The Sunday of Orthodoxy

Today, the Sunday of Orthodoxy, is the fourth anniversary of the reception of my husband, myself, and our six children into the Holy Orthodox Church, the Body of Christ. I believe it is in large part due to the intercessions of our seventh child, Isaac, departed this life shortly before he was born on March 10th, 2000, the same day that Ben was born, but nine years later. When we buried Isaac, we had inscribed in his tombstone, "In His Care". I believe Isaac petitioned the Lord to put us into the care of the Orthodox Church to be nurtured by His Body and Blood.

Today the Church commemorates the Triumph of Orthodoxy in which the Seventh Ecumenical Council proclaimed that the Church is visible and material in the Incarnation of Christ, and that thus holy images of Christ and the Saints may be venerated, held, and kissed as one would love their prototype, as had been done by the Church since Christians departed this life.

Today after Liturgy, before the procession of Holy Icons around the Church commemorating the re-establishment of icons by the Church, there will be a Panikhida, for Baby Jamie (1/2/08 - 3/3/09) at St. Barbara's. After that we will travel to East Texas where we will be reunited with him and his family at the funeral home for another Panikhida.

This is what the family shared about him for public release, "'Jamie' was always so happy and active. We will miss his sweet personality, bright blue eyes, and dimpled smile. He brought such joy to our lives and we look forward to our reunion with him, where there will be no more parting.

May his memory be eternal."

Our very dear friends, the Reader Daniel, "Zachary" and Lindsey and their older son, Josh, moved from our parish shortly before Jamie was born and began attending the mission which our blogging friend, John "Terry", from Notes from a Common-place Book helped found. They came back to our parish to have Jamie baptized. That is when I first met John, by the way, as he traveled to St. Barbara's for the occasion. I wrote about that here. They also came back to visit several times during this past year. They were received into the Orthodox Church a few years before we were at St. Barbara's, and so their Godparents are here. In fact, Zach is my son, Jordan's, Godfather and Lindsey is my daughter, Rachel's, Godmother. Jamie's Godfather also attends our parish. Jamie was indeed a very happy, loving baby. He did not seem to have as much separation anxiety as many babies. I had the privilege just a couple of months ago at fellow parishioner and blogger (Oh Taste and See), the Reader David "Bryan's" house to hold him and appreciate his exceptionally sweet nature. The picture above says it all.

Tomorrow morning we will attend his funeral at the mission Church, St. John of Damascus, whose namesake eloquently defended icons in the Seventh Council. Then we will travel to the Holy Archangels in Kendalia, who will care for his body and pray for his soul. Our prayers are with Jamie and his dear, sweet family.