Pilgrimage of Discovery: Applications Now Open

The Pilgrimage of Discovery annual program is a 7-day, all-expense paid, religious and cultural annual summer journey to Constantinople awarded to Orthodox Christian young adults across America, connecting them with their ancestral religious roots. Participants deepen their Orthodox faith through a curated, guided experience, exploring holy sites, having a private audience with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, and much more. This immersive journey creates a lasting impact on identity, faith, family, community and culture and helps secure the continuity of the Orthodox church from a grassroots level.

This religious-educational journey includes an audience with His All-Holiness... show morePilgrimage of Discovery: Applications Now Open

The Pilgrimage of Discovery annual program is a 7-day, all-expense paid, religious and cultural annual summer journey to Constantinople awarded to Orthodox Christian young adults across America, connecting them with their ancestral religious roots. Participants deepen their Orthodox faith through a curated, guided experience, exploring holy sites, having a private audience with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, and much more. This immersive journey creates a lasting impact on identity, faith, family, community and culture and helps secure the continuity of the Orthodox church from a grassroots level.

This religious-educational journey includes an audience with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and visits to historic sites around Constantinople. It is the opportunity of a lifetime for up to eighteen young adult leaders, women and men, from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America to be awarded the gift of a transformative and immersive experience in Constantinople, the Queen of Cities.

https://www.pilgrimageofdiscovery.org/ ...show less

Staff Applications for the 2026 Metropolis Summer Camp at St. Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center are now open. This is an incredible opportunity for faithful and motivated young adults to make a meaningful impact on the lives of campers while gaining valuable leadership and teamwork experience.

Our Metropolis Summer Camp offers a dynamic, faith-based program for youth ages 8-18, focused on fostering spiritual growth, community, and fun in a supportive and engaging environment. Campers and staff will participate in outdoor activities, daily services, creative projects, and meaningful discussions, while creating lifelong memories at our beloved St. Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center in Dunlap, CA. We’re hiring for a variety of roles, including... show moreStaff Applications for the 2026 Metropolis Summer Camp at St. Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center are now open. This is an incredible opportunity for faithful and motivated young adults to make a meaningful impact on the lives of campers while gaining valuable leadership and teamwork experience.

Our Metropolis Summer Camp offers a dynamic, faith-based program for youth ages 8-18, focused on fostering spiritual growth, community, and fun in a supportive and engaging environment. Campers and staff will participate in outdoor activities, daily services, creative projects, and meaningful discussions, while creating lifelong memories at our beloved St. Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center in Dunlap, CA. We’re hiring for a variety of roles, including Leadership Team Members, Cabin Counselors, Program Staff, Photographers, Lifeguards and Medical Staff.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of an unforgettable summer experience! Apply now and join us in making Summer Camp 2026 the best yet.

https://gosfyouth.org/summer-camp#/staff-applications ...show less

Become a Faith Forward Steward Today!

Faith is the foundation upon which everything in our lives is built. It is not only belief, but a living and growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Faith is trust in God’s love and His divine plan, even when we cannot see the way forward. It is the light that guides our hearts, the courage that strengthens our service, and the hope that unites us as the Body of Christ, the Church.

Our faith is not meant to stand still. It calls us to live actively in Christ, to care for one another, and to nurture the spiritual life of our communities. It calls us to move forward together.

Through Faith Forward, you can help make this vision a reality. Your stewardship sustains the ministries of the Greek Orthodox... show moreBecome a Faith Forward Steward Today!

Faith is the foundation upon which everything in our lives is built. It is not only belief, but a living and growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Faith is trust in God’s love and His divine plan, even when we cannot see the way forward. It is the light that guides our hearts, the courage that strengthens our service, and the hope that unites us as the Body of Christ, the Church.

Our faith is not meant to stand still. It calls us to live actively in Christ, to care for one another, and to nurture the spiritual life of our communities. It calls us to move forward together.

Through Faith Forward, you can help make this vision a reality. Your stewardship sustains the ministries of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco and supports our essential operations that work in tandem with our ministries. Together these funds strengthen parishes, empower clergy, equip leaders, and ensure that resources are available to bring the Gospel to life in every region we serve.

Every gift, large or small, becomes a living expression of faith that uplifts lives, advances ministry, and ensures that our Metropolis continues to grow in grace and purpose.

https://sanfran.goarch.org/donate ...show less

Wishing you a blessed Thanksgiving filled with gratitude to our loving God, the giver of every good and perfect gift.

