THE DISCIPLINE OF FASTING (August 1-14)

The Dormition Fast (August 1-14), is one of the four major fasting periods in the discipline of the Orthodox Church (the others being Great Lent, the Christmas Fast, and the Apostles Fast). The August fast precedes the memorial or “Dormition” of the All-Holy Virgin Mother of God, and begins on August 1st, ending on the Feast of the Dormition (August 15th).

During the period of the fast, abstinence from meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products is observed, with the exception of August 6th, when fish is permitted for the Feast of the Transfiguration.

It is beneficial for us to make an effort to observe this fast (to the degree that it is not detrimental to our health). Jesus Himself fasted and taught his disciples of fast (see St. Matthew’s Gospel 6:16-18). The purpose of fasting is to be strengthened spiritually, allowing our spiritual desires to dominate our physical or carnal appetites. It is a means of becoming liberated from being dependent upon the things of this world; focusing our concentration upon spiritual virtues and things of the Kingdom of God. The discipline of fasting provides power to the soul in order that it might not yield to temptation and sin. According to St. Seraphim or Sarov, fasting is an “indispensable means” of gaining the fruit of the Holy Spirit in one’s life (see Galatians 5:22-23), and Jesus Himself taught that some forms of evil cannot be conquered without it (see Matthew 17:21 and Mark 9:29).

A special prayer service called the Paraklesis (pah-RAH-kle-sis), which means “supplicatory canon”, is done each evening of the Dormition Fast. It is a service that is not limited to being done in the church and is often prayed in homes. The prayer service is especially dedicated on behalf of those who are in need of all forms of help and healing. Names of persons may be turned in to Father Timothy. A form is provided in the narthex.

The Orthodox Church has always understood the discipline of fasting to be accompanied with prayer and good works, as mentioned in St. Matthew’s Gospel (17:21). It is also important to remember that the Paraklesis Service is not limited to being said during the Dormition Fast. It is a prayer service which may be said for anyone at any time, in a home or bedside, by personal request.

IMPORTANT NOTE: One should bear in mind that fasting is not an end it itself, but a means to a spiritual goal. One’s health should not be jeopardized in fasting. The Church does not recommend those persons such as expectant mothers or those requiring medication to ignore their doctor’s instructions. One should also consider how abstaining from social activities and various other pleasures may also be helpful. Should you have any questions, feel free to contact Fr. Timothy.

THE PROCESSION OF THE PRECIOUS & LIFE-GIVING CROSS
August 1st

The custom prevailed in the ancient city of Constantinople to carry the precious wood of the Holy Cross in procession throughout the city for the sanctification, healing and deliverance of all illnesses and diseases that many bore during the month of August. The Holy Cross was brought forth from the imperial treasury on the last day of July and placed upon the Holy Table of the Great Church of Holy Wisdom (Agia Sophia). Beginning today (August 1st) until the Dormition of the Theotokos (August 15th), it was carried in procession throughout the city and was set forth for veneration before the people.

THE "PARAKLESIS" INTERCESSORY PRAYER SERVICE DURING THE FAST OF THE DORMITION

Paraklesis (Pa-rah’klee-sees) is a prayer service addressed to the All-Holy Mother of God (The Theotokos). It is held in the church or in the homes of interested faithful for the purpose of invoking divine help through the intercessory prayers of the Virgin Mary in the case of physical or spiritual illness or in cases of other personal difficulties. During the service, the names of people for whom the benefit of whom the Paraklesis is held are mentioned by the priest.

The Paraklesis service is normally sung each evening of the Dormition Fast (August 1-15), preceding the Feast of the “Falling-asleep of the Mother of God” (August 15), however, it is not sung on the eves of the Transfiguration Feast (August 6th) and the Dormition (August 15th).

Two services are scheduled at the church beginning at 7 p.m. - Tuesday, August 3rd and Wednesday, August 11. Due to the evening commute which is difficult for many needing our prayers; also to encourage attendance and personal requests for this service, Father Timothy is also scheduling the prayer service in the homes of those requesting it. If you are interested in opening your home for one of the evening services, please contact Father immediately. The service lasts for 45 minutes and begins at 7 p.m. Since we are in a fast, the gathering for prayer is not intended to be a social event. However, light refreshments may be served. Names for the prayer list may also be turned in to Father Timothy.

“TRANSFIGURATION”

The Church celebration of the Feast of the Transfiguration (August 6th) is the Biblical event: when Jesus took Peter, James and John to the top of Mount Tabor and revealed His glory as being fully God. The name of this Feast is Metamorphosis, which means: “a change of appearance.” In nature, the process by which a common caterpillar is suddenly revealed as a magnificent monarch butterfly is also known as “metamorphosis.”

The transfiguration of Christ is the fulfillment of all the revelations of God made perfect and complete in the person of Jesus Christ. The Feast reveals to us our ultimate destiny as Christians—to be transformed and glorified by the majestic splendor of God Himself.

On this Feast we bless grapes which is customarily done in conjunction with the celebration (the blessing of the first fruits of the season)—a sign of the final transfiguration of all things in Christ; also signifying the final flowering and fruitfulness of all creation in the paradise of God’s unending Kingdom where all will be transformed by God. The grapes in the early Church period were used for making the Sacramental wine.

THE DORMITION OF THE MOST HOLY THEOTOKOS
August 15th

The Feast of the Dormition (or “Falling Asleep”) of the Holy Mother of God is commemorated on August 15th. This Feast is at the end of a 14-day period of prayer and fasting. During the fast, intercessory prayers are offered in the Church on behalf of the sick and suffering, in need of guidance, help and healing.

The Virgin Mary died as all people die, not voluntarily as her Son did, but because her human nature, like ours, was indivisibly bound up with the sinful condition of this world. The Orthodox Church teaches that Mary was without personal sins, yet the Gospel of the Feast, the hymns of the services, and the icon of the Dormition witness to the fact that she needed to be saved by Christ. Like us, the Virgin faced death in Christ to be raised by Him—something that is promised to everyone who hears the word of God and keeps it.

The services of the Feast repeat the theme that the Theotokos has “passed over into the heavenly joy, into the divine gladness and unending light” of the Kingdom of her son. In the Epistle, St. Paul speaks of the self-emptying of Christ who condescends to human servitude and ignoble death in order to be highly exalted by God His Father. And we hear in the Gospel that Mary’s blessedness belongs to all who “hear the word of God and keep it.” (see Luke 1:26-26; 10:38-42; 11:27-28; and Philippians 2:5-11)

Thus, the Feast of the Dormition is the celebration of the fact that all in Crist are “highly exalted” in the blessedness of the victorious Christ, and that this high exaltation has already been accomplished in Mary, the Mother of our Lord. The Feast of the Dormition is the witness to the celebration that Mary’s fate is the destiny of all those of “low estate,” whose “souls magnify the Lord,” whose spirits “rejoice in God their Saviour,” whose lives are totally dedicated to hearing the Word of god and keeping it

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