St. Catherine Greek Orthodox Church

A MESSAGE FROM FATHER LOU

“More Spacious then the HEAVENS”

The first icon we see upon entering most Orthodox Churches is the large icon in the apse of the Church of the Virgin Mary with arms outstretched and the child Jesus suspended in her midst. It is entitled “More Spacious than Heavens.” As we come in the nave of most temples our eyes are then drawn to the dome in which is contained the icon of our Lord Jesus, the “Pantokrator” or “Ruler of the Universe.” As our eyes move from the dome and our Lord the “Pantokrator” to the Virgin with the Christ Child, the historical act of the incarnation is depicted. God, the “Ruler of the Universe”, descends from the heavens, takes on flesh through Mary, the Panagia, and comes to dwell within and save the world as God and Man. Mary represents all of humankind, indeed, all of nature in humbly receiving God. The icon also represents the “motherly” and “nurturing or “care giving” dimensions of the Church. We therefore enter and are invited to come in, bringing our burdens, cares and concerns in order to be accepted, loved and healed.
On August 15, we annually celebrate the great feast of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary. This is one of the several feast days including: her Nativity (September 8); Entrance into the Temple (November 21); Annunciation (March 25); and Dormition. Her theological names include the Panagia (The All Holy One); the Theotokos (Bearer of God); and Mitera Theou (Mother of God). She is honored as the greatest of saints in as much as she is the first to “literally” give her life to our Lord Jesus by bearing Him and raising Him. Undoubtedly, one of the major issues that many protestant Christians and non-Christians have with the Orthodox Church and Roman Catholic Church – indeed historical Christianity, is the place of honor and reverence given to Saints in general and to Mary in particular. Make no mistake about it, this tradition goes back to the apostolic times. Luke the Evangelist painted as many as 80 icons, many of which were of the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child. In fact some of these icons still exist in monasteries particularly on Mount Athos. The Gospel of Luke, Chapter 1:48, affirms through Mary’s own prophecy after her conception of Jesus that, “…henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.” The Apostolic Church began that and we continue it to this day in fulfillment of this scriptural prophecy. Of course Mary and the saints are human. They never were nor will they ever be divine. Only God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – is Divine. We only worship God in Trinity as Christians. Nevertheless Mary and the Saints are an integral part of our life in Christ as they are “the Church triumphant” and we, “the Church militant.” They have fought the good fight and won. We are in the midst of the battle. With God’s grace and our response to it and though the prayers of our loved ones in this life and our loved ones, the Saints in the next life, our hope and prayer is that we too may fight the “good fight” and win.
As we celebrate the feast of the Dormition of our Panagia, the Theotokos this August 15, may our Lord’s grace be with all of us through her never-ending intercessory prayers and love. May God bless also Fr. Apostolos, Fr Vasileios, the Parishioners of the Assumption Cathedral and indeed all parishes of the Dormition or Assumption as they celebrate their feast day, though the Panagia’s prayers. With our Lord’s blessings, Fr. Lou

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