THE FAST OF THE DORMITION OF THE THEOTOKOS, AUG. 1-14
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
This coming Wednesday, August 1st, we will begin the Fast of the Dormition of the Mother of God.
This two week fast is set apart by the Holy Orthodox Church each year as a preparation to celebrate the Feast of the Dormition, or the falling asleep and passing into eternal life of the Virgin Mary, the Theotokos.
During this time, it is important to remember to keep the fast as best as we are able, but also at the same time remember to direct the benefits of our fasting to a fuller life of prayer.
Therefore, we invite you to celebrate with us, here at St. Nicholas Church, the service known as The Paraklesis to the Mother of God.
The Paraklesis is a supplication service in which we ask for the intercessory prayers and help of our Lord’s Mother, for the benefit and welfare of all the living. Needless to say, we all need the prayers of each other for strength in our godly struggle, and we most certainly could use the prayers of Mary the Theotokos as a great help and aid to us. Also, it goes without saying, that there are many suffering in the world today, most notably today in Syria, that could use the benefit of our beseeching the Mother of God for their health and safety.
The Paraklesis will be sung by the entire congregation (music will be provided), and will be served on the following dates:
August 1-3 at 6:30 PM each night
August 6-10 at 6:30 PM each night
(On Tuesday, July 31, the Blessing of Water will take place at 6:30)
I do pray you will be able to join us as we lift our prayers to our most trusted intercessor! Please bring the names of those among the living you would like to have us remember before the icon of Mary each evening.
I look forward to praying with you! I wish you all a blessed and spiritually prosperous fast.
Yours in Christ,
+Fr. Romanos
