August, 2024

Another Season of Precious Opportunities!

The first two weeks of August are one of our “Liturgically busy periods.” The dormition fast began on the 1st with the feast of the Procession of the Cross and the 7 Maccabean Martyrs, their mother Solomonia, and their teacher Eleazar. We celebrated this feast with the blessing of holy water.

This next week, we have the vigils and liturgies for the feast of Transfiguration, and the “Summer” feast of St. Herman of Alaska (The feast of his glorification - his repose is celebrated on December 13th).

On days that we are not having festal services, we are singing the Paraklesis (Canon) to the Mother of God. Everyone is encouraged to come to whatever services one can. If circumstances prevent attendance, once can pray along with the livestream. One can also do the Paraklesis at home.

Here is the text.

If you know the tones and melodies, you can sing, otherwise just prayerfully read. This season offers a precious opportunity for spiritual profit. Don’t neglect it!

The Feast of Transfiguration

“What is it that makes the Feast of Transfiguration so important to Orthodox Christians? What is the meaning of Transfiguration for modern people living in the modern world?

There are a few important things that the Transfiguration of Christ reveals to us. First of all, it confirms the divinity of Jesus once again. It shows us that He was sent by the Father. It was especially important for the disciples to understand. It was meant to strengthen their faith and make them truly understand that Christ’s passion was voluntary.

Moses and Elijah, two of the greatest figures of the Old Testament, appear next to CHrist to further prove that He is in fact the Messiah, Who came to fulfill the law.

Secondly, it reveals to us that every human being can go through the process of theosis - becoming united with God again, becoming transfigured like Christ, achieving holiness. We are all called for it:

"The Son of God became man, that we might become god." (St. Athanasius of Alexandria)"

(Read more at the St. Elizabeth Convent site....)

From the Lives of Saints - St. Herman of Alaska

“The Elder was invited aboard a frigate which came from St. Petersburg. There were more than twenty-five officers with the Captain, and they also were educated men. Father Herman gave them all one general question, ‘Gentlemen, what do you love above all, and what will each of you wish for your happiness?’ Various answers were offered.

“He then continued... Should we not then love God above every thing, desire Him more than anything, and search Him out?’”

“All said, ‘Why, yes! That’s self-evident!’ Then the Elder asked, ‘But do you love God?’ They all answered, “Certainly we love God. How can we not love God?’ ‘And I a sinner have been trying for more than forty years to love God, but I cannot say that I love Him completely,’ Father Herman protested to them.

He then began to demonstrate to them the way in which we should love God. ‘If we love someone,’ he said, ‘we always remember them; we try to please them. Day and night our heart is concerned with the subject. Is that the way you gentlemen love God?
Do you turn to Him often?
Do you always remember Him?
Do you always pray to Him and fulfill His holy commandments?’
They had to admit that they had not!
‘For our own good, and for our own fortune,’ concluded the Elder, ‘let us at least promise ourselves that, from this day forth, from this very hour, and this very minute, let us love love God above all and seek to fulfill His Holy Will!”

(Read more from the life of St. Herman from the St. Herman parish....)