September 2008
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day—each year we mark the beginning and end of the summer by celebrating these traditional civil holidays. As we observe Labor Day and now come to the end of the summer, as the temperatures slowly (very slowly, too slowly) begin to drop, as classes resume and students return to school, and as we begin to enter into our more regular routines, we also come to the beginning of the Church’s liturgical year. From ancient times, the Orthodox Church has marked the beginning of its year with what is known as the “Indiction,” i.e. September 1.
In the course of the liturgical year, we are given the blessed opportunity to reflect upon, celebrate, and enter into the great events that brought about our salvation in Jesus Christ, beginning with the birth of His Most Pure Mother, which we celebrate on September 8, the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos. Because she is so central to God’s plan for salvation, it is appropriate that the first “Great Feast” of the liturgical year is the Feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary.
During Matins on this Feast of the Theotokos, we sing: “Today the grace of gladness has its beginning, Today the gates of heaven open and the divine doors open wide, showing forth unto the world the Nativity of the Mother of our God, through whom earthly things unite with the heavenly, unto the salvation of our souls.” We also sing: “Like a bright cloud has the Virgin Mary, the true Theotokos, shone forth
unto us all; Adam is no longer condemned and Eve is released from bonds; wherefore we also cry out with boldness unto the only pure one, exclaiming: O most holy Virgin, entreat your Son to grant us the remission of our sins.”
In these two liturgical texts we are reminded of the unparalleled and indispensable role played by the Virgin Mary in the history of our salvation. It was through her that the things of this earth were united to the things of heaven, for in her very body the Son of God took on our human flesh. Because of her willingness to accept God’s will and become the Mother of the Redeemer, Adam and Eve and all sinners, ourselves included, have been released from the bonds of sin. It is to her that we can go, and as the Mother given to us at the foot of Her Son’s Cross (see John 19:26-27), she willingly intercedes for us, entreating Her Son, to “grant us the remission of our sins.” And, as a loving Mother, she accompanies us throughout our lives, in our moments of sorrow, grief, and challenges, as well as in times of joy, happiness, and success.
As we begin this new Year of Grace, let us entrust our parish, our homes and families, and our very selves to the prayers and protection of the Most Pure Theotokos, the Mother of God and our Mother as well. It is my sincere hope and prayer that our love and devotion for her as a parish community will increase so that we may be more aware of her maternal love and concern for us and for all who follow her Son.
With love in the Lord,
Father David