Every year, the parish of Saint Mary’s Mount Pritchard hosts over 400 people for the annual vigil celebrating her patronage feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos.
However this year, due to the ongoing restrictions of the coronavirus pandemic and to allow a maximum number of parishioners to attend, the feast was celebrated over two days.
On Friday the 14th of August, His Eminence Metropolitan Basilios Kodsie presided over the Archierarchical festal vespers service and the Artoklasia. On the next day, Saturday 15th he presided over the matins and divine liturgy.
During the services, His Eminence prayed for our brothers and sisters in Beirut and encouraged his flock to support their brothers and sisters by every means available to them.
Being the final major feast in the Ecclesiastical calendar and in the churches year, we look forward to the commencement of another fruitful and blessed year.
We have all had some testing and trialling times this year, particularly in the last few months due to the pandemic impacting the entire world and the uncertainty surrounding the future: however, we were reminded during these holy services, of the unwavering faith and patience of the Mother of God.
In all circumstances and in all the trials she faced, our Holy Mother was strong in her faith and extreme humility. We call upon her to intercede for us all during these times and to pray to her Son on our behalf, to maintain solidarity in the church and amongst our people.
Despite our physical distance, we remain united always through Christ and through the intercessions of our Holy Mother and all the saints.
Most Holy Theotokos, Save us +
