On the beginning of the Indiction, we also commemorate Christ's entrance into the midst of the synagogue of the Jews and His proclamation of the acceptable year of the Lord, spoken of in the Book of Isaiah the Prophet. Thus, no longer do we celebrate the feast of the ancient law; we now celebrate the feast of the new dispensation of grace on this first day of the present month, on which the very Lawgiver Christ has revealed Himself to the world, having come down from on high, bearing the Spirit of the Father in Himself and inscribing the Law of God not with His finger, but with His blessed tongue and most sweet lips, and "not on tables of stone, but on the fleshy tables of our heart" (2 Corinthians Ch. 3).

Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn of the Indiction. Second Tone

O Maker of all creation, Who hast established the times and the seasons in Thine own power: Bless the crown of this year with Thy goodness, O Lord, and keep our rulers and Thy flock in peace, by the intercessions of the Theotokos, and save us.

Saints commemorated on September 1st: Our Righteous Father Symeon the Stylite. The Synaxis of the Most Holy Theotokos of Miasenae. The Righteous Jesus of Navi (Joshua, Son of Nun).

"From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand" (St. Matthew 4:17).

"Now Elizabeth's full time came to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. When her neighbor and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her. So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. His mother answered and said, 'No; he shall be called John.' But they said to her, 'There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.' So they made signs to his father--what he would have him called.

Saint John the Baptist and Forerunner was the son of the Priest (Rabbi) Zacharias and his mother Elizabeth, a blood relative to the Most Holy Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary. This righteous Hebrew couple was childless, for Elizabeth was barren. They constantly prayed to the Almighty God to grant them a child. Their prayers were heard on high, an Angel was sent to them with the message telling them that the Lord God had been pleased with their faith and patience and that He was to fulfill their desire and supplication. Accordingly, Elizabeth bore unto her husband Zacharias a male child, who was given the name John.

As we are about to embark on the new ecclesiastical (Church) year, September 1st, we all need to re-examine closely areas of importance within our church, areas which should concern every member (steward) and family of our parish.