St. Simeon & St. Anna

Source: stgeorge.org

 Dear Parish Faithful,

We recently chanted an Akathist Hymn to St. Simeon and St. Anna (based on Lk. 2:22-40). Akathist hymns are highly rhetorical, and display a very creative and imaginative way of reading the scriptural or historical events being recounted. Yet, they also convey a strong tendency to illuminate both doctrinal and moral teaching that are very much at the heart of our Orthodox Faith.

Be that as it may, at the end of the Akathist, this prayer was included. I find it a wonderful prayer that extends the particularity of honoring the holiness of these two NT saints, to include a very moving and general exhortation for embracing all children at all times, because the Son of God has sanctified childhood as the "Divine Child."

Saint Simeon, you received the Christ Child in your arms. Saint Anna, you stood alongside the Divine Child. We especially pray, therefore, that not only will we always recognize and receive Christ but that we will also be open to all children and attend to their needs. May married couples receive children into their lives and cherish them and raise them to believe in God. May single persons and the childless receive all children and protect them and nurture them. May we all become children of God and pray for one another and encourage one another in the Faith. Saint Simeon and Saint Anna, for this we pray and for this we thank you, and for your lives of holiness we praise you always. Amen.

Perhaps a prayer to periodically add to our Prayer Rule.