Web: SaintHaralambosGOC.org Fr. Constantine P. Botsis, Proistamenos Fr. George Lamberis, Synefemerios Deacon John G. Suhayda Nick Harisiadis, Protopsaltis ST. COSMAS OF AITOLIA, NEW MARTYR AND EQUAL-TO-THE-APOSTLES Commemorated on August 24 The New Hieromartyr Cosmas, Equal of the Apostles, was a native of Aitolia. He studied at first under the guidance of the archdeacon Ananias Dervisanos, and afterwards continued his education on Mount Athos, at Vatopedi. Remaining on Athos at the Philotheou monastery to devote himself to spiritual labors, he was tonsured a monk with the name Cosmas, and later was ordained hieromonk. His desire to benefit his fellow Christians, to guide them upon the way of salvation and strengthen their faith, impelled St Cosmas to seek the blessing of his spiritual fathers and go to Constantinople. There he mastered the art of rhetoric and received a written permit of Patriarch Seraphim II (and later from his successor Sophronius) to preach the Holy Gospel. So the saint began to proclaim the Gospel at first in the churches of Constantinople and the surrounding villages, then in the Danube regions, in Thessalonica, in Verroia, in Macedonia, Chimaera, Akarnania, Aitolia, on the islands of Saint Maura, Kephalonia and other places. His preaching, filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit, was simple, calm, and gentle. It brought Christians great spiritual benefit. The Lord Himself assisted him and confirmed his words with signs and miracles, just as He had confirmed the preaching of the Apostles. Preaching in the remote areas of Albania, where Christian piety had almost disappeared among the rough and coarse people entrenched in sin, St Cosmas led them to sincere repentance and improvement with the Word of God. Under his guidance, church schools were opened in the towns and villages. The rich offered their money for the betterment of the churches, for the purchase of Holy Books (which the saint distributed to the literate), for prayer ropes and crosses (which he distributed to the common folk), and for baptismal fonts so that children could be baptized in the proper manner. Since the churches could not accommodate everyone wanting to hear the wise preacher, St Cosmas with forty or fifty priests served the Vigil in the fields, and in city squares, where thousands of people prayed for the living and for the dead, and were edified by his preaching. Everywhere that St Cosmas halted and preached, the grateful listeners set up a large wooden cross, which remained thereafter in memory of his preaching. The apostolic service of St Cosmas was brought to a close by his martyric death in the year 1779. At 65 years of age, he was seized by the Turks and strangled. His body was thrown into a river, and after three days, was found by the priest Mark and buried near the village of Kolikontasi at the monastery of the Entrance into the Temple of the Most Holy Theotokos. Afterwards, part of his relics were transferred to various places as a blessing. He was glorified by the Ecumenical Patriarchate in 1961, and honored with the title Equal to the Apostles.
