Today is the beginning of our salvation * and the manifestation of the mystery which is from eternity. * The Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin, * and Gabriel announces grace. * So with him let us also cry to the Mother of God: * Rejoice, thou who art full of grace! * The Lord is with thee.
— Troparion for the Feast of the Annunciation
Glory to Jesus Christ!
This coming Sunday, 02 February 2025, is the Feast of the Presentation of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ in the Temple. Following the Liturgy will be the prayers for the blessing of candles. If you have any candles that you would like to have blessed for home use, please bring them. (Read here about the connection between this Great Feast, light, candles, and groundhogs!)
This Sunday is also the Sunday of Zacchaeus, the first signpost that Lent is on the way and the Sunday preceding the start of the Lenten Triodion.
Please join us as we celebrate this Great Feast of the Church (and Zacchaeus Sunday).
Hail, Virgin Theotokos, full of grace; / for from you has shone forth the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God, / giving light those in darkness. / Be glad, O righteous Elder; / for you received in your arms the Redeemer of our souls, / Who bestows upon us resurrection.
— Troparion for the Feast of the Meeting of our Lord
Glory to Jesus Christ!
Please join us on Friday. 13 September 2024, at 6pm, as we celebrate Vespers for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
The Feast of the Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life-creating Cross (14 September) is a feast commemorating two events: (1) the finding of the True Cross by St. Helena in the year 326 and (2) the restoration of the True Cross to Jerusalem in 629 by the Byzantine emperor Heraclius, after its rescue from the Persians.
In the Orthodox tradition, 14 September is observed as a strict fast day.
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 Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Glory to Jesus Christ!
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 Mother of God
Today, 08 September, we commemorate the Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary. This day is celebrated by the Church as a day of universal joy as it is foundational to our redemption, rooted in the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This feast is one of the most ancient of the Marian feats and likely originated in Jerusalem or Syria, soon after spreading to all parts of the Christian world, both east and west. The Feast of the Nativity of Mary has a four day Afterfeast (similar to an octave on the western calendar), culminating on 12 September with the Leavetaking of the Feast.
Glory to Jesus Christ!
A blessed Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God to all!
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.
— Troparion for the Feast of the Dormition
Glory to Jesus Christ!
Mark your calendars and please join us on Wednesday, 14 August 2024, at 6pm, as we end the Dormition Fast together with the celebration of Vespers for the Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God (15 August).
All are welcome!
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.
— Troparion for the Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God
