St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church

“Most Holy Theotokos Save Us.”

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As we find ourselves towards the end of the fasting period which precedes the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos, our minds and hearts often turn to what troubles the mind and what pains the heart. Though suffering is not the entirety of the Christian experience, it certainly plays a key role in how our souls are sharpened, how our resolve is exercised and how our character is built.

Jesus Christ suffered on the Cross. Mary, His mother suffered as she endured the Cross. The Disciples suffered and were martyred for the sake of the Cross. Though our lives follow the same pattern, it is the Cross and glory which defines us; not the suffering or the anguish.

As we participate in the Paraklesis, this evening being the last of the season, we are called to identify the origin and purpose of our suffering. Where do we hurt? Why do we hurt? What hurt have we caused in others? Panagia removes these points of suffering from us through her tender prayers and intersessions before Christ.

I experienced pain, mostly physical, following what turned out to be a pretty serious cycling accident a couple of years ago. I didn’t think my fall was too bad at first, but reality soon set in. I spent numerous hours in prayer and contemplation searching for a reason for my fall. What lessons must I take from it? What message is being sent? Why this suffering and why now?

The answers to my questions were found in this season. During these days.

“Most Holy Theotokos Save Us.”

We repeat it over and over again.

The Theotokos does not save us from damnation. She does not, and cannot offer salvation. But her prayers, above all others’ are heard and answered. When we invite her into our most intimate and vulnerable spaces – where we hurt and where we suffer – our pains become her pains. Our anxieties, weaknesses, deficits, holes and wounds become her own, just as any good mother suffers the ills of her children. After three months, I eventually began walking again and getting back to a routine. I was grateful to have fallen during a time when I could attend the Paraklesis as part of my spiritual healing and inspiration.

And when we finally approach the occasion of commemorating her falling asleep on the 15th of August, we as Christians, receive the blessed assurance that a life lived in faith, patience, perseverance and steadfastness is rewarded in the end. Can we ever imagine how much hurt and pain she endured in this life?

She was a young maiden, given the most perplexing news from an angel sent by God. She was doubted and nearly rejected by the man who was betrothed to be her husband. On the occasion of dedicating her holy Child to the Temple as was accustomed in the Law, her pain and future agony was prophesized. She saw her Son’s life in danger from the moment He was born; being forced to flee into Egypt. She saw her Son grow and mature, only to be despised by the very children He created. She saw Him mocked, stripped, beaten, scourged, spat upon and hung on the Cross.

She buried her only Son.

And after a lifetime of pious obedience, she departed this world in peace. We honor this blessed repose on Monday as we celebrate the Dormition of the Theotokos. We come together as her faithful children, and give thanks to our Father above who rewarded her faith with her body’s assumption into the heavens.

I’ve written this before. And I’ll write it again. We all suffer. We all feel pain. We all experience loss.

And so did she, the Mother of our God. She teaches us that suffering is strength, pain is an opportunity to bless, and losses in this world can lift up gains in the world to come.

Most Holy Theotokos Save Us.

In His Love,

Fr. Anthony

. . . and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became white as snow and behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with Him. And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is well that we are here; if you wish I will make three booths here, one for You and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He was still speaking when lo, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My Beloved Son, with Whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces with awe. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead”
– Mt: 17.1–9, see also Mk 9:1–9; Lk 9:28–36; 2 Pet 1:16–18).

Dearly Beloved in the Lord,

As your vacations are beginning to conclude, preparations for school are well underway, and the end of summer is quickly upon us, we find ourselves to be in one of the most spiritually enriching periods of the year. We continue to chant the Paraklesis every other evening. The Dormition of the Theotokos is only days away. Our Vacation Bible School is about to begin: we’re ready to host children from throughout the greater Salt Lake Valley and learn about the life, ministry and influence of the Theotokos.

While her prayers for us, and our devotion towards her are paramount in our hearts during this time of year, we are also called to observe and mediate upon on of the twelve great Feasts, the Transfiguration of Christ, celebrated August 6th (Great Vespers are this evening, Friday August 5th, at 7:00 pm). As our Lord was Transfigured upon Mt. Tabor, before His disciples, He shown to them the fullness of His glory and radiant splendor.

Jesus knew that His crucifixion and death would be an unbearable series of events, all of which would be intolerable for His disciples to endure. His Transfiguration was granted to them, in order that they would maintain strength in the depth of weakness, clarity in the midst of confusion, faith in the face of despair, and light in the place if utter darkness. His light, His divine light was offered to them as a fulfillment and as an inspiration to bear their own fruit.