ANNOUNCEMENTS The Philoptochos of St. Haralambos invites you to today s Coffee Fellowship Hour after today s services. PROSPHORA We thank the Sikoral Family and Mrs. Anne Maroutsos who have offered today s prosphora. Next week, the prosphora will be offered by the Asimacopoulos Family and the Loomos Family (Sun, Aug 27). MEMORIAL SERVICES 1 year Nikolaos Loggarakis Memorial services are offered for the eternal rest of persons who have fallen asleep in the Lord. There are some days when Memorials are not permitted please call the church office before planning. Memorials take place at 40 days, at 6 months, at 1 year and at 3 years. After three years have passed, the departed are more properly remembered on the Saturdays of the Souls. Please also remember that we have discontinued the custom of placing candles in the kolyva. SACRAMENTAL REGISTRY Congratulations to....athena Balaban and Blake Stamper on their wedding yesterday at St. Haralambos. ΝΑ ΖΗΣOYN! HOW TO RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION Orthodox Christians in good standing are encouraged to receive Holy Communion frequently, provided they have prepared themselves spiritually, mentally and physically. They must be on time for the Divine Liturgy, and be in a Christ-like, calm state of mind. They should be in a confession relationship with their priest or spiritual father, and they should have selfexamined their conscience. On the day of receiving Holy Communion, it is not proper to eat or drink anything before coming to church. When you approach to receive Holy Communion, state your Christian (baptismal) name clearly, and hold the red communion cloth to your chin. After receiving, wipe your lips on the cloth, step back carefully, hand the cloth to the next person and make the sign of the Cross as you step away. Please take special care not to bump the Holy Chalice. A STEWARDSHIP REMINDER We are grateful to the 489 families who have committed $ 271,012.00 so far this year! How about you? Jesus told us YOU are the light of the World; let your light shine before others. Stewardship is discovering our light by using the talents and gifts God has given us. True stewardship means that our offering to God is a reflection of the Light in us, and of our appreciation for the blessings and benefits we derive from our Church! If you have not yet made your 2017 commitment, please do so. 125 YEARS OF ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY IN CHICAGO 2017 has bee proclaimed as the Anniversary of Orthodox Christianity in Greater Chicago." The anniversary will be commemorated on Saturday, September 30, with a majestic Pan-Orthodox Hierarchical Liturgy and Anniversary Luncheon. The Anniversary Divine Liturgy will take place at Lane Tech Auditorium, 2501 West Addison at Western, Chicago, followed by the Anniversary Luncheon at the Chicago Marriott O Hare, 8535 West Higgins Road, Chicago. SAVE THIS DATE! DONATION BOX We are grateful to all of you who have placed contributions in the donation box in the narthex. These contributions are used to help people who come to us and need financial help. You have helped many people! There continue to be many people in need; your continued support is greatly appreciated.
ANOUNCEMENTS AREA FESTIVALS Plan to visit and support today s Greek Festivals at our sister churches: St. Demetrios, Chicago and Ss. Constantine and Helen, Palos Hills WHAT IS STRONGYLI MEGISTIS? Strongyli Megistis is a very small but strategic Greek island off the southern coast of Turkey, in an area where oil has been found under the sea bed. These are Greek waters, but Turkey challenges this claim and has sent naval ships to the area. In an effort to raise money so that the plight of Strongyli Megistis can be publicized, the Metropolis of Chicago has agreed to participate in fundraising through selling a special bottle of premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil with a label depicting the St. Nicolaos Chapel of Strongyli Megistis. The bottle sells for $12 and is available in the church office! Your support is appreciated and meaningful! GREEK SCHOOL REGISTRATION has begun for all our school programs for the 2017-18 school year. Our Afternoon School is offered on Tuesdays and Fridays from 4:30 to 6:30, and our Saturday Greek School runs from 9:00 am to 12:30. Registration information is available in our church office (847-647- 8880). SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS Sunday School begins on Sunday, September 10! Make sure to register your children in the most important program! Registration forms are available in the church office! September 10 will be Registration Sunday! Sunday School will begin at 9:30 don t be late! YOUR GENEROSITY We are grateful to the many persons who gifts in the donation box in the narthex! We have been able to help many people in need because of your kindness! Our Outreach Committee is always seeking more volunteers to help with Meals on Wheels, Bessie s Table (soup kitchen) and other outreach opportunities! Please call the church office if you would like to help! SAVE THE DATE!! SYNERGY SYMPOSIUM 2017 Synergy s Annual Symposium is scheduled for Saturday, October 21, 2017 at St. George Antiochian Church in Cicero. Dr. Eugenia Constantinou will present SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES. Please visit www.chicagosynergy.org for more information! WE WELCOME all our friends, parishioners and visitors who have come to St. Haralambos today. We are happy that you have come to worship with us, and hope that you have had a prayerful and uplifting experience. We invite you to join the St. Haralambos family for worship and other activities any time! TAILGATE PARTY AFTER CHURCH ON SEPTEMBER IO! IT IS PROPER AND RIGHT... Please understand that chewing gum in church is considered to be very discourteous and even vulgar. Your attention to this is greatly appreciated. Be considerate! Please remove lipstick when reverencing the holy icons or receiving Holy Communion. Please teach your children that it is not proper to play video games, eat snacks, chew gum or cross their legs in church. Please be careful when you receive Holy Communion that you do not bump the Holy Chalice and cause it to spill! Please teach your children to dress modestly. Shoulders and midriffs should be covered, and discretion used concerning skirt lengths and excessive makeup and jewelry. Please turn off cell-phones and video games during Church services. Phone conversations are not allowed in church.
