Venice, Italy – 2008
Christ is Risen!
Love is the passport with which man passes through all the heavenly doors without obstacle. ~ St. John Chrysostom
Three things are needful. First Love, Second Love, Third Love… How beautiful is the Mystery of Tomorrow! …When the doors of Heaven are open, so the doors on earth are also open. ~ Gerontissa Gavrielia
Truly He is Risen!
Monastery Gardens – Meteora, Greece 2006
Christ is Risen!
Memory Eternal Faith!
Thou broughtest me into this life as if into a wonderful garden. I see the sky deep and blue, the birds as they chirp in flight; I listen to the soothing rustle of trees and the sonorous sound of waters; my mouth is enjoying fragrant and succulent fruits. How wonderful it is in Thy world and how joyous it is to be Thy guest! ~ Ikos 2; Akathist of Thanksgiving
Glory to Thee for the feast of life! Glory to Thee for the scents of lilies of the valley and roses. Glory to Thee for the abundance and multiplicity of earthly fruits. Glory to Thee for the glistening of morning dew. Glory to Thee for the joyous smile of dawn with which Thou dost waken me. Glory to Thee for eternal life and the kingdom of heaven. Glory to Thee, O God of the ages! ~ The Akathist of Thanksgiving by Metropolitan Tryphon of Turkestan; discovered in the personal effects of Hieromartyr Grigori Petroff (+1942)
Truly He is Risen!
St. Nicholas Orphanos Church – Thessaloniki, Greece 2008
Christ is Risen!
Read often and insatiably the books of the teachers of the Church on divine providence, for they lead the mind to discern the order in God’s creatures and His actions, give it strength, and by their subtleness they prepare it to acquire luminous intuitions and guide it in purity toward the understanding of God’s creatures. Read also the Gospels, which God ordained for knowledge for the whole world, that you may find provisions for your journey in the might of God’s providence for every generation, and that your intellect may plunge deeply into wonder at Him. Such reading furthers your aim. Let your reading be done in a stillness which nothing disturbs… Reading assists the soul when she stands in prayer… From reading the soul is enlightened in prayer… Whenever it happens to you that your soul is shrouded by thick darkness from within and… for a brief time is deprived of spiritual comfort and the light of grace on account of the cloud of passions that overshadows her; and further, that the joy-producing power in your soul is curtailed for a little, and your mind is overshadowed by an unwonted mist: then do not be troubled in mind, do not lend a hand to despondency. But be patient, be engaged in reading the books of the Doctors of the Church, compel yourself in prayer, and expect to receive help. ~ St. Isaac the Syrian
The various patristic texts, which thank God are available by the thousands today, are very helpful. One can find whatever one needs and desires in these books. They are authentic spiritual nourishment and a sure guide on the spiritual path. However, in order to be of benefit to us, they have to be read with humility and prayer… We do not need great knowledge to be devout. If we concentrate and ponder on the few things we know, our heart will be spiritually embroidered. One may be profoundly affected by a single hymn, while another may feel nothing, even though he may know all the hymns by heart, as he has not entered into the spiritual reality. So, read the Fathers, even one or two lines a day. They are very strengthening vitamins for the soul. ~Elder Paisios the Athonite
Truly He is risen!
Meteora, Greece – 2006
Christ is Risen!
Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brethren dwell in unity! ~ Psalm 133:1
For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. ~ Romans 12:4-5
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honour. ~ Romans 12:10
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. ~ Romans 12:16
So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. ~ Romans 14:19
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. ~ 1 Peter 3:8
Truly He is Risen!
Thessaloniki, Greece – 2006
Christ is Risen!
Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. ~ Micah 7:18,19
Truly He is Risen!
Christ is Risen!
Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. ~ 1 Chronicles 16:29
Truly He is Risen!
Christ is Risen!
The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes… More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. ~ Psalm 19:7,8,10
Truly He is Risen!
Christ is Risen!
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. ~ Isaiah 60:1
Truly He is Risen!
Christ is Risen!
The Samaritan Woman by the Well Altar Mosaic – St. Sophia Orthodox Church, Canada
Today’s theme is Living Water and the recognition of our Lord Jesus Christ as God’s Messiah. ~ St. John 4:1–26
Today we are reminded of our new life in Him, of our own true worship of God in Spirit and in Truth. ~ St. John 4:23–24
If now a woman of Samaria is so earnest to learn something profitable, if she abides by Christ though not as yet knowing Him, what pardon shall we obtain, who both knowing Him, and being not by a well, nor in a desert place, nor at noon-day, nor beneath the scorching sunbeams, but at morning-tide, and beneath a roof like this, enjoying shade and comfort, yet cannot endure to hear anything that is said, but are wearied by it. Not such was that woman; so occupied was she by Jesus’ words, that she even called others to hear them. Let us then imitate this woman of Samaria; let us commune with Christ. For even now He stands in the midst of us, speaking to us by the Prophets and Disciples; let us hear and obey. How long shall we live uselessly and in vain? Because, not to do what is well-pleasing to God is to live uselessly, or rather not merely uselessly, but to our own hurt… God brought us into this present life, and breathed into us a soul, that we should make use of the present time… with a regard to the life which is to come… we have an immortal soul, that we may use every means to prepare ourselves for that other life… and we must do all that we may shine there, that we may join the choir of Angels, and stand before the King continually, through endless ages. And therefore the soul is immortal, and the body shall be immortal too, that we may enjoy the never-ending blessings. But if, when heavenly things are proffered you, you remain nailed to earth, consider what an insult is offered to your Benefactor, when He holds forth to you things above, and thou, making no great account of them choosest earth instead… of what great blessings you deprive yourself. God grant that… having been well-pleasing to Christ, we may obtain everlasting blessings, through the grace and lovingkindness of our Lord Jesus Christ; to whom with the Father and the Holy Ghost be glory, now and ever, and world without end. Amen. ~ St. John Chrysostom (Homily 31 on the Gospel of St. John)
Truly, He is Risen!
For God, there are no difficult problems and no difficult solutions. To God, everything is simple. He does not use a greater power for the supernatural things and a lesser power for the natural things. He uses the same power for everything. The most important thing for man is to cling to God. ~ St. Paisios of Mt. Athos
