Happy New Year!

September 1 is the beginning of the church calendar for Orthodox Christians worldwide. It’s also a time to reflect on and pray for the protection of the created world—of our environment. Want to read more about this? Here are a few good sources:

The Orthodox New Year by Father Michael Harper

September 1: The Ecclesiastical New Year from the weblog of John Sanidopoulos

The Green Patriarch: Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the Protection of the Environment by John Chryssavgis


Father Thomas Hopko speaks about the Orthodox New year on Ancient Faith Radio


Apolytikion in the Second Tone

Creator of the universe, setting times and seasons by Your sole authority, bless the cycle of the year of Your grace, O Lord, guarding our rulers and Your nation in peace, at the intercession of the Theotokos, and save us.

Kontakion in the Fourth Tone

You who created all things in Your infinite wisdom, and set the times by Your own authority, grant Your Christian people victories. Blessing our comings and goings throughout this year, guide our works according to Your divine will.

Happy New Year!