Blessed
Feast of the Holy Dormition!
In
the Book of Akathists, Volume I,
published by Holy Trinity Monastery, Jordanville, NY there is an Akathist in
Honor of the Dormition of the Theotokos.
At the end of the Akathist, there is a closing prayer which contains a
many titles or attributes by which we honor the Mother of God. From this prayer I have extracted some of
these beautiful words ascribed the Most Holy Theotokos:
O Most Holy Theotokos,
Virgin, Lady,
higher than the angels and archangels
more honored than all
creation,
the great wonder of angels,
the lofty sermon of
prophets,
the most glorious boast of
apostles,
the special adornment of
hierarchs,
the strong support of martyrs,
the saving precept of
monastics,
the inexhaustible
abstinence of fasters,
the purity and glory of
those in virginity,
the peaceful gladness of
mothers,
the wisdom and learning of
children,
nourisher of widows and
orphans,
garment of the naked,
health of the ailing,
deliverance of the imprisoned,
calm of those that sail
upon the sea,
stormless haven of the
tempest-tossed,
untiring instructress of
the erring,
easy passage of the travelers,
good repose of laborers,
quick defender of those in
trouble,
shelter and refuge of the
wronged,
hope of the despairing,
helper of the needy,
inexhaustible wealth of the
poor,
everlasting comforter of
the grieving,
loving humility of the
hated,
salvation of sinners and re-acquisition
to God,
firm stronghold of the
right-believing,
unconquerable help and
intercession
most wonderful Queen of
noetic light,
who gave birth to Christ
the King,
glorified by the celestial,
praised by the earthly,
the mind of angels,
luminous star,
most holy one of the saints,
queen of queens,
mistress of all creation,
divinely-majestic virgin,
spotless bride,
palace of the Most Holy
Spirit,
fiery throne of the
invisible King,
heavenly ark,
vessel of God the Word,
fire-like chariot,
resting place of the living
God,
ineffable source of the
flesh of Christ,
nest of the heavenly Eagle,
divinely speaking turtle
dove,
meek dove,
gentle and kind,
child-loving mother,
abyss of mercies,
disperser of the cloud of
the wrath of God,
immeasurable depth,
inexpressible mystery,
incomprehensible miracle,
church not made with hands
of the only King of all ages,
fragrant censer,
honorable robe of purple,
divinely woven porphyry,
animate paradise,
branch from the
life-bearing garden,
most beautiful flower that
hath blossomed heavenly gladness for us,
cluster of our salvation,
chalice of the King of
Heaven,
intercessor of the Law,
inception of the true Faith
of Christ,
unshakable pillar,
destruction of heretics,
sword of the divine wrath
against those inimical to God,
intimidation of demons,
victory of those in
warfare,
true preserver of all
Christians
known salvation of all the
world
May we remain under her
protection, now and ever…Presbytera Candace
Please
visit last year’s entry for the feast: http://otftd.blogspot.com/2013/08/blessed-feast-of-holy-dormition.html
and also John
Sanidopoulos’ entry for this year’s commemoration: http://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2013/08/august-15th-summer-pascha.html
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