May His grace strengthen your hearts as we give thanks for His countess blessings.

With Love in Christ,
Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco

https://sanfran.goarch.org/news/reflection-for-thanksgiving-2025

Reflection for Thanksgiving 2025

Beloved in the Lord,

As we gather in this season of Thanksgiving, our hearts turn naturally toward gratitude — for family and friends, for our daily bread, and for the countless mercies that flow from God’s abundant love. Yet for us, as Orthodox Christians, thanksgiving is not simply a day on the calendar. It is a way of life. It is the very rhythm of the Church, expressed in our daily prayers, in our Divine Liturgy, in every breath that acknowledges, “Glory to God for all things.”

The story of the first Thanksgiving has been told so often that we sometimes forget the profound faith that animated it. When the Pilgrims arrived at the shores of the New World in 1620, they faced a brutal winter,... show moreReflection for Thanksgiving 2025

Beloved in the Lord,

As we gather in this season of Thanksgiving, our hearts turn naturally toward gratitude — for family and friends, for our daily bread, and for the countless mercies that flow from God’s abundant love. Yet for us, as Orthodox Christians, thanksgiving is not simply a day on the calendar. It is a way of life. It is the very rhythm of the Church, expressed in our daily prayers, in our Divine Liturgy, in every breath that acknowledges, “Glory to God for all things.”

The story of the first Thanksgiving has been told so often that we sometimes forget the profound faith that animated it. When the Pilgrims arrived at the shores of the New World in 1620, they faced a brutal winter, hunger, and disease. More than half of them died before the spring. Among them was Dorothy Bradford, the young wife of William Bradford, their future governor, who drowned only days after they landed.

And yet, when the harvest finally came, those who remained gathered to give thanks — not because life was easy, but because God was faithful. Their thanksgiving was not born of comfort, but of hope.

This is a deeply Christian act. To give thanks even in sorrow, to bless God even in loss — this is the mystery of faith. In the words of the Psalmist, “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” True gratitude does not wait for abundance. It blossoms even in the wilderness, because it is rooted in trust — trust that God is working all things for our salvation.

In recent years, modern science has begun to affirm what the Church has always known: gratitude changes us. A recent Harvard study found that people who practice gratitude — who intentionally give thanks for the blessings of life — experience greater happiness, improved health, stronger relationships, and even, it seems, longer lives.

But the Church has been teaching this for two thousand years. Gratitude heals the human heart because it restores right relationship — with God, with others, and with creation itself. When we give thanks, we move away from self-centeredness and toward communion. We begin to see that every breath, every person, every moment is a gift.

The Fathers of the Church often remind us that the highest form of human life is Eucharistia — thanksgiving. This is why the central act of our faith is called the Divine Liturgy, the Eucharist. Every time we stand before the Holy Table, we proclaim the same truth: that all of life, even suffering, can be offered in thanksgiving to God and transformed by His grace.

Beloved, let us remember that gratitude is not an emotion that depends on circumstances; it is a spiritual discipline that opens the eyes of the soul. When we give thanks in all things, we discover joy not as the absence of pain, but as the presence of Christ.

Our society often tells us that happiness comes from having more — more comfort, more possessions, more success. But the Church teaches us that happiness comes from seeing more: seeing the good, the beautiful, and the holy that is already before us. Gratitude allows us to see with purified vision — to see God’s hand in all things.

Even the simple act of pausing to thank God for the day — to recall His blessings before sleep, to offer a prayer before a meal — these moments reshape our hearts. They reorient us toward heaven. They remind us that we live not by bread alone, but by the grace and mercy of the Lord.

Like those first Pilgrims, we too are travelers and strangers in a foreign land. We are pilgrims on our way to the Kingdom. Along the journey, we will face hardship, uncertainty, even loss. Yet we can walk with hope because Christ has already gone before us. He is our true Thanksgiving. In Him, sorrow is transfigured into joy, and death into life.

So let us give thanks not only for what we have, but for what God is making of us. Let us thank Him for the challenges that refine us, for the people who strengthen us, and for the Church — our spiritual homeland — where gratitude is not seasonal, but eternal.

This Thanksgiving, I encourage you to gather your families around the table not only to share a meal, but to share words of thanksgiving. Each person, from the youngest to the oldest, can offer one thing for which they thank God – even if you are going through a time of trial. Let your homes be filled not only with the aroma of food, but also with the fragrance of gratitude.

And remember those who have less, those who are alone, those who grieve. True gratitude overflows into compassion.

