We remember this Sunday St. Innocent, Enlightener of North America and Metropolitan of Moscow who together with St. Herman, St. Tikhon, and others embody the evangelistic zeal of our spiritual forbearers in this Land. St. Paul reminds us this day that “the same God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” St. Paul refers to this light of Christ as power in us, but he reminds us of the truth that we have this power “in earthen vessels.” This is so in order that in our weakness, in our struggles with temptations and living out our Orthodox Christian Faith in a culture that has rejected the truth of God, we may let God work in us and through us, that, “the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” In other words, that God may receive the glory and that He may lift us up. Such is the witness of St. Innocent. He risked life and limb to bring the light of Christ to the darkness of Alaska; he turned the people of Alaska from the darkness and error of paganism to the light and truth of Christ. We, who are his spiritual descendents in this land, thank God for his witness, we are chastened by his example of self-sacrifice and love. We ask his prayers that we, individually and corporately as Holy Archangels Mission, that we may struggle to live out our faith in our daily lives with greater zeal, not counting the costs and not trusting in our own strength, which is powerless. Pray for us holy St. Innocent, that we may learn to put our trust and reliance on God, that He may work in us and through us to the glory and honor of His holy Name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
May Christ our true God bless you!
Yours in His love,
Fr. Robert+
This week at Holy Archangels:
- v Wed., Oct. 9, 6:30 p.m., St. John Boathouse, 1st Applied Orthodox Theology Discussion: This week: Reading the Bible as Orthodox
- v Thursday, Oct 10, 19.00-20.00, Evening Prayers and Discussion (midshipmen only)
- v Saturday, Oct 12, 6 p.m. Great Vespers with Matins Gospel. Confession following,
- v Sunday, Oct 13, 9:30 a.m. Hours, 10 am Divine Liturgy,
Looking Ahead: Important Dates!
- Sunday, Oct. 27, Pledge and Commitment Sunday for 2014—bring your completed “time, talent, and treasure” pledge cards to offer them to God during the Divine Liturgy.
- Thursday, Nov. 7, 6:00 p.m., Great Vespers with Litya for our PATRONAL FEAST of the Holy Archangels. Dinner and special guest speaker, Fr. Timothy Hojnicki.
- Friday, Nov. 8, 9:00 a.m. Hours for the Feast, followed by Divine Liturgy at 9:30. Lunch and special guest speaker, Fr. Timothy Hojnicki.
Prayer Requests:
- That God may grow our Mission “in spirit and in numbers as a living witness of His love, healing, power, and glory;”
- For God’s financial provision for our Mission and our college ministry, ACM (Annapolis College Ministry);
- For our Mission that we may find a Choir Director;
- Pray for the departed soul of Marie, 106-year-old grandmother of Metropolitan TIKHON
- Healing for Archpriest George, Priest John, Rdr. Michael, Rdr. John, Benedict, Lance, Nika, , Colette, Mary, Carol, Katherine, James, Charlene, Daniel, Michael Anthony, Sarah, the Church in Georgia and Romania as they address the relativism of the West, speaking the truth in love, for our suffering Orthodox brethren in Syria and Egypt.
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 6
The angelic powers were at Your tomb; // the guards became as dead men.
Mary stood by Your grave, // seeking Your most pure body.
You took captive hell,// not being tempted by it.
You came to the Virgin, granting life.// O Lord, Who rose from the dead, glory to You.
Troparion (St Innocent) Tone 4
O Holy Father Innocent, // in obedience to the will of God,
you accepted dangers and tribulations, // bringing many peoples to the knowledge of truth.
You showed us the way; // now by your prayers help lead us//
into the Kingdom of Heaven!
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 6
When Christ God the Giver of Life,
raised all of the dead from the valleys of misery with His mighty hand,
He bestowed resurrection on the human race.//
He is the Savior of all, the Resurrection, the Life, and the God of all.
Kontakion (for St Innocent) Tone 2
Your life, holy Father Innocent, Apostle to our land,
proclaims the dispensation and grace of God!
For, laboring in dangers and hardships for the Gospel of Christ,
you were kept unharmed and exalted in humility.//
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
