The cross stands in the middle of the church today to remind us of this very truth: Without the cross, there is no defeat of sin and death. By Christ’s victory on the cross, we’re endowed with life. Christ God emerges from His encounter with the cross—the ancient instrument of death—as the Victor; He defeats the enemy—death is slain! By following Christ into this new, redeemed life—part of the new race of Adam—we too can become fellow victors with Christ over sin and death by mortifying the passions, practicing active repentance, participating more and more in the life of the Church; with Christ, we too can find healing from our sin-sickness. So, we cling to Christ and venerate His cross, claiming it as our own weapon against the enemy at work in this world, fighting against us. By owning our identity in Christ as “a new creation,” as one “born anew,” we find freedom from enslavement to the passions; we learn obedience, humility—the virtues of a citizen of heaven whom the world—the devil—cannot own; we learn to live for God with eternity before our eyes. With the cross before us, we know we too can follow Christ whom we have “put on” in baptism, so that entering likewise into death, we can emerge victorious, for as St. Athanasius says, “that which is assumed (by Christ), is healed.” By His Incarnation, Christ has entered into human nature. By His death, He has destroyed death being Life itself and having raised Himself from the dead. By His ascension, He has gone before us to prepare a place for us.
With Christ’s love and blessing, Fr. Robert+
THIS WEEK AT HOLY ARCHANGELS:
- Sunday, Sept. 13, 5pm Vigil for the Exaltation of the Holy, Precious, Life-Giving Cross
- Monday, Sept. 14, NO LITURGY (strict fast with wine/oil allowed for the Feast of the Cross).
- Wed, Sept. 16, 6 p.m., Applied Orthodox Theology Discussion, St. John’s Boathouse (park on King George St., first building on left after crossing College Creek if coming from outside historic downtown) This Week’s Discussion and Teaching: The CREED.
- Saturday, Sept. 19, 6 p.m., Great Vespers (Confession following)
- Sunday, Sept. 20, 9:30am Hours; 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy, followed by Trapeza
Looking Ahead
- Saturday, Sept. 26, 4:30 p.m., Akathist to St. Antim (in Romanian), reception to follow before Vespers. This is an outreach event and all are encouraged to attend to welcome guests and ask for the prayers of this great Saint of the universal Church.
Confession and Reception: In keeping with OCA Guidelines, it’s the discipline at Holy Archangels to practice monthly confession. If you wish to receive Communion and a month has passed and you have not made it to confession for good reason, or you are visiting, please discuss with Fr. Robert prior to the service and before approaching the holy Chalice. Those receiving at any time should do so humbly, with prayer, fasting, and thanksgiving.
August Financial Report: We received $3,467 in offerings in August. YTD $22,518 has been received. We are running a deficit of -$3,231. Your faithful contributions provide for this church and ministries. Thank God for His provision and your faithfulness, which means that our Mission can continue and grow! Holy Archangels Mission Council
Mid-Year Special Commitment Opportunity: To sustain our Mission, we need to raise an additional $500 per month in offerings, which we aim to have matched by the greater Church. We ask all faithful to take a Special Offering Card (on Back Table) and place it in the offering box. $100 has been matched so far.
Please Note: At Holy Archangels we do not pass an offering plate. Instead, we encourage the faithful to place an offering in the offering box on the Entrance (back) Table in support of this Mission and its Ministries. Thank you and may Christ God repay you with His spiritual blessings… “for God loves a cheerful giver” (II Cor. 9:7).
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);
- Newly-departed servant of God, Archpriest Gordon, handmaiden of God, Alice.
- Metropolitan Isaiah of Georgia, Archpriest George, Priest John, Dcn. Basil, Rdr. John, Governor Hogan, Benedict, James, Daniel, Seraphim, Bede, Wanda, Eric, George, Daniel, John, Eleni, Svetlana, the Church in Georgia & Romania as they address the relativism of the West, speaking the truth in love, our persecuted brethren in Iraq & Syria, the Syrian refugees, a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.
Troparion (Resurrection—Kieven) Tone 6
The Angelic Powers were at Thy tomb; // the guards became as dead men.
Mary stood by Thy grave, // seeking Thy most pure body.
Thou didst capture hell not being tempted by it
Thou didst come to the Virgin, granting life.// O Lord, Who didst rise from the dead, glory to Thee.
Troparion (Resurrection—Byzantine) Tone 6
When Mary stood at Thy grave looking for Thy sacred body, angelic powers shone above Thy revered tomb and the soldiers who were to keep guard became as dead men. Thou led Hades captive and wast not tempted thereby. Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst give life to the world, O Thou who art risen from the dead, O Lord, glory to Thee.
Troparion (Forefeast of the Exaltation of the Cross) Tone 4
We offer in supplication // the life-creating Cross of Thy goodness, O Lord,
which Thou hast granted to us // although we are unworthy. //
Through the Theotokos, save all Orthodox Christians, O only Lover of man!
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.
