Weekly Update and Bulletin From Fr. Robert Miclean – September 8, 2013

Today we celebrate the Nativity of the Most-Holy Theotokos.  We call to mind her miraculous conception by barren parents past child-bearing age and contemplate the divine mystery of the Feast.  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 Virgin.  For this reason, in the hymnody of the Feast we sing at Vespers (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, “the only gateway of the only-begotten Son of God, Who passed through this gate yet kept it closed.”  We celebrate this day the birth of a baby girl, ordinary like us in that she bears a 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 in the absolute purity of her virginal birth of her Savior and ours, the Only-Begotten of the Father through all time, the Word of God, Jesus Christ.  May she intercede for us on this day on which we celebrate her nativity, knowing that as she always points us to her Son, so she will also present our prayers to Him who is the Life of all.

May Christ God bless you!            Fr. Robert+

This week at Holy Archangels:

  • Saturday, Sept. 14, 10 a.m., Feast of the Elevation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross at Holy Cross Orthodox Church, Linthicum, MD (BWI).
  • Saturday, Sept. 14, 6 p.m. Great Vespers with Matins Gospel. Confession following.
  • Sunday, Sept. 15, 9:30 a.m. Hours, 10 am Divine Liturgy,

Looking Ahead: Important Dates!

  • Sunday, Sept. 22, During Special Trapeza, Iacob’s 1st Birthday Party.
  • Sunday, Sept. 22, Following Trapeza, Sunday School planning meeting.

Prayer Requests:

  • That God may grow our Mission “in spirit and in numbers as a living witness of God’s love, healing, power, and glory;”
  • For God’s financial provision for our Mission and ACM (Annapolis College Ministry);
  • For our Mission that we may find a Choir Director;
  • Healing for Archpriest George, Priest John, Rdr. Michael, Rdr. John, Benedict, Marina, 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 2           
When You descended to death, O Life Immortal,
You destroyed hell with the splendor of Your Godhead.
And when from the depths You raised the dead,
all the powers of heaven cried out://
“O Giver of life, Christ our God, glory to You!”
Troparion              (Nativity of the Theotokos)Tone 4           
Your nativity, O Virgin,
has proclaimed joy to the whole universe!
The Sun of righteousness, Christ our God,
has shone from you, O Theotokos.
By annulling the curse,
He bestowed a blessing.//
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 2           
Hell became afraid, O almighty Savior,
seeing the miracle of Your Resurrection from the tomb!
The dead arose!  Creation, with Adam, beheld this and rejoiced with You,//
and the world, my Savior, praises You forever.
Kontakion            (Nativity of the Theotokos) Tone 4           
By your nativity, most pure Virgin,
Joachim and Anna are freed from barrenness,
Adam and Eve — from the corruption of death.
And we, your people, freed from the guilt of sin, celebrate and sing to you://
“The barren woman gives birth to the Theotokos, the nourisher of our Life.”
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