SSCORRE!
Saint Sophia Cathedral
Online Resources for our Religious Edification
“As we prepare our hearts for and then commemorate the Feast of the Dormition of the Holy Mother of God, let us take some time to think about Mary, the Theotokos.
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- What can we learn from her love for God and her submission to His will?
- How did her choices and the way that she lived her earthly life affect ours?
- How does she continue to impact the world since her dormition?
We have gathered quotes from the Church fathers about the Theotokos…. for you to ponder throughout the fast. As you read each quote, may you be inspired to be as genuine, humble, and obedient as she has been.
May the Holy Mother of God pray for all of us, that we will be saved and that we will follow God as wholeheartedly as she did!”
This post offers thoughts about the Theotokos as a mother and how we can emulate her.
Preschool/Elementary:
This post offers a story that may be a helpful tool as you talk with young children about her Dormition in addition to other resources.
Middle School:
How does the Theotokos continue to impact the world after her Dormition?
- “The Most Holy Mother of God prays for us ceaselessly. She is always visiting us. Whenever we turn to her in our heart, she is there. After the Lord, she is the greatest protection for mankind. How many churches there are in the world that are dedicated to the Most Holy Mother of God! How many healing springs where people are cured of their ailments have sprung up in places where the Most Holy Theotokos appeared and blessed those springs to heal both the sick and the healthy! She is constantly, by our side, and all too often we forget her.” ~ Elder Thaddeus
“Kardiotissa” is one of the many names we use to describe the Most Holy Theotokos. It comes from the Greek word ‘kardia’ meaning heart because in this icon she is depicted holding Jesus close to her heart.
High School:
How does the Theotokos continue to impact the world after her Dormition?
A Message from Maria Spanos
I am passionate about our Orthodox Christian faith and seek to help others learn as much as they can about it. My purpose here is to share online resources that help strengthen our relationship with Christ and bind us closer to His Church. I believe they are invaluable in learning about our precious Orthodox Tradition, and are a great aid for teaching family members, friends and others about Orthodoxy. ~Maria
Two of my favorite quotes:
“A true Christian behaves in this life so that it may be a preparation for the future one and not only a life here below. In his actions, he does not think what will be said of him here but of what will be said there in heaven; he represents to himself that he is always in the presence of God, of the angels and all the saints, and remembers that someday they will bear witness of his thoughts, words, and deeds.” — Saint John of Kronstadt
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“Of all the holy works, the education of children is the most holy.”
— St. Theophan the Recluse
