Reflections – Page 4

Reflections in the Fog

Blessed Feast!

He’s another saint one of my favourite saints!

This 7th century saint is the first known English author of the earliest recorded (and literally divinely inspired) poem in Great Britain! The poem we know as “Caedmon’s Hymn” was recorded by Bede in Latin, in his Ecclesiastical History of the English People.

Also, today is the first day of Maslenitsa… Butter/Cheesefare Week… as we scale down to practically prepare for next weekend’s Forgiveness Sunday – and the bright clear days ahead with The Great Lenten Spring.

May your week ahead be rich and creamy with spiritual yum yums!

With love in Christ.

Light of Light…

The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom then shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid? ~Psalm 27:1

For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light. ~ Psalm 36:9

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. ~ St. John 8:12

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:6

…Light of Light, True God of True God… Excerpt from the Nicene Creed

O Lord, enlighten my darkness. ~ St. Gregory Palamas

We are all vessels, sometimes of Light and sometimes of Darkness. ~ St. Gavrilia

On the way home after an evening Vigil, a rising full moon’s reflective light pierced the darkness, transforming everything into a beautiful mystery. It brought to mind the first Scripture verse I had ever memorized. A gladsome verse, that even as a young child, I’d found simply delightful. Practical. Illuminating… Thy word is a lamp for my feet, a light unto my path. ~ Psalm 119:105

The second scripture verse I ever memorized soon after was… Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee. ~ Psalm 119:11

The efforts of memorizing these verses were akin to discovering and collecting hidden treasure, something precious to carry within, the rest of my life.

A Splendid Brightness

Lampada Near the Archangel Gabriel Altar Door Radiates a Gladsome Light

He commands His angels regarding you to guard you in all your paths … The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them. ~ Psalm 91:11, 34:7

See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you, their angels in heaven always behold the face of My Father in heaven. ~ Our Lord Jesus Christ, in St. Matthew 18:10

An Angel of peace, a faithful guide and guardian of our souls and bodies let us ask of the Lord… ~ Litany at Liturgy

With every believer there is an angel, which, as a child’s leader and pastor, directs his life. ~ St. Basil the Great

The angels, with great concern, and with untiring eagerness, reside with us at every hour and in every place. They help us, they foresee our needs, serve as mediators between God and ourselves, lifting up to Him our groans and sighs … Accompanying us in all our travels, they go in and out with us, attentively watching if we deport ourselves with piety and honour among the evil species, and with what effort do we seek the Kingdom of God. ~ Blessed Augustine

We must remember that we have a Guardian Angel and turn to him in our thoughts and heart. This is good during peaceful times and especially so during turmoil. When such contact with the angel is missing, he has no means of influencing us. For example, if one approaches quicksand or an abyss, and has plugged his ears and closed his eyes, how can anyone help him? ~ St. Theophan the Recluse

Angel of God, my holy protector, given to me from heaven by God for my protection, I fervently beseech you: enlighten me and preserve me from all evil, instruct me in good deeds and direct me on the path of salvation. Amen. ~ Orthodox Prayer Book

Angel of God, my Guardian dear, to whom His love, commits me here. Ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. ~ Childhood Prayer to Guardian Angel

The Orthodox Church believes that at baptism everyone receives a Guardian Angel (for life) from God. It’s on us to reach out daily via prayer to “touch” our angel, asking for help, forgiveness, or to just give a heartfelt, grateful thank you. Our angel rejoices in our small spiritual efforts and achievements, and grieves over our sins of conscious choice. When we leave this life, our Guardian Angel carries our soul to God.

I remember when I was new to the Faith, and my godmother speaking about Angels and Guardian Angels. I shared a recent incident with her, and how I was inexplicably protected from what surely would have been a very tragic outcome. “That’s Guardian Angel,”she said simply.

I shivered, and (thinking aloud) responded naively, “I’d really like to see my Guardian Angel.”

My godmother paused for a moment, and surprised me by firmly saying, “No. You would not,” which closed the door on further speculation.

