Inspiration – Blisswood

Glean a Good Harvest!

Beautiful Corn at Local Farm

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ~ Galatians 6:9

…The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few… ~ Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the Gospel of St. Matthew 9:37

Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! ~ Psalm 126:5

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. ~ Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the Gospel of St. John 12:24

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. ~ Philippians 4:8

My godmother, Princess Eve Galitzine (Memory Eternal) admonished her godchildren to not watch/read about evil things (books, movies, for entertainment etc.) … not only because its spiritually unhealthy to do so, but also, because when one is ill, or in a weakened state, we’re vulnerable to unpleasant and vexing memories. Eve sometimes quoted a wise elder (I’m not sure if it was St. John Cassian?): “The mills of the mind grind unceasingly, see that you give it good grains to grind.”

May we all sprout soundly where planted, and let our minds glean a rich, full harvest of good grains– worthy of Him!

With love in Christ.

Fur Flower in the Sun

Monemvasia, Greece ~ shared by r. Theodore and Irena 2026

In the featured photo, a sunbathing cat dozes contently on a shop’s sill. Behind, in the store window, is an Holy Icon of Our Lady Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary, holding Christ. She points towards the Lord, directing us to Him, Who is our guide to God and Salvation.

What is our life without cats? Cats are fur flowers. They can be made into bouquets. And blessed are the hands of those who comfort our little brothers and take care of these ‘flowers’. And I fervently believe, I am convinced: your cats will certainly put in a good word for you before God. ~ Archimandrite Savva Mazhuko

…they serve God in their place better than we in ours…~ St. Basil the Great (on animals in general)

In Paradise, the animals sensed the fragrance of grace and served Adam. Since the fall, nature has been suffering together with man… However, when a person returns to the state in which he was before the fall, animals again approach him without fear. …My mind tells me that even the animals are better than me; so, I humble myself and obey them. Very early this morning, being tired from praying all night and exhausted because of my illness, I lay down to rest. After awhile, I heard a kitten meowing outside my cell as if she needed something. I really wanted to rest, but I humbled myself and went against my own will. I obeyed the kitten and replied to her calling. I went to open the door. It had started to rain and I let her in so she wouldn’t get wet. What do you think then? Should I obey the animals or not? My thoughts tell me I should. ~ St. Paisios

St. Gerasimus was a great elder, and he had a lion. We are small, so we have cats. ~ St Nektarios of Optina

There’s an amazing spiritual bond between us and the natural world. We who are (and have been) blessed to be guardians (I won’t say owners – as cats believe they own us) of pets, have been gifted with a great Stewardship.

Asking God’s blessings on all creatures great and small, and for their human protectors who’ve received warm and loving paw prints that stay forever in their hearts. Let us rejoice in His creatures and relish those beautiful bouquets of fur flowers!

But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? ~ Job 12:7-9

Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. ~ Psalm 150:6

Autumnal Joy

Love all creation, the whole of it and every grain of sand within it. Love every leaf, every ray of God’s light. Love the animals, love the plants, love everything. If you love everything, you will perceive the divine mystery in things. ~ Staretz Zosima, in Fyodor Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov

Exiting church the other day, a Virginia Creeper’s brilliant vermillion leaves which clung tightly to the wall, caught my eye, my breath and my heart.

Little plump, golden berries contrasted warmly against the bright beauty and richness of jagged, scarlet leaves.

I had almost missed seeing them in plain sight!

It seems that as they near the end of their leaf life, they exude exceptional beauty obtained through efforts of simply being, since when they were young, and soft, and green.

May we navigate life’s rapidly passing seasons, holding fast to the Timeless Pergola of God’s Word… and in the autumn of our years, blossom forth little golden blessings of spiritual fruit, being counted worthy enough to reflect His Radiant, Gladsome Light.

Wishing you Autumnal Joy.

Love in Christ.

Raphah

Raindrops sit as still as pearls, on patio Shamrocks. Shamrocks were St. Patrick of Ireland’s symbolic illustration of the Holy Trinity.

Greetings on the AfterFeast of the Exaltation of the Cross!

I recently came across Psalm 46’s vivid, verdant opening, a reminder that God IS our “refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”!

Then, in verse 10, comes an extraordinary direction – “Be still and know that I am God,” BE STILL! What a remarkable action!

