Nov 18, 20231 min read

Forefeast of The Blessed Powers and Synaxis of Archangels

Saturday 18th September 2023 - 7pm

Good Shepherd Chapel, Abbotsford Victoria

After a warm Saturday afternoon, the church bells rang triumphantly across the suburb of Abbotsford to welcome us to the forefeast for The Blessed Powers and Order of Angels. The clergy entered to joyous chant and began the evenings liturgy.

Father Mark read from the readings and then the Gospel was read amongst the congregation. Metropolitan Raffaele read from the Gospel according to St Luke. It spoke of the bishop who invited Jesus to his house, hoping he would heal his sick daughter. On the way out, a woman in the crowd touched him - she had been sick with a blood illness and was immediately cured because of her faith. Unfortunately, the young girl died in the meantime, but Jesus said she was only sleeping. He went inside. She came back to life.

Metropolitan Raffaele spoke a little about the woman who had the blood disorder - she knew Jesus was holy and so was healed immediately. He said that God works for everyone. He is the healing from on high.

The liturgy continued and the gifts were brought to the altar. The creed was recited and the gifts were blessed and transfigured. Metropolitan Raffaele talked about the importance of Mary as mother of the church and sang to her. Then the Our Father was shared and sung, and the clergy took communion before sharing it with t congregation.

The chalice was returned to the side altar and Metropolitan Raffaele concluded his homily. Then everyone was anointed and went out the back to have a lovely feast.