I accepted this for what it was, and later, with more reading (from various lives of the saints), led me to consider that: a.) We will get ourselves in a mess of trouble and delusion, for wishing to “see things”… and, b.) That for a child, it would seem almost natural to see an angel, should God-Will it, and, c.) It’s a different kettle of fish for an adult seeing one’s Guardian Angel adorned in Full Splendour.

I’ve received much help from my Guardian Angel, and it’s a given that I may not fully appreciate how much… because I am a bit dense, (and do feel sorry for him – as he sure got the short end of the stick being assigned to me) … but there are also so many instances where I do KNOW.

I recall when my youngest child was maybe 15 months old, and had somehow scooted up a tall outdoor stair case (my back was turned for less than a minute). I whirled with dread in the ominous silence, in time to see my baby attempt to “come down” the stairs.

I raced across the yard shouting in my mind “Help!!!” as he began to tumble down headfirst (in seemingly slow-motion), he was flipped over onto his back, as if “carried” along his “way down” and literally NEVER. TOUCHED. ONE. SINGLE. STAIR. He gently “landed” sitting upright on the bottom step SMILING, and happily tootled off across the yard to reek yet more havoc. I mean – play with his sibling. That child should have been seriously injured, and would have been, if not for his Guardian Angel.

Thank you Guardian Angels of my (now adult) children who continue to protect them.

Thank you God for everything.

Do not say, “this happened by chance, while this came to be of itself.” In all that exists there is nothing disorderly, nothing indefinite, nothing without purpose, nothing by chance … How many hairs are on your head? God will not forget one of them. Do you see how nothing, even the smallest thing, escapes the gaze of God? ~ St. Basil the Great

Starting one’s day with The Four Bows ~ From St. Nicholas Orthodox Church.

Upon arising in the morning, before anything else, direct your heart and mind towards God, and face your icons, or face East and with compunction, and without haste, make four bows, or better, four prostrations. Do this with hope in God, and the sure belief that He will receive your prayer, as He received the widow’s two mites, and protect you during the day, even if you fall into inattention and these prayers are the last you will say for the entire day.

Making the sign of the cross, with a bow of prostration during each prayer say:

1. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God have mercy on me a sinner.
2. Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
3. Holy Saint ______ (your patron saint), pray to God for me.
4. Holy Angel of God, my guardian, pray to God for me.

After these prayers, it is best to continue with your morning prayers, and then turn your attentions to the cares of the day. Even if the weakness of the flesh compels us to abandon our prayer and rush into our day, perhaps not to return to our morning prayer, at least we have begun the by giving our “first fruits” to God. Let us do these “few things”, four short prayers that take under a minute, so that in time, our heart will become aflame with the love of God, and our Lord will say to us: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” (St. Matthew 25:21)

Blessed Feast!

Candlemas Candles with newly woven St. Brigit’s Reed Cross, brought to be blessed on today’s celebration of the Meeting of the Lord in the Temple Feast Day (Thank you Irena).

Today marks 40 days since the celebration of the Nativity of Christ.

Greetings on the Feast of the Meeting of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ in the Temple!

When Jesus was forty days old, the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph the Betrothed brought Christ to the temple, in accordance with the Jewish Law and dedicated Him to God. St. Luke 2: 22-40

Since 450 AD, church candles are also blessed on this day (Candlemas), because of the elder St. Symeon’s reference to Christ as a Light of revelation to the Gentiles.

Past Meeting of the Lord Feast Day Posts

Heavenly Snowdrops ~ Feb. 3, 2024

Joyful Ringing of Candlemas Bells ~ Feb. 16, 2023

Receiving Him Into Our Own Arms ~ Feb. 15, 2023

Meeting of thee Lord in the Temple ~ Feb. 15, 2022

How Can I Hold Thee? ~ Feb. 13, 2021

Fair Maids of Février ~ Feb. 2020

May your day shine brightly with God’s Light and Love!

