on August 14th. We are encouraged to take up this fast in preparation for the Feast day of the Dormition that will be commemorated on August 28th. FEAST DAY Celebrations in August: Saturday: August 19th: Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord. Divine Liturgy at 10 AM followed by the Blessing of Fruit. Monday: August 28th: Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God: Divine Liturgy at 10 AM followed by the Blessing of Flowers and Herbs. WHY DO WE BLESS FRUIT ON THE FEAST OF THE TRANSFIGURATION? It is the tradition of the Day of Transfiguration to bless grapes, apples and other fruit after the Divine Liturgy. The custom of bringing fruit to church for the blessing originates in the Old Testament time (Gen 4:2-4). The apostles brought this tradition to the Church of the New Testament (1Cor16:1-2). Instruction regarding bringing fruit to church is found in the Third Rule of the Apostolic Canon, the earliest collection of ecclesiastic laws (canons), known since the second century in Greece, August is the month of ripeness of fruit, mostly grapes and new ears of corn. Since old time, the faithful have been bringing them to church for blessing and as Thanksgiving to God. St John Chrysostom wrote: plowman receives fruit from the earth not so much for his labour and diligence, as out of goodness of God Who grows this fruit, because neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth, but God that giveth increase. Some food for thought! WHY DO WE BLESS FLOWERS ON THE FEAST OF THE DORMITION? As part of our celebration of Dormition we bless flowers and fragrant herbs and the faithful traditionally keep them in their homes. The herbs, used as natural medicine, are blessed in commemoration of the numerous healings and the extraordinary grace bestowed on the pilgrims at the blessed tomb of the Mother of God. Holy tradition tells us that all the Apostles with the exception of St. Thomas were transported mystically to Jerusalem in order to be with the Mother of God, the Theotokos as she reposed, and to be present at her burial. When the Apostle Thomas arrived the next day, the Apostles opened the tomb so that he could kiss her farewell. As the tomb was opened, the body of the Most Pure Virgin was missing, and the cave was filled with flowers and the sweet fragrance of Paradise. This was a sure sign of her great purity and holiness to the faithful. ORTHODOX YOUTH DAY: On Thursday, August 24th the youth of our diocese of NY/NJ will gather at our Parish Home beginning at 9AM with a breakfast that is sponsored every year by our Parish. This Youth Day will be held at Six Flags Great Adventure and is open to all of our diocesan youth. If you would like to attend please go to the Diocesan website and fill out the required paperwork and make an effort to represent our parish. His Eminence Archbishop Michael will join the youth of our diocese at Great Adventure and will serve a molieben service in our parish home for the participants in the Youth Day. If you would like to help defray the cost of the breakfast please see Matushka Ludmila at the candle desk. Your help in this matter is greatly appreciated. GENERAL CONFESSION will be held again on the first Sunday of the month August 6th. Please make an effort to come to General Confession so that you can cleanse your soul and partake of the Body and Blood of Our Lord at the Divine Liturgy. Last month this service was greeted by many faithful and a joy to witness so many communicants who came forth to receive the Holy Eucharist. We are a hierarchical Church. But we are blessed in the Orthodox Church in America because we have implemented a model in which the hierarchical structure preserves the spirit of collaboration and cooperation on all levels of the Church This is a principle that we should hold dear as we forge the way forward in the life of our church. - His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon. - DIOCESAN DIACONAL FORMATION PROGRAM offers an opportunity for men, with the blessing of their parish priest and Archbishop Michael to experience a 2 year program facilitated by Saint Tikhons Orthodox Theological Seminary. The Program involves both academic and practical application of a diaconal parish ministry. While no program of study guarantees ordination as a deacon, graduates will have fulfilled the necessary requirements. Please see Father John for more info if interested. THANK YOU to those members of our church community who came together and helped remove the trees on our Parish home property. We are truly thankful for your help that helped us save a significant amount of money. One can not believe how much the cost of this tree removal would have cost the parish. Thank You again to Mikheil Tabliashvili, Guga Miminoshvili, Michael Bulko and Peter Budkin who helped on Saturday July 15th. Many Years to all of you! PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK OF OUR PARISH!