The Sunday following the Feast of Pentecost in the Orthodox Church is dedicated to All Saints.
This Sunday also marks the beginning of a new liturgical cycle. This new liturgical cycle, although not as rich in hymnography as the Lenten Season or Paschal Tide, still has its own distinct characteristics. For during this period and the summer months, there are numerous Feasts beginning with Sts. Peter and Paul, the Twelve Apostles, the Prophet Elijah, the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos.
This period also has the unique distinction of encompassing two fasting periods, the first, the Apostles Fast and later in August the Dormition Fast which concludes with the great Feast of the Falling Asleep of the Mother of God.
This period also has another element, that of summer, where schools are closed, families go on vacations and our country is consumed with outdoor activities and other outdoor chores which invite us as caretakers of this world, to not only enjoy but to slow our life’s sometimes hectic pace, having a better chance of contemplation, meditation, prayer and reflection.
This season affords us of a ideal opportunity to pick up a book about our faith, about the lives of the saints, or literary works which challenge us to understand and contemplate the lives of those men and women, the Saints, who just like us lived normal lives journeying to union with Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
We have a very extensive collection of books and reading material in the Church Memorial Hall that you can avail yourself at any time. Just see either Mark Roger’s or Nicholas Sheridan and they can assist you in selecting books that you may borrow for your reading throughout the summer.
Even if you are able to tackle one or even two books throughout the summer period when you can relax and ponder the many Mysteries and tenets of our Orthodox faith, then that would help you in your knowledge and open your hearts and minds to the richness of those who have come before us. There is no limit as to what you can grasp from this opportunity in the coming summer months.
So let us set our goals and embark on a wonderful chance to further enrich our lives as Orthodox Christians.
May Almighty God, who is wonderful in His Saints, enlighten us with His truths.
