Bishop Earl Fernandes celebrated the divine liturgy, according to the Byzantine Rite, on Sunday, Oct. 6 with the Byzantine (Ruthenian) Catholic community and the Eritrean Catholic community of the Ge’ez Rite, at St. John Chrysostom Byzantine Catholic Church for the feast of the Protection of the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary.

The bishop was joined by Father Robert Jager, the parish pastor, for the liturgy, as well as Father Weldit Tesfazghi Abay of the Eritrean Catholic community.

The Byzantine Ruthenian church and Eritrean Catholic Church are two of the Eastern Catholic churches in full communion with the pope and the Roman Catholic Church. [The Eritrean Catholics have worshipped at St. John Chrsyostom for over two decades.] Some of the differences between Byzantine and Latin-rite Catholics include the presence of icons and the use of leavened bread in the Byzantine liturgy rather than unleavened bread for the consecration of the Body of Christ. While the Byzantine Ruthenian church is made up largely of members from the Austro-Hungarian Empire who came to the new world in the 19th century, the members of the Eritrean Catholic Church worship according to the Alexandrian Rite but in the Ge’ez language.

Bishop Earl Fernandes and Father Robert Jager are at the altar for the consecration.

The feast of the Protection commemorates the appearance of the most holy Theotokos in the Church of Blachernae in Constantinople in the 10th century. While the multitudes of the faithful were gathered in church, Epiphanius, a friend of St. Andrew the Fool-for-Christ, beheld the Virgin Mary above the faithful as she spread out her veil over them, signifying her unceasing protection of all Christians.

The annual feast is celebrated as a day of gratitude, with prayers to Our Lady to never cease sheltering the faithful in her mighty prayers. Bishop Fernandes venerated the icon of the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, which was given as a gift to the community by Bishop Brennan. The feast has taken on a special importance to highlight the plight of persecuted Christians around the world and to ask for the protection and prayers of the Mother of God.

The Most-holy Theotokos, which is a title used for the Mother of God, is recognized in the Byzantine rite as the patroness and protectress of the Christian people, whose intercessory prayers implore God’s mercy for sinners. The help of the Most-holy Mother of God has been revealed on many occasions to individuals and to nations.

Father Robert Jager gives Holy Communion at St. John Chrysostom Byzantine Catholic Church.

In Bishop Fernandes’ homily, reflecting on the Gospel of Martha and Mary, he asked the congregation to reflect on the fact that Jesus had friends and that Martha, Mary, and Lazarus were friends of Jesus, inviting them to deepen their friendship with Jesus.

Commenting on Jesus’ words to Martha: “You have need of only one thing,” the bishop said, “He is the answer to all your questions. He is the answer our world needs. He is the Prince of Peace, and He is born the son of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Ever-Virgin Mary, the Theotokos, who is the protectress of persecuted Christians.”