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[Kristos]

I would like to invite all christians to join us in the Fast of the Dormition of Mary for the next 2 weeks.

Orthodox Christian Celebration of the Feast of the DORMITION:
The commemoration of the Dormition of the Theotokos and the preparation for the Feast begin on August 1 with a period of fasting. A strict fast is followed on most of the days (no meat, dairy, oil, or wine), with the exceptions of fish on the Feast of the Transfiguration (August 6) and the day of the Dormition. Oil and Wine are allowed on Saturdays and Sundays.
On the weekdays before the Feast, Paraklesis services are held in most parishes. These consist of the Great Paraklesis and the Small Paraklesis, both services of supplication and prayer for the intercessions of the Theotokos.
The Feast of the Dormition is celebrated with the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom which is conducted on the morning of the Feast and preceded by a Matins (Orthros) service. A Great Vespers is conducted on the evening before the day of the Feast. Scripture readings for the Feast of the Dormition are the following: At Vespers: Genesis 28:10-17; Ezekiel 43:27-44:4; Proverbs 9:1-11. At the Matins: Luke 1:39-49, 56. At the Divine Liturgy: Philippians 2:5-11; Luke 10:38-42; 11:27-28.

 

[Andrew21091]

I'll be going to a Paraklesis service tonight at another Antiochian church. Two churches in town are doing them, going back and forth. Tonight its at the Antiochian church and tommorow at the Greek church in town. Its just like how the Akathist services were held during lent. The two Antiochian churches in town did them together switching between the two churches.

 

[Kristos]

This great Feast of the Church celebrates a fundamental teaching of our faith—the Resurrection of the body. In the case of the Theotokos, this has been accomplished by the divine will of God. Thus, this Feast is a feast of hope, hope in Resurrection and life eternal. Like those who gathered around the body of the Virgin Mary, we gather around our departed loved ones and commend their souls into the hands of Christ. As we remember those who have reposed in the faith before us and have passed on into the communion of the Saints, we prepare ourselves to one day be received into the new life of the age to come.

 

[Kristos]

The fast ends today with the celebration of the Dormition of the Theotokos.

Apolytikion in the First Tone
In birth, you preserved your virginity; in death, you did not abandon the
world, O Theotokos. As mother of life, you departed to the source of life,
delivering our souls from death by your intercessions.
Kontakion in the Second Tone
Neither the grave nor death could contain the Theotokos, the unshakable hope,
ever vigilant in intercession and protection. As Mother of life, He who dwelt
in the ever-virginal womb transposed her to life.

 

[Andrew21091]

Troparion (Tone 1)
In giving birth you preserved your virginity,
In falling asleep you did not forsake the world, O Theotokos.
You were translated to life, O Mother of Life,
And by your prayers, you deliver our souls from death.

Kontakion (Tone 2)
Neither the tomb, nor death could hold the Theotokos,
Who is constant in prayer and our firm hope in her intercessions.
For being the Mother of Life,
She was translated to life by the One who dwelt in her virginal womb.
http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/6734/dormition

 

[Kristos]

Great icon!

 

[Mary of Bethany]

Joyous Feast!

Spraznikom!