As we enter the month of October, we find ourselves fully transitioned away from our summer schedules, and well into our busy work, school, and parish lives. Just a few days have passed since the official end of summer and the beginning of fall, yet, for many of us we are several weeks into our “fall season” lives. As October witnesses a new season, the church also witnesses a preparation period for a new season.
The Church in the month of October, in her wisdom, offers a series of commemorations, feasts, and Gospel readings that gently guide us towards a deeper understanding of our faith. This month, rich in spiritual significance, serves not only as a time of reflection on the lives of the saints and the teachings of Jesus Christ but also as a period of preparation for the great mystery of the Incarnation, which we will of course celebrate on December 25, Christmas.
Similar to the weeks leading us up to Great Lent, the October Sunday Gospel lessons are significant in our journey towards the Incarnation of our Lord and Savior. We hear lessons of the boundless compassion of Christ, the upholding of the true faith, the importance of gratitude for God’s grace and mercy in our lives, and finally, the power of the word of God.
In the first Sunday of October, we see Jesus moved by the sorrow of a grieving mother, and with a word, He raises her only son from the dead, offering not just physical life but also a restoration of hope. Saint Cyril of Alexandria reflects on this passage reminding each and every one of us that Christ’s compassion is boundless, extending to all who suffer. A sure reminder of the life-giving power of Christ, who brings hope and healing to our lives.
The second week of October we celebrate the victories of the 7th Ecumenical Council, a pivotal moment in the history of our faith. This council, held in Nicaea in 787 AD, defended the veneration of holy icons against those who sought to destroy them. The veneration of icons is a profound expression of the mystery of the incarnation, God becoming man. Saint John of Damascus explains that when we honor holy icons, we honor Christ, who took on human flesh for our salvation.
In the third week we are reminded of the need to offer our gratitude to our Lord and Savior. In the Gospel of the ten lepers, only one of the ten healed lepers returns to give thanks to Christ. This act of gratitude is not just a polite gesture; it is an acknowledgment of God’s grace and mercy in our lives. Saint Basil the Great urges us to continually give thanks to God, recognizing that every blessing comes from Him. We are encouraged to cultivate a spirit of thanksgiving in our hearts. This attitude of gratitude prepares us to receive the greatest gift of all, the gift of Christ Himself, who comes to dwell among us at His birth on Christmas.
In the final week of the month of October we are reminded of the power of the word of God. The parable of the sower speaks to the different ways in which people receive the word of God. Saint John Chrysostom emphasizes that the effectiveness of the seed, which is the word of God, depends on the condition of the soil, our hearts. This final lesson of October invites us to examine the state of our hearts, to remove the stones and thorns of sin, and to allow the word of God to take deep root within us. This preparation of the heart is crucial as we approach the Nativity, where the Word Himself becomes flesh and dwells among us (John 1:14).
In addition to the rich Sunday gospel lessons, there are many feast days in the month of October, one of which serves as a prelude to the birth of Jesus Christ. The Holy Protection of the Theotokos on October 28, a celebration of the miraculous appearance of the Mother of God, who, in a moment of danger, spread her veil over the faithful, offering them protection and intercession. The Theotokos is central to the mystery of the nativity, she is the one chosen by God to bear the Savior of the world, making her role unique and irreplaceable in the history of salvation. The feast of the Holy Protection is fervent reminder of Panagia’s ongoing role in the life of the Church as the one who continually intercedes for and protects the faithful. The Feast of the Holy Protection is an invitation to seek the intercession of the Theotokos in this time of preparation. Her protection is not just physical but deeply spiritual, helping us to purify our hearts, say no to sin, and fills us with the anticipation of the joy and divine revelation that Christmas brings.
All the themes and commemorations of October, when viewed together, reveal a profound journey of preparation for the Nativity of Christ. The compassion of Christ, the defense of the true faith, the call to gratitude, the power of the word of God, and the examples of the saints, prepare our hearts to receive the Incarnate Word at Christmas. As we contemplate on the life of Christ and the lives of the saints, we are encouraged to cultivate a heart that is receptive to God’s grace, a faith that is lived out in action, and a spirit that is ever grateful for the many blessings we receive.