SS. Cyril & Methodius
Bulgarian Orthodox Mission
St. Michael the
Archangel and
All the Bodiless
Powers of Heaven
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Our services are held
at:
St. Luke Orthodox Church
6801 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA 22101
A parish of the
Orthodox Church in America
St. Michael the Archangel and all the Powers of
Heaven
The Synaxis of the Chief of
the Heavenly Hosts, Archangel Michael and the Other Heavenly Bodiless Powers:
Archangels Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Selaphiel, Jehudiel, Barachiel, and
Jeremiel was established at the beginning of the fourth century at the Council
of Laodicea, which met several years before the First Ecumenical Council. The
35th Canon of the Council of Laodicea condemned and denounced as heretical the
worship of angels as gods and rulers of the world, but affirmed their proper veneration.
A Feastday was established in November,
the ninth month after March (with which the year began in ancient times) since
there are Nine Ranks of Angels. The eighth day of the month was chosen for the
Synaxis of all the Bodiless Powers of Heaven since the Day of the Dread Last
Judgment is called the Eighth Day by the holy Fathers. After the end of this
age (characterized by its seven days of Creation) will come the Eighth Day, and
then "the Son of Man shall come in His Glory and all the holy Angels with
Him" (Mt. 25:31).
The Angelic Ranks are divided into
three Hierarchies: highest, middle, and lowest.
The Highest Hierarchy includes: the
Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones.
The six-winged SERAPHIM
(Flaming, Fiery) (Is 6:12) stand closest of all to the Most Holy Trinity. They
blaze with love for God and kindle such love in others.
The many-eyed CHERUBIM (outpouring of
wisdom, enlightenment) (Gen 3:24) stand before the Lord after the Seraphim.
They are radiant with the light of knowledge of God, and knowledge of the
mysteries of God. Through them wisdom is poured forth, and people's minds are
enlightened so they may know God and behold His glory.
The THRONES (Col 1:16) stand after the
Cherubim, mysteriously and incomprehensibly bearing God through the grace given
them for their service. They are ministers of God's justice, giving to
tribunals, kings, etc. the capacity for righteous judgment.
The Middle Angelic Hierarchy
consists of three Ranks: Dominions, Powers, and Authorities:
DOMINIONS (Col 1:16) hold
dominion over the angels subject to them. They instruct the earthly
authorities, established by God, to rule wisely, and to govern their lands
well. The Dominions teach us to subdue sinful impulses, to subject the flesh to
the spirit, to master our will, and to conquer temptation.
POWERS (1 Pet 3:22) fulfill the will of
God without hesitation. They work great miracles and give the grace of
wonderworking and clairvoyance to saints pleasing to God. The Powers assist
people in fulfilling obediences. They also encourage them to be patient, and
give them spiritual strength and fortitude.
AUTHORITIES (1 Pet 3:22, Col 1:16) have
authority over the devil. They protect people from demonic temptations, and
prevent demons from harming people as they would wish. They also uphold
ascetics and guard them, helping people in the struggle with evil thoughts.
The Lowest Hierarchy includes
the three Ranks: Principalities, Archangels, and Angels:
PRINIPALITIES (Col 1:16) have
command over the lower angels, instructing them in the fulfilling of God's
commands. They watch over the world and protect lands, nations and peoples.
Principalities instruct people to render proper honor to those in authority, as
befits their station. They teach those in authority to use their position, not
for personal glory and gain, but to honor God, and to spread word of Him, for
the benefit of those under them.
ARCHANGELS (1 Thess 4:16) are messengers
of great and wondrous tidings. They reveal prophecies and the mysteries of the
faith. They enlighten people to know and understand the will of God, they
spread faith in God among the people, illuminating their minds with the light
of the Holy Gospel.
ANGELS (1 Pet 3:22) are in the lowest
rank of the heavenly hierarchy, and closest to people. They reveal the lesser
mysteries of God and His intentions, guiding people to virtuous and holy life.
They support those who remain steadfast, and they raise up the fallen. They
never abandon us and they are always prepared to help us, if we desire it.
All the Ranks of the Heavenly
Powers are called angels, although each has its own name and position by virtue
of their service. The Lord reveals His will to the highest ranks of the angels,
and they in turn inform the others.
Over all the Nine Ranks, the Lord
appointed the Holy Archangel Michael (his name in Hebrew means "who is
like unto God"), the faithful servitor of God, as Chief Commander. He cast
down from Heaven the arrogantly proud Lucifer and the other fallen spirits when
they rebelled against God. Michael summoned the ranks of angels and cried out,
"Let us attend! Let us stand aright before our Creator and do not consider
doing what is displeasing unto God!"
According to Church Tradition, and in the
church services to the Archangel Michael, he participated in many other Old
Testament events.