Ἀπόστολος καὶ Εὐαγγέλιον τῆς Ἡμέρας AΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ Α Κορ. θ 2-12 Ἀδελφοί, ἡ σφραγίς μου τῆς ἀποστολῆς ὑμεῖς ἐστε ἐν Kυρίῳ. Η ἐμὴ ἀπολογία τοῖς ἐμὲ ἀνακρίνουσίν ἐστιν αὕτη. Μὴ οὐκ ἔχομεν ἐξουσίαν φαγεῖν καὶ πεῖν; μὴ οὐκ ἔχομεν ἐξουσίαν ἀδελφὴν γυναῖκα περιάγειν, ὡς καὶ οἱ λοιποὶ ἀπόστολοι καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ τοῦ Κυρίου καὶ Κηφᾶς; ἢ μόνος ἐγὼ καὶ Βαρναβᾶς οὐκ ἔχομεν ἐξουσίαν μὴ ἐργάζεσθαι; τίς στρατεύεται ἰδίοις ὀψωνίοις ποτέ; τίς φυτεύει ἀμπελῶνα καὶ τὸν καρπὸν αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἐσθίει; ἢ τίς ποιμαίνει ποίμνην καὶ ἐκ τοῦ γάλακτος τῆς ποίμνης οὐκ ἐσθίει; Μὴ κατὰ ἄνθρωπον ταῦτα λαλῶ, ἢ καὶ ὁ νόμος ταῦτα οὐ λέγει; ἐν γὰρ τῷ Μωϋσέως νόμῳ γέγραπται, Οὐ κημώσεις βοῦν ἀλοῶντα. Μὴ τῶν βοῶν μέλει τῷ Θεῷ; ἢ δι ἡμᾶς πάντως λέγει; δι ἡμᾶς γὰρ ἐγράφη, ὅτι ὀφείλει ἐπ ἐλπίδι ὁ ἀροτριῶν ἀροτριᾶν, καὶ ὁ ἀλοῶν ἐπ ἐλπίδι τοῦ μετέχειν. Εἰ ἡμεῖς ὑμῖν τὰ πνευματικὰ ἐσπείραμεν, μέγα εἰ ἡμεῖς ὑμῶν τὰ σαρκικὰ θερίσομεν; εἰ ἄλλοι τῆς ὑμῶν ἐξουσίας μετέχουσιν, οὐ μᾶλλον ἡμεῖς; Αλλ οὐκ ἐχρησάμεθα τῇ ἐξουσίᾳ ταύτῃ, ἀλλὰ πάντα στέγομεν ἵνα μή τινα ἐγκοπὴν δῶμεν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ τοῦ Χριστοῦ. ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟΝ Ἐκ τοῦ κατὰ Ματθαῖον ιη 23-35 Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τήν παραβολὴν ταύτην Ὡμοιώθη ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν ἀνθρώπῳ βασιλεῖ ὃς ἠθέλησεν συνᾶραι λόγον μετὰ τῶν δούλων αὐτοῦ. Ἀρξαμένου δὲ αὐτοῦ συναίρειν προσηνέχθη αὐτῷ εἷς ὀφειλέτης μυρίων ταλάντων. Μὴ ἔχοντος δὲ αὐτοῦ ἀποδοῦναι ἐκέλευσεν αὐτὸν ὁ κύριος πραθῆναι καὶ τὴν γυναῖκα καὶ τὰ τέκνα καὶ πάντα ὅσα ἔχει, καὶ ἀποδοθῆναι. Πεσὼν οὖν ὁ δοῦλος προσεκύνει αὐτῷ λέγων, Μακροθύμησον ἐπ ἐμοί, καὶ πάντα ἀποδώσω σοι. Σπλαγχνισθεὶς δὲ ὁ κύριος τοῦ δούλου ἐκείνου ἀπέλυσεν αὐτόν, καὶ τὸ δάνειον ἀφῆκεν αὐτῷ. Ἐξελθὼν δὲ ὁ δοῦλος ἐκεῖνος εὗρεν ἕνα τῶν συνδούλων αὐτοῦ ὃς ὤφειλεν αὐτῷ ἑκατὸν δηνάρια, καὶ κρατήσας αὐτὸν ἔπνιγεν λέγων, Απόδος εἴ τι ὀφείλεις. Πεσὼν οὖν ὁ σύνδουλος αὐτοῦ παρεκάλει αὐτὸν λέγων, Μακροθύμησον