Blessed Feast!

With love in Christ.

A Virtue and Prize

Forest in Ireland
by Josip Rmc from Pixabay

In your patience possess ye your souls. ~ St. Luke 21:19

It is a virtue and a prize to listen patiently to and put up with insults for the sake of God ~ St. Brigit of Kildare

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. ~ St. John 15:13

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. ~ 1 Corinthians 1:13

Greetings on the Forefeast of the Meeting of our Lord!

Today (Feb. 14/1) is also the Feast Day of St. Brigit of Ireland and St. Valentine of Rome. St. Brigit is one of my favourite saints, and St. Valentine is the first western saint I heard of, as a child. I delight in how instrumental St. Brigit was implementing educational and artistic centres… How she founded the spiritual community that bettered their county and country – through charity, hospitality, and medical support. I love how St. Brigit perceived Christ in everyone she met, and through the strength of her great faith and pure heart, performed – and continues to this very day… working miracles!

Parish Youth Choir sing Hymn to St. Brigit of Ireland (Feb. 2025)

St. Brigit of Ireland Past Posts

St. Brigid of Ireland ~ Feb. 13, 2021

Gabhaim Molta Bríghde ~ Feb. 14, 2022

Holy Mother Bríghde ~ Feb. 13, 2023

Happy St. Bríghde Day! ~Feb. 14, 2024

St. Bridget of Ireland ~ Jan. 25, 2025

St. Valentine
Past Post

A Valentine ~ Feb. 14, 2022

Cloak of Humility

September 2024 on Cameron Lake, BC – Canada

Greetings on the Saturday after Holy Theophany!

…Wonderful is God in His works! Through all His works, He teaches us humility and obedience. He hides Himself behind His works, as the sun at night behind the shining of the stars, as a nightingale in the bush behind its song. He lends light to the sun, and the sun shines as though with its own light, while the fact that it is God’s light is ignored. He lends a voice to His thunder and His winds, and they are heard; but He is not heard. He lends beauty to His mountains and meadows, and they are resplendent in beauty as though it were their own, while God’s beauty remains shrouded in mystery. He lends beauty and fragrance to the flowers of the field, and the beauteous flowers give off their fragrance as though it were their own; while God’s fragrance goes un-noticed. He lends strength to every creature, and each creature preens itself in front of the others, showing off its strength as though it were its own; while God’s immeasurable strength neither preens itself nor cries for attention. He lends of His mind to men, and men cogitate and think as though with their own minds; while God’s mind stands in a calm from tumult, turning from the world’s praise. So God teaches us humility. All that He does, He does both in accordance with His own nature and for the sake of men, that man may be ashamed and aware of his foolish pride; that man may not be puffed up with himself, having of himself no good work; but that he should let his works go before him, and he walk behind them, as God does with His works, scarcely seen or heard, as a shepherd behind his large flock… ~ Homily Excerpt on Theophany by St. Nikolai Velimirovic

Prayer, the Breath of Life

A far corner of a Mosaic Studio, where little threads of various projects bind the artists together as a whole.

Happy Apodosis of Nativity and a Blessed Saint’s Day, Melania!

I recently came across this excerpt on prayer by +Archpriest John Adams, of Eternal Memory. The subject matter is too practical and too timely not to share anew, especially as we move forward into the New Year.

I want to talk of something very important – a matter of life and death, and this is prayer. There are generally considered to be two kinds of prayer. Private prayer and public prayer.

Prayer has been compared to breathing. Without this Breath, there is no Life. Prayers are like threads that go in every direction, binding us to the people we’re near to… each with the whole fabric. It unites the members with each other, with the whole body, uniting the body with the head.

Prayer has been called conversation with God. In prayer, we praise or ask for what we need, or we pray to give thanks. We pray for ourselves and we pray for each other.

Don’t take prayer lightly. Don’t say “I can’t think of anything else to do, so I’ll pray about it.” Don’t put it last, put it first.

