The call of the Virgin Marytranslated

With the beginning of the fast of the Fifteenth of August, the Church invites us to walk a path of prayer, repentance and spiritual renewal, with a destination for the great feast of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

By Metropolitan Irenaeus of Floris, Prespa and Eordaia

This summer is testing our country. Destructive fires, loss of life and the pain of many families remind us how fragile human life is. In this trial, the Church does not stop preaching Christ, who is the hope of the world. The Virgin Mary remains the loving Mother of us all, a sleepless ambassador to her Son, and strengthens every person who takes refuge with faith in her motherly protection¹.

This period is not only about fasting from food. It is an invitation to change our hearts. True fasting begins when we strive to cast off selfishness, criticism, anger, resentment, and every passion that injures our relationship with God and fellow man². Every day our Church observes the Small and the Great Prayer Rule to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Through these sacred hymns we entrust to the Virgin Mary the pains, the agonies and...