This Tuesday we celebrate the fore-feast of the Nativity of the Most-Holy Theotokos and call to mind her miraculous conception by barren parents past child-bearing age. The Church acclaims the birth of the Theotokos in poetic terms so that we may more fully and reverently delve into the Great Mystery of God’s dispensation, preparing the way for the Word of Life to come forth from the blessed Virgin. For this reason, in the hymnody of the Feast (itself part of Holy Tradition), we refer to the Blessed Mother as “the book” of the Word of Life, the “Life-bearing branch” of the Rod of Jesse, “the handmaid of God, who was chosen from all generations.” Mary was no ‘accidental’ choice by God, but rather, as the prophets foretell and as we see them fulfilled in her virginal birth, she is truly, in the words of the Prophet Ezekiel read at Vespers of the Feast, “the only gateway of the only-begotten Son of God, Who passed through this gate yet kept it closed.” We celebrate this Tuesday the birth of a baby girl, ordinary like us in sharing our human nature and yet, so extraordinary, not only in the miracle of her own birth, but more importantly, in her yes to God, in her courageous example of humility and modesty, her modeling of true woman-hood but also of true humanity, and in the absolute purity of her virginal birth of her Savior and ours, the Word of God and Light of the world, Jesus Christ. May she intercede for us as we celebrate her nativity, knowing that as she always points us to her Son, so she’ll also present our prayers to Him who is the Life of all. With Christ’s love and blessing, Fr. Robert+
THIS WEEK AT HOLY ARCHANGELS:
- Tues, Sept 8., 11:45 a.m. Divine Liturgy for Nativity of the Theotokos, USNA Orthodox Chapel of St. Nicholas. (in Bancroft Hall Rotunda to right of stairs) Park on King George St. or in St. John’s Gym lot, walk to Maryland Ave., turn Left, enter Gate 3 of USNA with i.d., proceed diagonally to the large marble outdoor stairs leading up to the Rotunda of Bancroft Hall.
- Saturday, Sept. 12, 6 p.m., Great Vespers (Confession following)
- Sunday, Sept. 13, 9:30am Hours; 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy, followed by Trapeza
Looking Ahead
- Monday, Sept. 14, Divine Liturgy for the Great Feast of the Exaltation of the Precious, Life-Giving Cross, 9:30 Hours, 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy. Trapeza following (at St. Martin’s).
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.
July Financial Report: We received $3,299 in offerings in July. YTD $18,174 has been received. We are running a deficit of -$3,824. 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, Ed, 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 and the Syrian refugees, a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 5
Let us, the faithful, praise and worship the Word, // co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit,
born for our salvation from the Virgin; // for He willed to be lifted up on the Cross in the flesh,
to endure death, // and to raise the dead// by His glorious Resurrection.
Troparion (Archangel Michael) Tone 4
O Michael, commander of the heavenly hosts, // we who are unworthy beseech thee:
by thy prayers encompass us beneath the wings of thine immaterial glory,
and faithfully preserve us who fall down and cry out to thee://
Deliver us from all harm, for thou art the commander of the Powers on high!
Kontakion (Resurrection) Tone 5
Thou didst descend into hell, O my Savior, // shattering its gates as Almighty,
resurrecting the dead as Creator, // and destroying the sting of death.
Thou hast delivered Adam from the curse, O Lover of man,//
and we cry to Thee: “O Lord, save us!”
Kontakion (Archangel Michael) Tone 2
O Michael, commander of God’s armies // and minister of the divine glory,
prince of the bodiless angels // and guide of mankind;
ask for what is good for us, and for great mercy,//
as the supreme commander of the Bodiless Hosts.
