Dear Friends,

This day we continue celebrating the great feast of the Assumption of Mary the Mother of God. Because of her most significant role in giving birth to the savior of the universe, the Armenian Church Fathers ordained this to be a nine-day feast.

We do well to pray Mary’s prayer as recorded in the first chapter of the holy gospel according to St. Luke:

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my savior, for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.

For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

And His mercy is on those who fear him from generation to generation.

He has shown great strength with his arm, he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts, he has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted those of low degree.

He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away.

He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity forever.

By the intercession of the holy Mother of God, O Lord, receive our supplications and save us. Amen.

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With prayers.
Hayr Simeon
August 24, 2008