St Nicholas & The Conception of the Theotokos
Categories: hymns, feast-days
Date: 09 December 2007 04:10:54
Today we celebrated both the Feast of the Day, the Conception of the Theotokos [Mary, the Mother of Christ] by St Anne [according to Tradition, Mary's parents were named Joachim and Anna], as well as the Feast of St Nicholas [December 6] by way of the Church School [Sunday School] performing a play and a number of carols, including Orthodox hymns and Western carols such as O Come All Ye Faithful, We Three Kings and Silent Night.
The kids were wonderful: and so very cute. Congratulations must go to all the Church School teachers who have done such a fine job. St Nicholas made an appearance after play, and handed out presents to the kids, and the Church School teachers.
It was also great to be back at my parish. I had missed them all so, and it was wonderful to see them again -- and see a number of new people, especially kids, who have started coming in the past month. Thanks and praise be to God. From next week, our choir will be using different music [chants] to the ones we have been using, which have been, so I have been told, a general mish-mash of music traditions: the choir will be using more and more Byzantine chant. Prayers appreciated for them as they prepare to introduce this.
A blessed belated Feast Day of St Nicholas to all, and a blessed Feast Day of the Conception by St Anne of the Theotokos to all also!
Troparion - Tone 4:
Today the bonds of barrenness are broken,
God has heard the prayers of Joachim and Anna.
He has promised them beyond all their hopes to bear the Maiden of God,
by whom the uncircumscribed One was born as mortal Man;
He commanded an angel to cry to her:
“Rejoice, O full of grace,
the Lord is with you!”
Kontakion - Tone 4:
Today the universe rejoices,
for Anna has conceived the Theotokos through God's dispensation,
for she has brought forth the one who is to bear the ineffable Word!