Father James Dokos

Ask Father Jim

QUESTION:
Tell me about Panagia as we observe these 15 Days of August in Her Honor.  Do you have a special love for Her?  (Anna)


ANSWER:
Yes, my love and Priestly devotion is with Panagia…the Mother of God and of His Church.  The Prayer Petition says:  “Commemorating our Most-Holy, Pure, Most Blessed and Glorious Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and one another, and all our life to Christ our God.”
We are reminded in this prayer of the noble attributes of Mary, the Mother of God.  She is accorded the following adjectives.

Panagia:  meaning All-Holy; possessing every virtue and holiness.
Immaculate:  She is pure and undefiled, cleansed of all sin.
Most-Blessed:  Of all the mortals She was the most Blessed because She was chosen by God to become the vessel through which the Word of God would receive human flesh.
Glorious:  Because She gave birth to the Savior, the Glorious Lord.
Despina, Lady:  Because She is our Lady and Mother.
Theotokos:  Because She did not give birth to a common man, but supernaturally gave birth to our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ever-Virgin:  Because even though She gave birth, She was still a virgin until the end of Her earthly life.

The Virgin Mary then, is a prime example for Her many virtues; for Her patience, enduring the sufferings of her innocent Son; for Her love and devotion to God.  We are mindful of all this, as we are of the innumerable Saints, who again gave us so many noble and life-giving examples, who shed their blood to nourish the roots of the tree of Christianity.  The Theotokos and the Saints, being close to God, pray for us when we ask them to, in our prayers.

QUESTION:
Why are we asked as Orthodox Christians to “JOIN” a particular Parish in order to be in good order or standing in the Church? (P.L.)

 

ANSWER:
As Orthodox Christians we are given the Sacred Honor at our BAPTISM, Chrismation and Holy Communion to be part of the Body of Christ known to us today as His Church—our Church—the Church Community—the Parish.
I would suggest we use the term “BE PART OF” rather than join a Parish.  As the “Body of Christ”, we gather together our young and our old, saints and sinners, rich and poor, with our loved ones and enemies to form the ECCLESIA (the Assembly) of His Believers.  An Orthodox Christian professes one’s faith “in One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.”  Indeed; after such a dogmatic and powerful statement...how can we not “be part of” this Body.
On and everyday level; don’t be fooled with the statement that you can go anywhere to practice your faith.  True, an Orthodox Christian certainly can visit and pray in all Orthodox Churches.  Let’s realize that as we live in one family household each and everyday of our lives, so we live in our Church Community; along with family and friends to pray, learn, work and fellowship amongst those known to us.  As Christ gathered the Apostles, we gather His children into Communities of Believers.
Our fellow parishioners are there to call us by name, to celebrate the good happenings and to console us in times of loss or regret.  No one can live alone in this world.  We are called as God’s Children to “GATHER TOGETHER” and assemble as a Euharistic Community...What a joy!

QUESTION:
What does the word “Theotokos” really mean?  I have never read this holy name in the scripture.  (Katherine)

ANSWER:
THEOTOKOS (the Virgin Mary) translates “She who gave birth to God.”  This is also a doctrine of our Holy Orthodox Church.  The Church at the Ecumenical Council of Ephesus (A.D. 432) declared that the Virgin Mary was Theotokos...the Mother of God since Christ was also God.