Homily for the Service of the Paraklesis to the Theotokos

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I rejoice in praying with you, and supplicating the Virgin Mother of God together with you, in this beautiful Temple dedicated to Her Dormition – her sacred Falling Asleep. This Feast is so important in understanding the meaning of our lives. For the Mother of God was the first to be raised to everlasting life, and to taste the fruits of her Son’s Glorious Resurrection. And in doing so, she demonstrated to every generation of Christians the evidence of the promise of God.