If you say to someone, “Oh, I’ll pray for you.” Do it... You’ve made a contract.

(If you ask someone to pray for you, do update them when a situation resolves.)

And, you can pray for someone in secret, hoping for a reward later. Just as you don’t know that someone else is having a conversation with God (about you). What more could you do for yourself, or for someone else, than seek God’s help? That doesn’t mean you won’t have to do anything else, as you may have to do a lot.

In the Gospels, Christ says to Peter, “I have prayed for you.” Many times we read, He went apart, He went up into a mountain to pray, He lifted up His eyes. St. Paul writes in his epistles asking for their prayers. And, he gives his famous commandment, “Pray without ceasing.” Without ceasing – this is what we must try to do – to continue this conversation, to try to come back to it as often as you can remember – and then more often.

Read the morning and evening prayers from the prayer book, you may even have memorized them by now. But don’t let them just run through your mind without attention, and here in this atmosphere, ask for what you need; help with your work, your health, your family, your specific aversion at this time. And in the evening, take a moment to be thankful, take a moment to ask forgiveness.

Breathe in. Breathe out. This is private prayer.

Great Art Thou…

Icon of the Holy Trinity from Daniel’s recent baptism.

Great art Thou, O Lord, and wondrous are Thy works, and no word will suffice to hymn thy wonders. ~ Baptismal Service

Happy Eve of Nativity Day!

May the Light of Bethlehem’s Star 🌟 continue to illumine and warm our hearts on this coming Bright Feast of Christ’s Holy Nativity!

Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

Past Nativity Posts’ Resources

Inside 4th Century Church of the Nativity, built over the Grotto where Jesus was born.

And so, the Nativity Hymns remind those praying how, during this memorable night, each creature hastened to bring its gift to the Saviour King: heaven – a star, the earth – a cave, the wilderness – a manger, the angels singing, the shepherds – worship, the Magi – gifts. Therefore, we too should not come to Him “empty-handed”, but should bring to Him what is more valuable than anything else – our pure, believing hearts. For the high God has appeared on earth, in order to raise us up to Heaven! ~ Bishop Alexander Mileant

Eve of Nativity Service at Compline & Matins
Jan. 6/25 (Dec. 24/24)

Many Are Called…

Wishing you an Old-Style Calendar* Blessed Feast of St. Spyridon & St. Herman of Alaska Day! To my New-Style Calendar* Friends, Christ is Born!

Before my fiancé I were baptised, we visited our first Orthodox Church Service on Western Christmas Day. It was a beautiful little chapel, steeped in holiness, and we walked in fully expecting Christmas. Surprised and perplexed by the apparent 13 day calendar* difference, we soon delighted in the golden glow of candlelight, and the smokey tendrils of incense that swirled like giant halos about the holy icons of saints. The tiny choir sang peacefully, matching the priest’s warm intonations. We stood, suspended within timeless Eternity. This was Heaven on Earth… for here, one acutely felt the Presence of Jesus Christ at the Eucharist. The priest’s concluding sermon reminded us that as we approach Christ’s Holy Nativity, that today we also celebrate two bright and special saints. One from of old, and one fairly new… St. Spyridon and St. Herman. Thus began our joyous journey home to the Orthodox Church.

On the church date December 12th, is the Feast of the Holy Wonderworker, St. Spyridon of Tremithus. (270 – 348 AD) St. Spyridon was born in Cyprus, and initially worked as a shepherd and known for his great piety. He married and had one daughter, Irene. Upon the death of his wife, Spyridon entered a monastery, and their daughter entered a convent. St. Spyridon eventually became Bishop of Tremithus and took part in the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea (325), where he was instrumental in countering the erroneous theological arguments of Arius and his followers. There’s an account of his speech at this event, regarding the Holy Trinity… At one point, St. Spyridon grasped a brick and squeezed it so hard that miraculously, a flame flew up, while at the same time water trickled downwards, leaving only a small amount of crushed clay within his hand. He exclaimed: “There are these three elements, but one brick; likewise, in the Holy Trinity, there are three Persons, but One God”.