During the Exodus of the
Israelites from Egypt he went before them in the form of a pillar of cloud by
day and a pillar of fire by night. Through him the power of the Lord was made
manifest, annihilating the Egyptians and Pharaoh who were in pursuit of the
Israelites. The Archangel Michael defended Israel in all its misfortunes.
He appeared to Joshua Son of Navi and
revealed the will of the Lord at the taking of Jericho (Josh 5:13-16). The
power of the great Chief Commander of God was manifest in the annihilation of
the 185 thousand soldiers of the Assyrian emperor Sennacherib (4/2 Kings
19:35); also in the smiting of the impious leader Heliodorus (2 Macc. 3:
24-26); and in the protection of the Three Holy Youths: Ananias, Azarias and
Misail, thrown into the fiery furnace for their refusal to worship an idol (Dan
3:22-25).
Through the will of God, the Chief
Commander Michael transported the Prophet Habbakuk (December 2) from Judea to
Babylon, to give food to Daniel in the lions' den (Dan. 14:33-37).
The Archangel Michael disputed with the
devil over the body of the holy Prophet Moses (Jude 1:9).
The holy Archangel Michael showed his
power when he miraculously saved a young man, cast into the sea by robbers with
a stone about his neck on the shores of Mt Athos. This story is found in the
Athonite Paterikon, and in the Life of St Neophytus of Docheiariou (November
9).
From ancient times the Archangel Michael
was famed for his miracles in Rus. In the Volokolamsk Paterikon is a narrative
of St Paphnutius of Borov with an account of Tatar tax-gatherers concerning the
miraculous saving of Novgorod the Great: "Therefore Great Novgorod was
never taken by the Hagarenes... when... for our sins the godless Hagarene
emperor Batu devoured and set the Russian land aflame and came to Novgorod, and
God and the Most Holy Theotokos shielded it with an appearance of Michael the
Archangel, who forbade him to enter into it. He [Batu] was come to the
Lithuanian city and came toward Kiev and saw the stone church, over the doors
of which the great Archangel Michael had written and spoken to the prince his
allotted fate, 'By this we have forbidden you entry into Great Novgorod'."
Intercession for Russian cities by the
Most Holy Queen of Heaven always involved Her appearances with the Heavenly
Hosts, under the leadership of the Archangel Michael. Grateful Rus acclaimed
the Most Pure Mother of God and the Archangel Michael in church hymns. Many
monasteries, cathedrals, court and merchant churches are dedicated to the Chief
Commander Michael.
In old Kiev at the time of the accepting
of Christianity, a cathedral of the Archangel was built, and a monastery also
was named for him. Archangel cathedrals are found at Smolensk, Nizhni Novgorod,
Staritsa, at Great Ustiug (beginning of the thirteenth century), and a
cathedral at Sviyazhsk. In Rus there was not a city, where there was not a
church or chapel dedicated to the Archangel Michael.
One of the chief temples of the city of
Moscow, the burial church in the Kremlin, is dedicated to him. Numerous and
beautiful icons of the Chief Commander of the Heavenly Hosts are also in his
Cathedral. One of these, the Icon "Blessed Soldiery," was painted in
the Dormition Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin. The saintly soldiers, Russian
princes, are depicted under the leadership of the Archangel Michael.
We invoke St Michael for protection from
invasion by enemies and from civil war, and for the defeat of adversaries on
the field of battle. He conquers all spiritual enemies.
Holy Scripture and Tradition
give us the names of the Archangels:
Gabriel: strength (power) of
God, herald and servitor of Divine omnipotence (Dan 8:16, Luke 1:26). He
announces the mysteries of God.
Raphael: the healing of God, the curer of
human infirmities (Tobit 3:16, 12:15)
Uriel: the fire or light of God,
enlightener (3 Ezdras 5:20). We pray for him to enlighten those with darkened
minds.
Selaphiel: the prayer of God, impelling
to prayer (3 Ezdras 5:16). He prays to God for mankind.
Jehudiel: the glorifying of God,
encouraging exertion for the glory of the Lord and interceding for the reward
of efforts.
Barachiel: distributor of the blessings
of God for good deeds, entreats the mercy of God for people.
Jeremiel: the raising up to God (3 Ezdras
4:36)
On icons the Archangels are
depicted in according to the character of their service:
Michael tramples the devil
underfoot, and in his left hand holds a green date-tree branch, and in his
right hand a spear with a white banner (or sometimes a fiery sword), on which
is outlined a scarlet cross.
Gabriel with a branch from Paradise,
presented by him to the Most Holy Virgin, or with a shining lantern in his
right hand and with a mirror made of jasper in his left.
Raphael holds a vessel with healing
medications in his left hand, and with his right hand leads Tobias, carrying a
fish for healing (Tobit 5-8).
Uriel in his raised right hand holds a
naked sword at the level of his chest, and in his lowered left hand "a fiery
flame."
