Vespers with Litya for the Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple, 6:30 p.m.
- Saturday, Nov. 24, 6 p.m., Great Vespers with the Matins Gospel. Confession following.
- Sunday, Nov. 25, 9:30 Hours and Divine Liturgy followed by Trapeza.
Looking Ahead: Save the Dates!
- Sunday, Dec. 2, Practice for Colinde (Caroling) after Divine Liturgy and Trapeza
- Wednesday, Dec. 5, 4:30 p.m. Eve of St. Nicholas Day, Rectory House Blessing and Colinde, 1353 Tydings Rd., Annapolis, MD 21409. Supper at 5:30, Colinde at 6:30.
- Thursday, Dec. 6, Divine Liturgy for the Feast of St. Nicholas, St. Nicholas Cathedral, Washington D.C. Time TBA.
- Wednesday, Dec. 12, 4:30 p.m.., Potluck supper and Colinde in downtown Annapolis, Meet at St. John’s Boathouse. Bring a fast-friendly food or warm drink to share.
- Monday, Dec. 24, 10:30 a.m. , ROYAL HOURS for the Eve of Nativity
- Monday, Dec. 24, 10:30 p.m., NATIVITY of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ, followed by festive Trapeza for the Feast.
- Saturday, January 12, 3 p.m., Baby Shower for Nini!
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for our Mission that we may find a full-time Choir Director.
- Please pray for Azariah (Brian) as he looks for a teaching position.
- Please pray for healing for Fr. George Johnson, Viorica
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 7
By Your Cross You destroyed death.
To the thief You opened Paradise.
For the Myrrhbearers You changed weeping into joy.
And You commanded Your disciples, O Christ God,
to proclaim that You are risen,//
granting the world great mercy.
Troparion (Martyrs Plato and Romanus) Tone 4
Your holy martyrs Plato and Romanus, O Lord,
through their sufferings has received incorruptible crowns from You, our God.
For having Your strength, they laid low their adversaries,
and shattered the powerless boldness of demons.//
Through their intercessions save our souls!
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 7
The dominion of death can no longer hold mankind captive,
for Christ descended, shattering and destroying its powers.
Hell is bound, while the Prophets rejoice and cry:
“The Savior has come to those in faith;//
enter, you faithful, into the Resurrection!”
Kontakion (Martyr Plato) Tone 3
Your holy memory delights the universe, O Plato,
bringing us together to honor you in our joy.
With hymns we praise your great deeds,
crying out to you with faith:
“Save our land from its enemies, O holy one!”
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.
