Icon of St. Anna Moves to South Canaan

The myrrh-streaming icon of St. Anna and its caretaker, Archimandrite Athanasy (Mastalski), have taken up residence at St. Tikhon's Monastery in South Canaan, Pennsylvania, which will be holding weekly supplications for the sick before the icon on Sundays. More here.

Nativity of the Mother of God

Joyous feast! Today we celebrate the Nativity of the Mother of God. Like many of the saints, the Mother of God was born to barren parents, Sts. Joachim and Anna, and was dedicated by them to God and eventually sent to dwell with the virgins living at the Temple in Jerusalem (an event we commemorate on the feast of the Entrance of the Mother of God).

More on today's feast can be found here. May the protection and intercession of the Mother of God be with us all!

Dormition of St. Anna

Joyous feast! Today we commemorate the falling-asleep of St. Anna (or Hannah), mother of our Lady Mary. It is said that St. Anna, having born the Mother of God in her old age, fell asleep shortly before the Annunciation after having lived seventy-nine years.

As the Mother of God is in a sense the mother of the Church, so St. Anna is in a sense the grandmother of the Church and many turn to her for prayer and protection just as they do in life to their earthly grandmothers. Because of her love for her children St. Anna has been glorified by many miracles, most notably in our times through her weeping icon (pictured), and is the protectress of many cities, among them Detroit.

More on St. Anna's life can be found here. May her blessing and prayers be with us all!