St. Michael the Archangel Orthodox Church

Announcements
+ Last updated on September 4th, 2010 +

• It was wonderful having His Eminence Archbishop Lorenzo with us for the summer; he remarked how nice it was to see everyone again. Once again, we will be blessed upon his return September 30th. His Eminence will be in Findlay for his nephew’s wedding. The Sundays the Archbishop will be at St. Michael's are: October 3rd and 10th. We hope to see you in church for the Hierarchical liturgies and these blessed events. We will let you know if there will be a coffee hour for these Sundays. Stay Tuned!
  
  
• Sunday school will start September 12th. Professor Frederick Price will continue to teach our children about Orthodox Christianity. Mr. Price is a good and loyal friend to Fr. Mark and a big help for our Sunday school. We are very blessed to have him as a teacher at St. Michael's Orthodox Church. We pray he will be with us for a long time to come.
  
  
• Bible Study September 26th
  
  
• Summer will end September 21st. We welcome the new church year and begin the new season of autumn. Fr. Mark promises more spiritual and invigorating bible studies. Let’s have a great turn out and learn more about our Orthodox Christianity.
  

Calendar
September 2010

Wednesday, September 1
The Beginning of the Ecclesiastical (Church) Year
& St. Simon the Stylite

September 5
15th Sunday after Pentecost

Wednesday, September 8
The Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos
and Ever-Virgin Mary

September 12
16th Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday Before the Elevation of the Cross and
Leave taking of the Nativity of the Theotokos

Thursday, September 14
The Feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross

September 19
17th Sunday after Pentecost and
Sunday after the Elevation of the Holy Cross

Friday, September 24
Holy Great Martyr Thekla

September 26
18th Sunday after Pentecost and
Repose of St. John the Theologian and Evangelist
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Sunday
September 5, 2010
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

• 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 the Prophet Zachariah, Tone 2

Verily, we celebrate the memory of thy Prophet Zachariah. Through him we implore thee, O Lord, 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 Nativity of the Theotokos, Tone 4

Joachim and Anna were free from the reproach of childlessness, and Adam and Eve from the corruption of death, O immaculate One, by Thy Holy Nativity, which also Thy people do celebrate, having been redeemed form the guilt of trespasses crying aloud to Thee: The barren one give birth to the Theotokos, the nourisher of our life.

Epistle: II Cor. 4: 6-15
Gospel: Mark: 22: 35 to end

Sunday
September 12, 2010

Sunday before the Elevation of the Holy Cross and
the Leave Taking of the Nativity of the Theotokos

• Troparion of the 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 of the Nativity of the Theotokos, Tone 4

Your birth, O Theotokos, brought joy to the whole world, for from You dawned the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God, freeing us from the curse, He gave us His blessing, abolishing death, He granted us eternal life.

• 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 Nativity of the Theotokos, Tone 4

Joachim and Anna were free from the reproach of childlessness, and Adam and Eve from the corruption of death, O immaculate One, by Thy Holy Nativity, which also Thy people do celebrate, having been redeemed form the guilt of trespasses crying aloud to Thee: The barren one give birth to the Theotokos, the nourisher of our life.

Epistle: Gal. 6: 11-18
Gospel: John 3: 13-17

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The Elevation of the Venerable and Life- Giving Cross

The Feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross commemorates the discovery of the precious Cross which remained lost for nearly 400 years. It was discovered by St Helen, the mother of Saint Constantine the Great in 395. She had her servants dig in the spot on Golgotha, where Jesus was put into the tomb. Saint Helen picked the spot because she smelled sweet basil which was growing there. She found the true cross between two other crosses, which belonged to the two thieves. She was able to identify the cross because it bore the inscription: "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews". Many miracles occurred through contact with the true Cross. Consequently, the precious Cross was lifted on high by Archbishop Macarius of Jerusalem; as he stood on the ambo, and when the people beheld it, they cried out, "Lord have mercy."

The Cross is a very important Christian symbol, because it is symbolic of the crucifixion of Christ, and His suffering and death for the sins of the people of the world. During the Divine Liturgy, the Cross is carried in a procession. It is held up high in a tray of flowers and the herb basil. At the end of the service, the blessed flowers and basil are distributed to the people.

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Sunday
September 19, 2010

Sunday after the Elevation of the Holy Cross

• Troparion of the 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 Cross, Tone 1

O Lord Save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance, granting our believing Kings victory over the barbarians, and by the power of Thy Cross preserving thy common wealth.

• 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 Holy Cross, Tone 4

Do Thou, who of Thine own good will wast lifted up upon the Cross, O christ, our God, bestow Thy bounties upon the new nation which is called by Thy Name; make glad in thy might those who lawfully govern, that with them we may be led to victory over our adversaries, having in thine aid a weapon of peace and trophy invincible.

Epistle: Gal. 2: 16-20
Gospel: Mark 8: 34-9:1
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To Cross or Not To Cross
in the Church

To Cross: We Cross ourselves every time the priest says: “In the name of the Father, the son, and the Holy Spirit”; at the beginning and end of the Divine Liturgy; entering or exiting the church; passing in front of the Holy Altar; before venerating the icons, the cross, or the Holy Gospel.
Not to Cross: It is not proper to cross ourselves when we approach the chalice before or after taking Communion. We shouldn’t cross ourselves when the priest blesses saying, “Peace be to all” or when we are receiving the blessing from a priest or Bishop. Instead, it is appropriate to kiss the right hand of the Bishop or Priest.

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Sunday
September 26, 2010

18th Sunday after Pentecost and
translation Apostle St. John the Theologian and Evangelist

• Troparion of the 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. John the Evangelical, Tone 2

O Apostle, speaker of divinity, the beloved of less in argument; for he on whose bosom thou didst lean accepteth thee as an intercessor. Beseech him, asking for us safety and 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 unto 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: I John 4:12-19
Gospel: John 19:25-27; 21: 24-25

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Is it proper or not proper to Light Candles during the Divine Liturgy?

Lighting candles is an important part of our Orthodox faith. We light candles as we pray, making an offering to accompany our prayers. The best time to light candles is when you enter the church. It is not proper to light candles during the Epistle or Gospel readings, during the little or Great Entrances, the sermon, and most of the times when the faithful are standing. If you find yourself arriving to church after the Liturgy has begun, a good rule of thumb is: wait for everyone to sit and then light candles (unless everyone is sitting for the sermon).

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