Tag: Blossom forth

Great and Holy Wednesday

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.

Great and Holy Monday

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.

Upon the Willows

This is a pussy willow branch from a third generation church tree… originally grown from a dried and blessed Palm Sunday bouquet, which sprouted in an icon corner!

These furry little catkins are among the first to blossom forth, in early spring, seemingly to show the trees and bushes it’s time to awake from their cold winter sleep!

Pussy willows make easy everlasting flowers. Pick a bunch, and put them into a dry vase. No water. They will keep for years.

If you think of planting a pussy willow tree near your home, do keep it far away from drains. For, as an exuberant willow, it is determined to seek water.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. ~Ecclesiastes 3:11

Heartily

Altar mosaic – St. Sophia Orthodox Church, Canada

Reading a passage from Colossians, I was curious to learn the definition of heartily as translated from Greek Scripture. It means from the soul.

Makes perfect sense! How else can we do things heartily, if not from the soul?

Whatever we do heartily is honourable and relevant – a transformation of dedication and purpose. It is the complete opposite of going through the motions of duty… mundanely, half-heartedly, without Love.

Whatever the circumstances, wherever we are in life, we become the difference, we become the change… by heartily dedicating all our actions to the glory of God.

We are here. Right now. Exactly where God has planted us!

May we – with God’s help, heartily blossom forth, enveloped in His Gladsome Light… radiating the Divine Harmony of Love and Peace all around us!

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