St. Michael the Archangel Orthodox Church

Announcements
+ Last updated on June 16, 2010 +

• St. Peter and St. Paul Feast Day is May 31. The Fast begins May 31 thru June 29. Since Father’s Day falls during the fast, Archbishop Lorenzo gave us dispensation so we can enjoy the Holiday. Even though we have dispensation for Father’s Day, please keep in mind what St. Peter and St. Paul had to endure during the early days of Christianity and because of them not only was the beginning of Christianity possible but also the beginning of Orthodoxy (Acts 11:22). “In Antioch, they were first called Christians.”

• June 30th Archbishop Lorenzo Arrives. Please pray for a save trip for him!

• Archbishop Lorenzo will arrive Wednesday, June 30th; there will be a Hierarchical Liturgy, Sunday, July 4th with his Eminence. Let’s have a good turn out for the Archbishop; bring a friend if you like that Sunday and enjoy this blessed event. Even though the 4th is on Sunday, (Fourth of July holiday), there will be plenty of time for celebrating the holiday. Remember the fireworks start at night. We as Orthodox Christians need to keep in mind our continued love and devotion for our Lord Jesus Christ on Sunday and everyday. Don’t forget what God the Father did for us, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son”. We pray that you join us July 4th with our beloved Archbishop, not only for the celebration of Independence Day, but for the celebration of our Lord (The Divine Liturgy). When we have to fit God into to our schedule because the holiday falls on Sunday, we are only cheating ourselves out of the Lord banquet (The Holy Eucharist). Imagine if we ask for the Lords, help when we need him and he answers us: “I’ll see if I can fit it into my schedule”, how would we feel?

• Bible study is on Sunday, June 27th.
  
  
• Sunday July 4th there will be a coffee hour immediately after Liturgy. Bring a desert if you like.
  

Calendar
June 2010

June 13
Third Sunday after Pentecost

June 20
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

Thursday, June 24
Nativity of the Holy Forerunner John the Baptist

June 27
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

Tuesday, June 29
Sts. Peter and Paul. Patron Saints of the
Patriarchate of Antioch

July 4
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

All-Saints Sunday
(First Sunday after Pentecost)

Sunday following Pentecost is dedicated to the memory of all the saints. The Holy Spirit joins the saints unites itself with them and acts with them to make the light shine in the world. Each saint becomes a stream or branch of the Holy Spirit. According to the Gospel, “out of his heart shall flow the rivers of living water” (John 7: 38). When we know how to act in the light of God, we as Christians become the container of the Holy Spirit. “Walk as children of the light," St Paul tells us, "for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true." (Eph 5:9). When we sing the Beatitudes at the liturgy during the procession with the Gospel, we honor all the saints that have pleased God by what they have done such as faith, hope and love. Through the Beatitude hymn we sing, the faithful can reflect about the saints, the joy and comfort they bring to us as an intercession to Jesus. For they share and are part of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Feast Day of Sts. Peter and Paul
(Celebrated on June 29th)

With the help of Sts. Peter and Paul they both reestablished the confidence of the Christian nation and led them out of their hopeless state to an era of new prosperity. Keep in mind Christianity was still in its infancy. Out of all the disciples, Peter seems to be the most prominent. He ranks with St Paul with whom Christianity flourished and survived during the pagan era of false gods and spiritual persecution. The moving verse from the New Testament of St Matthew when Christ told Peter: “And I say to thee that thou art Peter and upon this rock, I will build my Church” (Matthew 16:18).
St Paul conversion to Christianity began when he met our Lord on the road to Damascus. It was on this road he embraced Jesus, the risen Messiah whom he set out to defeat. Christ spoke to him saying: “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” (Acts 9:4) Thereafter he was called Paul, and devoted himself to the new Christian faith, announcing the Good News of Jesus Christ our Lord.

June 6, 2010
Second Sunday after Pentecost

• Troparion of Resurrection, Tone 1

While the stone was sealed by the Jews, and the soldiers were guarding thy most pure Body, thou didst arise on the third day, O Saviour, granting life to the world; for which cause the heavenly powers cried aloud unto thee, O Giver of life: Glory to thy resurrection, O Christ! Glory to thy kingdom! Glory to thy providence, O thou who alone art the Lover of mankind.