Beloved, may this Thanksgiving renew within us the spirit of Eucharistia. Let us be thankful in all things — in joy and in sorrow, in abundance and in need. Let us remember that to give thanks is to live already in the light of the Kingdom, where Christ reigns, and where love never ends.

May the Lord bless your homes, your families, and your hearts. May He fill you with peace, with joy, and with unceasing gratitude. And may we all, through the intercessions of the Most-Holy Theotokos, offer our lives as a continual thanksgiving to God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

https://sanfran.goarch.org/news/reflection-for-thanksgiving-2025 ...show less

At Every Divine Liturgy – Thanksgiving

As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, it is important to remember that every time we gather for the Divine Liturgy, we are doing so as an act of thanksgiving. Every Divine Liturgy is a Thanksgiving meal, but instead of turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie, we have (literally) heavenly food—the Body and Blood of Christ!

Holy Communion would come to be referred to as the Eucharist (as we see in the late 1st century document, The Didache and the letters of St. Ignatius about 107AD) which is “taken from a Greek word meaning ‘thanksgiving’”.1 The term Eucharist is used for Communion because when Christ took the bread and wine that He would consecrate to become His Body and Blood, He “gave... show moreAt Every Divine Liturgy – Thanksgiving

As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, it is important to remember that every time we gather for the Divine Liturgy, we are doing so as an act of thanksgiving. Every Divine Liturgy is a Thanksgiving meal, but instead of turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie, we have (literally) heavenly food—the Body and Blood of Christ!

Holy Communion would come to be referred to as the Eucharist (as we see in the late 1st century document, The Didache and the letters of St. Ignatius about 107AD) which is “taken from a Greek word meaning ‘thanksgiving’”.1 The term Eucharist is used for Communion because when Christ took the bread and wine that He would consecrate to become His Body and Blood, He “gave thanks” (Luke 22:19).2 Additionally, in the Divine Liturgy, the Priest says “Let us give thanks to the Lord”, to which the people respond “It is proper and right”. He then begins the great Eucharistic prayer, which is a reminder of the immeasurable love God has for us and the world.

The Divine Liturgy is an act of gratitude, but why should we be grateful? There are countless reasons, but let’s focus on one overarching one. We have a God who loves us unconditionally even though we are sinners. This never stops, even when we fall short and stumble (i.e. sin). As St. Paul reminds us, God demonstrated “His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8). Also, while Christ was on the Cross our Lord said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34).

When it comes to understanding how God feels about us when we stray from Him, we should also remember the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32). The father of the Prodigal represents God and the son represents rebellious humanity. Despite the son’s highly disrespectful act towards his father and his subsequent squandering of his inheritance on sinful living, the father never stopped loving him. Instead, when he saw him return, he ran to him, embraced and kissed him, and had a great banquet in his honor! God’s attitude toward us is the same. Even though we stray, God’s love for us abides because we are and always will be His precious children and He awaits our return.

Despite his unworthiness the Prodigal son was given a banquet with a fatted calf, which literally means “formed from wheat”.3 At every Divine Liturgy we are offered a banquet of wheat (bread) and wine, which are consecrated and become the Body and Blood of our Lord. He offers this to us, despite our unworthiness.

To be clear, despite God’s never-ending love for us, our Lord calls us to repent of our sins and to avoid sinning because He knows the consequences of sin–misery, suffering, pain, etc. Having said that, we must never think that when we do sin, God has abandoned us, despises us, or rejects us. Let us always remember that God’s love for mankind, according to the 1st Prayer of the Antiphon in the Divine Liturgy is “ineffable” which means “too great or extreme to be expressed or described in words”.

With this understanding of God, I pray that our gratitude for God will be strengthened and that our thanksgiving to God at every Divine Liturgy will be even more heartfelt, now and forever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

https://sanfran.goarch.org/news/at-every-divine-liturgy-thanksgiving ...show less

Χρόνια Πολλά!

Feast Day Greetings to His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco

The faithful of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco extend our heartfelt love, respect, and prayers for a blessed Name Day to His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos as he celebrates the Feast of Saint Gerasimos of Cephalonia.

This year also marks the 20th anniversary of his inspired and visionary ministry as our beloved shepherd and spiritual father. With deep gratitude, we thank His Eminence for his steadfast guidance, his prayerful leadership, and his devoted service to our Lord and His Holy Church.

Many Years, Master!

Είς Πολλά Έτη, Δέσποτα!

