Icon of Our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ
Your job is to work upon yourself: the rest is in the Hands of God. ~ St. Theophan the Recluse
Tag: Lord Jesus
Betwixt and Between
Holy Cross surrounded by Hellebore Lenten Rose, Pieris Japonica, Chrysanthemums and Basil
I praise the Godhead, Unity in three Persons: for the Father is Light, the Son is Light, and the Spirit is Light, but the Light remains undivided, shining forth in oneness of Nature, yet in the three rays of the Persons… Let all the trees of the forest dance and sing, as they beheld their fellow-tree, the Cross, today receive veneration: for Christ, as Holy David prophesied, has exalted it on high… Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. I worship Thee, O holy God, as Trinity of Persons in Unity of Essence, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one Power and Kingdom, sovereign over all. Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. ~ From the Sunday of the Cross, Matins Service
Be unto me the might, the strength, and the power…the deliverer and foremost defender against my enemies… the shield and protector… my victory and establishment… ever preserving and sheltering me. ~ St. Gregory of Sinai
He who does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. ~St. Matthew 10:38
For in the Cross of Christ Crucified lies both “the power of God and the wisdom of God” for those being saved. ~ 1 Corinthians 1:24
Yesterday was the Third Sunday of Great Lent, and we’re at the half-way point! The Cross is brought out as a consolation for our efforts, and as we venerate the Cross, we remember that our Lord Jesus Christ’s Precious and Life-Giving Cross is Everything.
It stands Mighty. Strong. Redemptive. Invincible. Glorious. Victorious.
The Cross is an Eternal Symbol of Hope and Love.
As we struggle with a myriad of personal crosses, may we steadfastly persevere on our Lenten Journey, with eyes brightly fixed forward towards Golgotha, where we may venerate His Cross, and cast all our burdens down at His Holy Feet. For soon, we too, shall gaze upon the Shining, Holy Resurrection of Christ.
O come all ye faithful!
Our Risen Lord holds out His Arms to embrace the whole world!
Surfing the Chunder
Dawn Patrol on Kauai Beach – 2023
Chunder is a surfing term which means totally unsurfable waves.
Mullering means wiping out.
You don’t need to be polite with God, simply pour out your heart before Him. ~ Elder Sophrony of Essex
Never expect anyone to understand you, only God.
~ St. Gavrilia
I pray like this: “Father in heaven forgive me, Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me, Holy Spirit enlighten me.”
~ Gerontissa (Eldress) Galaktia
Let us remember
that pray’r is the first resort –
not the last resort!
🏄🏽♀️
However Difficult It May Seem
At Holy Virgin Cathedral San Francisco, January 7th 2024 – Shared by Anastasia
Christ is Born! Glorify Him!
Greetings on the 6th Day of Christmas!
There’s nothing more beautiful or sweeter than to love the Lord Jesus. ~ St. Joseph the Hesychast
We don’t pursue hardships but if they come, we face them through steadfastness and prayer. ~ St. Paisios
Lord, I beg you… Do Your own will in me. However difficult it may seem to me, it will be easy because it will be Yours! ~ St. Gavrilia
Congratulations on your Saint’s Day, Anysia! May God grant you many years!
On Earth As It Is In Heaven
Sunrise From Space Image by Arek Socha from Pixabay
We should refer all our problems, whatever they are, to God, just as we say in the Divine Liturgy that ‘we commend our whole life unto Christ our God’. We leave everything to You, Lord. Whatever You will. Let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. ~ St. Porphyrios
Nothing Higher on Earth
Greetings on Forgiveness Sunday!
Great Lent begins Tomorrow.
There is nothing on earth higher, greater or more holy than the Divine Liturgy; nothing more solemn, nothing more life-giving. ~ St. John of Kronstadt
The Church is your hope, the Church is your salvation, the Church is your refuge. ~ St. John Chrysostom
May your Lenten Journey be a peaceful, fruitful preparation for the Great and Holy Feast of Pascha (Easter) – Sunday, April 24th, 2022.
Sunday of the Samaritan Woman
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!