Outreach Events

Saint Mary the Virgin

August 15 is a major feast day in both the west and the east. On this date, the Roman Church celebrates the Assumption of Mary, or her bodily ascent into Heaven after her death, while the Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates the Dormition, or Falling Asleep, of Mary, also referring to the end of her life on earth.

The Episcopal Church and much of the wider Anglican Communion calls this day the Feast of Saint Mary the Virgin, Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ. While this title doesn't focus specifically on the end of Mary's life, as the Roman and Eastern feast names do, we still use the same prayers and lessons as these two older traditions.

At Saint Thomas we celebrate this feast twice:

• August 15: the feast day itself, with services in the Lady Chapel (Chantry Chapel)
• The Sunday closest to August 15, which includes a Festal Eucharist at 11am.

Saint James

Today we remember Saint James (the Greater), the brother of John, who along with John and Peter, appeared to be set apart from the other disciples quite frequently. For example, it was Peter, James and John with the Lord at his Transfiguration.

James is "the Greater" to contrast him with the other one of the twelve also named James. James (the Lesser) is commemorated with Saint Philip in May.

‚ñ∫In 2010, when the Feast of Saint James fell on a Sunday, Fr Austin preached a sermon entitled How to Get Close to Jesus.

Independence Day