• Troparion of St. Hillarion, Tone 8

Through thee the divine likeness was securely preserved, O righteous Mother Hillarion; for thou didst carry the Cross and followed Christ. By example and precept, thou didst teach us to ignore the body because it is perishable, and to attend to the concerns of the undying soul. Therefore, doth thy soul rejoice with the angels.

• Troparion of St. Michael, Tone 4

O Commanders of the heavenly hosts, we the unworthy beseech you, that through your entreaties you will fortify us, guarding us in the shelter of the wings of your ethereal glory, even as we fervently bow before You, crying: “Deliver us from all danger as commanders of the powers on high.”

• Kontakion of the Theotokos, Tone 4

O protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the Creator most constant, O despise not the suppliant voices, of those who have sinned; but be thou quick, O good one, to come to our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession, and speed thou to make supplication, thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee.

Epistle: Romans 2:10-16
Gospel: Matthew 4:18-23

June 13, 2010
Third Sunday after Pentecost

• Troparion of Resurrection, Tone 2

When thou didst submit thyself unto death, O thou death less and immortal One, then thou didst destroy hell with thy godly power; and when thou didst raise the dead from beneath the earth, all the powers of heaven did cry aloud unto thee: O Christ, thou Giver of life, Glory to thee.

• Troparion of St. Michael, Tone 4

O Commanders of the heavenly hosts, we the unworthy beseech you, that through your entreaties you will fortify us, guarding us in the shelter of the wings of your ethereal glory, even as we fervently bow before You, crying: “Deliver us from all danger as commanders of the powers on high.”

• Kontakion of the Theotokos, Tone 4

O protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the Creator most constant, O despise not the suppliant voices, of those who have sinned; but be thou quick, O good one, to come to our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession, and speed thou to make supplication, thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee.

Epistle: Romans 5:1-10
Gospel: Matthew 6:22-33

June 20, 2010
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

• Troparion of Resurrection, Tone 3

Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad, for the Lord hath done a mighty act with his own arm: he hath trampled death by death, and became the first-born from the dead. He hath delivered us from the depths of Hades, granting the world the great mercy.

• Troparion for Hieromartyr Methodius, Tone 4

Thou hast become like the Apostles in their states, a successor to their throne, finding indeed the intelligential ladder, O thou God inspired. Therefore, thou hast followed the Word of God in righteousness and striven unto blood for the Faith. O Martyr among priest Methodius. Intercede with Christ God to save our souls.

• Troparion of St. Michael, Tone 4

O Commanders of the heavenly hosts, we the unworthy beseech you, that through your entreaties you will fortify us, guarding us in the shelter of the wings of your ethereal glory, even as we fervently bow before You, crying: “Deliver us from all danger as commanders of the powers on high.”

• Kontakion of the Theotokos, Tone 4

O protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the Creator most constant, O despise not the suppliant voices, of those who have sinned; but be thou quick, O good one, to come to our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession, and speed thou to make supplication, thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee.

Epistle: Romans 6:18-23
Gospel: Matthew 8:5-13

June 27, 2010
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

• Troparion of Resurrection, Tone 4

Having learned the joyful message of the resurrection from the angel, the women disciples of the Lord cast from them their parental condemnation, and proudly broke the news to the disciples, saying: Death hath been spoiled; Christ God is risen, granting the world great mercy.

• Troparion of St. Michael, Tone 4

O Commanders of the heavenly hosts, we the unworthy beseech you, that through your entreaties you will fortify us, guarding us in the shelter of the wings of your ethereal glory, even as we fervently bow before You, crying: “Deliver us from all danger as commanders of the powers on high.”

• Kontakion of the Theotokos, Tone 4

O protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the Creator most constant, O despise not the suppliant voices, of those who have sinned; but be thou quick, O good one, to come to our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession, and speed thou to make supplication, thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee.

Epistle: Romans 10:1-10
Gospel: Matthew 8:28-34; 9:1