Mt. Athos, November 22, 2017
Photo: agionoros.ru The Dochariou Monastery of the Archangels on Mt. Athos celebrated its patronal feast on Monday evening and Tuesday. The services on the day of the Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the Other Bodiless Powers continued, with only small breaks, for 20 hours, from 4:00 PM on the 20th until 2:00 PM the following day, reports orthodoxy.org.ua.
Photo: orthodoxy.org.ua After beginning at 4:00, the monks began the Old Testament readings around 8:20, and the loaves of bread were blessed during the litiya around 10:00. “Rejoice, Virgin Theotokos” sung, as a rule, by 8 voices, continued for about 40 minutes.
The people partook of the blessed bread at 11:30. In such a context, the purpose of blessing the bread becomes clear: To strengthen the believers during the long All-Night Vigil.
The brotherhood began to serve the polyeleos around 12:45 AM; around 2:00 the Akathist to the Archangels was read after the sixth ode of the canon.
The Vigil ended at 4:30, and everyone dispersed for a small rest, to gather again in two hours for the Divine Liturgy.
A procession was held in the monastery following the Liturgy, bringing the entire cycle of services to a close at 2:00 PM on November 21, having taken up nearly an entire day.
Photo: orthodoxy.org.ua Vladyka Jonah explained that such long services are a particular Athonite tradition, and are a great opportunity for Orthodox Christians to offer God the “fruit of their lips.”
Photo: orthodoxy.org.ua “In normal, worldly life, if people love each other, then they want to be with each other as long as possible: They can’t stop talking with one another. And so, when people are inspired by love for God, for them 20 hours of prayer is not enough. They want and long for fellowship with God all 24 hours…” Bp. Jonah said, hinting at the inner life of the monastics of Dochariou Monastery and all of Mt. Athos.