The original Hebrew word for “be still” is “RAPHAH” (pronounced Raw-FAH, accent on second syllable).

Raphah means to simply let go, go limp, relax, drop your hands, cease striving by SELF. It also means to be actively waiting.

Below is a beautiful quote in poetic format, regarding Psalm 46:10, sometimes attributed to 5th Century saint, St. Patrick of Ireland.

Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am.
Be still and know.
Be still.
Be.

May we deliberately strive to stillness within an actively waiting cocoon of faith – and learn HOW to BE.

Golden Michtam

Image by Stadnik from Pixabay

This beautiful poem is shared by Robyn – a friend of the parish, written in memory of her recently passed father, Robert Young.

Robyn’s poem of love and inspiration is derived from the golden strength and resilience observed in one of her favourite flowers, and Psalm 16 a Michtam, (pronounced mick-ham)… a very great prayer by the Holy Righteous and Prophet King David.

The 150+ ancient Psalms and Psalter continue to shine forth a clear and ofttimes mysterious Light upon the services and personal prayer.

May we, too, be as Sunflowers …. lifting our heavy heads to follow the direction of Sonshine, aligning our own wills with God’s, and basking our little petals in the golden warmth of His Resplendent Light.

Let us be as sunflowers – tall and sturdy we stand.
Always facing the warmth of our Sun – our shadows behind us.
Basking in Your Light – You bring glory to our petals.
Spreading our seeds of happiness – to sow and take deep root in good soil.
So golden, so brightly we shine – let us be as sunflowers.
~ by Robyn D. Young

May God grant rest to Robert’s soul, and give comfort and strength to his family – Robyn, Pearl and Zachary.

With love in Christ.

Christ is Our Song

Fragrant Plumeria ~ Kauai 2023

…speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. ~ Ephesians 5:19

…A sacred song is not unlike a holy Icon; except that the holy Icon is seen and the sacred song is heard, the functions are the same. This painting of words and sounds has as its purpose the bringing of the community into the presence and the awareness of sacred mystery. Bringing us together is no small part of sacred music’s function. Just as receiving Holy Communion together is a sacred sign that all who partake become one body in Christ, so singing must be the expression of this same unity of hearts and minds, drawing us harmoniously together into one voice. For ultimately, it is Christ Who is our Song. ~ These Truths We Hold – The Holy Orthodox Church: Her Life and Teachings, St. Tikhon’s Monastery

Making a joyful noise unto the Lord is a continual delight, flavouring the day and sweetening the soul.

There’s Big Bonus points too… singing mostly keeps us out of treble! Um, er, I mean trouble!

Both Now and Ever

The musical rhythm of dawn’s sighing waves seem to glorify God. ~ Kauai 2016

Greetings on the Eve of All Saints of the British Isles (the 4th Sunday after the Great Feast of Pentecost).

The Holy Spirit has always been, is now and ever shall be, having neither beginning nor end, but one with the Father and the Son: life and life giving; goodness itself and source of goodness, through Whom the Father is made known and the Son is glorified, and is known by all: one power, one unity, one worship, of the Holy Trinity. ~ Pentecost Vespers

The Holy Trinity’s Glory and Majesty spans all of time.

Each Divine Liturgy begins with the fervent declaration of Eternity ~ Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto the ages of ages, Amen.

When we intone the amazing Liturgical response: Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both Now and Ever and Unto the Ages of Ages. Amen – we literally step outside of temporal time and participate together in the timeless worship of our Heavenly, Eternal God!

While some modern English translations over-simplify the traditional refrain of both now and ever and unto the ages of ages, amen, into a blander version of forever and ever, amen – it seems to me, that the keeping of the more juicy ancient Orthodox response, intentionally preserves and extends our praise beyond the constraints of the limited human concept of time.

May we rejoice together – in one heart and mind declaring Both Now and Ever… continuously glorifying God.

NOW is always our most precious time.

All ye Saints of the British Isles pray to God for us!

As to Creation’s Planter…

A beautiful Taiga Clematis rambles along our patio fence… Happy to bloom where planted!

Happy All Saints’ Day! Blessed Feast!

Since the 4th century, in the Eastern Orthodox Church, the ancient feast of All Saints’ Day is celebrated and continues to be celebrated on the first Sunday after the Great Feast of Pentecost.

