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Icon of the Archangel Gabriel

O ye incorporeal angels who stand before the throne of God, luminous with the brilliance thereof and everlastingly shining with radiance. As secondary luminaries, entreat Christ, that He grant unto our souls peace and great mercy.

O immortal messengers of the truly incorruptible Life, ye most blessed ones who received life from the first Life, ye have become holy beholders of the eternal Wisdom, full of light, and reflecting lamps shown forth as is meet.

O ye archangels and angels, principalities, thrones, dominions, six-winged seraphim, and divine, many-eyed cherubim, instruments of wisdom, virtues and powers most divine. Pray ye to Christ, that He grant our souls peace and great mercy.

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HOLY RESURRECTION BYZANTINE CATHOLIC MISSION
FATHER THOMAS O’CONNELL, PASTOR
FATHER DEACON RON VOLEK, PASTORAL ASSISTANT
HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH
307 BLACK OAK RIDGE ROAD PO BOX 817
SEYMOUR, TN 37865
PHONE: 865-609-1081
www.hrbcc.org
Slava Isusu Christu! Slava Na Niky!
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!
Divine Liturgy begins at 4 p.m. Every Sunday
Ninth Hour Prayer precedes Liturgy at 3:30 p.m.
Potluck supper follows Liturgy on the third Sunday of the month
Also at this time non-perishable foods and items for those in need
SEPTEMBER 16, 2007
SUNDAY AFTER THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS
THE HOLY GREAT MARTYR EUPHEMIA
The Holy and Precious Mother of God
Theotokos, or Mother of God, is not only a title of honor. It is a profession of faith and a statement of an historical fact. “The term ‘theotokos,’” says St. John of Damascus “contains all the history of the divine economy in this world, and the whole mystery of the Incarnation.” St. Cyril of Alexandria calls Mary the “Compliment of the Holy Trinity,” precisely because she participates in this divine economia.
The most important fact and solemn teaching of the church about Mary is that she is the Mother of God. She is a real mother in the same physical and concrete sense as any other human mother. Motherhood is a personal relationship, a real relationship between two people, which identifies them as belonging to each other. In the very special instance of the Incarnation, according to Holy Scriptures, sexual union and human fatherhood had no share in the motherhood of Mary.
From eternity, God had chosen Mary as the instrument for the expression of His infinite love. She is, then, the symbol and sign of the whole creation. As a woman and mother, she is the unifying force to make the world aware of the grandeur of both spiritual and physical motherhood. Eve was the mother of all the living; Mary is the mother of all believers. She is the new creation in all its fullness! Because Mary is not only a real mother—but the Mother of God—that is, more mother than any other mother, hymns of glory are often repeated in her honor. And rightly so!
SUNDAY AFTER THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS
GOSPEL THOUGHT (MARK 8:34b-38, 9:1) by Father James Melnic
In our day, there are many people who are frustrated with life because they strive to find their happiness in material things and have lost all sense of priorities, spiritual values, and even their own dignity and value as children of God. The words of Christ echo this in today’s Holy Gospel: “What profit does a man show who gains the whole world and destroys himself in the process?”
Our Lord speaks of this problem. Some of His listeners did not wish to deny themselves anything. Our Lord focused on their primary problem as expressed in the Gospel of Mark: “Whoever would preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will preserve it.” When we come to the question “Will I take up my cross and follow Jesus?” there can be no response but “Yes, Lord, I accept whatever you give me, whatever is in Your will.”
In denying ourselves, in emptying ourselves of this material world, we open our hearts to the fullness of Christ’s love wherein we will experience His presence, His peace, His forgiveness.
JOY OF THE AFFLICTED by Anthony M. Coniaris
“Treat others as you would like them to treat you. Be compassionate, therefore, even as your Father is compassionate.” —Luke 6:31-36
Our Lord gave His mother to be our spiritual mother and to be a role model for each of us. The Church presents her in this role by her loving concern for us in a beautiful icon titled “Joy of the Afflicted.”
In some iconographic portrayals, she is pictured standing with her arms outstretched to indicate her loving concern and compassion for all afflicted humanity, while two angels are shown holding a crown above her head as a symbol of her role as queen of heaven and of the universe. At the top of the icon on each side are the titles in Slavonic: “Icon of the Immaculate Mother of God” and “Joy of the Afflicted.” These titles of the Mother of God express her loving care and concern for her spiritual children. They indicate her compassion in their illnesses and difficulties.
Small banners introduce six groups of afflicted people. These titles are taken from the Hymns-Stichera of the Devotion (Moleben) to the Mother of God. The first Hymn is a prayer for Mary’s intercession: “O gracious Lady, you pray for all those who with faith take refuge in your powerful protection. We sinners ever in misery and affliction have no other recourse to God than you.”
The Second Hymn indicates her titles, some of which are on the icon: “Sustainer of the hungry; consolation of those in exile, haven to the storm-tossed; comfort to the sick; protectress and patroness of the weak; staff of the aged.” She is a beautiful example and role model. Follow in her footsteps by prayer and assistance.
Words of Wisdom from St. John of Kronstadt
When you are praying alone, and your spirit is dejected, and you are wearied and oppressed by your loneliness, remember then—as always—that God the Trinity looks upon you with eyes brighter than the sun! So do all the angels, your own Guardian Angel, and all the Saints of God. They, too, look upon you with love and concern for your well-being. Truly they do, for they are all one in God; and where God is, they are there also. We know that where the sun is, thither also are directed all its rays. Try to understand what this means. Take courage, do not give up, and feel God’s love and peace.

Last updated: 16-Sep-2007