Feast Day of the Holy Archangel Michael
Temple Feast Day (Xhramovoi Prazdnik)
Just as every individual bear a name, so do our parish churches. Saying, “I belong to Holy Archangel Michael Parish,” or “I attend St. Paul Orthodox Church,” expresses a connection not only with the community but also with the patron saint or the title for which the parish is named. According to Holy Tradition, Canon Law, and the service of a Temple’s consecration, every church that is dedicated is to have a specific name or title. Some churches have titles associated with Jesus, such as “Christ the Savior” or “Holy Wisdom,” while others honor the Mother of God, such as “Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary,” or “Joy of All Who Sorrow.”
Parishes may take their names from Feast Days in the liturgical calendar (“Holy Resurrection,” “Holy Transfiguration,” “Holy Annunciation”), and many are named after saints “St. John the Forerunner,” “St. Matthew,” or “Sts. Peter and Paul”), a practice that goes all the way back to the Early Church.
In the first centuries of Christianity, churches were often built over the graves of martyrs, and thus, named for that martyr, who was believed to intercede on behalf of those who worshiped in that space. Other churches may have been named after a biblical event that took place at that site, or for a saint who lived, taught, preached, or died nearby.
Here in America, many of our parish communities were built and named for immigrants’ parishes back in the Old Country, or for popular saints from their regions. Today, the name of a new church is typically chosen by the clergy and the faithful with the approval of the diocesan bishop.
Happy Feast Day! C'Prazdnikom!
Fr. John
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