What to give up for Lent?
Pentecost Sunday June 4th, 2017
Reading After the Saviour's Ascension into the Heavens, the eleven Apostles and the rest of His disciples, the God-loving women who followed after Him from the beginning, His Mother, the Holiest Virgin Mary, and His brethren-all together about 120 souls returned from the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem. Entering into the house where they gathered, … Continue reading Pentecost Sunday June 4th, 2017
Candlemas and Ground Hog’s Day
Midwinter’s day is February 2nd and technically the last day of the Christmas season, This lso brings us the Celtic Imbolc (St Brigid's day was yesterday) and of course the infamous Ground Hog … and so Lent must soon begin: for Western Christians February 10th; Eastern Christians (Byzantines and Orthodox) its the following month in … Continue reading Candlemas and Ground Hog’s Day
June 24 – Celebration of the Nativity of the Forerunner of Christ
He that was greater than all who are born of women, the Prophet who received God's testimony that he surpassed all the Prophets, was born of the aged and barren Elizabeth (Luke 1: 7) and filled all his kinsmen, and those that lived round about, with gladness and wonder. But even more wondrous was that … Continue reading June 24 – Celebration of the Nativity of the Forerunner of Christ
Pentecost and Part of the Divine
On this day commenced the celebration of the Holy Eucharist by which we become "partakers of the Divine Nature" (II Peter 1:4).4 By these He has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil … Continue reading Pentecost and Part of the Divine
Bright Days
Bright Week is the first week that follows the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ and ends the next Sunday, which is also called "St. Thomas Sunday" (in commemoration of Apostle Thomas' request for physical proof of the Resurrection of Christ). For Orthodox Christians, Bright Week is the beginning of a celebration period that lasts … Continue reading Bright Days
April 12, The Great and Holy Pascha
Great and Holy Pascha Reading from the Synaxarion: Mary Magdalene, and the other women who were present at the burial of our Saviour on Friday evening, returned from Golgotha to the city and prepared fragrant spices and myrrh, so that they might anoint the body of Jesus. On the morrow, because of the law which … Continue reading April 12, The Great and Holy Pascha
Holy Saturday, Descent into Hell
On Saturday, the high priests and Pharisees gathered together before Pilate and asked him to have Jesus' tomb sealed until the third day; because, as those enemies of God said, "We suspect that His disciples will come and steal His buried body by night, and then proclaim to the people that His resurrection is true, … Continue reading Holy Saturday, Descent into Hell
Orthodox Good Friday
When Friday dawned, Christ was sent bound from Caiaphas to Pontius Pilate, who was then Governor of Judea. Pilate interrogated Him in many ways, and once and again acknowledged that He was innocent, but to please the Jews, he later passed the sentence of death against Him. After scourging the Lord of all as though … Continue reading Orthodox Good Friday
Holy Thursday
On the evening of this day, which was the eve of the feast of unleavened bread (that is, the Passover), our Redeemer supped with His twelve disciples in the city. He blessed the bread and the wine, and gave us the Mystery of the Divine Eucharist. He washed the feet of the disciples as an … Continue reading Holy Thursday
In my anguish... 