The idea of denying oneself anything in today’s “me first” culture is considered ‘abnormal.’ The message of the cross of Christ, on the other hand, stands in stark contrast: Christ says to us today, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Mk. 8:34). The Lord knows that if we put self, that is, ego, first we become what we ‘eat’ and are swallowed up by our passions and by the world around us in our desires to please ourselves. By contrast, the Christian is he or she who comes outside himself to love and to serve God and in learning to live for Him and in the light of His truth, witnesses to the world around him—even at personal cost to himself. For this reason, Christ also says to us today, “whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it” (Mk. 8:35). This is the paradox presented to us today: in dying to the worst of fallen human nature, we learn to live to Christ and acquire a deified human nature, capable of life with God. Such is God’s loving desire for us so that with God ALL things are possible, all healing from sin-sickness, redemption and new life, are the daily business of heaven. With the cross before us, we learn to deny ourselves, and look to and follow Christ, so that we may become fellow victors with Him over sin and death through His invincible trophy and weapon of peace, the cross!
In Christ’s love and blessing, Fr. Robert+
THIS WEEK AT HOLY ARCHANGELS:
- Wed, Sept. 23, 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: “Proselytism versus Evangelism: A False Dichotomy?”
- 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.
- Saturday, Sept. 26, 6 p.m., Great Vespers (Confession following)
- Sunday, Sept. 27, 9:30am Hours; 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy, followed by Trapeza
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 are visiting, please talk with Fr. Robert prior to the service and before approaching the holy Chalice.
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 Pan-Orthodox College Ministry);
- Newly-departed servant of God, Archpriest Gordon, handmaidens of God, Alice and Margaret Ann
- 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) Tone 7
By Thy Cross Thou didst destroy death. // To the thief Thou didst open Paradise.
For the Myrrhbearers Thou didst change weeping into joy.
And Thou didst command Thy disciples, O Christ God,
to proclaim that Thou art risen,// granting the world great mercy.
Troparion (Exaltation of the Cross) Tone 1
O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance! Grant victories to the Orthodox Christians//
over their adversaries; and by virtue of Thy Cross,// preserve Thy habitation!
Troparion (for Greatmartyr Eustathius)Tone 4
Thy holy martyr Eustáthius and his wife and sons, O Lord,
through their sufferings have received incorruptible crowns from Thee, our God.
For having Thy strength, they laid low their adversaries,
and shattered the powerless boldness of demons.//Through their intercessions, save our souls!
Kontakion (Resurrection) Tone 7
The dominion of death can no longer hold men 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 (for Greatmartyr Eustathius) Tone 2
Having openly imitated the Passion of Christ, // and having eagerly drunk of His cup, O Eustáthius,
thou becamest a partaker and fellow-heir of His glory,//
receiving divine forgiveness from on high from the God of all.
Kontakion (Exaltation of the Cross) Tone 4
As Thou wast voluntarily raised upon the Cross for our sake,
grant mercy to those who are called by Thy Name, O Christ God;
make all Orthodox Christians glad by thy pow’r, // granting them victories over their adversaries//
by bestowing on them the invincible trophy, Thy weapon of peace!