Reflection for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord,

Today is a day of great exultation and festal delight, for the precious and life-giving Cross of our Lord is lifted up in the midst of the Church. We rejoice because the symbol of life, hope, and victory is before us. The wood that once bore our Savior has become for us the Tree of Life, leading us not into exile like the tree of Eden, but into paradise itself.

This Cross, upon which Christ mounted like a King on His chariot, is the sign of His triumph. On it, He destroyed the power of death, shattered the dominion of the evil one, and healed the wounds of our sins. Upon this wood, His blood was spilled, endowing the Cross with invincible power:... show moreReflection for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord,

Today is a day of great exultation and festal delight, for the precious and life-giving Cross of our Lord is lifted up in the midst of the Church. We rejoice because the symbol of life, hope, and victory is before us. The wood that once bore our Savior has become for us the Tree of Life, leading us not into exile like the tree of Eden, but into paradise itself.

This Cross, upon which Christ mounted like a King on His chariot, is the sign of His triumph. On it, He destroyed the power of death, shattered the dominion of the evil one, and healed the wounds of our sins. Upon this wood, His blood was spilled, endowing the Cross with invincible power: a power that illumines the world and burns away the darkness.

And so, the whole creation rejoices with us on this day: the angels and saints, the prophets and martyrs, the sun, the moon, and the stars. All of heaven and earth exult, for the Cross has become the boast of the apostles, the crown of the martyrs, and the refuge of every Christian soul.

Saint Paul reminds us, “Far be it from me to boast, except in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” The Cross is our boast, our joy, our shield, and our salvation. It is the sign with which we mark ourselves each day, the sign that disperses fear, brings peace, and leads us safely toward the Kingdom of God.

Beloved, as we celebrate this radiant feast, let us not only venerate the Cross with our lips and our hearts, but also carry it with our lives. To take up the Cross is to live with love, with sacrifice, and with hope in the Resurrection.

On this feast, I also ask that we turn our attention to Hellenic College Holy Cross, the sacred school of our Archdiocese, in Brookline, Massachusetts. Here, our future priests are being prepared to serve Christ and His Church. Here, young men and women are formed in faith and knowledge, so that they may serve our communities with devotion.

If we truly boast in the Cross, then we must also support the school that forms those who will preach the message of the Cross to generations yet to come. There are many concrete ways you can help:

Pray daily for the students, faculty, and staff of Hellenic College Holy Cross—that the Lord strengthen them in their calling.
Encourage young people in your parish to consider studying there, whether to pursue the priesthood or to serve the Church in other ministries, or participate in the Semester of Faith.
Give generously to our school so that no one who desires to serve Christ is held back by financial burden.
Most importantly, stay connected by visiting the school, follow its progress, invite students to your parishes when possible, and make them feel supported by the whole Church.
Beloved in Christ, the Cross is our life, our strength, and our hope. By supporting Hellenic College Holy Cross, we ensure that this life-giving message continues to be proclaimed with faith and courage to the ends of the earth.

May the precious and life-giving Cross be our boast and our strength today and always. And may it guide us to the joy of the Resurrection and eternal life.

God bless you!

https://sanfran.goarch.org/news/reflection-for-the-exaltation-of-the-holy-cross ...show less

Reflection for the Feast of Indiction 2025 from His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos

Beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord,

Today, as we celebrate the Feast of the Indiction – the beginning of our new ecclesiastical year – we are reminded of the wondrous rhythm of the Church’s life. We also call to mind the sacred nature of creation which is the manifestation of God’s glory.

But what is it that we truly celebrate on this day? We do not celebrate the passing of time for its own sake. Time is fleeting and wears away at our lives. Nor do we worship the created world - the heavens, the sun, the moon, or the earth. These, too, are passing away, for all creation is a servant of the living God.

Instead, we honor the Lord of time,... show moreReflection for the Feast of Indiction 2025 from His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos

Beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord,

Today, as we celebrate the Feast of the Indiction – the beginning of our new ecclesiastical year – we are reminded of the wondrous rhythm of the Church’s life. We also call to mind the sacred nature of creation which is the manifestation of God’s glory.

But what is it that we truly celebrate on this day? We do not celebrate the passing of time for its own sake. Time is fleeting and wears away at our lives. Nor do we worship the created world - the heavens, the sun, the moon, or the earth. These, too, are passing away, for all creation is a servant of the living God.

Instead, we honor the Lord of time, the eternal God who has no beginning and no end. In Him, all creation finds its purpose. In Him, every passing year becomes a gift, an opportunity to draw nearer to Christ. The Church’s feasts remind us that time itself is sanctified when it is dedicated to God.

