Feast Day: August 15th
Prayers
Forefeast of the Dormition: Prayer
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Dormition
Apolytikion: In birth, you preserved your virginity; in death, you did not abandon the world, O Theotokos. As Mother of Life, you departed to the Source of Life, delivering our Souls from death by your intercessions.
Kontakion: Neither the grave nor death could contain the Theotokos, the Unshakable Hope, ever vigilant in intercession and protection. As Mother of Life, He Who dwelt in the ever-virginal womb transposed her to life.
Hymn: Now all generations call you Blessed, O only Theotokos. In you the laws of nature are defeated, O Undefiled Virgin Pure. In virginity childbirth was accomplished, and death introduces life. You, after bearing, are virgin, and after dying are living. Mother of God, ever save your inheritance.
Hymn: O You Apostles from far off, being gathered together, in the village of Gethsemane, lay my body in burial, and You, my Son, and my God, receive now my Spirit from me. You are the sweetness of Angels, the gladness of the afflicted ones, a protection of all Christians, O Virgin Mother of our Lord; grant me now help and save me from the eternal torments. I have you as Mediator, before God Who loves mankind; may He not question my action, before the Hosts of the Angels, I ask of you, O Virgin, hasten now quickly to my aid. You are a tower adorned with gold, a city surrounded by twelve walls, a shining throne touched by the sun, a royal seat for the King, O unexplainable wonder, how do you nurse the Master?
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Lamentations
Text: Lamentations for the Dormition of Our Most Holy Mother of God
On each evening of the first 15 days of August, except for Saturdays, during the period of the fast for the Dormition of Our Panagia, we Pray the Supplicatory Service of the Paraklesis, alternating each night between the Great Paraklesis and the Small Paraklesis to Our Most Holy Mother of God.
The Great Paraklesis
Text: The Supplicatory Service of the Great Paraklesis to the Mother of God
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The Small Paraklesis
Text: The Supplicatory Service of the Small Paraklesis to the Mother of God
Audio: Audio recording by Saint Paraskevi Church
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