The Dormition of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary
Concerning the Dormition of the Theotokos, this is what the Church has received from ancient times from the tradition of the Fathers. When the time drew nigh that our Savior was well-pleased to take His Mother to Himself, He declared unto her through an Angel that three days hence, He would translate her from this temporal life to eternity and bliss. On hearing this, she went up with haste to the Mount of Olives, where she prayed continuously. Giving thanks to God, she returned to her house and prepared whatever was necessary for her burial. While these things were taking place, clouds caught up the Apostles from the ends of the earth, where each one happened to be preaching, and brought them at once to the house of the Mother of God, who informed them of the cause of their sudden gathering. As a mother, she consoled them in their affliction as was meet, and then raised her hands to Heaven and prayed for the peace of the world. She blessed the Apostles, and, reclining upon her bed with seemliness, gave up her all-holy spirit into the hands of her Son and God.
With reverence and many lights, and chanting burial hymns, the Apostles took up that God-receiving body and brought it to the sepulchre, while the Angels from Heaven chanted with them, and sent forth her who is higher than the Cherubim. But one Jew, moved by malice, audaciously stretched forth his hand upon the bed and immediately received from divine judgment the wages of his audacity. Those daring hands were severed by an invisible blow. But when he repented and asked forgiveness, his hands were restored. When they had reached the place called Gethsemane, they buried there with honor the all-immaculate body of the Theotokos, which was the source of Life. But on the third day after the burial, when they were eating together, and raised up the artos (bread) in Jesus' Name, as was their custom, the Theotokos appeared in the air, saying "Rejoice" to them. From this they learned concerning the bodily translation of the Theotokos into the Heavens.
These things has the Church received from the traditions of the Fathers, who have composed many hymns out of reverence, to the glory of the Mother of our God (see Oct. 3 and 4).
I am calling on every parish across our sacred Archdiocese this Sunday to take-up a special collection for this purpose — the same day on which we celebrate the feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos. I am also inviting whoever wishes to make a direct donation, to do so by visiting the website of our Archdiocese.
On August 10, 2021, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America was interviewed by Andrea Grymes of CBS2 regarding the ongoing fires in Greece as well as the Relief Fund of the Archdiocese which was launched yesterday online at www.goarch.org/greecefiresdonate
Join His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael as he holds townhall meetings with the faithful throughout the Metropolis.
Hit the links with Metropolitan Nathanael and friends!
Are you ready for the Mustard Seed Fund's #MSFSummerChallenge?
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Center for Family Care needs your input!
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The Orthodox Christian Fellowship team has grown! After an extensive national search we are pleased to announce the hiring of Ministry Coordinator, Peter Mansour, and Communications Manager, Joseph Bray. Peter and Joseph have hit the ground running, working to further the mission of OCF, providing opportunities for college students to encounter Christ.
I am very happy to be with you in Perth Amboy this evening, here in this precious Church of Saint Demetrios. Tonight, we lift up our voices to the Virgin Mother of God, and cry out to her:
Πρεσβεία θερμή, καὶ τεῖχος ἀπροσμάχητον,
ἐλέους πηγή, τοῦ κόσμου καταφύγιον…
This week’s “How-to” Green Your Parish episode features Dr. Olga Kikou “Compassionate Farming”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vfK9yktOCw
The “How-to” Green Your Parish series is an initiative of the Department of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations.
The Metropolis of Chicago has published the Agenda for the Clergy-Laity Assembly 2021. T
The Center for Family Care has a wide variety of topics for retreats and workshops...check out all we have to offer:
I am so pleased to be worshipping with you this evening, especially during these Holy Days of Δεκαπενταύγουστος. This sanctified season in the liturgical life of the Church affords us a pause from the mere recreation of Summer. I
We have now we arrived at our little Lent that precedes our Little Pascha for the All-Holy Virgin Mother of God. Throughout these days of the Holy Fast for her Dormition, we chant with fervor and love the Canon we know as the Paraklesis.
The National Philoptochos Marketing & Communications Associate is responsible for managing the day-to-day public relations and marketing activities for the Society. The candidate for this role will have excellent organization, time management, and communication skills.
The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America has consistently and unequivocally recognized the full humanity of every person beginning at the moment of conception. This position is informed by Scripture and Holy Tradition and is validated by modern science, which confirms that a new, distinct human organism comes into existence at conception.
After more than a year of uncertainty, many of our Orthodox Christian college students will be returning to campus this fall. Orthodox Christian Fellowship will be there to greet them, guiding them along the path to Jesus Christ through His Church.
It is with tremendous joy that we welcome You today to our historic and legendary St. George Cathedral in Philadelphia in your first pastoral visit to our faithful community.
HCHC President George M. Cantonis has announced the appointment of the Very Reverend Archimandrite Anton C. Vrame, PhD, as Director of Holy Cross Orthodox Press, effective September 1. Having been actively involved in publishing for several decades, he brings a wealth of experience to the work of the Press, which he has managed in the past, establishing its policies and procedures for reviewing and publishing manuscripts of significance to the Greek Orthodox Church.
