Dear St. Stephens Family,

On Monday we celebrate the Protection of the Mother of God. In the tenth century, the city of Constantinople was being invaded by pagan tribes from the North. During an All-night Vigil, St. Andrew of Constantinople, along with his disciple, St. Epiphanius, and others, saw the Mother of God, St. John the Baptist, and a host of Saints and angels at the city gates. The Mother of God made her way to the center of the Church at Blachernae, where her robe, veil, and part of her belt had been kept since the fifth century. She knelt and prayed for a long time. When she arose, she took off her veil and spread it over the people as a sign of protection. The invaders turned back and the Christians were saved from harm.

 

The Mother of God still protects us today. She still acts in miraculous ways to bring healing and provide for our spiritual and material needs. She is incredibly active in the world and she helps everyone who honors her memory. We have many needs in our community. We should ask her to be with newly departed handmaid of God Rima. We ask her to comfort and strengthen Stephen so he regains the strength for more cancer treatment. We ask her to be with those whose faith is weak, those who are without work or suffering financially. May she be with each one of you, filling you with love for God and neighbor. Join us as we celebrate her and ask her to bless our community at the Divine Liturgy this Monday at 9:30AM.

 

- This Friday is our day to help the Ephraim Project. Preparations will be going on all afternoon at St. George. Come when you can to help cook, set up, and clean up.

 

- Our annual picnic will be this Sunday after Divine Liturgy. An email was sent earlier this week with details on what to bring.

 

Fr. Daniel