November 21, 2024 – The Feast of the Archangel Michael and All Heavenly Powers.
Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Holy Martyrs Faith, Hope, Charity, and their Mother Sophia, located at the Patriarchal Representation of the Russian Orthodox Church’s Metropolitan District of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Moscow.
Concelebrating with the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan were: the Sacristan of the Church of the Holy Martyrs Faith, Hope, Charity, and Sophia, Hieromonk Antony (Drobyazko); Vice-Rector of the Almaty Theological Seminary, Candidate of Theology, Doctor of Medical Sciences, and Professor Hegumen Agafangel (Gagua); Archpriest Pavel Vishnevsky; the Rector of the Church of Saint John of Kronstadt in the city of Lisakovsk, Archpriest Oleg Kalmykov; Hieromonk Victorin (Aseyev); Protodeacon Sergiy Kulikov; and Deacon Roman Frolov.
Attending the service were the staff of the Representation and parishioners of the church. The liturgical hymns were chanted by the church choir under the direction of Anna Rozhnova.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Alexander addressed the clergy and faithful, extending greetings on the great feast—the commemoration of the Archangel Michael and All Heavenly Powers.
“The Apostle Paul speaks of the angelic hosts, describing them as ‘ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation’ (Hebrews 1:14). The blessed Theophylact of Bulgaria, a renowned interpreter of Holy Scripture, explains this verse as follows: ‘God’s great care for us is evident, for He has appointed even the angels, who surpass us, to serve for our salvation.’ Today, as we celebrate the Feast of the Archangel Michael and all Heavenly Powers, we prayerfully honor and glorify these blessed angels—incorporeal servants of the Lord and our steadfast helpers on the path of salvation.”
“This day, however, is not the only time dedicated to the commemoration of the angelic powers. The Church has appointed every Monday as a day to honor the Heavenly Hosts. According to the Holy Scriptures and Sacred Tradition, the angels of God, in fulfilling the will of their Creator, care for different parts of creation, oversee natural phenomena, and intercede for nations and peoples. Special angels are entrusted by the Creator with the guardianship of Orthodox Churches, monasteries, and temples. Moreover, every Christian receives a Guardian Angel, assigned by God at the moment of Baptism.” “During the performance of this great Sacrament, the priest prays for the one preparing for Baptism: ‘Unite to his life a radiant Angel to protect him from every plot of the adversary, from wicked encounters, from the demon of noonday, and from evil imaginations.’ From the moment a person is ‘born of water and the Spirit,’ becoming a child of the Church, until the great and fearful Day of Judgment, the Guardian Angel accompanies the Christian. Thus, the Lord, ‘who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth’ (1 Timothy 2:3), demonstrates His fatherly care for us.” “Those who follow the daily prayer rule know that among the morning and evening prayers, there is a special invocation to the Guardian Angel. Upon rising from bed or retiring for the night, a Christian should pray to their angel—thanking him for his protection and asking forgiveness for the pain we cause him through our sins, thoughts, and deeds. ‘Turn to your holy Guardian Angel, and he will guide you in every situation; he is a most trustworthy guide,’ teaches Saint Theophan the Recluse. Let us strive, amid our daily labors and concerns, to remember frequently to call upon our heavenly protector, our intercessor before God, our Guardian Angel, with the simple prayer: ‘Holy Angel of God, my Guardian, pray to God for me.’ We believe that the Creator protects us under the wings of His heavenly angels and will always preserve us, His people. We believe that the angels of God, who stand before the Creator in heaven, invisibly remain with us always, supporting us on our journey toward the Kingdom of God.” – From the homily of Metropolitan Alexander.
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