Feature Image background photo shared by Melania (Divine Florals Cards), who today (along with a daring river otter), braved high winds and darted across the road to escape the dramatic waves! ~ Storm Season, Victoria BC, Canada
Behold the sea of life, surging high with the tempest of temptations, I have fled to Thy tranquil haven and cry aloud unto Thee: Lead Thou my life forth from corruption, O most Merciful One. ~ Resurrectional Ode 6, Tone 6
O Lord Jesus Christ, open Thou the eyes of my heart, that I may hear Thy word and understand and do Thy will, for I am a sojourner upon the earth. Hide not Thy commandments from me, but open mine eyes, that I may perceive the wonders of Thy law. Speak unto me the hidden and secret things of Thy wisdom… On Thee do I set my hope, O my God, that Thou shalt enlighten my mind and understanding with the light of Thy knowledge, not only to cherish those things which are written, but to do them… For Thou art the enlightenment of those who lie in darkness, and from Thee cometh every good deed and every gift. Amen. ~ St. John Chrysostom
Through the intercessions of Thine All-immaculate Mother and of all Thy Saints, O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.
What a blessing! A dear, Orthodox friend (an iconographer), recently gifted me an amazing icon of a saint whom I deeply revere, St. Gabriela (also known as Mother Gavrilia).
This Shining New Saint (whose feast day is March 28, civil calendar) saw Christ in everyone, and was imbued with sincere, simple, Christian love, and genuine humility.
Her life was andstill is a verdant, precious, inspiring model to us all!
My goddaughter introduced me to The Ascetic of Love, a wonderful book, compiled from St. Gabriela’s letters, notes, and conversations over the years, including those closest to her later on, in the monastery. It’s one of my absolute go-to-favourite books, and I highly recommend everyone to read it if possible… but (warning), it’s hard to put down!
As I gaze into St. Gabriela’s holy icon, I’m prayerfully drawn into the spiritual depths of her kind eyes… seemingly full of great expectations from me. It’s like she’s lovingly, encouragingly, yet gently reprovingly, reminding me (who’s so quick to judge others and not myself), “The ball’s in your court, Barbara. Always in your court.”
Our soul is a Divine Breath. Our body is His Creation. In the whole of us we are the icon of God… When you have thought of criticism -judging others, ask God to take hold of you at that hour so that you can love that person as He loves. Then God will help you see your condition. If Christ were visible, could you criticize?… Three things are needful. First Love, Second Love, Third Love. ~ Quotes by St. Gabriela
Through the holy intercessions of our Bright, Venerable and God-bearing Mother Gabriela the New Ascetic of Love, O Christ our God, have mercy on us, and save us! Amen!
As the candle is pure (pure beeswax), so also should our hearts be pure. As the pure candle is supple, so also should our souls be supple until we make it straight and firm in the Gospel. As the pure candle is derived from the pollen of a flower and has a sweet scent, so also should our souls have the sweet aroma of Divine Grace. As the candle, when it burns, mixes with and feeds the flame, so also we must struggle to achieve theosis. As the burning candle illuminates the darkness, so must the Light of Christ within us shine before all, that God’s name be glorified. As the candle gives its own light to illuminate one in the darkness, so also must the light of the virtues, the light of love and peace, characterize a Christian. The wax that melts symbolizes the flame of our love for our fellow men. ~ St Symeon of Thessaloniki (c. 1381–1429)
May we let the Sweet Lights of Love and Hope in Christ illumine us all!
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) held flypasts across Canadian communities to commemorate Remembrance Day today. The sight of these planes flying overhead is special and chokes me up a bit, as I reflect on how proud and happy I am to be Canadian… the country I chose to embrace for my earthly sojourn – becoming a citizen in my mid-teens. Blessed withdual-citizenship (Heaven and Canada)… with God’s help, may I prove worthy of both! God Bless us everyone, and God Bless Canada!
…For this land, its authorities and armed forces, let us pray to the Lord. 🎵 Lord have mercy! 🎵 ~ Augmented Litany
… God keep our land, glorious and free! Oh Canada, we stand on guard for thee! ~ Excerpt from National Anthem
Lord have mercy on the nations of the world. Keep them in Thy embrace and envelope them with Thy holy protection. Keep them safe from every evil and war. Keep our beloved homelands in Thy protective embrace day and night. Embrace her with Thy holy protection defending her from all evil and war. ~ St. Paisios
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:6-7
There’s always something to be grateful for, even in the midst of trials and tribulations… And an attitude of gratitude with thanksgiving, dispels fear and carries hope – filling the heart with joy!
We’re not meant to trudge through life’s storms alone, but are encouraged to entrust our worries, heartaches, and requests, daily and directly into God’s Hands.
What a Friend and Saviour we have in Jesus Christ!
Although He alwaysknows what’s going on in our lives, He patiently waits for us to choose to reach out and talk with Him… to transfer any crushing load off ourselves, and freely give Him the control to direct our efforts.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ~ St. Matthew 11:29
As simply and as trustingly as a child reaches out to someone they dearly love, we’re also taught to earnestly entreat God. This draws us closer to our Heavenly Father.
