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We often see on the walls inside Orthodox churches the iconography depicting the heavenly Liturgy of the Angels, that also includes elements of the Divine Liturgy which we humans celebrate in our holy churches. As we talked about in our previous Homily, the Angels and humanity are united in worshipping the Lord of Heaven and Earth. Just as the holy Angels endlessly praise and offer glory to the Triune God around the Throne of the Almighty, we also gather before the earthly Throne of God (the Holy Table or Altar). We offer the established Prayers (along with our supplications), and when celebrating the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist (as in other holy Services as well), we are chanting thanksgiving and glorification hymns to the Triune God.
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On this occasion of the Feast of the Archangels, Angels, Cherubim, Seraphim, and all the Incorporeal Heavenly Powers, let us look at how our life is connected with the holy Angels, which includes the divine worship of our Church.
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In the petition which we address to God, “For this Holy House” (which we heard about in the previous Homily), the following words are also said: “and for those who enter it with faith, reverence, and fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.” In other words, to pray for those who enter the holy Church with faith, reverence and fear of God.
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At the beginning of the Divine Liturgy and other Holy Services, after the prayers for peace (which we spoke about in our previous sermons), we say this prayer: "For this holy house and for those who enter it with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord "(The Great Litany, 3rd petition).
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(Hebrews 12:14)
“Acquire the Spirit of Peace and a thousand souls around you will be saved.”
(Saint Seraphim of Sarov)
These words of St. Seraphim of Sarov point to what we talked about in our previous homily. When a faithful person acquires first an inner peace in their heart, then they will also help many other people find their own peace as well. As we all know, in a world afflicted with various problems, the only hope to find serenity of the soul is in Christ, the “Ruler of Peace.” This includes being around those who have found their own peace by being united with Him.