PARAKLESIS (SUPPLICATION) SERVICES
Paraklesis is a supplicatory service addressed to the Mother of God. It can be held in church or in the homes of interested faithful for the purpose of invoking Divine help through the Mother of God in the case of physical or spiritual illness or in case of other personal difficulties. During the service, the names of people for the benefit of whom the Paraklesis is held are mentioned by the priest. There are two Parakleses, the small Paracletic Canon which is mostly called Paraklesis, and the Great Paracletic Canon of longer duration and usually read in church. Author of the Small Canon is considered to be a hymnographer by the name of Theophanes. Apart from his name, nothing is known about him. The Great Canon was written by Theodore II, king of Nicaea, and in all probability belongs to the middle of the 13th century. It seems that the core around which both Canons have developed goes back to the 5th century Both of these Canons are sung alternately in church at the evenings of the Lent (1-15 August) preceding the Dormition of the Mother of God. They are not sung on the Eves of the Transfiguration of our Lord (August 6) and the Dormition, August 15.
During the Fast in honor the Most Holy Theotokos, August 1-15, there will be Paraklesis (Supplication) services in the evenings marked on thr calendar at 7:00 p.m. Please bring or send in names of person who would like to pray during these services, for health or general well-being. Why not utilize this period as an opportunity to more fervently worship our Lord, through the prayers of His Most Holy Mother.
HOLY CONFESSION
Holy Confession will be held on Thursday, August 4th from 5:00 -7:00 p.m. and on Thursday, August 11th from 5:00-7:00 p.m.