By casting cares and anxiety aside… by sharing our needs through prayer, we bring He Who Is our Daily Bread… into ourselves, and under the roof of our soul…
And Lo! He promises and lovingly responds in kind; embracing our hearts and minds with a Holy, Gentle, Peace from Above – a Gift which transcends all understanding.
An early morning detente. Honey bee and tiny Hoverfly(a flower-fly that mimic bees in appearance but has no stinger) kindly share the same lavender blossom.
The bee is more honoured than other animals, not because she labours, but because she labours for others. ~ St. John Chrysostom
Like a bee that secretly fashions its comb in the hive, so also grace forms in hearts it own love. It changes to sweetness what is bitter, what is rough into that which is smooth. ~ Anonymous 4th century Egyptian monk
Sweeting Those who resemble the sweet honey bee, Seek to find goodness in all that they see! ~ a rhyme inspired/borrowed from St. Paisios’ honey bee verses fly quote below…
Some people resemble the honey bee and some resemble the fly. Those who resemble the fly seek to find evil in every circumstance and are preoccupied with it; they see no good anywhere. But those who resemble the honey bee only see the good in everything they see. ~ St. Paisios
If only we could more resemble the honey bee, and bee ye kinde one to another…
If we could try to see Christ Himself more often in others… we could, but only with Love of our neighbour… help change some of this world’s bitterness into sweetness!
We work, pray and hope every day to experience God’s mercy. Every day we experience a continuous miracle. Others begin to feel this and come to our church in order to give their souls a rest. ~ St. Elizabeth, Grand Duchess
She was a rare combination of exalted Christian spirit, moral nobility, enlightened mind, gentle heart, and refined taste. She possessed an extremely delicate and multifaceted spiritual composition and her outward appearance reflected the beauty and greatness of her spirit. Upon her brow lay the seal of an inborn, elevated dignity which set her apart from those around her. Under the cover of modesty, she often strove – though in vain, to conceal herself from the gaze of others, but one could not mistake her for another. Wherever she appeared, one would always ask: “Who is she who looketh forth as the morning, clear as the sun” (Song of Solomon 6:10)? Wherever she would go she emanated the pure fragrance of the lily. Perhaps it was for this reason that she loved the colour white – it was the reflection of her heart. All of her spiritual qualities were strictly balanced, one against another, never giving an impression of one-sidedness. Femininity was joined in her to a courageous character; her goodness never led to weakness and blind, unconditional trust of people. Even in her finest heartfelt inspirations she exhibited that gift of discernment which has always been so highly esteemed by Christian ascetics… ~ Metropolitan Anastassy + (1965)
St. Elizabeth the Grand Duchess was the granddaughter of England’s Queen Victoria, (so was St. Elizabeth’s sister, the Tsarina Empress and Royal Martyr St. Alexandra). As Canadians, these are warm connections to our own country’s history.
The holy relics were carried to the church entrance over a welcoming walkway (see above feature image), strewn with hundreds of petals and herbs from parishioners’ gardens. The brisk afternoon breeze continuously swept the flowers in vibrant kaleidoscopes of colour.
The Saints’ Reliquary was veneratedby the faithful and visitors to our parish… where many detected the relics emitting a gentle, heavenly fragrance of roses.
Before and during the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy a new Reader was tonsured (Axios!), and our priest was awarded the right to wear the kamilavka (Axios!). The kamilavka is a special hat which reminds us of our Saviour’s Crown of Thorns.
After Divine Liturgy, a Molieben to St. Elizabeth was served, culminating with a joyful Procession around the church… where both the building and the congregation were blessed with refreshing and copious showers of Holy Water!
Holy New-Martyr Grand Duchess Elizabeth and Nun Barbara, pray to God for us!
Beautiful 6 minute Folk Hymn/Ballad about the life of St. Elizabeth, by Katina, (Memory Eternal)
An abundance of sweet-scented wisteria spill over the pergola, upheld and supported by its rough, wooden beams.
Let us lift up our hearts! We lift them up unto the Lord! ~Anaphora
From every cut springs new growth. However, there’s no one-size-fits-all in gardening, or life.
To encourage a profusion of fragrant blossoms and to thrive – shrubs, trees, and vines require careful tending to transform into ultimate splendor. They must first be reduced, in order to become more.
By deadheading and pruning our own spiritual debris, we are refreshed and ready for new growth! We are able to lightly and joyfully lift up our hearts unto the Lord!
Through God’s Mercy of Peace we thrive, and our hearts are transformed by beinginGod.
In the words of an anonymous saint (whose name escapes me at the moment), may we remember more often to: Prune wisely and clip with discernment.
I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. ~ St. John 15:1-2
Prayer is the flower of gentleness and the fruit of joy. ~ Evagrios the Solitary, 4th century
