The Protection of the Theotokos

The Cathedral's Patronal Feast

St. Mary's Orthodox Cathedral - at the start of Vespers (courtesy Fr. Benjamin Tucci)

Tonight was just what I needed - a calming evening in church with the boys to celebrate the Protection of the Theotokos. "Calming" and "with the boys" don't often go together, but tonight they were both so well behaved and the singing was a balm for the soul. M decided he was going to stand the entire service. I told him he could sit during the Old Testament readings, but he refused and stood the entire time. L worked on crossing himself correctly and pointed out each of the plagues on the Egyptians in his Children's Bible. 

Throughout the chaos of the world today, I just wanted to go to church. Yes, it was our feast, but something just drew me this evening. As we were driving down, we could see the storms rolling in with the lightning streaking across the sky. The first drops began as we raced into church. Once we settled in, a peacefulness came over me. Seeing familiar faces, the sweet incense (extra beautiful this evening), hearing the bells at the start of the service, venerating the icons (without kissing in this COVID-world, of course), receiving the anointing at the end of the service, tasting the litiya bread sprinkled with wine. All the senses are covered in the Orthodox Church. For a short time, the craziness of the world was left at the doors and the constant barrage of current events was shut out. 

The description of the feast on oca.org states: 

On Sunday, October 1, during the All Night Vigil, when the church was overflowing with those at prayer, the Fool-for-Christ Saint Andrew (October 2), at the fourth hour, lifted up his eyes towards the heavens and beheld our most Holy Lady Theotokos coming through the air, resplendent with heavenly light and surrounded by an assembly of the Saints. Saint John the Baptist and the holy Apostle John the Theologian accompanied the Queen of Heaven. On bended knees the Most Holy Virgin tearfully prayed for Christians for a long time. Then, coming near the Bishop’s Throne, she continued her prayer.

After completing her prayer she took her veil and spread it over the people praying in church, protecting them from enemies both visible and invisible. The Most Holy Lady Theotokos was resplendent with heavenly glory, and the protecting veil in her hands gleamed “more than the rays of the sun.” Saint Andrew gazed trembling at the miraculous vision and he asked his disciple, the blessed Epiphanius standing beside him, “Do you see, brother, the Holy Theotokos, praying for all the world?” Epiphanius answered, “I do see, holy Father, and I am in awe.”

COVID Singing

We all know that singing is a high-risk activity when it comes to COVID. Choirs everywhere are holding online rehearsals, orchestras and operas are shuttered. I have been fortunate to continue as one of the singers/assistant directors at the cathedral since Holy Week, an honor I truly felt tonight. It is not recommended to sing if you are not in the official singing group to limit others' exposure. When you sing, you inhale more deeply and you aspirate more/larger aerosols that may linger in the air longer. Even wearing a mask, there are increased and unnecessary risks, so I refrained from singing. 

Little did I know how difficult this would be for me. Every part of my being screamed to be singing! This is the gift that I have been given. Those of you who have had to sit quietly on the side while others sang for you, I now know how difficult this has been. Through the summer, I was a singer or director at all the services I was able to attend. I SANG! To be silenced in our song is not how we pray. EVERYONE sings The Creed and The Lord's Prayer! How does one sit in silence when it's in our nature to join in? Lord, I cannot wait for the day when we can ALL burst into Balakirev's The Angel Cried and hug one another. 

Needless to say, I didn't make it the entire service without adding my voice to the mix, albeit quietly so that the boys barely heard me. May my voice lift up with the incense to join the angels in heaven. 

Most Holy Theotokos, save us!