Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Did you miss me?!? I sure missed all of you these past three Sundays not praying with you at St. Anna. I greatly look forward to being back in our church for Sunday worship tomorrow. I trust and pray that you have enjoyed the blessings of the summer months. And I am also so grateful that so many of you turned out for our Maternal Feast Day celebration with Great Vespers and our Picnic this past Thursday evening. Thank you to our Philoptochos, Men’s Ministry and Parish Council who worked so hard to sponsor such an energized event. You know it’s a great celebration when you nearly run out of food and extra tables have to continually be rolled out and set up.
As we seek the intercessions of the Holy Ancestor of God, our Matron Saint Anna, let us also and most especially set our minds and hearts toward her precious daughter, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary. This coming Friday begins the Dormition Fast as we prepare for the commemoration of her falling asleep on August 15th.
St. Symeon of Thessalonica writes that, “The fast in August [Dormition fast] was established in honor of the Mother of God the Word; Who, foreknowing Her repose, ascetically labored and fasted for us as always, although She was holy and immaculate, and had no need for fasting. Thus, She especially prayed for us in preparation for being transported from this life to the future life, when Her blessed soul would be united through the Divine spirit with Her Son. Therefore, we also should fast and praise Her, emulating Her life, urging Her thereby to pray for us. Some, by the way, say that this fast was instituted on the occasion of two feasts—the Transfiguration and the Dormition. I also consider it necessary to remember these two feasts—one which gives us light, and the other which is merciful to us and intercedes for us.”
Isn’t it incredible to think about the establishment of this fasting period which precedes such a solemn occasion? It was started by her, herself in preparation of her departure from this life. We therefore imitate her pious grace and strength, preparing our minds, souls and bodies to contemplate the repose of the Theotokos, her departure from this earthly life, and her enthronement in heaven as an ever-intercessor on behalf of all of us.
As many of you are aware, the Fast is accompanied by the celebration of the Small Paraklesis Services, celebrated on the Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays of the Fasting Period (from August 1-14). This year at St. Anna, there is no exception to that rule.
Paraklesis Services will be celebrated at 7:00 pm on August 1, 4, 6, 8, 11 and 13. Great Vespers for the Dormition of the Theotokos will be celebrated on Thursday, August 14th at 7:00 pm. The Orthros and Divine Liturgy for the Dormition will be celebrated on Friday, August 15th at 9:00 am and 10:00 am. This is day will mark what is known as the “Summer Pascha.” Praise be to God!
Also connected to this sacred period, Great Vespers for the Transfiguration of Christ will be on Tuesday, August 5th at 7:00 pm with the Orthros and Liturgy the following day at the normal times.
Lastly, my most beloved in the Lord, please know that we will honor our joyful tradition of celebrating the Paraklesis outdoors in our South Patio to begin the series of services. The first Paraklesis on Friday, August 1st will be the only service to be celebrated outdoors. Bring your lawn chairs. Enjoy the summer evening, praying in the beauty of creation. This tradition began as an affirmation of the practice of holding the Paraklesis Services in the courtyards and entry plazas of the churches in Greece. I love the above quote from St. Symeon of Thessalonica as I recall chanting the Paraklesis Services in outdoor settings in parishes throughout Thessaloniki as a young deacon. This was my reasoning for taking the service outside and enjoying the lovely setting of our grotto.
There are folks who depend on our livestreaming in order to be connected to the worship of the church. This is why we’re only doing it once for we do not have streaming capabilities outdoors. So let’s make it a special occasion and inaugurate the season appropriately and enthusiastically.
Well, once again, it is such a delight for me to have returned to our parish home and to the Altar at St. Anna. Let’s enjoy the remainder of the summer. And include the prayers of the Theotokos in the coming days, and in our entire lives. I remain,
With Much Love in Christ,
Fr. Anthony Savas
Protopresbyter