St. Michael the Archangel Orthodox Church

Announcements
+ Last updated on June 16, 2010 +

• Happy 4th of July America and to our Parishioners at St. Michael Orthodox Church!!!!

• Welcome Archbishop Lorenzo! We are happy that you are here with us especially celebrating liturgy this first Sunday July 4th and your presence on our Independence Day.

• St. Andrew Day is celebrated July 4th. Happy St. Andrew Day for those of you who are named Andrew!

• St. Elias Day is celebrated July 20th. Many families named their children Elias, Elie or Elize after saint Elias, and there is a custom in some churches, that if you carry the name of a saint they announce it or they call you to wish you a happy names day. Families whose children carry the name of the saint can celebrate by making cake or passing some candy or desert. Don’t be afraid to call someone who carries the name of a saint to wish him or her a happy names day. If you carry a name of a saint, you are not just lucky but blessed.

• There will be a possible Bible study July 25th. Since Fr. Mark will be out of town, the Archbishop may conduct the Bible study.

Calendar
July 2010

July 4
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
St. Andrew of Crete

July 11
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
Great Martyr Euphemia the all-praised

July 18
Eight Sunday after Pentecost
The Holy Fathers of the 4th Ecumenical Council

Tuesday, July 20
The Prophet Elias

July 25
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
The Dormition of the righteous Anna

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The Prophet Elias
(Celebrated on July 20th)

Elias, also known as Elijah is a prophet of the Old Testament who lived in the ninth century before the Coming of Jesus Christ. Prophet Elias means the Lord is God. He was filled with passion for spreading the word of the Holy God. He lived in the wilderness and relied in God in everything. God entrusted him with different tasks to reestablish the worship of Him.

The King (Ashab), the Queen (Jezebel) and the people had abandoned worshiping Holy God for the idol of Baal. The prophet Elias fought the god Baal and strove to invigorate the belief in the one God of universe, preaching with passion to those whose faith waned and bringing many back into the fold. Jezebel intensified her efforts to disprove Elias, who had correctly predicted a three-year drought which ravaged the land and ruining the crops.

A challenge to test the powers of God and those of Baal was accepted by the Queen. Each side will call for fire to be ignited after placing of sacrifices at two altars, one to Baal and the other to God. The winner being the one whose fire lit first for his God. First, the Queen and her priests called forth the power to light the fire until they gave up in disgust, but the fire burst forth at the first prayer of the Prophet Elias. Finally, Prophet Elias called for an end to the drought and a heavenly rain descended, ending a three-year dry spell that had parched the land.

The end of the earthly life of Elias came mysteriously. As he was conversing with Eliseus on the hills of Moah, "a fiery chariot, and fiery horses parted them both asunder, and Elias went up by a whirlwind into heaven" (Kings. 2:11).

Jews, Christians and Muslims pay high honor to Elias; Carmelite monks cherish the belief that their order was in some sense founded by him. Together with Moses, he appeared at Christ’s transfiguration.

St Elias is commemorated on July 20th.

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July 4, 2010
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

• Troparion of Resurrection, Tone 5

Let us believers praise and worship the Word, coeternal with the Father and the Spirit, born of the Virgin for our salvation; for he took pleasure in ascending the Cross in the flesh to suffer death and to raise the dead by his glorious Resurrection.

• Troparion of St. Andrew, Tone 4

The truth of your dealings our Father and bishop Andrew, Showed you to your flock as a standard of faith, as the image of gentleness and as a teacher of self-discipline. By lowliness, you attained to the heights, by poverty to great riches. Therefore, we beseech you, pray to Christ our God for the salvation of 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 cries unto thee. Hasten to intercession, and speed thou to make supplication, thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee.

Epistle: Rom. 12: 6-14
Gospel: Mt. 9: 1-8

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St. Andrew
0f Crete

St. Andrew of Crete was born in the city of Damascus from a pious Christian family. He was mute until seven years of age. When he received his first Holy Communion, he began to speak. After that, he studied the Holy Scripture. At age of fourteen, he went to the monastery of St. Sava where he became a monk. St. Andrew was known for his virtue, his profound knowledge of theology and Orthodox doctrine. On the Island of Crete and during the reign of Justinian, he was ordained as a bishop where he served as a teacher and theologian. He wrote many liturgical hymns. St. Andrew died in the year 712 or 726.

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July 11, 2010
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
Great Martyr Euphemia the all-praised

• Troparion of Resurrection, Tone 6

When Mary stood at thy grave, looking for the 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 there by. 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 of St. Euphemia, Tone 4

Thy awe, O Jesus, doth cry unto thee with a loud voice saying: My bride, I long for thee and in struggles seek thee. I am crucified and buried with thee in thy baptism. And for thee I do suffer until I reign with thee. I die for thee that I may live in thee. Then as a sacrifice without blemish receive her who for thy sake was slain. Through her intercessions, therefore, since thou art merciful, 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 cries unto thee. Hasten to intercession, and speed thou to make supplication, thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee.

Epistle: II Cor. 6:1-10
Gospel: Matt. 9:27-35

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St. Euphemia
(Commemorated on July 11th)

St. Euphemia was born in Chalcedon; she was the daughter of Senator Philophronos and Theodosia, both of whom were Christians.

