My beloved spiritual children in Christ Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.
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THE FEAST AND FAST OF THE HOLY DORMITION (KOIMISIS) OF THE THEOTOKOS - August 1-15th.
Apolytikion (Dismissal) of the feast.
In giving birth thou didst preserve thy virginity; in thy dormition thou didst not forsake the world, O Theotokos. Thou wast translated (metastasis) unto life, since thou art the Mother of Life, and by thine intercessions does thou redeem our souls from death.
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The Annunciation of the Theotokos
Today is the fountainhead of our salvation and the manifestation of the mystery which was from eternity. The Son of God becometh the Virgin's Son and Gabriel proclaimeth the good tidings of grace; for the cause, we also, cry to the Mother of God with him: Rejoice, thou who art full of grace; the Lord is with thee.
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The Entry of the Theotokos
Today is the prelude of God's good will and the heralding of the salvation of mankind. In the temple of God, the Virgin is presented openly, and she proclaimeth Christ unto all. To her, then, with a great voice let us cry aloud: Rejoice, O thou fulfillment of the Creator's dispensation.
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The Nativity of the Theotokos
Thy nativity, O Theotokos, hath proclaimed joy to the world, for from thee hath dawned the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God, annulling the curse, and bestowing the blessing, abolishing death and granting us life everlasting.
The Theotokos, the Ever-Virgin Mary, was "blessed among women," and She was chosen "to bear the Savior of our souls." The Holy Orthodox Christian Church believes her to be the Queen of Heaven and of all the Saints and Angels of God.
Knowing that she is eternally present at the Throne of God interceding for all of mankind, we pray for her forgiveness, love, guidance, and protection. Every year the Orthodox Church sets aside the first 15 days of August in honor of the Mother of God and her translation (metastasis) into heaven.
In preparation for this Great and Solemn Feast of the Mother of God, we, Orthodox Christians throughout the world, we observe a two week period of fasting from August 1-14th.
The traditional guidelines of the Koimisis (Dormition) Fast are as follows:
Weekdays are strict fast days. On these days we abstain from meat, dairy, fish with a backbone, fowl, wine, and olive oil.
Saturdays and Sundays - are Wine and Olive Oil Days. On these days the fast is relaxed to permit Wine and Oil, but we still abstain from meat, dairy, fish with a backbone, and fowl.
The one exception to these general fasting rules is the Great and Holy Feast of the Holy Transfiguration (Metamorphosis) of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ (August 6th) which always falls during the Koimsis (Dormition) Fast. On this day we break the fast by eating fish, wine, and oil.
On a spiritual level, Orthodox Christian believers are encouraged to also participate in the Mysterion (Sacrament) of Repentance and Confession. Also, during this time when the Paraklesis (Supplication) services are conducted daily, the names of your Orthodox family members are given to the priest to read and pray for health, guidance, forgiveness, and health.
On the evening of Friday, August 14th: Great Vespers, Blessing of the Loaves (Artoklasia), and the Engomia (lamentation hymns chanted) to the Theotokos and the procession with the Epitaphion of the Ever-Virgin Mary around her Chapel. On the Feast of Koimisis the next day, Saturday, August 15th the Divine Liturgy will be 9:00 a.m. Orthros (Matins) and Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m. at the Chapel. On Sunday, August 16th the Divine Liturgy at Saint Andrew the same time.
Please note:
1. Meals for the fast should follow the dietary restrictions and be cooked simply. Portions should be smaller than usual.
2. If anyone has a medical condition that requires you to relax the fasting guidelines, then don't hesitate to do so.
3. Women that are pregnant are not expected to fast. Generally speaking, children and the elderly (65 +) are allowed to relax the fast under the guidance and advice of their spiritual father.
The divine service of the Paraklesis will be conducted in the evening (7:00 p.m.) both at Saint Andrew and at the Holy Dormition of the Theotokos Chapel in New Carlisle throughout the Fast. Please consult the church bulletin or call the office.
KALO KAI EVLOGEMENO THEKAPENTAVGOUSTO - MAY WE HAVE A GOOD AND BLESSED FIFTEEN DAYS OF AUGUST.
In Christ's Divine Ministry,
+Father George