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Feast of the Exaltation of the Life-Giving Cross

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O Lord, save Your people, / and bless Your inheritance. / Grant victories to the Orthodox Christians / over their adversaries. / And by virtue of Your Cross, / preserve Your habitation.

Troparion for the Feast of the Holy Cross

Please join us Saturday, September 14, as we commemorate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Life-Giving Cross. The Festal Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at 9:00AM. All are welcome!

For more information on this feast, see the article The Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross at the Orthodox Church in America website.

Feast of the Holy Cross
Feast of the Holy Cross

Feast of the Nativity of the Mother of God

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Your Nativity, O Virgin, / Has proclaimed joy to the whole universe! / The Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God, / Has shone from You, O Theotokos! / By annulling the curse, / He bestowed a blessing. / By destroying death, He has granted us eternal Life.

Troparion for the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos

Please join us as we commemorate the Feast of the Nativity of the Mother of God, the first major feast of the new liturgical year, this coming Sunday. Vespers for the Feast will be celebrated on Saturday, September 7th, at 6:00PM. The Festal Divine Liturgy will be celebrated on Sunday, September 8th, at 9:00AM.

For more information on his feast, see the article The Nativity of our Most Holy Lady the Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary at the Orthodox Church in America website.

Nativity of the Mother of God
Icon of the Nativity of the Mother of God

Stop the Violence Statement

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Council of Bishops of the UOC of the USA Joins National Council of Churches in the Statement: “Gun Violence Must End Now”

The news that two massacres took place this past weekend, one in El Paso, TX and the other in Dayton, OH, in which 29 people lost their lives within a span of 13 hours leave us numb, horrified, and in grief. These, the latest of 251 mass shootings this year, are clearly acts of domestic terrorism. Once again, the National Council of Churches lifts its voice in prayer for those who have been directly affected by the shootings and, indeed, for the soul of our entire nation. Once again, we commit ourselves to supporting measures that will reduce and prevent gun violence. …

The full release from the Bishops of the UOC of the USA can be read here.

Dormition (Fast & Feast), Transfiguration

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Glory to Jesus Christ!

The Dormition Fast is nearly upon us! Occurring from August 1 – 14, and concluding with the Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God on August 15, the Dormition Fast is one of the four main fasting seasons of the church. This season is a wonderful opportunity to draw near to the Lord and to turn away from ourselves. Far from being a means to judge others, to create a sense of self-righteousness, or an opportunity to merely “follow the rules”, fasting is an opportunity to be made in the image of Christ. It is a tool for holiness with the help of God. As St. Symeon the New Theologian (+1022) writes:

For fasting, and vigils, and sleeping on the floor, and prostrations, and praying, and every other suffering of evil is nothing without Divine grace.

The First-Created Man (St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood, 1979)

On August 6th, during the middle of the Dormition Fast, is the Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord. Please join us on Monday, August 5th, at 7PM as we celebrate the Vigil for the Feast.

Transfiguration of Our Lord
Icon of the Transfiguration of Our Lord

Concluding the Dormition Fast on August 15 is the Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God. Please join us on Wednesday, August 14, at 7PM as we celebrate the Vigil for the Feast of the Dormition.

Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos
Icon of the Dormition of the Mother of God