On All Saints’ Day we commemorate saints from every where and from every time. We honour both the known saints and the unknown saints, for these shining clouds of witnesses have lived to the fruition of Holiness. As all are alive in Christ, the saints are our friends and alive in Heaven. They are venerated, but not worshipped.

During the 8th century in the Western Church, Sunday of All Saints was transferred to the first Sunday in November, and then again in the 9th century to November 1st. This was to encourage a joyful Christian Fruits of the Holy Spirit celebration… rather than the Celtic harvest festival of Samhain – celebrated in trepidation with the pagan Feast of the Pumpkin.

As to Creation’s Planter all the world doth offer unto Thee- as nature’s first fruits the God-bearing Martyrs O Lord, for they bore witness unto Thee. Thus preserve Thou Thy Church by their entreaties, O Saviour, in the profoundest peace, through the pure Theotokos, O Thou Who art greatly merciful.
~ Kontakion of All Saints, Tone 8

In God and in His Church there is no division between the living and the departed, but all are one in the love of the Father. Whether we are alive or whether we are dead, as members of the Church we still belong to the same family, and still have a duty to bear one another’s burdens. Therefore just as Orthodox Christians here on earth pray for one another and ask for one another’s prayers, so they pray for the faithful departed and ask the faithful departed to pray for them. Death cannot sever the bond of mutual love which links the members of the Church together. ~ Metropolitan Kallistos Ware

All the Saints are like fragrant flowers in God’s Heavenly Garden.

As to Creation’s Planter… May we bloom where planted, regardless of debris from life’s storms… and blossom forth unto Him a fruition of Spiritual Fragrance!

Happy Eve of the Holy Apostles Sts. Peter & Paul Fast!

Humility of Heart

Greetings on the Afterfeast of The Ascension!

Christ Has Ascended! In Glory… From Earth to Heaven!

The heart gives life to the body, and humility gives life to the soul. ~ Elder Porphyrios

All my happiness and unhappiness are contained in the thoughts and inclinations of my heart. ~ St. John of Kronstadt

If you are a Christian, then you do not believe that your life is an accident, a meaningless, purposeless, random peak of a cosmic probability wave. You know that your purpose is to become the Body of Christ. You know that your life is a sacrament, not unlike the Eucharist. Grains of wheat grow from the earth, shaped and fashioned through much labour to be offered to God and to become His Body. Likewise a human life: taken from the earth, shaped and fashioned through much labour to become an offering to God and His Body. And just as there are differences between different liturgical traditions, different people found different ways to live their lives as a sacred offering to God. Perhaps it is less important whether you sing psalms in the shower or not, recite the Lord’s Prayer three times a day or five – what is important is that you live your life as a sacrament, as an icon, and not as a caricature. ~ Fr. Sergei Sveshnikov

Admiring the bleeding hearts in our garden patio, and accompanied with joyful birdsong, an old and precious Childhood “Thank You” Prayer came to mind… attributed to Edith Rutter-Leatham from the late 1800’s. May God rest her soul! So many toddlers (myself included) have been inspired to learn how to pray simply, and with gratitude.

Thank you for the world so sweet,
Thank you for the food we eat,
Thank you for the birds that sing,
Thank you God for everything.
Amen.

Thank YOU for visiting Blisswood!

Soon, we arrive at the wondrous Great Feast of Holy Pentecost!

With love in Christ.

In Pure Simplicity

Garden Calla Lily, shared by Irena

Christ is Risen!

Thy Resurrection, O Christ our Saviour, the Angels in Heaven sing. Enable us on earth, to glorify Thee in purity of heart. ~ Paschal Stichera

When going to the Holy Mysteries, go with simplicity of heart, and with the proper reverence toward this, in full faith that you will receive the Lord within yourself. ~ St. Theophan the Recluse

The core of our faith is actually extremely simple‚ that there is a God that created us and He became like us so we can become like Him. In order to do that He died‚ resurrected and ascended to heavens‚ taking up our human nature upon the heavenly throne. All we have to do is follow Him‚ take up our crosses and get going. ~ Fr. Vasile Tudora

May we, with verdant Simplicity of Heart, brightly bloom as pure lilies in God’s Eternal Garden of Pascha, and rejoice in His Divine Beauty of of Simplicity.

Truly He is Risen!