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).
This summer, Metropolis of Chicago's ministry HOPE partnered with the Northern Illinois Food Bank to offer a Mobile Pantry in support of local community members and neighbors in need of groceries.
The Metropolis of Chicago's Youth and Young Adult Ministries (Y2AM Chicago) successfully welcomed over 600 youth and young adults and 75 young adult volunteers this summer!
As the safety and good health of our campers, staff, and families remains the top priority at the Metropolis of Boston Camp, and the dedicated team of medical staff, led by Dr. John Kroger and nurse Despina Stavros, and legal counsel, Mark Rouvalis.
His Grace Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos was asked by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to represent Him, for the first time as a bishop, for the feast of St. Irene Chrysovalantou at the Sacred Patriarchal and Stavropegial Monastery of St. Irene Chrysovalantou in Astoria, New York.
As we commence the days of the Holy Fast for the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God, I rejoice that I am with you all in this magnificent church and community that is named in Her honor.
In this week's Center for Family Care's "Time Out for Marriage," Pres. Kerry Pappas discusses the importance of staying attentive to our spouse and some practical ways in which we can do so!
Last year was unlike any other, but you helped us continue to serve. With your support, IOCC served over 1 Million people in 2020, working in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and North America.
On Thursday, August 12, 2021 His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America received the Rev. Hieromonk Spyridon Chatzis and the Rev. Presbyter Sotirios Michalatos to the Archdiocesan Headquarters.
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America received in his office at the Archdiocesan headquarters today the Consul of Greece to New York, Ms. Spyridoula-Ioanna Zochiou as her term of service is coming to an end.
A Patriarchal Divine Liturgy concelebration took place at the Church of St. George in Imbros for the 60th Anniversary to the Holy Priesthood of the Ecumenical Patriarch.
On August 13, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America offered a Trisagion at the gravesite of His Eminence Metropolitan Philotheos of Meloa of blessed memory.
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.
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.
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…
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
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 rejoice in praying with you, and supplicating the Virgin Mother of God together with you, in this beautiful Temple dedicated to Her Dormition – her sacred Falling Asleep. This Feast is so important in understanding the meaning of our lives. For the Mother of God was the first to be raised to everlasting life, and to taste the fruits of her Son’s Glorious Resurrection. And in doing so, she demonstrated to every generation of Christians the evidence of the promise of God.