News 182 13a 2017

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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).

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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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News 182 13a 2017 by ST Spyridon College - Issuu