Even creation testifies to its own Creator. The sea carried Moses, Jonah, and Noah, yet it bore the footsteps of Christ with reverence. The earth was illumined by His manger. The heavens were glorified by His throne. Even Hades was conquered by His burial and Resurrection. All creation proclaims: “This is my God, and I will glorify Him.”

And in the Gospel, the Lord speaks to us just as He spoke to His disciples on the storm-tossed sea: “Be of good courage. It is I; do not be afraid.” This is the message we carry into the new year of the Lord’s grace: be of good courage. Be of good courage, because Christ is the anchor of our faith. Be of good courage, because the storms of life cannot overcome His love. Be of good courage, because wherever God is present, danger is dispelled and hope shines forth.

But courage in Christ is not passive—it calls us to act. At the beginning of this ecclesiastical year, I encourage each of you to take a step deeper into the life of the Church. Here in our Metropolis, the Lord has blessed us with many ministries that allow us to serve Him and one another.

These ministries are the living proof that our Church is vibrant and filled with opportunities for everyone to serve, to grow, and to experience the grace of God in community.

I ask you: as this new year begins, do not let it pass by as just another cycle of days. Dedicate your time to Christ. Offer your talents to His service. Step into one of these ministries and make the Church’s life your own life.

May the Lord bless you in this new year with courage, joy, and with the peace that comes from His eternal presence. And may every day of this year be an offering of glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. ...show less

Prayers for Victims of the Minneapolis School Shooting

The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco offers its heartfelt prayers for all those affected by the tragic school shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Wednesday, August 27, 2025. We are especially mindful of the young member of the Greek Orthodox community who was among the injured in this senseless act of violence.

“There are no words to fully express the grief and sorrow in my heart, nor in the hearts of people around the world who mourn after yet another school shooting,” stated His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco. “The repercussions of this heinous act will be felt for generations. Parents entrusted their children to school, and while bowing their... show morePrayers for Victims of the Minneapolis School Shooting

The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco offers its heartfelt prayers for all those affected by the tragic school shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Wednesday, August 27, 2025. We are especially mindful of the young member of the Greek Orthodox community who was among the injured in this senseless act of violence.

“There are no words to fully express the grief and sorrow in my heart, nor in the hearts of people around the world who mourn after yet another school shooting,” stated His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco. “The repercussions of this heinous act will be felt for generations. Parents entrusted their children to school, and while bowing their heads in prayer, innocent lives were taken and many others gravely wounded. Yet in this time of deep pain, we must not allow ourselves to be weakened in our faith. Rather, we are called to stand together in prayer, to seek the Lord’s comfort and peace, and to embrace one another with Christian love and compassion.”

MESSAGE FROM REV. FATHER TIMOTHY SAS, PROISTAMENOS
Saint Mary Greek Orthodox Church – Minneapolis, Minnesota
Dear Friends and Neighbors,

We, the congregation of St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church in Minneapolis, are deeply and tearfully heartbroken at the horrifying event that occurred this morning a mere 3 miles from our church at Annunciation Catholic School. A few children from our parish are students at Annunciation Catholic School and were present during the shooting that took place. Among the 20 shooting victims, was also our wonderful Sophia Forchas, and 12-year-old 7th grader. Sophia was born and raised in our St. Mary’s parish, immersed in the life of the Church together with her extended family of several generations who are devoted members of our congregation.

I have spent a good portion of the day with Sophia’s family at Hennepin County Medical Center where Sophia went into surgery immediately as she was one of the shooting victims who had been critically injured. We prayed and comforted each other throughout the day. The first responders, both ambulance and police, were superbly prompt and attentive to facilitating the support of the family. The medical staff at HCMC along with the spiritual support chaplains were incredibly helpful in these very early and critical moments.

Currently, Sophia has passed through the difficult and long surgery but remains in a critical situation. More will be determined by the loving and caring medical staff in approximately 2 to 3 days. Please know that while I was at the hospital and as the surgery was in progressing at our church the clergy of our vicariate led by our own Metropolitan Nathanael were serving the Divine Liturgy and offering prayers of intercessions for the recovery of Sophia and all the victims.

Sophia’s family and I are truly thankful for the immediate embrace of prayers coming from literally all parts of the world. To further strengthen our intercessory prayers for good health we invite everyone to our church tomorrow Thursday, August 28, at 6:00 p.m. for a Prayer of Supplication/Paraklesis. Metropolitan Nathanael will lead all of us in offering the Paraklesis for the good health of our dear Sophia but also for all the victims and all the children and staff of Annunciation Catholic School. Everyone in our neighborhood and beyond is invited to join us for the Prayer tomorrow at 6:00 p.m.

