August and September were full months indeed! Baby Samuel was born on the 13th of August, and afterwards I observed my forty days of rest and healing. Father Gregory came to the hospital to give a blessing after birth, and it was nice to have him there. We had a small brunch at our house for Samuel's eighth day naming, and Father Gregory came to our house for the first time. We really enjoyed having him here and praying at our altar. My churching took place at St. Arsenius hermitage. As the end of the Church year approached I felt somewhat disconnected, until the Feast of the Dormition. We did not do anything special as far as services. The Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos was two days after Samuel was born. It was a wonderful way to end my pregnancy. Samuel's name day was on the 20th of August, and we celebrated with a kiss and a blessing. I was just not well enough to do anything more.
The beginning of the Church year, September 1, did not feel like a beginning to me. I was still recovering, and the quiet of this house felt good and healing. My brother Joshua's name day falls on the same day. We called him and said special prayers for him that night. My husband is his Godfather. I spent part of the day observing and praying before the Nativity of the Theotokos icon on September 8. It meant more to me this year than in year's past. On September 14 we sang our Elevation of the Holy Cross song and studied the icon. Sophia's name day was on the 17th and we took her out to eat Asian food, her favorite. We talked about St. Sophia, a favorite in our family.
What we are reading:
The story of Saint Sophia.
Special Prayers:
Prayers for the beginning of the Church year and the school year.
Special services:
Blessing after birth.
Eighth day naming.
40 day churching.
Special Projects:
We gave the plant shed a makeover. We turned it into a little schoolroom for Addy and Caroline. We bought an air-conditioner and new laptops for the online classes.
Beginning school year - September 9
What a full few months!
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