The Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God; Holy Apostle Ananias, One of the Seventy Disciples; Our Venerable Father Roman Who Sang Sweetly (560)
Hebrews 9:1-7; Luke 10:38-42; 11:27-28
Feast of the Mother of God. Abstention from meat and foods that contain meat.
Read Luke 10:38-42; 11:27-28
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
As we joyfully celebrate the feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God let us rededicate ourselves to fervently asking her for her protection in our own lives and for the life of the Church.
Let us meditate today on these verses from Great Vespers for the feast:
O most pure Mother of God,* you are a mighty defender for those in sorrow.* You are a ready help to those in trouble.* You are the salvation and confirmation of the world.* You are the depth of mercy, the fount of God’s wisdom* and the protectress of the world.* O faithful, let us sing and praise her glorious protection, saying:* Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with you,* and through you He grants great mercy to the world.
The glorious feast of your Holy Protection has come, O most pure Virgin.* Illuminate more brightly than the sun all your people* who with faith and with a pure heart* proclaim you to be truly the Mother of God.* They likewise sing out to your Son:* O Christ our God, through the prayers of the ever-Virgin,* who immaculately gave You birth in the flesh,* let not your inheritance be vanquished by the enemy;* but because You are the merciful One,* save our souls in peace.