August 13, 2025
A Paraklesis (In Slavonic: Moleben) is a service of Supplication, performed for the welfare of both those who pray and those who are prayed for. It is common practice, during the Dormition Fast, to perform a Paraklesis dedicated to the Mother of God. Though this can be celebrated every evening of the Dormition Fast (except for the Eve of the Feasts of our Lord’s Transfiguration and Dormition itself), Holy Myrrhbearers Parish will serve it once, on the Wednesday prior to the Feast of Dormition, August 13th @ 6pm.
A unique component of this particular Paraklesis is that it includes the Small Supplicatory Canon to the Theotokos, written by the Monk Theophanes in the 9th Century. It is one of the most beautiful and poignant works of poetic hymnography found in the Church.
A Paraklesis is structured thusly:
Opening Psalms and Hymns
Supplicatory Canon, made up of 9 Odes
Scripture Reading interspersed into the Canon
Hymns and Dismissal
Please join us for this special and blessed service.
May the Most Holy Theotokos intercede for us all!
