Beginning of the Indiction, that is, the New Year; Our Holy Father Symeon the Stylite (459) and his mother Martha; Synaxis of the Most Holy Mother of God of Miasenes
1 Timothy 2:1-7; Colossians 3:12-16; Luke 4:16-22; Matthew 11:27-30
Polyeleos Feast
Read 1 Timothy 2:1-7
Happy New Year, brothers and sisters. Today, September 1, is the beginning of the new Liturgical year according to the Byzantine Calendar.
Both the Epistle reading, from St. Paul’s First Letter to Timothy, and the liturgical texts point to an overarching theme of intercessory prayer. The Kontakion for the New Year ends like this, “Guard and protect our country, this city, and your people, O Lord, so rich in mercy.” St. Paul writes to Timothy, instructing him that prayers should be offered for all but most specifically, “for kings and all who are in authority” (1:2).
As we continue to live through a worldwide pandemic, this feast should be a reminder of the continuing necessity of this intercessory prayer. First, for the Lord to “guard and protect” all of us from the physical, spiritual, and emotional damage of the pandemic. Second, for us to continually pray for our leaders, both civil and ecclesiastical, who have faced both acclaim and criticism but need our prayers to continue leading us both civilly and ecclesiastically through this pandemic.