Selaphiel in a prayerful posture, gazing
downwards, hands folded on the chest.
Jehudiel holds a golden crown in his
right hand, in his left, a whip of three red (or black) thongs.
Barachiel is shown with a white rose on
his breast.
Jeremiel holds balance-scales in his
hand.
Each person has a guardian
angel, and every nation also receives its own guardian angel from God (Dan.
10:13). When a church is consecrated, it also receives a guardian angel
(Palladius, Dial. Ch. 10).
(Courtesy
of OCA.org)
Saints
Commemorated Today
21st Sunday after Pentacost. SYNAXIS OF THE ARCHANGEL MICHAEL AND THE OTHER BODILESS
POWERS: Archangels Gabriel, Raphael,
Uriel, Selaphiel, Jegudiel, and Barachiel.
May Their Memory Be
Eternal
The newly departed servants, Matushka
Barbara, the Reader Robert Michael, and George;
the Archbishop GREGORY;
the Archimandrite Innocent;
the Priests Peter, Homer,
Ishmael, Elary, and Leo;
the Presbyteras Mary, Elizabeth,
Sophronia, and Platonida;
the servants of God, Anna, Elena,
Olivera, Helen, Christo, Radka, Dale, Philemon, Carmel, Thomas, Thomas &
Marion, Andrew & Irene, Stamatia & Peter, Panigyoti & Marianthi, Ginka,
Elvetizio & Eva, Vasili, Mary Ellen, George, Christophor, Rada, Julia, and
Mary;
(If you wish to add a name to
this list, please contact Fr. Timothy)
Those Who Are In Need of Prayer
Priests Photius, Joseph, Anthony,
Mileta, Milorad, and Joseph;
Presbyteras Artemis, Marie,
Miriam, & Alexandra;
The servants of God, Jose, Kasia,
Catherine, Mathew, Elisabeth, Stella, Venko, Tanya, Petya, Charlie, Vera,
Magdalena, Bojanka, Albana, Yekaterina, Sasha, John, Carmeta, Charlie, and
Patricia.
(If you wish to add a name to
this list, please contact Fr. Timothy)
Schedule of Services
(All
Services begin at 2:00)
Sunday, November 23 Entry of the Theotokos into the
Temple
Sunday, December 7 St. Nicholas the Wonderworker
Sunday, December 21 Forefeast of the Nativity of Christ
Sunday, January 4 Forefeast of Theophany
(Baptism of Christ)
November Parish Council Meeting
The next Monthly Parish Council
Meeting will be held this Thursday evening, November 13 at St. Luke Orthodox
Church in MacLean, VA. The meeting
will begin at 7:00 PM and will end promptly at 9:00 PM. Parishioners are welcome and encouraged
to attend the meeting but are respectfully reminded that only Parish Council
members may vote.
2009 Annual Parish Meeting
The Annual Parish Meeting will take place after the Divine
Liturgy on Sunday, January 18, 2009.
The Annual Parish Meeting agenda will include, 1/ TreasurerŐs Financial
Report on 2008, 2/ PriestŐs Report on 2008 and Outlook for 2009, 3/ Adoption of
2008 Annual Parish Meeting Minutes, 4/ Budget for 2009, 5/ Election of 2009
Parish Council members, and 6/ New Business (items proposed and accepted by the
Parish Council by January 4). Only
members of good standing may either stand for nomination to the Parish Council
and vote.
15th
All-American Council (AAC)
Pittsburgh, PA
November 10
– 13
On Wednesday of this
coming week, November 12 the AAC will vote for a new Metropolitan. The Council clergy and delegates will and
the eligible candidate who receives two thirds of the vote will be the next
Metropolitan. If no candidates
receives two-thirds of the vote on the first ballot – the voting will be
guided by guidelines published on www.oca.org. SS Cyril and Methodius will be represented by Fr. Timothy
Perry and Mr. Lawrence Woods.
For more information on
the council please visit: http://www.oca.org/15aac
The Diocese of the South
Consecrates an Auxillary Bishop
)
On Saturday, November
1, 2008, Archimandrite Jonah (Paffhausen) was consecrated Bishop of Fort Worth
to serve as an Auxiliary Bishop for the Diocese of the South at Dallas' St.
Seraphim Cathedral.
Radio Broadcast of
The 15th All-American Council
On November 10-13, the Orthodox Church in America
will convene itŐs 15th All American Council
in Pittsburgh. It is a significant event as a new Metropolitan will be elected.
Ancient Faith Radio is the official media partner for the Council and will be
there to make the sessions available for those who cannot come. We will also
bring the announcement of the new Metropolitan as well as an interview with
him.
Link: http://ancientfaith.com/specials/oca15aac
SS Cyril &
Methodius Bulgarian Orthodox Mission
Bulletin, November 9,
2008
OCA, Diocese of
Washington and New York