HOLY DORMITION
The Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos is one of the oldest Marian feasts in the church. The roots of the feast go back to Jerusalem, where the apostles and the Christians of Jerusalem honored and kept alive the memory of the falling asleep of the Theotokos. Consequently, quickly, her empty tomb, in Gethsemane, became a destination for pilgrims from Jerusalem and the surrounding neighborhoods. >>Read more
FASTING
There is a perception that we should fast when we want something, as though the act of fasting somehow appeases God, and seeing us “suffer” gets Him to grant our request. Nothing can be further from the truth. It is not our fasting that pleases God, it is the fruits of our fast (provided we fast in the proper mind set, and do not merely diet) that please Him. We fast, not to get what we want, but to prepare ourselves to receive what God wants to give us. >>Read more
CONFESSION
Every Christian feels a natural yearning of the heart towards God, a true desire to taste the sweetness of communion, of being with Him as He created us to be. But the impurity of our hearts – full of the weight of passions, conflicts, and fears—bars the way. Yet, there is a cure for the weight of sin which burdens the heart and soul of each one of us and afflicts the conscience, keeping us from that longed-for inner peace and from peace with our neighbors and loved ones. That cure is the Mystery of Repentance, Holy Confession.
Our Faith prescribes a minimum of four occasions that the faithful should go to confession: During the Nativity Fast, Great Lent, the Apostle’s Fast, and the Dormition Fast (August 1-14).
Confessions are heard after Saturday Vespers or by contacting Fr. Elias for an appointment Tuesdays-Fridays. Booklets to assist you in preparing for confession are available on the Parishioners’ table or by clicking: Preparing for Confession.
PARAKLESIS SERVICES
The reason these services are called “Paraklesis” (Supplication) is because the faithful gather to supplicate the Theotokos to intercede on their behalf to her Son and our God for our salvation and for the relief of anything that burdens and ails us.
PARAKLESIS SERVICES: (6 PM)
Thursday, August 1 @Holy Trinity
Friday, August 2 @Holy Cross
Tuesday, August 6 @St. Nicholas
Wednesday, August 7 @St. Nicholas
Thursday, August 8 @St. George
Friday, August 9 @Holy Cross
Monday, August 12 @Holy Trinity
Tuesday, August 13 @St. George
Vespers of the Dormition of the Theotokos with singing Lamentations will be Wednesday, August 14 at 6 PM.
PILGRIMAGE
PILGRIMAGE: Join the pilgrimage to the Holy Dormition Monastery to celebrate the Feast of the Dormition on Thursday, August 15 by visiting [PILGRIMAGE].
The Holy Scriptures tell us that when our Lord was dying on the Cross, He saw His mother and His disciple John and said to the Virgin Mary, “Woman, behold your son!” and to John, “Behold your mother!” (John 19:25-27). From that hour, the Apostle took care of the Theotokos in his own home. Along with the biblical reference in Acts 1:14 that confirms that the Virgin Mary was with the Holy Apostles on the day of Pentecost, the tradition of the Church holds that she remained in the home of the Apostle John in Jerusalem, continuing a ministry in word and deed. >>Read more
On Thursday, August 15 we will be carpooling to Holy Dormition Monastery at Rives Junction for the Feast of the Dormition. This is a great opportunity for individuals and families wishing to visit the monastery. Feel free to invite your friends whether Orthodox or non-Orthodox!
Let us know that you are attending the Feast of the Dormition at the Holy Dormition Monastery. Click [HERE].
The schedule is as follows:
8 AM: leave from St. Nicholas
10 AM: Divine Liturgy
LUNCH: Bring your own
2 PM: Holy Unction Service
6 PM: arrive back at St. Nicholas
