Frederica Mathews-Green Introduction to the Orthodox Church

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!

With Eyes Brighter Than the Sun

A Glimpse of His Gladsome Light Spied from a Church Parking Lot

When praying alone, and your spirit is dejected, and you are wearied and oppressed by your loneliness, remember then, as always, that God the Trinity looks upon you with Eyes brighter than the sun; also all the angels, your own Guardian Angel, and all the Saints of God. Truly they do; for they are all one in God, and where God is, there are they also. Where the sun is, thither also are directed all its rays. Try to understand what this means. ~ Elder Herman of Mt. Athos

We are promised that in the Kingdom of Heaven we shall see God face to face. We will look upon his countenance. “In Thy light shall we see light.” …we shall forever gaze into His eyes. That’s all the definition of bliss we need. ~ Fr. Vladimir Berzonsky

The autumnal sun
hidden behind dull gray clouds
shines, notwithstanding.

Like zillions of others, the light, or lack of seasonal light can influence many. As we begin “autumn’s fall” in rainy northern hemispheres, I’m already well aware the coming dark and dreary months of gray days affect myself and others. Lord have mercy! Granted, at the beginning of fall, there’s some consolation in observing allegro duets of brilliant, crimson deciduous leaves and occasional glimpses of golden, gleaming sunshine. But, later, sometimes it’s hard to remember that above those dark and dismal clouds, there’s always Sonshine! Recalling that this is just for now, and persevering with hope and faith; we, as children of Light, perceive our pianissimo results are worth the effort. For our Triune God, is Everywhere Present and Fills all things. He Knows our small efforts and struggles, and He holds out His Arms to embrace the whole world. For, He IS the Fountain of light, and in His Light, we shall see Light!

Divine Beauty of Simplicity

A fistful of garden bluebells and bonnie heather adorn my sunny windowsill.

Orthodoxy is really very simple, although some theologians try to make a complicated system of it. ~ Father George Cheremetieff (Embassy, Emigrants and Englishmen)

If you would be simple-hearted like the Apostles, would not conceal your human shortcomings, would not pretend to be especially pious, if you would walk free from hypocrisy, then that is the path. While it is easy, not everyone can find it or understand it. This path is the shortest way to salvation and attracts the grace of God. Unpretentiousness, guilelessness, frankness of soul – this is what is pleasing to the Lord, Who is lowly of heart. Except ye become like children, ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of God (Mt. 18:13). ~ Elder Leonid of Optina quoted in Living God’s Word by Fr. Silouan Benedict, Bangalore, India

Orthodoxy is life. One must not talk about it; one must live it. ~ Elder Nektary of Optina

Introduction to the Orthodox Church (short, simple, edifying videos) ~ Frederica Mathewes-Green