THE FEAST OF THE DORMITION OF THE HOLY THEOTOKOS

TROPARION

In giving birth, you preserved your virginity.  In falling asleep you did not forsake the world, O Theotokos.  You were translated to life, O Mother of Life, and by your prayers, you deliver our souls from death.

KONTAKION

Neither the tomb, nor death, could hold the Theotokos, who is constant in prayer and our firm hope in her intercessions.  For being the Mother of Life, she was translated to life, by the One who dwelt in her virginal womb.

* * * * * 

The end of the earthly life of the Most Holy Mother of God was the beginning of Her greatness.  "Being adorned with Divine glory" (Irmos of the Canon of the Dormition), She stands and will stand, both in the day of the Last Judgment and in the future age, at the right hand of the throne of Her Son.  She reigns with Him and has boldness towards Him as His Mother according to the flesh, and as one in spirit with Him, as one who performed the will of God and instructed others (Matthew 5:19).  Merciful and full of love, she manifests Her love towards Her Son and God in love for the human race.  She intercedes for it before the Merciful One, and going about the earth, She helps men.

~~Saint John Maximovich

The Orthodox Veneration of 

MARY

The Birthgiver of God

THE TRANSFIGURATION

A blessed Feast to each one of you, 
 beloved of God!

A RUSHING MIGHTY WIND: PENTECOST

"When the day of Pentecost had come they were all together in one place.  And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed as resting upon each one of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit...(Acts 2.1-4)

Apolytikion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone

Blessed art Thou, O Christ our God, Who hast shown forth the fishermen as supremely wise by sending down upon them the Holy Spirit, and through them didst draw the world into Thy net.  O Befriender of man, glory be to Thee.

Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone

Once, when He descended and confounded the tongues, the Most High divided the nations; and when He divided the tongues of fire, He called all men into unity; and with one accord we glorify the All-holy Spirit.

HOLY AND GREAT PASCHA!: XRISTOS ANESTI! ALETHOS ANESTI! CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN!

HOLY AND GREAT PASCHA!

It is the Day of Resurrection!  Let us shine forth in splendor for the Festival, and embrace one another.  Let us say, "O brethren, even to those, who do not love us; let us forgive all things in the Resurrection, and thus, let us exclaim: 'Christ is risen from the dead, trampling Death by death, and bestowing life to those in the tombs'."

Shine, shine, the New Jerusalem! For the glory of the Lord has dawned upon You.  Rejoice now and be glad, O Zion; and You, O All-pure Theotokos, delight in the Resurrection of Him, to Whom You gave birth.

Christ is Risen!

Truly He is Risen!

THE JOY OF THE ANNUNCIATION

Elder, can you chant the Megalynarion you wrote for the Panagia?

Come let us chant it together:

"You found much Grace from God, Mother of the Master, Great in Grace, truly Full of Grace, as Gabriel cried out; Queen of the Angels, guard your servants."

Let me tell you also a dogma:  The Panagia was a Maiden and a Mother, Servant and Queen, the Queen of the world.  Can such a thing be contained within the mind of man?  And the Annunciation to the Theotokos was something supernatural, beyond reason.

I pray that the Panagia will give you the joy of the Annunciation and the Angel will bless you, that you may spiritually progress.  Amen.

Elder, a hymn says:  "Rejoice, the joy of Eve, for you ceased her sorrow by your Child, Pure One."

Whatever good thing a human being can say about the Panagia, will not be able to express her grandeur.  By her obedience the Panagia once again opened for us Paradise, which was shut by the disobedience of Eve.

Eve broke the link that united us with God and brought sorrow and pain to the world; the Panagia united again this link and brought to the world paradisiacal joy.  She connected us with God, since Christ is the God-man.

The Archangel Gabriel brought to the world the joyful announcement that because of the Panagia humanity found "grace from God."  The Panagia rejoiced, because the Word of God was incarnated and redeemed us from sin.  We rejoice, because the Panagia represented us honorably.  This is why we chant at Christmas:  "The desert offers to Christ the manger, and we people offer Him His Mother, the Panagia."

Source:  From Elder Paisios of Mount Athos, Spiritual Counsels 5, Passions and Virtues, Souroti, Thessaloniki, 2010, p. 153.  Translation by John Sanidopoulos on Mystagogy Resource Center.

"HAIL, UNWEDDED BRIDE!"

APOLYTIKION OF ANNUNCIATION OF THE THEOTOKOS

Today marks the crowning of our salvation and the revelation of the mystery before all ages.  For the Son of God becomes the son of the Virgin, and Gabriel proclaims the grace.  Wherefore, we also cry out with him, "Hail, O full of grace, the Lord is with you."

KONTAKION OF ANNUNCIATION OF THE THEOTOKOS

To you, Theotokos, invincible Defender, having been delivered from peril, I, your city, dedicate the victory festival as a thank offering.  In your irresistible might, keep me safe from all trials, that I may call out to you: "Hail, unwedded bride!"

MEETING CHRIST IN THE TEMPLE

Apolytikion (First Tone)

Hail Virgin Theotokos full of Grace, 

for Christ our God, 

the Sun of Righteousness has dawned from you,

granting light to those in darkness.

And you, O Righteous Elder, rejoice,

taking in Your arms, the Deliverance

of our souls, who grants us Resurrection.

Kontakion (First Tone)

Your birth sanctified a Virgin's womb

and properly blessed the hands of Symeon.

Having now come and saved us O Christ our God,

give peace to your commonwealth

in troubled times and strengthen 

those in authority, whom you love,

as only the loving one.

Lord, now let your servant depart in peace

according to Your promise, 

for my eyes have seen Your salvation 

which You have prepared before the face

of all peoples, a light to bring 

revelation to the Gentiles,

and glory to Your people Israel.

Today we wish another granddaughter, 

Althea Poppy Joy, a very happy

Name Day!  Many years!