Details of the featured Resurrection Icon.
Hoping you enjoyed a radiant Bright Week!
I came across this amazing article and would very much like to share: Pandemic Ponderings Pascha – One Year Later – by Abbess Christophora from Holy Transfiguration Monastery.
Nothing can keep us from the love of Christ.
Nothing!
Truly He is Risen!
Thy Resurrection, O Christ our Saviour, the angels in heaven sing, enable us on earth, to glorify Thee, in purity of heart!
For our Orthodox Pascha is not just a festival, but the Festival of all festivals, an event for exceeding all the events of this world. Pascha shakes the whole cosmos: the sun, by our faith, dances and becomes iridescent with every colour of the rainbow, and all of creation rejoices. Some observe a magnificent silence, lacking the strength to express the inexpressible feeling of Paschal joy which fills their souls. Others hasten to share their feeling of the Paschal triumph. All people and all things begin to move, the tedious vanities of this world are cast aside, and all are transfigured. Pascha is, first of all, in us ourselves, in our hearts. God’s gift of the feeling of love penetrates our whole being, and we love each person and all things. This relates not just to the animal kingdom, but to the whole of creation, extending to the smallest blade of grass and the smallest flower. Nothing escapes our loving attention. May the Lord help us all to keep ourselves like this, for as such did the Lord create us… ~Paschal Epistle excerpt of Metropolitan Vitaly – May, 2000; The Two Thousandth Pascha of Christ.
The Pascha of the Lord is here!
Voices of Faith Hope and Love: St. Sophia Orthodox Church Virtual Youth Choir sing *Son Rise* in 2021. This song is a Paschal Poem, written by an 8 year old youth choir student, many years ago.
Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!
Parish Youth Choir Sing Paschal Tropar
Paschal Sermon ~ St. John Chrysostom (347 – 407 AD)
Greeting you all with love and joy… Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!
Have a Radiant and Blessed Bright Week!
Crucifixion Mosaic Icon – St. Sophia Orthodox Church, Canada
Today we ponder nothing earthly-minded.
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
Past photo of detail from Winding Sheet, St. Sophia Orthodox Church, Canada
One of my favourite hymns, written by St. Kassiani
Photo of a Past Holy Friday
Today is the saddest day of the Church Year.
Today, He is slapped by hands that He, Himself, hath made.
Today all Creation weeps.
Today the sun hides its rays and the earth quakes with fear.
Today He who hung upon the earth upon the waters is hung upon the tree.The King of the angels is decked with a crown of thorns. He who wraps the heavens with clouds is wrapped in the purple of mockery. He who freed Adam in the Jordan is slapped on the face. The Bridegroom of the Church is affixed to the cross with nails. The Son of the Virgin is pierced by a spear. We worship Thy Passion, O Christ. We worship Thy Passion, O Christ. Show us also Thy Glorious Resurrection!
Altar Mosaic – St. Sophia Orthodox Church, Canada
Greetings on Great and Holy Thursday!
Let no fear separate you from Me… Do this in remembrance of Me.
Of Thy Mystical Supper, O Son of God, accept me today as a communicant; for I will not speak of Thy Mystery to Thine enemies; nor like Judas will I give Thee a kiss; but like the thief will I confess Thee: Remember me, O Lord, when Thou comest into Thy Kingdom.
Thursday evening, the Twelve Passion Gospels are read aloud, and The Wise Thief is sung.
May we, wherever we are… particularly during pandemic isolation, blossom forth through the efforts of repentance, love, hope and faith in God’s Mercy.
Although these are trying times… This is just for now.
Greetings on Great and Holy Wednesday. Today, the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is celebrated for the last time.
“When he came to himself… he came to his father …”
“The light of Christ shineth for all…”
On Tuesday night (for the Wednesday service), the beautiful Hymn of Kassiani is sung.
May we wherever we are… particularly during pandemic isolation, blossom forth through efforts of repentance, love, hope, and faith in God’s mercy.
Although these are trying times… This is just for now.
May your Holy Week be full of blessings.
Thank you Genevieve for sharing this photo.
Greetings on Great and Holy Tuesday.
Both watch and pray… Behold the Bridegroom Comes at Midnight!
Amongst other spiritual gems, today’s emphasis is on the gravity of God’s examination of our life and the account we will have to give of ourselves.
May we, wherever we are… particularly during pandemic isolation, blossom forth through efforts of repentance, love, hope and faith in God’s mercy.
Although these are trying times… This is just for now.
May your Holy Week be full of blessings.
Thank you Irena, for sharing this photo.
Greetings on Great and Holy Monday.
As we begin Holy Week, earthly life ceases for the faithful as we go up with the Lord to Jerusalem. ~Matins of Great and Holy Monday
During the Presanctified Liturgy Let My Prayer Arise is sung.
During the harsh weather at winter’s end, the crocus… also known as the penitent flower, springs up and blossoms forth in time for the spiritual lenten season of repentance, efforts, and hope.
May we, wherever we are… particularly during pandemic isolation, blossom forth with efforts of repentance, love, hope and faith in God’s mercy.
Although these are trying times… This is just for now.
May your Holy Week be full of blessings.
St. Matthew’s Passion is a musical work composed by Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeyev. It focuses and takes us through the services of Holy Week, as recorded through the Gospel of St. Matthew. The music and Scripture are poignantly entwined. It’s beautiful.