Priscus who was the governor of Chalcedon ordered all the residents of his city to appear at the pagan festival to worship and offer sacrifice to the statue named Ares. Anyone who would fail to appear will face torments and tortures death.
Refusing to obey his order, the young Euphemia was one of the 49th Christians who were hidden in one house and deciding to pray secretly and only to the true God.

In a while, the hiding place was discovered, and they all were brought before Priscus. They were subjected to various tortures and torments, but none of them abandon their faith nor accept to offer sacrifices to the pagan (Ares). Priscus didn’t know how to force these Christians to offer sacrifice to his idol and he sent them all to the emperor Dopcletian to be persecuted except the young girl Euphemia who was left alone hoping that she would give up her faith. St. Euphemia prayed to the Lord Jesus Christ and asked him that He would strengthen her. Many miracles happened while she was subjected to all kinds of tortures and torments. Finally, she died. A magnificent church was built over the grave of the Great Martyr Euphemia. The sessions of the Fourth Ecumenical Council took place in the year 451 at this church.

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July 18, 2010
Eight Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the 4th Ecumenical Council

• Troparion of Resurrection, Tone 7

Thou didst shatter death by thy Cross, thou didst open Paradise to the thief; thou didst turn the sadness of the ointment bearing women into joy, and didst bid thine apostles proclaim a warning that thou hadst risen, O Christ, granting to the world the great mercy.

• Troparion for the Holy Father, Tone 8

Thou, O Christ , art our God of exceeding praise who didst establish our Holy Fathers as luminous stars upon earth, and through them didst guide us unto the true faith, O most merciful one, glory be 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: Titus 3:8-15
Gospel: Matthew 5:14-19

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Sunday of the Holy Fathers
of the 4th Ecumenical Council

On the Sunday that falls from the 13th to the 19th of the present month, we chant the Service to the Holy and God-bearing Fathers who came together in the Seven Ecumenical Councils, that is: the First Council, of the 318 Fathers who assembled in Nicaea in 325 to condemn Arius, who denied that the Son of God is consubstantial with the Father; the Fathers of the First Council also ordained that the whole Church should celebrate Pascha according to the same reckoning; the Second Council, of the 150 Fathers who assembled in Constantinople in 381 to condemn Macedonius, Patriarch of Constantinople, who denied the Divinity of the Holy Spirit; the Third Council, of the 200 Fathers who assembled in Ephesus in 431, to condemn Nestorius, Patriarch of Constantinople, who called Christ a mere man and not God incarnate; the Fourth Council, of the 630 who assembled in Chalcedon in 451, to condemn Eutyches, who taught that there was only one nature, the divine, in Christ after the Incarnation, and Dioscorus, Patriarch of Alexandria, who illegally received Eutyches back into communion and deposed Saint Flavian, Patriarch of Constantinople, who had excommunicated Eutyches; the Fifth Council in 535, of the 165 who assembled in Constantinople for the second time to condemn Origen and Theodore of Mopsuestia, the teacher of Nestorius; the Sixth Council in 680, of the 170 who assembled in Constantinople for the third time, to condemn the Monothelite heresy, which taught that there is in Christ but one will, the divine; and the Seventh Council in 787, of the 350 who assembled in Nicaea for the second time to condemn Iconoclasm.

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July 25, 2010
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
The Dormition of the Righteous Anna

• Troparion of Resurrection, Tone 8

From the heights thou didst descend, O compassionate One, and thou didst submit to the three-day burial; that thou might deliver us from passion. Thou art our life and our resurrection, O Lord, glory to thee.

• Troparion of the Rightesous Anna, Tone 4

O Godly-minded Anne, thou didst give birth to the Theotokos, the spotless Mother of Life. Wherefore, thou hast been translated now in gladness to thy heavenly end, which is the abode of all who rejoice, seeking forgiveness of sins for those we who eagerly honor thee, O ever-blessed one.

• 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 Righteous Anna, Tone 2

Let us celebrate with faith, the memory of righteous ancestors of Christ, requesting their help in faith for our deliverance from all tribulation, we who cry unto thee, be with us O Lord as thou were pleased to gloriy them.

Epistle: Gal. 4:22-29
Gospel: Matthew 14:22-34

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Saint Joachim and Saint Anna
(Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary)

So much attention is paid by Christians to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Theotokos, sanctified in every conceivable way; that there is a tendency to overlook her parents. Mary’s parents, Joachim and Anna, were a very old couple, who lived in the small town of Nazareth. They wanted a child very much, but Anna just never became pregnant. They prayed frequently to God asking Him to give them a child. One day Anna was walking in her garden when she discovered a nest of birds. This reminded her that she was childless, and she began to cry. She then prayed again to God for a child, and pledged to dedicate the child to His service. Joachim also prayed to God for a child. God sent an angel who appeared to both Joachim and Anna at the same time, even though they were not together. The angel told them God would answer their prayers. About nine months later they had a baby girl and named her Mary.

The Dormition of the Mother of the Theotokos (Anna) is commemorated on July 25th.