Leading up to the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos, the faithful in Cairo’s churches participate in a tradition of chanting the Small and Great Supplicatory Canons. For fifteen days, these hymns echo with mourning and sorrow as they honor the Mother of Christ.
On Thursday, August 8, the Service of the Small Supplicatory Canon to the Most Holy Theotokos took place at the Church of the Presentation of the Theotokos. Bishop Stephen of Hippo led the service, offering spiritual guidance and reflecting on the importance of the Virgin Mary, providing comfort to the believers. The service was enhanced by the beautiful chanting of Mr. Alexandros Rigakis, the Protopsaltes of the Greek Community of Cairo.
Bishop Stephen’s homily focused on the impact of the Virgin Mary on the lives of the faithful and the Saints known as “Friends of the Theotokos.” He highlighted the lives of two Egyptian saints, Venerable Psoes (Psoy) of Egypt, and Saint Antoninus of 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 stated. He concluded by assuring the faithful that every tear shed in true repentance is collected by the Virgin Mary and presented before the Throne of the Lord.
Source: ekkairo.org / Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas