Photo with Dormition quote by Juliana
The humble soul is blessed. The Lord loves her. The Mother of God is higher than all in humility, and therefore all races bless her on earth, while the heavenly powers serve her. And the Lord has given us this blessed Mother of His as a defender and helper. ~ St. Silouan the Athonite
Christ is Risen!
From the rising to the setting of the sun, the name of the Lord is to be praised. Blessed be the name of the Lord from henceforth and for evermore. ~ Psalm 113:2-3
Truly He is Risen!
A bouquet of flowers, from a dear friend.
Christ is Risen!
Happiness is found within ourselves, and blessed is the man who has understood this. Happiness is a pure heart, for such a heart becomes the throne of God. Thus says Christ of those who have pure hearts: “I will visit them, and will walk in them, and I will be a God to them, and they will be my people.” (II Cor. 6:16) What can be lacking to them? Nothing, nothing at all! For they have the greatest good in their hearts: God Himself! ~ St. Nektarios of Aegina
The Church has always open arms for us. Hurry in them rather, all we, whose consciences are burdened. Hurry – and the Church will lift the weight of our burdens, give us confidence towards God, and fill our hearts with happiness and bliss. ~ St. Nektarios of Aegina
A Christian must be courteous to all. His words and deeds should breathe with the grace of the Holy Spirit, which abides in his soul, so that in this way he might glorify the name of God. He who regulates all of his speech also regulates all of his actions. He who keeps watch over the words he is about say also keeps watch over the deeds he intends to do, and he never goes out of the bounds good and benevolent conduct. The graceful speech of a Christian is characterized by delicateness and politeness. This fact, born of love, produces peace and joy. On the other hand, boorishness gives birth to hatred, enmity, affliction, competitiveness, disorder and wars. ~ St. Nektarios of Aegina
Love should never be sacrificed for the sake of some dogmatic difference. ~ St. Nektarios of Aegina
Do not think that you have a right to complain when your prayers are not answered. God fulfills your desires in a manner that you do not know. ~ St. Nektarios of Aegina
Truly He is Risen!
Hawaiian stream flowing to ocean – 2014
Christ is Risen!
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; When shall I come and appear before God? ~ Psalm 42:2
Therefore you will joyously draw water from the springs of salvation. ~ Isaiah 12:3
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit. ~ Jeremiah 17:7-8
Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life. ~ St. John 4:13-14
Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. ~ St. John 7:37
Truly He is Risen!
Christ is Risen!
The Tuesday of St. Thomas week is called Radonitsa, and known as the Day of Rejoicing.
On this day, and with Paschal Joy, we remember all who have reposed in the faith. Orthodox graves are blessed by priests and visited by the faithful.
It is hard for most parishes to gather at the graves on weekdays. So, the graves are blessed instead on St. Thomas Sunday, after the Divine Liturgy. When possible, this is followed by a traditional, joyous, communal picnic at the cemetery.
In any case, is important, to visit the graves of loved ones at any time during the 40 days of Pascha-tide; and to greet them saying or singing Christ is Risen…
For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.
Truly He is Risen!
Icon of the Holy Apostle Thomas probing Christ’s wounds
Christ is Risen!
The Apostle Thomas believed, because he was invited by the Risen Christ, to touch Him.
When we seek God, we touch Him, and we are touched by Him.
He passes through the closed doors of our hearts and minds, and directs us towards the light of faith and understanding.
Jesus saith … blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. – St. John 20:29
Happy Mothers’ Day!
With greetings to all mothers, grandmothers, godmothers, and matushki! Whether our own mothers are still with us, or have already passed on… there is the joyous consolation that of our Holy Lady Theotokos is always close by!
God loves us more than father, mother, friend, or any else could love, and even more than we are able to love ourselves. ~ St. John Chrysostom
The Most Holy Mother of God prays for us ceaselessly. She is always visiting us. Whenever we turn to her in our heart, she is there. After the Lord, she is the greatest protection of mankind. ~ Elder Thaddeus of Vitnovica
Truly He is Risen!
During the weekdays of Great Lent, we say the prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian (306-373 AD).
O Lord and Master of my life, a spirit of idleness, despondency, ambition and idle talking, give me not. (Prostration)
But, rather, a spirit of chastity, humble-mindedness, patience and love, bestow on me Thy servant. (Prostration)
Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my failings and not condemn my brother, for blessed art Thou unto the ages of ages. Amen. (Prostration)
Then the prayer once more in full, with one prostration at the end.
If unable to physically do a prostration, “bend the knees of your heart” instead.
Scripture brought me to the Gate of Paradise, and the mind stood in wonder as it entered. ~ St. Ephraim the Syrian
Let books be your dining table, and you shall be full of delights. Let them be your mattress, and you shall sleep restful nights. ~ St. Ephraim the Syrian
Hawaiian Daybreak, 2012
We should be spectators every day of the wonders of God. ~Mother Gavrilia
All true beauty has the power to draw the soul towards thee, and to make it sing in ecstasy: Alleluia! ~ Kontakion 7, Akathist of Thanksgiving Glory to God for All Things
Blessed be the name of the Lord from henceforth, and forevermore! ~ Psalm 113:2
Happy Sunday!
Rugged Beauty of Church Floor Mosaics in Mystra, Greece – 2017
The Lord lives! Blessed and exalted be my God, the rock of my salvation ~ 2 Samuel 22:47
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. ~ Deuteronomy 31:8
But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. ~ St. Matthew 24:13
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. ~Philippians 4:13
Our life is blessed… God’s gift… We have a treasure in us – our souls… ~ Elder Nikolay Guryanov
