A Blessed Fast of the Dormition of the Theotokos to All!

In wishing all of you a blessed fast in preparation of the Dormition of the Most-Holy Theotokos, I thought it wise to remind ourselves of a few things.

• This fast is a strict fast like the one of Great Lent.
• It prepares us for the greatest feast dedicated to our Mother, the Most-Holy Theotokos who was deemed worthy of all women to give birth to God in the flesh.
• This fast calls to our mind the tradition that the Mother of God, after the Resurrection, whenever she was in Jerusalem living at the house of St. John the Theologian, used to go daily to the place called “Small Galilee” (a meeting place outside of the Old City of Jerusalem for Galileans, but still a “Sabbath’s walk away” (as much as one was allowed to walk on the Sabbath) and a place where Christ often met with His Holy Apostles) on the Mount of Olives.  Tradition tells us that the Theotokos would go there as this place reminded Her of Her Son. She would pray there and there She heard the “Second Annunciation” of the Archangel Gabriel which was the Annunciation of Her dormition three days in advance of the event.

  

  

  

• It is an opportunity for us to grow closer to our greatest Intercessor before the Throne of God.
• The Greek typicon foresees a “Supplicatory Canon” or “Paraklisis” every evening during this fast except for Saturday evenings and the eve of the feast of the Holy Transfiguration.  Whatever typicon you follow, it would be a great idea to sing a canon to the Mother of God on the days of this fast!