ἐπ ἐμοί, καὶ ἀποδώσω σοι. Ὁ δὲ οὐκ ἤθελεν, ἀλλὰ ἀπελθὼν ἔβαλεν αὐτὸν εἰς φυλακὴν ἕως ἀποδῷ τὸ ὀφειλόμενον. Ἰδόντες οὖν οἱ σύνδουλοι αὐτοῦ τὰ γενόμενα ἐλυπήθησαν σφόδρα, καὶ ἐλθόντες διεσάφησαν τῷ κυρίῳ ἑαυτῶν πάντα τὰ γενόμενα. Τότε προσκαλεσάμενος αὐτὸν ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ λέγει αὐτῷ, Δοῦλε πονηρέ, πᾶσαν τὴν ὀφειλὴν ἐκείνην ἀφῆκά σοι, ἐπεὶ παρεκάλεσάς με οὐκ ἔδει καὶ σὲ ἐλεῆσαι τὸν σύνδουλόν σου, ὡς κἀγὼ σὲ ἠλέησα; καὶ ὀργισθεὶς ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ παρέδωκεν αὐτὸν τοῖς βασανισταῖς ἕως οὗ ἀποδῷ πᾶν τὸ ὀφειλόμενον. Οὕτως καὶ ὁ πατήρ μου ὁ οὐράνιος ποιήσει ὑμῖν ἐὰν μὴ ἀφῆτε ἕκαστος τῷ ἀδελφῷ αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τῶν καρδιῶν ὑμῶν τὰ παραπτώματα αὐτῷν.
Today s Epistle Reading EPISTLE 1 Corinthians 9: 2-12 BRETHREN, you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. This is my defense to those who would examine me. Do we not have the right to our food and drink? Do we not have the right to be accompanied by a wife, as the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? Do I say this on human authority? Does not the law say the same? For it is written in the law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain." Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of a share in the crop. If we have sown spiritual good among you, is it too much if we reap your material benefits? If others share this rightful claim upon you, do not we still more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. GOSPEL Matthew 18: 23-35 The Lord said this parable: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, 'Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, 'Pay what you owe.' So his fellow servant fell down and besought him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' He refused and went and put him in prison till he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' And in anger his lord delivered him to the jailors, till he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to everyone of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."
