Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus

Categories: hymns, parish-life, feast-days

Date: 22 April 2007 05:05:50

Troparion -- Myrrh-Bearing Women:
Truly, the angel came to the tomb and said to the ointment-bearing women, "The ointment is meet for the dead, but Christ is shown to be remote from corruption. But cry you, 'The Lord is risen, granting the world great mercy.' "

Troparion -- St Joseph of Arimathea:
The pious Joseph, having brought down your pure body from the Tree, wrapped it in fine linen, embalmed it with ointment, provided for it, and laid it a new tomb. But you truly rose, after three days, O Lord, granting the world great mercy.

Epistle: Acts 6:1-7
Gospel: Mark 15:43-16:8

A blessed Feast of the Myrrh-Bearing Women, among others, to all. Today, despite lower numbers, was one of those days where I felt I got a glimpse into the joy of heaven: throughout Matins and the Divine Liturgy, the chanting of the choir and those around me, the actions of the priest (the sign of the cross and blessing, the, "Peace be with you"s, the incense, ...), all had me experiencing such great joy. And, of course, the receiving of the Body and Blood of our Lord. Thanks indeed be to God.

I also had my icons blessed: they are kept on the altar during the Liturgy, and then a prayer is said and they, and then us, the congregation, are sprinkled with rose water.

Prayers appreciated for our parish: we have some exciting times ahead. We are looking for somewhere to rent where we can have exclusive access, rather than the community hall we currently hire. We will be having a prayer service each Wednesday evening to pray to God for help on this issue. Our priest will also be starting Wednesday and Saturday morning Divine Liturgies in the near future, to be held in the garage in the place he is renting -- which he has turned into a small chapel (we used it for some of the holy week services). Currently we have Vespers on Saturday evening and Matins and Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning. It will be a great blessing to have these additional services throughout the week. Thanks be to God for the wonderful priest, and parish council and parishioners, we have, who are eager for us to move forward as a parish.