Today’s memorial is offered in loving memory of Nicholas Ktoris (5 yr) and George Ktoris (5 yr) by Galatia Katori and family.

Αιωνία η μνήμη – Eternal be their memory.

Sarantismos/Newborn Blessing

Constantine, son of Alexa and Christoforos Koumas of Mahopac, NY.

Να μας ζήσει! Grant, O Lord, a prosperous life, peace, health, salvation, progress in faith and all good things, to Your newly Churched servant!

The Mother of God as Advocate

I keep an icon of the Mother of God holding the Christ Child on my desk as a reminder to pray while I work, and for Whom I work. In this particular icon, Jesus' little hand is lifted to His mother's face, partially covering her lips. She is holding his hand at his wrist/upper forearm. It is difficult for me to tell whether He is making the movement to cover her mouth or if she is the initiator who lifts his sweet fingers -- perhaps to kiss them, as a mother would do. His gaze looks toward her as if to guide my gaze in the same direction; her gaze is focussed on me, warmly inviting me to consider that both her movements and His might be happening simultaneously.

I have thought much about the Theotokos over these summer months, especially in preparation for and celebration of the Feasts of her Dormition in August, and her Nativity yesterday. We don’t have many written accounts of the Theotokos’ words, either in Holy Scripture or Holy Tradition. Even when she appears in the Gospel narratives, her words are few. Yet, she is "more honored than the cherubim and has more glory when compared to the seraphim," as we sing in liturgical hymns. Her motherhood is deeper and broader and higher than what can be conveyed with words.

Somehow, the icon I am interacting with today reflects the mystery of my motherhood journey also and directs me inward to contemplate my role as my son’s advocate, in particular, as I question how much is appropriate to share about my child, and how much is perhaps too precious, intimate, or even frivolous to be expressed with words.

Often, when rearing children with intellectual disabilities, we parents find it necessary to advocate for them well into their adult years and sometimes throughout their entire lives. This puts us in a predicament. How much, when, where, why, and with whom is it appropriate to share about our caregiving tasks, spiritual lessons learned, skill acquisition wins, interpersonal familial misunderstandings, or emotionally-charged challeges? Every situation seems to warrant a different level of openness.

As a related side note, in this past August’s Fully Human podcast, “Most Holy Theotokos, Save Me!” (https://www, in addition to being a supplication for her prayers and guidance, I touch on the issue of learning to advocate optimally for one’s child as the Mother of God did for her child. I encourage parents to listen and pray along, and then contact me and share what ways the Theotokos has served you as a mediator, friend, and example as you raise your children. I have hopes of weaving a variety of sentiments into this prayer, and fashioning it into an Akathyst to the Mother of God for Parents of Children with Disabilities. So, don’t hesitate to contact me at [email protected]. I’d love to know and potentially include your unique experiences in this potential prayer resource.

In my parenting experience, from the time Michael was in my womb I knew that I would have to be his fierce defender and advocate to keep him alive in a medical world that saw him as an unviable organism -- a “failure to thrive” baby. And when he was embarking on his educational journey, I was taught by other parents and advocates to go into IEP meetings prepared with an arsenal of data and directives, to ensure he would receive adequate supports. He never developed spoken language, nor has he become fluent in alternative communication, and so I have learned to be like a detective so that I could assess his illness symptoms, needs, wants, likes, and dislikes with extreme sensitivity. I have become accustomed to speaking on his behalf — admittedly, oversharing at times — about the details of our lives. But as he ages, I wonder more and more about my role as his advocate. I am seeking to be more discerning, and for that I turn to Our Lady.

My attention returns back to the icon on my desk and I now notice that the Lord’s hand lightly touches a very small portion of His mother’s mouth, maybe 1/3 of the right corner. She now appears to me to be the initiator of their shared interaction, as if she willingly brought his hand up to set a guard over (her) lips (Psalm 141:3). Her posture in the icon is as if saying to me, “Involve your son and mine in your role as advocate. Seek to do My Son’s will, and it will be to your child’s benefit. Speak when necessary, but be guarded. Remember my life: ponder the mysteries of your life in your heart. Point others to the words of my Son. Speak with your life. Speak with your love.”

May we all seek our Lady’s guidance always and imitate her. May she intercede with Her Son and our God for the well-being of our children and all children, and all our brothers and sisters in Christ.

May we speak with our lives, with our love.

-Presvytera Melanie

Tuesday, September 22 - 7:00pm - Adult Choir Kickoff

Sunday, October 18 - Celebration of National Church Musicians and Youth Choir kickoff, directly following a Music Ministry hosted Coffee Fellowship.

B A R T H O L O M E W

BY THE MERCY OF GOD

ARCHBISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE–NEW ROME
AND ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH

GRACE, PEACE, AND MERCY
UNTO THE ENTIRE PLENITUDE OF THE CHURCH
FROM THE FASHIONER OF ALL CREATION

OUR LORD AND GOD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST

* * *

Most Reverend and Right Reverend Brother Hierarchs, and blessed children in the Lord,

By the grace of God, the giver of all good things, we enter today into the new ecclesiastical year, honouring and celebrating at its commencement, in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, the “Day of Prayer for the Protection of the Natural Environment.”