Marriott O Hare
Ανακοινώσεις STEWARDSHIP 2017 Εαν δεν έχετε συμπληρώσει την κάρτα προσφοράς σας για το 2017, παρακαλούμε όπως επιληφθείτε το συντομότερο. Δεν έχουμε θέσει όρια, αλλά αληθινό stewardship σημαί -νει να δίνoυμε ανάλογα των εισοδημάτων μας. Το επίπεδο προσφοράς του stewardship θα πρέπει να είναι ένα ποσό που θα αντιπροσωπεύει την αυξανόμενη αγάπη μας προς τον Θεό και την εκτίμησή μας δια τις ευλογίες και όλα τα καλά που μας προσφέρει η εκκλησία μας! ΠΟΙΟΙ ΔΥΝΑΝΤΑΙ ΝΑ ΛΑΒΟΥΝ ΘΕΙΑΝ ΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΑΝ - Όταν λαμβάνομεν Θείαν Κοινωνίαν η οποιοδήποτε από τα άλλα Μυστήρια εκφράζομεν την αποδοχήν μας εις τα δογματικά και ηθικά διδάγματα της Ορθοδόξου μας Εκκλησίας. Διά τούτο, μόνον Ορθόδοξοι Χριστιανοί οι οποίοι είναι εντάξει απέναντι της Εκκλησίας δύνανται να λάβουν μέρος εις τα Μυστήρια, όπως Θεία Κοινωνία και Ευχέλαιο, και δεν πρέπει να λαμβάνουν μέρος σε Μυστήρια σε μη Ορθόδοξες εκκλησίες. Διά οποιεσδήποτε απορίες σας, παρακαλούμε να συζητήσετε με τον ιερέα σας. ΜΝΗΜΟΣΥΝΑ Επιμνημόσυνες δεήσεις γίνονται για την αιώνιον ανάπαυση των τεθνεώντων. Συνήθως, αυτές οι δεήσεις γίνονται κατά τις 40 ημέρες, τους 6 μήνες, τον 1 ον χρόνο και τον 3 ον χρόνο. Όταν έχουν περάσει τρία χρόνια, είναι πιο αρμόζον να μνημονεύουμε τους αποθανόντας κατά τα Ψυχοσάββατα. ΣΥΜΦΩΝΑ ΜΕ ΤΗΝ ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΗ ΜΑΣ ΠΑΡΑΔΟΣΗ, το πρωί πριν ερχόμαστε στην εκκλησία δεν τρώμε και δεν πίνουμε (ανεξαρτήτως εαν σχεδιάζουμε να κοινωνήσουμε ή όχι). Προφανώς, εξαιρούνται τα μικρά παιδιά, αλλά μέχρις φτάσουν την ηλικία των 6 και 7 ετών θα πρέπει να έχουν μάθει κι αυτά να εφαρμόζουν την νηστεία αυτή. Βεβαίως, όποιος πρόκειται να μεταλάβει, θα πρέπει να ακολουθεί με πίστη την παράδοση αυτή. ΤΙ ΕΙΝΑΙ Η ΣΤΡΟΓΓΥΛΗ ΜΕΓΙΣΤΗΣ; Η Στρογγυλή Μεγίστης (ή «Στρογγύλη») είναι μικρό νησί των Δωδεκανήσων, πολύ κοντά στην Τουρκία, που ανήκει στο νομό Μεγίστης (Καστελλόριζο) και είναι το ανατολικότερο Ελληνικό έδαφος. Στην περιφέρεια αυτή, έχουν βρει υδρογονάνθρακα, από το οποίο γίνεται το πετρέλαιο. Η Τουρκία αμφισβητεί τα δικαιώματα της Ελλάδας και έχει στείλει πολεμικά πλοία στην περιφέρεια αρκετές φορές. Ο Μητροπολίτης Μεσογαίας και Λαυρεωτικής προσπαθεί να δημοσιεύσει την δύσκολη θέσι της Στρογγυλής. Να καλύψει τα έξοδα του, η Μητρόπολις Σικάγου συμφώνησε να βοηθήσει με το πούλημα ενός εξαιρετικού ελαιολάδου. Η προσφορά είναι $12 το μποτίλι. Ευχαριστούμε για την βοηθειά σας! SCHEDULE OF SERVICES AND EVENTS THIS WEEK: Thurs, Aug 24 Orthros and Liturgy (St. Cosmas the Aitolian).... 8:30 am Σας παρακαλούμε όπως κρατάτε κλειστά τα κινητά σας τηλέφωνα.
