Dear parishioners,
On Sunday, September 17th , starting at 10 a.m., Saint Mary’s Orthodox Church celebrates its Feast Day (Hram)/ The Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos. Due to the Annual Episcopal Congress from September 8 to 10, which I’m attending, we won’t be able to hold the celebration on that date. We have therefore postponed it until the following week, on September 17th. Thank you for your understanding!
The St. Mary’s Church Council and I invite all members of our community and friends to pray and celebrate together, enjoying Romanian and Antiochian dishes prepared by the Ladies Auxiliary Committee of St. Mary’s Church and the Ladies of the Antiochian Church. We are so grateful to God for this great opportunity to serve together and celebrate together with our brothers and sisters in Christ from the Antiochian Church!
The Nativity of the Theotokos is the sweetest center of our existence, because it is the birth of joy. Now the entire human race is being renewed, and Eve’s sorrow is being transformed into joy. It brings us not only the release from human infirmities, but also the distribution of Divine gifts. The feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos is a glorification of Mary’s birth, of Mary herself and of her righteous parents. It is a celebration as well of the very first preparation of the salvation of the world.
“Your birth, Oh Theotokos, brought joy to the whole world, for from you dawned the sun of righteousness, Christ our God. Freeing us from the curse, He gave us His blessings. Abolishing death, He granted us eternal life.” Apolytikion (the Dismissal hymn) of the Nativity of the Theotokos.
May the Lord, through the intercessions of the Most Holy Theotokos, heal our troubled hearts with faith, hope, patience, trust and spiritual strength!
Looking forward to meeting you all at the celebration!
Yours in Christ,
Father Lucian
Father Lucian