I remain faithfully yours in Christ,
Fr. Timothy Sas

https://sanfran.goarch.org/news/prayers-for-victims-of-the-minneapolis-school-shooting ...show less

Reflection for the 2025 Dormition Fast from His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos

Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

Our season for honoring the Mother of God, the Theotokos, is upon us. For these two weeks, we will fast and pray to prepare ourselves to honor the Dormition, the Koimoissis, of Mary, the Mother of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The origins of this feast itself are unclear, but we know that by the mid-sixth century, August 15 was fixed as the day of her Dormition and the Church has celebrated this as one of the great feasts in the liturgical year ever since.

On this day we gather in the Church, symbolically at Mary’s tomb, just as the apostles themselves did according to our Tradition. There, we ask for a maternal blessing... show moreReflection for the 2025 Dormition Fast from His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos

Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

Our season for honoring the Mother of God, the Theotokos, is upon us. For these two weeks, we will fast and pray to prepare ourselves to honor the Dormition, the Koimoissis, of Mary, the Mother of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The origins of this feast itself are unclear, but we know that by the mid-sixth century, August 15 was fixed as the day of her Dormition and the Church has celebrated this as one of the great feasts in the liturgical year ever since.

On this day we gather in the Church, symbolically at Mary’s tomb, just as the apostles themselves did according to our Tradition. There, we ask for a maternal blessing on our lives. As one of the hymns of the day says, “O believers, come, let us go unto the tomb of the Mother of God and embrace it longingly, and with sincerity touch it with our lips and eyes and foreheads of our hearts, and we shall then obtain from that ever-welling fountain the divine gifts of healing that issue abundantly.”

According to Tradition, the apostles were transported to her bedside, all but Thomas, to be with Mary in her final days. This, to me, is a great symbol of the unity of the apostolic faith about Mary’s role in our salvation and the unity of the Church. During the dekapentavgousto, the Church invites us to pray the Paraklesis to the Theotokos as a community, with one voice, one heart, and one mind. In our deeply divided world, when we pray in unity we offer a profound witness to those around us. We send a counter-cultural message of unity amid the many forces that seek to divide.

During the Paraklesis, we ask for the Mother of God to intercede for us and to offer comfort to us. As the part of the Kontakion of the feast reads, “The Theotokos is undying in intercession. Immovable is our hope in her for protection.” Oftentimes, people ask what they should pray for in these services. Just looking at the state of our world and the question should answer itself: war killing thousands if not hundreds of thousands of innocents; natural disasters – floods and fires – that have ended lives, destroyed homes and livelihoods; injustice and inequity endures.

When any of us would have even the simplest of problems we would run and turn to our mother for protection, for comfort, for guidance. In the face of these great problems who else should we turn to, except our heavenly Mother, the intercessor.

The Feast of the Dormition contains within it a great mystery of our Orthodox faith. As the Tradition says, Thomas was not present when Mary reposed. He arrived three days after her burial and proceeded to her tomb. When it was opened for him, Mary’s body was gone, only her burial shroud remained. As the hymns of the day relate, we believe she was translated to heaven and leave it as a mystery.

During dekapentavgousto, the Church also celebrates another Great Feast – that of the Transfiguration of Christ on August 6. This feast is truly one of the greatest for in the event of Christ’s transfiguration before His apostles Peter, James, and John, He revealed Himself in all his glory. In this moment Jesus the man is revealed to be the Son of God. Its theological importance cannot be underestimated. It offers a vision of the resurrection of all things in the kingdom of God. The feast is celebrated 40 days before the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross – September 14 – making an unmistakable connection for us about the identity of Christ, the transfigured one, is the crucified and resurrected one.

Beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord, the Church gives us this summer season of feasts for our spiritual benefit. After the relaxing days of summer, the time has come to invigorate our spiritual lives, through the prayers and liturgies and services of these two weeks in our parishes and through the ascetic discipline of our fast in our homes. Use these two weeks to pray to the Mother of God, asking her for comfort and asking her to intercede on our behalf with her Son for the life of our world.

Χρόνια Πολλά to all those who will celebrate their Feast Days in this holy season.

God bless you!

https://sanfran.goarch.org/news/reflection-for-the-dormition-fast-2025 ...show less