TODAY S ECCLESIASTICAL CALENDAR Sunday, August 20, 2017 Eleventh Sunday of Matthew Kυριακὴ IA Ματθαίου The Holy Prophet Samuel. The Holy Martyr Loukios. St. Stefanos, First King of Hungary Tοῦ Ἁγίου Προφήτου Σαμουήλ. Tοῦ Ἁγίου μάρτυρος Λουκίου τοῦ Βουλευτοῦ. Τοῦ Ἁγίου Στεφάνου, πρώτου Βασιλέως τῆς Ούγγαρίας, καί Ἱεροθέου, Ἐπισκόπου αὑτῆς. ΑΠΟΛΥΤΙΚΙA ΤΗΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ DISMISSAL HYMNS OF THE DAY Apolytikion of the Second Tone Ὅτε κατῆλθες πρὸς τὸν θάνατον, ἡ ζωὴ ἡ ἀθάνατος, τότε τὸν ᾅδην ἐνέκρωσας τῇ ἀστραπῇ τῆς θεότητος, ὅτε δὲ καὶ τοὺς τεθνεῶτας ἐκ τῶν καταχθονίων ἀνέστησας, πᾶσαι αἱ Δυνάμεις τῶν ἐπουρανίων ἐκραύγαζον, Ζωοδότα Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν δόξα σοι. When You descended unto death, O Life Immortal, then You slayed Hades with the lightning of Your Divinity. And when You also raised the dead out of the darkest depths, all the Powers of the Heavens cried out: O Giver of Life, Christ our God, Glory to You. Apolytikion of the Dormition Ἐν τῇ Γεννήσει τὴν παρθενίαν ἐφύλαξας. Ἐν τῇ Κοιμήσει τὸν κόσμον οὐ κατέλιπες Θεοτόκε. Μετέστης πρὸς τὴν ζωήν, μήτηρ ὑπάρχουσα τῆς ζωῆς, καὶ ταῖς πρεσβείαις ταῖς σαῖς λυτρουμένη, ἐκ θανάτου τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν. In giving birth you preserved your virginity; in falling asleep you did not forsake the world, O Theotokos. You passed over unto life, since you are the Mother of Life; and by your intercessions, from death you deliver our souls. Apolytikion of the Holy Taxiarchs Supreme Commanders of the heavenly armies, we the unworthy beseech and implore you, that by your supplications you encircle us under the cover of the wings of your ineffable glory; guarding us who bow down with fervor crying: From dangers deliver us, as Leaders of the Powers above. Apolytikion of St. Haralambos Ὡς στῦλος ἀκλόνητος, τῆς Ἐκκλησίας Χριστοῦ, καὶ λύχνος ἀείφωτος τῆς οἰκουμένης σοφέ, ἐδείχθης Χαράλαμπες, ἔλαμψας ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ, διὰ τοῦ μαρτυρίου, ἔλυσας τῶν εἰδώλων, τὴν σκοτόμαιναν μάκαρ, διὸ ἐν παῤῥησίᾳ Χριστῷ, πρέσβευε σωθῆναι ἡμᾶς. As a pillar unshakable of the Church of Christ, and an ever-radiant lamp to the universe, were you, O wise Haralambos; you illumined the world through martyrdom; you dispelled the moonless night of the idols, o blessed one. Therefore with boldness before Christ, intercede that we may be saved. ΚΟΝΤΑΚΙΟΝ ΤΗΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ KONTAKION OF THE DAY Τὴν ἐν πρεσβείαις ἀκοίμητον Θεοτόκον, καὶ προστασίαις ἀμετάθετον ἐλπίδα, τάφος καὶ νέκρωσις οὐκ ἐκράτησεν, ὡς γὰρ ζωῆς Μητέρα, πρὸς τὴν ζωὴν μετέστησεν, ὁ μήτραν οἰκήσας ἀειπάρθενον. Sleepless in her intercessions, and an unfailing hope by her protection, the grave and death could not hold the Theotokos. For as the Mother of Life, He who dwelt in her ever-virgin womb translated her unto life.