Rev. Fr. Frank Paul Mayernick

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,      August 2007

August is the last month before summer comes to an official conclusion. The most important feast day for us is the Dormition of the Theotokos:

“When they had reached the place called Gethsemane, they buried there with honor the all-immaculate body of the Theotokos, which was the source of Life. But on the third day after the burial, when they were eating together, and raised up the artos (bread) in Jesus’ Name, as was their custom, the Theotokos appeared in the air, saying “Rejoice” to them.”

The Blessed Mother of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ falls asleep surrounded by the Holy Apostles. She is carried into Heaven and takes her place before the Angels nearest to the Throne of God. The Holy Mother is our protection and help. She is always there ready to listen to our prayers. What a beautiful image of our Lady full of Grace always being there for us to approach. She reaches out her arms to us always in loving fashion ready to embrace us with her unending love.

Mary is very frequently addressed as Theotokos in the hymns of the Eastern Orthodox Churches. The most common is Axion Estin (It is truly meet), which is used in nearly every service. It is Truly Meet, is a theotokion (sticheron composed in honor of the Theotokos), which is chanted in the Divine Services of the Eastern Orthodox Churches:

It is truly meet to bless thee, O Theotokos,
ever blessed, and most pure, and the Mother of our God.
More honorable than the cherubim,
and beyond compare more glorious than the seraphim.
Without corruption thou gavest birth to God the Word.
True Theotokos, we magnify thee.

The second half of the hymn, beginning with the words, “More honorable than the cherubim...” is the older part of the hymn, and is an Irmos attributed to St. Cosmas the Hymnographer († 773). The introduction, “It is truly meet...” was, according to tradition, revealed by the Archangel Gabriel to a monk on Mount Athos.

Now is the time for you to come to our Blessed Chapel and experience first hand the hymns of devotion to our Holy Theotokos. Shout for joy and rejoice for our Holy Mother is here to help and protect us.

Rev Father Frank Mayernick