Today we also remember and celebrate the Holy Wonderworker St. Herman of Alaska. St. Herman was a monk, missionary and miracle worker who brought the Orthodox Faith from Russia to the native peoples of Alaska in the late 18th century. He taught the Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ and defended these people from exploitation by the Russian traders. Here’s a recent miracle of St. Herman of Alaska on Mt. Denali, and a YouTube Visit to Spruce Island: The holy Relics of St. Herman the Wonderworker.

For our good, for our happiness, let us make a vow that from this day forth, from this hour, from this minute, let us strive to love God above all else and seek to do His Holy Will. ~ St. Herman of Alaska

A Sermon by +Archpriest John Adams of Eternal Memory, on St. Herman of Alaska

Drawing closer to the Feast of the Nativity we read the gospel (Luke 14:16-24) about those who were invited to a great supper, and those who wouldn’t come, so others take their place. Many are called, but the chosen seem to be those who simply didn’t make an excuse. They came. No matter what their state was when they were called. It wasn’t more important than the feast.

What if there was someone to whom being chosen was more important than anything, more important than pleasure or comfort? To travel thousands of miles in difficult conditions, to live in the cold and dark alone, but always remembering the feast that would come. What would this person be like? Maybe they would be someone who wouldn’t lie, even though it meant death. Maybe when they chanted alone it would sound like a whole choir of angels singing. Maybe if you were alone they would take you in; if you were sick, he would pray for you and you would get well. Maybe if there was going to be disaster, like a tidal wave, maybe he would take the icon the Mother of God to the shore and the water wouldn’t come above it, and you were saved.

They might be like one candle burning in a whole dark continent, but one candle after another is lit from it, and hundreds of years later, they are still burning.

What if you saw the feast, and you saw them enter in to join the others and it was all joy and light, but you were standing on the outside looking in – for when you had been invited over and over, you always had an excuse?

…Today is December 12th on the church calendar and the commemoration of the first Orthodox missionaries to Alaska in 1794… St. Juvenal the first martyr, the martyr St. Peter the Aleut, and St. Herman the Wonderworker.

We are still invited to the feast.

We are still called.

It is still up to us to be one of the chosen.

*Until 1924, the Eastern Orthodox Church universally used the ancient Julian calendar, whereas the Roman Catholic Church, under Pope Gregory XIII, conducted a calendar reform resulting in the Gregorian (new, civil) calendar in 1582. The difference between the two calendars is 13 days between the years 1900 and 2100. Some branches of the Orthodox Church still keep liturgical dates according to the Julian calendar, while some others have adopted using the “new” calendar. However, Orthodox Christians who use both calendars, always strictly adhere and calculate the Great Feast of Pascha, only according to the Julian Calendar.

Filling Our Hearts to the Brim

Thailand image by sippakorn yamkasikorn from Pixabay

But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth. ~ Jesus Christ (St. John 4: 23-24)

While we think mostly on an earthly plane, in the Gospels – Christ speaks on the true spiritual plane… drawing us to the realization of Who life is. Like the Samaritan Woman at the Well (Gospel of St. John, Chapter 4), when we desire to obtain the promise of Living Water, realizing who we are, we have to choose and accept the belief in Christ. These things are necessary for everyone. If we don’t desire something, why would we make any effort for it? If we don’t want to look honestly at ourselves, what would we ever want to change? If we never realize Who Christ is, why would we ever seek Him? We may speak to God about what we want, what we think we need, and wonder why we don’t have it right now. We speak carnally, but He answers us spiritually. He wants to give us something far greater. We want water from a well where we’ll thirst again. But He wants for us to have eternal life. ~ Archpriest John Adams ☦️

What does the heart seek
when its soul is parched, withered,
– what does my heart say?

It says encouragingly… Let us draw and drink deeply from the Divine Well of Living Water… Let us Fill Our Hearts to the Brim with Him, in Spirit and Truth!