The Sunday after the Ascension is Rogation Day — a day in which the Church often used to go out into the fields and bless the crops and the livestock.
The church members and guests gathered outside the church on Sunday afternoon, Rogation Day where after an opening prayer and a Scripture reading of Genesis 1:20-24, our pets were personally blessed by Father Scott. Those who couldn’t bring their beloved pets, received a blessing in abstentia. Many canine family members were present, and this time they were also joined by two chickens, one of whom was in need of healing. We are wishing Lenore the speedy recovery! After the blessing and a light sprinkling of Holy Water, a beautiful prayer of St. Basil was recited.
O God, enlarge within us the sense of fellowship with all living things, for our brothers and sisters, the inarticulate beasts, to whom Thou gave the earth as their home in common with us. We remember with shame that in the past we have exercised the high dominion of humanity with ruthless cruelty so that the voice of the earth, which should have gone up to thee in song has become a groan of anguish and a cry of torment. May we realize that they live not for us alone, but for themselves and for Thee, and that they too love the sweetness of life. Amen.
It was a joyous and exciting occasion, one of the many many reasons we love our Saint Mark’s church.
