Golden Celebration Rose in our garden – 2004
Christ is Risen!
The rose does not speak, but puts forth a strong fragrance. We too, should put forth fragrance, pour forth spiritual fragrance, the fragrance of Christ. The fragrance of our deeds should be heard from far around: good, pure and righteous deeds, full of love. Only thus can the Kingdom of God appear within our hearts, appearing not through words, but with power. ~ St. Luke of Simferopol
Truly He is Risen!
Memory Eternal, Joanna.
Christ is Risen!
…The myrrh bearing women at the break of dawn, drew near to the tomb of the Giver of Life. There they found an angel seated upon the stone, and he greeted them with these words: “Why do ye seek the Living among the dead? Why mourn ye the Incorrupt amid corruption? Go: proclaim the glad tidings to His disciples.” This is the day which the Lord hath made! Let us rejoice and be glad therein. Pascha of beauty! The Pascha of the Lord! A Pascha worthy of all honour hath dawned for us. Pascha! Pascha, ransom from affliction! For today, as from a bridal chamber, Christ hath shone forth from the tomb, and filled the women with joy, saying “Proclaim the glad tidings to the apostles.” ~ Excerpt from the Aposticha Paschal Stichera; Let God Arise
The third Sunday of Holy Pascha is designated as the Sunday of the Holy Myrrhbearers. These courageous and steadfast women disciples of the Lord followed Jesus Christ throughout His ministry… providing and caring for Him and His followers (St. Mark 15:41). They remained faithful to Him during the dangerous times of His arrest, crucifixion, and burial. On account of the preparation for the Sabbath, the initial burial preparations were incomplete and brief. As soon as the Sabbath passed, the women speedily returned, bringing precious myrrh and ointment to anoint His body. It was still dark and very early in the morning, when they arrived at the tomb. Christ’s Resurrection was revealed by an angel, and they were given the honour to announce the glad tidings to the apostles. Because of this, the Myrrhbearing Women, especially St. Mary Magdalene, are sometimes referred to as Equal to the Apostles.
The Holy Myrrhbearers represent all that is good in our Christian faith. They are the spiritual-embodiment of Faith, Hope and Love.
Truly He is Risen!
Christ is Risen!
O Lord, grant that I may meet all that this coming day brings to me with spiritual tranquility. Grant that I may fully surrender myself to Thy holy Will. At every hour of this day, direct and support me in all things. Whatsoever news may reach me in the course of the day, teach me to accept it with a calm soul and the firm conviction that all is subject to Thy Holy Will. Direct my thoughts and feelings in all my words and actions. In all unexpected occurrences, do not let me forget that all is sent down from Thee. Grant that I may deal straightforwardly and wisely with every member of my family, neither embarrassing nor saddening anyone. O Lord, grant me the strength to endure the fatigue of the coming day and all the events that take place during it. Direct my will and teach me to pray, to believe, to hope, to be patient, to forgive, and to love. Amen.
The Optina Elders are the Righteous Fathers of the Optina Monastery in Russia, who struggled valiantly in the monastic life of prayer, humility, obedience, and love. God granted them the gifts of discernment, prophecy, clairvoyance, and the grace to guide souls along the path of salvation.
They are Leo (who reposed in 1841), Macarius (1860), Moses (1862), Anthony (1865), Hilarion (1873), Ambrose (1891), Anatolius (1894), Isaacius (1894), Joseph (1911), Barsanuphius (1913), Anatolius (1922), Nectarius (1928), Nicon (1931), and Isaacius (1936).
Their beautiful prayer encompasses everyone’s potential daily encounters and experiences.
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!
Altar Mosaic – St. Sophia Orthodox Church, Canada
Greetings on Great and Holy Thursday!
Let no fear separate you from Me… Do this in remembrance of Me.
Of Thy Mystical Supper, O Son of God, accept me today as a communicant; for I will not speak of Thy Mystery to Thine enemies; nor like Judas will I give Thee a kiss; but like the thief will I confess Thee: Remember me, O Lord, when Thou comest into Thy Kingdom.
Thursday evening, the Twelve Passion Gospels are read aloud, and The Wise Thief is sung.
May we, wherever we are… particularly during pandemic isolation, blossom forth through the efforts of repentance, love, hope and faith in God’s Mercy.
Although these are trying times… This is just for now.
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.
Thank you Genevieve for sharing this photo.
Greetings on Great and Holy Tuesday.
Both watch and pray… Behold the Bridegroom Comes at Midnight!
Amongst other spiritual gems, today’s emphasis is on the gravity of God’s examination of our life and the account we will have to give of ourselves.
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.
Man seeks joy and happiness in heaven. He seeks what is eternal far from everyone and everything. He seeks to find joy in God. God is a mystery. He is silence. He is infinite. He is everything. Everyone possesses this inclination of the soul for heaven. All people seek something heavenly. All beings turn toward Him, albeit unconsciously. Turn your mind towards Him continually. Learn to love prayer, familiar converse with the Lord… Become worthy of Christ’s love… Turn on the switch of prayer so that divine love may flood your soul. Christ will appear in the depths of your being. There, in the deepest and most inward part, is the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is within you (St. Luke 17:21). ~St. Porphyrios “Wounded by Love”
You cannot be too gentle, too kind. Shun even to appear harsh in your treatment of each other. Joy, radiant joy, streams from the face of one who gives and kindles joy in the heart of one who receives. ~ St. Seraphim of Sarov
Behind the Royal Doors St. Sophia Orthodox Church – Canada
Christ often comes and knocks at your door and you invite him to sit in the living-room of your soul. Then, absorbed in your own business you forget the Great Visitor. He waits for you to appear and when you are too long in returning, he gets up and leaves. At other times, you are so busy that you answer him from the window. You don’t even have time to open the door. ~ St. Amphilochios of Patmos
Love is the passport with which man passes through all the heavenly doors without obstacle. ~ St. John. Chrysostom
Thus, my brother, if you love peace of heart, strive to enter it by the door of humility, for no other door but humility leads therein. ~ Unseen Warfare
Front of the Royal Doors – The Beautiful Gate
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. ~ Revelation 3:20
