In the days leading up to the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos, the faithful across Cairo’s churches engage in a solemn tradition of chanting the Small and Great Supplicatory Canons. For fifteen days, these devout hymns resonate with the deep tones of mourning and sorrow, as the faithful honor the Mother of Christ.
On the afternoon of Thursday, August 8, the Service of the Small Supplicatory Canon to the Most Holy Theotokos was reverently conducted at the Church of the Presentation of the Theotokos. The service was presided over by Bishop Stephen of Hippo, who offered spiritual guidance and reflection on the significance of the Virgin Mary, bringing comfort and strength to the gathered believers. The service was further enriched by the melodious chanting of Mr. Alexandros Rigakis, the Protopsaltes of the Greek Community of Cairo.
In his homily, Bishop Stephen focused on the profound impact of the Virgin Mary on the lives of the faithful and the Saints who were known as “Friends of the Theotokos.” He highlighted the lives of two notable Egyptian saints: Venerable Psoes (Psoy) of Egypt, an ascetic who lived in the desert, and Saint Antoninus, a martyr from Alexandria.
“The Virgin Mary gathered the ascetic struggles of the first and the blood of the second, presenting their sacrifices to the throne of the Triune God,” Bishop Stephen remarked. Concluding his homily, he assured the faithful that every tear shed in sincere repentance is lovingly collected by the Virgin Mary, who presents it before the Throne of the Lord.
Source: ekkairo.org / Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
