VOLUME XXXIV No. 13 17th August, 2017
DATES TO REMEMBER
Homily on the Dormition of the Theotokos
AUGUST IPSHA Performing Arts Festival Technical
22nd
Rehearsal Morning JS Performance Evening Sydney Town Hall ASISSA Athletics Carnival JS
24th
Grandparents Reading Afternoon JS
25th
Year 11 Preliminary exams begin
28th
TIGS Soccer Tournament JS
31st
SEPTEMBER Father’s Day
3rd
Father’s Day Doxology and Breakfast ISA Athletics Carnival
5th
GO Athletics Carnival JS
11th
CIS Athletics Carnival JS
13th
Year 12 Farewell Assembly
14th
Years 5 – 12 Doxology
15th
Year 12 Farewell Dinner
18th
Showcase SS
21st
Open Day JS
22nd
Term 3 ends for Staff and Students
OCTOBER Staff Development Day Students return HSC begins
9th
On the 15th of August each year, the Orthodox Church celebrates the Dormition or Falling Asleep of the Most Holy Theotokos. In his homily on the Dormition, St Gregory Palamas (14th Century), the Archbishop of Thessalonica, teaches us that: “the dormition of the Theotokos was life-bearing whereby the Mother of God was translated into a heavenly and immortal life. Therefore its commemoration is a joyful event and festivity for the entire world” (St Gregory Palamas, Homily On the Dormition of our Supremely Pure Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary). Sacred Tradition teaches us that three days prior to her earthly departure, the Mother of God was visited by the Archangel Gabriel who gave her a date palm branch from paradise, which signified victory over death, and foretold of her approaching Dormition. Following this, the Theotokos returned to her home and prepared for this event, praying that the Holy Apostles would be informed accordingly. By God’s providence, the apostles were gathered and finally, our Lord Jesus Christ Himself appeared in divine glory accompanied by the ranks of angels and archangels so that He may carry to Heaven the Mother of Life. Reflecting on this great mystery, St Gregory Palamas teaches us that in her Dormition: “The Theotokos alone in her body…enjoys Heaven together with her Son. For earth, grave and death could not hold her body-the dwelling place which was loved by God more than heaven…the heaven of heavens. If her soul, which was a home of God’s grace, rose into Heaven…how could her body which not only received and carried the Son of God, the ever-flowing source of grace, but also revealed His body by way of birth, should not have also been taken up into heaven?” (St Gregory Palamas, Homily On the Dormition of our Supremely Pure Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary).
10th
Christians all over the world both love and honour the Theotokos. As the Mother of God, the Theotokos is the mediator between her Son and the world. The Virgin Mary is also our Mother (John 19: 26) and prays to her Son and God on our behalf for help and salvation (John 2: 1-11) for it is written in the supplication service to the Virgin Mary: “the prayer of a Mother gains much to the good will of the Master” (Supplication Service to the Theotokos). It is for this reason that Orthodox Christians turn to her in times of need. Our Lady’s role in heaven, as it was also on earth, is one of prayer and protection. The kontakion of the feast speaks of her as an unfailing hope and protection: “the grave and death could not hold the Theotokos, who is sleepless in her prayers and an unfailing hope in her protection” (Kontakion of the Feast of the Dormition). May God, through the prayers of His all-pure Mother, whose falling sleep we commemorate, grant us all eternal life. 16th
Mr A. Picardi Orthodox Studies Teacher
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