There is a lovely custom of bringing fruits, specifically grapes, to be blessed on the Feast of the Transfiguration. The practical background is this: within the Mediterranean climate, grapes reach their full ripeness and full potential during this time of year. Since now is the time when the first fruits of the vineyard are to be harvested, it is only fitting, that those same fruits are offered up for a blessing upon the entirety of the yield. The grapes, having achieved the peak of sweetness is a symbol of the Transfiguration: actualized potential and the fullness of existence.

Pick from the vine too early, and you have a sour taste in your mouth having partaken of fruit that was prematurely taken from its source of nutrition. Harvest a crop too late, and the mushy, overripe and past-its-prime texture are unpleasant, to say the least. Fruit in its prime is symbolic of Christ in His glory, bedecked in amazing splendor, and blinding radiance.

If you wish to bring fruit to be blessed following the Divine Liturgy this Saturday, I invite you to bring grapes (not any other fruit or vegetable) and add them to what will be provided by the Church.

In the coming weeks, I am so excited to resume the ministries and activities that have been on hold for the summer, as well as introduce new and exciting ways in which our parish can grow together in Christ.

With Love in XC,

Fr. Anthony

Dearly Beloved in the Lord,

Not long ago, the parishioners of St. Anna, together with the faithful and clergy of our pan-Orthodox community here in the Salt Lake area stood together, chanting the Paraklesis Service and offering our prayers on behalf of Fr. Matthew Gilbert, his Presbytera and their family. As an update, Fr. Matthew still requires your unwavering prayers and ceaseless entreaties unto the Lord for the ease of his pain and suffering. I pray every day that Fr. Matthew feels the warmth and peace of God’s love, as expressed through the people who hold him dear and feel gratitude and for his fruitful ministry.

That evening, I heard it from more than a few people, how beautiful they found the Paraklesis Service to be. And for many, it actually was their first experience hearing these hymns and prayers. Without question, the hymns are beautiful and the prayers are up-lifting. And while it is true that this remarkable and inspirational service can be prayed at any time, in any location, including hospitals and homes for the benefit of those in the need of physical, spiritual, emotional and inner healing; it is also true that this service has a specific place in the liturgical life of the Church.

Every year, as we prepare for the Dormition of the Theotokos (celebrated on August 15), we build up to this most solemn Festival with a nearly two-week fasting period, which begins on the first day of August. During the Fast, we lift our spirits while contemplating the unique ministry of the Panaghia, and approach her in the hope of salvation, through the mercy of her Son.

We deepen our relationship with her at this time, primarily through our participation in the Paraklesis. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday of the first two weeks of August, we chant this service. The only exception to this rule is when, such as this year, when the eve of the Transfiguration of Christ (August 6th) falls on one of those evenings. At that time, we celebrate Great Vespers for the Feast.

So come this August, we will gather together multiple times, to chant the same service which brought us together for one, particular family, in the Gilberts (Lord have mercy). We came together in their urgent need and personal struggle. Universally speaking however, we all struggle.

We all bear witness which contradicts God.

We operate with some sort of deficit.

We submit to some form of sin.

We suffer one illness or another.

We live with some degree of brokenness

We barely hover above some degree of sadness.

We fall short by some measure.

We wander from the Lord’s path by some distance.

We disappoint in some capacity

We transgress against brother or sister.

We doubt a truth.

We affirm a lie.

We miss the mark.

The Mark is Christ.

For these reasons, and for countless others, we require the intersessions and influence of the Theotokos. The Paraklesis gives us this very opportunity; to set our requests before her feet, so that in turn, she can carry our prayers, with a mother’s influence, to the long-suffering care of her merciful Son.

I invite you to participate in this Service in the following ways…

Come to the Paraklesis each evening of its celebration to receive the full benefit of blessed repetition.

Write down and submit the names of those whom you wish to be prayed for. Bring them with you to the service and the names will be read aloud through pious tradition. Remember, submit only the names for the living; for this is a service of sanctification, comfort and healing.

Come to the church on the Thursday evenings of the Fast at 7:00 pm to learn how to chant the Parklesis. With greater participation in the beautiful hymns, Panaghia will be most-pleased with our offering of love, and moved by our faith in Christ, Jesus.

The Paraklesis Service expresses her devotion to us, it affirms His mercy, and bands us together as a community of sinners in need of forgiveness and mercy.

As your pastor, I invite you to take this spiritual journey. Discover a new and dynamic form of prayer, or find comfort in the familiar melodies and poetry of the Paraklesis. It is truly my favorite set of services throughout the entire year. Sharing in the love she has for her Son, I remain,

In Christ,

Fr. Anthony