~Pastor’s Message of July 25, 2021~

“O Godly-minded Anna, thou didst give birth unto God’s pure Mother who conceived Him Who is our Life. Wherefore, thou hast now passed with joy to thy heavenly rest, wherein is the abode of them that rejoice in glory; and thou askest forgiveness of sins for them that honor thee with love, O ever-blessed one.” Troparia for the Dormition of St. Anna

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory for ever.

Today we celebrate the Feast of the repose of St. Anna the mother of the Theotokos. Here is the Synaxarion: “On July 25 in the Holy Orthodox Church, we commemorate the Dormition of Saint Anna, Mother of the Most Holy Theotokos. Verses: The Virgin-mother Maiden’s Mother now dieth, Who for child-bearing mothers is swift salvation. On the twenty-fifth died Anna, the assuager of hard travail. According to tradition, Anna, the ancestor of God, lived for 79 years, and her spouse Joachim, for 80, who preceded Anna in death. They were married for 50 years and prayed to God for a child— male or female—to comfort them in their old age. Anna gave birth to the one who would bear God in her womb. The Theotokos had been orphaned of both her parents when she was 11 years old, when she was living in the Temple. Saint Anna is invoked for conceiving children, and for help in difficult childbirth. On this day, we also commemorate our righteous mothers Olympias the deaconess of Constantinople; and Eupraxia of Tabenna. By the intercessions of Thy Saints, O Christ God, have mercy upon us. Amen.”

The Kontakion of the Feast says: “We celebrate now * the mem’ry of Christ’s ancestors, * while asking their help * with faith, that we may all be saved * from all manner of tribulation as we fervently cry aloud: * Be Thou with us, O Lord our God, * Whose pleasure it was to glorify them both.”

There is no better place to meet but church around the Table of the Lord. As you know there is no vacation from church during the summer. I look forward to celebrate the Eucharist on Sunday with all of you.

In Christ,