The multidimensional contemporary ecological crisis is a crisis of human freedom, of our religion and philosophy, of our ethos and our culture. What comes first is the “harmful alteration” of our freedom — our severance and alienation from the Source of Life; what follows is conduct destructive of the natural environment. We feel profound gratitude that the pioneering initiatives and interventions of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, carried out without interruption since 1989 have not only revealed the spiritual aspects of the ecological problem, but have also opened new paths and prospects for addressing it. The ecological symposia, the related inter-Christian and interreligious dialogues, the specific recommendations of the Great Church concerning environmental matters, the emphasis placed upon the social dimensions and consequences of the ecological crisis, and other such efforts together constitute a robust environmental proposal, which emphasizes the imperative need for a “Copernican Turn” in our understanding of the idea of progress and in humanity’s attitude towards nature, as well as in the actions of those engaged in political, economic, and social life, of the Churches and religions, of science and technology, and of those responsible for the education of the younger generation.

We shall continue, in word and deed, to promote the ecological vision of the Holy Great Church of Christ and the eco-friendly dynamism of the eucharistic, ascetic, and doxological relationship with creation, always underscoring that careful theological work is needed for the elucidation of the authentic ecological message of our Orthodox faith and tradition, for the benefit of creation, which is “very good.”

We are convinced that highlighting the religious and ethical dimensions of the ecological threat will lead to an awareness of the pivotal importance of “ecological responsibility.” Humanity must at last cease acting as though it does not know and definitively cast aside the illusion that planet Earth can in perpetuity withstand the burdens and destruction caused by human activity, or that nature has the power to renew itself of its own accord. The ethos of responsibility for the protection of the natural environment must find expression at the global, national, local, and personal levels. We reiterate once again that the cultivation of ecological responsibility is a “categorical imperative” for humanity as it confronts the greatest threat it has ever been called to face throughout the entire course of its history.

It is abundantly clear that, so long as the dominant anthropological model is represented by the “foolish rich man” of the Gospel (Luke 12:17–21), with his declaration, “I will pull down my barns and build greater; and there I will store all my crops and my goods,” and his words, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry,” humanity will continue to undermine its future and annihilate its own “home.” The “sins of modernity” have created—and continue to create—new divisions and ruptures between humanity and nature. The contemporary “man-god” persists in geocide, disregarding every measure and limit in the name of geopolitical designs and economic interests, of consumerism and of the satisfaction of essentially insatiable needs, but also, on a deeper level, because of an overturning of inner lived experience and values. The consequences of the global dominance of the desire to manipulate, instrumentalize, and exploit nature will prove to be tragic for life on our planet.

The growing acceptance and official establishment of 1 September as the Day for the Protection of the Natural Environment throughout the Christian world bears particular significance today as a symbol and practical promotion of the unity of Christians. Moreover, the glorification of the “Fashioner of all creation” at the beginning of the Indiction in our liturgical tradition constitutes a precious inheritance, as an invitation and exhortation to respect creation, which suffers the consequences of an unseemly, human-caused assault.

Most Honourable Brethren and dearly beloved children,

Respect for the core pillars of ecological civilization can restrain environmentally destructive tendencies and open the “sole ecological path,” that of sustainable development. More broadly, humanity needs to reach agreement upon a body of common fundamental values which, in a world marked by conflict and polarization, will serve as a compass for the journey towards the future. We regard the principle of solidarity as the central axis of this body of values: solidarity as a source of shared responsibility, dialogue, and sincere reciprocity, together with collective responsibility for the protection of the natural environment. Respect in practice for the sacredness of the human person and care for the integrity of creation are, from a Christian perspective, vital manifestations of the eucharistic realisation of the Church and of human being’s call to become the “priest” of creation.

In this spirit, as we pray that the new ecclesiastical year may be favourable and fruitful in works that are good and pleasing to God, we invoke upon all of you, through the intercessions and mediation of the Most-Holy Theotokos Pammakaristos—whose most sacred icon we reverently keep in the Venerable Patriarchal Church and embrace “with mouth and heart and will”—the grace and mercy of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ, Whose All-Holy Name be blessed and glorified, now and ever, and unto the endless ages. Amen!

1 September 2026

Bartholomew of Constantinople

Your fervent supplicant before God

Addictions Ministry Webinar Hosted by Archdiocesan District Philoptochos 

Time and Talents Requests

Current Ministry Support Needs
Narthex Greeters
Sunday School Teachers
Greek School Teachers
Music Ministry
Feed the Hungry
Garden Ministry
Coffee Hosts/Hostesses
Floral decorator for Icons and feast day trays

New Positions
Grant Writer
Digital design
Social media
Familiar with the software Constant Contact and/or Canva
Project management
Copy editing
 
Please email [email protected] with your interest in any of these areas. Whether you are looking to continue your support in an existing ministry or step into one of our newly created digital and administrative roles, your time and talents are greatly appreciated. Please include the specific positions you are interested in and any relevant experience you'd like to share.

Sunday Collection Basket
We are very thankful for the support of so many families and individuals who financially support the Ministries of our Assumption Church. Your Stewardship Commitment and donations for candles, Feast Days and special offerings help our Church meet the Yearly Budget. Our Parish Council has decided to continue placing the traditional Collection Basket on a table in the Narthex. Parishioners and visitors may offer a donation if they wish following Divine Liturgy and other Services as they exit the Church.

Thank you for your gifts that support the many Ministries and programs of our Church. God Bless you.