Today is the Synaxis of the Holy Unmercenary Healers or, as they are called in some traditions of the Church—“Physicians without silver”: Panteleimon, Cyril and John, Cosmas and Damian, and the others, who sacrificed themselves for the physical and spiritual healing of others. They are referred to as “physicians without silver” because they healed without the use of medicines. The healings that Christ performed in the Gospels, and through those lovers of Christ with the gift of healing, are complete. Christ God, the Logos (Word) of God, Who spoke creation into being, sustains us all. He gives us the tools in His Church to find healing for our souls and eternal life with Him. Sometimes, He administers physical healing alongside spiritual healing. Ultimately, all healing comes from Christ God, our Creator and the Giver of Life. Today, we are greatly tested because we live in a culture where we believe “science” can save us and we can often forget to turn to God for His healing. If we care for the healing of the body but neglect the healing of our sin-sick souls, what have we gained in the end? The Holy Unmercenary Healers remind us to prioritize our life in Christ and our growth in His Kingdom above all else. God receives us as we are—broken, sick, diseased, dying, and He gives us a future and a hope with Him that is eternal. It’s Christ we avail ourselves of first when sickness and disease of mind, body, or spirit assail us because He’s Life, He’s Reality, He’s the One who gives us identity, hope, peace and purpose in our lives.
In Christ’s blessing and love, Fr. Robert+
THIS WEEK AT HOLY ARCHANGELS:
- Wed, Nov 5, 7 p.m., St. John’s Boathouse (parking in Gym lot or on King George St.): Applied Orthodox Theology Discussion: This week: What should we believe about the angels?
- Fri-Sat., Nov. 7-8, HOLY ARCHANGELS PATRONAL FEAST.
- Friday, Nov. 7, 6:30 p.m., Great Vespers with Litya. Crab Cake dinner, dessert, Georgian wine follow. Suggested donation: $25 and $15 each additional family member. Children under ten free. Students $10. Folk Dancing, iconography presentation.
- Saturday, Nov. 8, 9:30 Hours, 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy followed by Feasting Trapeza.
- Sat, Nov 8, 6:00 p.m. Great Vespers Confession following
- Sun, Nov. 9, 9:30 a.m., Hours 10am Divine Liturgy, Trapeza following
October Financial Report: Holy Archangels received a total of $2448 in offerings in October ($2018 in September). $2500 was pledged. $20,986 was received in offerings from January thru October 2014. The budgeted amount based on pledges is $25,000. This leaves us a gap of over $4000 to make up between now and Dec. to meet our expenses! Please stay current with your pledges/offerings, and consider increasing your offering and/or making a special one-time gift to help meet this deficit. Thank God for His provision and thank you for your faithful support, which ensures that our Mission can continue and grow! The Holy Archangels Mission Council
NEW 2015 Commitment Cards at the Entrance Table. Please take one and prayerfully consider what commitments of “Time, Talent, and Treasure” Christ God is calling YOU to commit to in 2015. We will offer our commitments to Christ together on Sunday, November 16 as we begin the Nativity Fast.
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);
- Departed servant of God, Simeon (grandfather of Ho Simeon
- Metropolitan Isaiah of Georgia, Archpriest George, Priest John, Dcn. Basil, Rdr. John, Benedict, James, Daniel, Seraphim, Ed, Bede, Wanda, Peter, the Church in Georgia and Romania as they address the relativism of the West, speaking the truth in love, our suffering, persecuted Orthodox brethren in Iraq and Syria, a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine., for all those suffering from the Ebola epidemic and for a speedy end to the disease.
Troparion (Resurrection)Tone 4
When the women Disciples of the Lord
learned from the Angel the joyous message of the Resurrection,
they cast away the ancestral curse // and elatedly told the Apostles:
“Death is overthrown! // Christ God is risen,// granting the world great mercy!”
Troparion — Tone 8
Holy unmercenaries and wonderworkers, / heal our infirmities. / Freely you have received; freely you give to us.
Troparion (Martyrs) Tone 2
Blessed is the earth that received your blood, O passion- bearers of the Lord,
and holy is the dwelling place which received your spirits.
You triumphed over the enemy in the stadium, // and you preached Christ with boldness.//
Since He is good, we pray that you beseech Him to save our souls.
Kontakion (Resurrection)Tone 4
My Savior and Redeemer /as God rose from the tomb and delivered the earth-born from their chains.
He has shattered the gates of hell, // and as Master,// He has risen on the third day!
Kontakion — Tone 2
Having received the grace of healing, / you grant healing to those in need. / Glorious wonder workers and healers, / visit us and put down the insolence of our enemies, / and bring healing to the world through your miracles.
Kontakion (Martyrs) Tone 2
Thou hast received into the enjoyment of Thy goodness and repose, O only Good One,
the pious and God-bearing martyrs, who abandoned all earthly things:
Akíndynus, Pegásius, and Anempódistus,// together with Aphthónius and Elpidephórus.
