Dormition of the Holy Theotokos

Saturday 30th August 2025 @ 7pm

Good Shepherd Chapel, Abbotsford

This cold winters night was made warm by the feast of regeneration - the testimony of the fruits of the resurrection: Mother Mary's Easter, her being raised to life and assumed in heavenly glory.

As the soft glow of the flickering candles lit up the Holy icons and sacred space of the Convent Chapel, parishioners came and venerated the icon of the Dormition via offering payers and candles as a means of thanksgiving and an an implortation for divine grace to touch their lives and the lives of their dear ones.

As this is a solemnity of the Theotokos (Mother of God) the congregation sung praises with the opening hymn resembling the Cantacle of Mother Mary's Magnificat- How Great thou art.

After the hymns of mercy and Glorification were offered, the Gospel of the Wealthy who asked how eternal life could be obtained was proclaimed - Jesus reminded all those who aspire for Salvation that we are to let go of the things that keep us shackled so that we may no longer be enslaved but may grow freely.

The Metropolitan reminded us in his Homily that the Theotokos is referred as All Holy due to her response to God via Archangel Gabriel where She abandoning herself in trust to God's will in allowing Emmanuel to be born - the fullness of grace dwelt within her womb and this sanctified her in body and soul for the Holy Spirit came upon her and filled her with sanctifying grace.

The early icons of the Pentecost did not have Mother Mary depicted, not out of disrespect, but because She at the moment of Announciation was baptised, communed, and crismsted/confirmed, unlike the Apostles and disciples who received the divine Mysteries(sacraments) later on in life. Hence, Mary was translated to life due to being the sanctified vessel of the Holy Spirit and new Ark of the Covenant who carried the promise, light and life of all things- Jesus Christ the Second Person of God the All Holy Trinity.

After the exchange of Peace which is an ancient practice of the Early Church, the gifts of Bread and Wine were solemnly processed to the altar signifying the mystery of Incarnation, crucifixion And resurrection.

As commanded, we pray and never demand, thus the Holy Spirit was invoked to transform bread and wine into the lifegiving presence of Jesus Christ our God so that through the Great Amen - let it be in faith, the body of the Church could once again be nurtured by this supernatural reality of grace divine.

After the congregation were blessed with the Divine Mysteries and the glorious chalice was returned to the altar of repose, the congregation were given the honour to venerate the relics of Mother Mary's veil and in turn received blessed icon prayer cards for their devotion and protection.

As the last hymn honouring God's wonders and amazing grace through his earthly Mother Mariam Theotokos was sung, the congregation proceeded to the cloister to enjoy The agape meal and savour one another's company via being joined as God's spiritual family the Church.

Photo Gallery