Christ is Risen!
In the spiritual life we can do nothing worthy without repentance, but the Lord has much mercy on us because of our intentions. He who compels himself and holds on to repentance until the end, even if he sins, is saved because he compelled himself, for the Lord promised this in the Gospel. ~ St. Mark the Ascetic
Truly He is Risen!
Christ is Risen!
We all need help at various times in our lives. God doesn’t cause our problems, but allows them for our salvation. Sometimes we may feel completely and utterly overwhelmed… But those precarious moments bring us closer to God – for when we reach out to ask His help, the effort yields its own rewards.
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. ~ 1 Corinthians 10:13
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort. For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many. ~ 2 Corinthians 1: 3-11
Truly He is Risen!
Hawaiian Beach Sunrise over Lava Rocks, 2014
And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. ~Genesis 1:3
And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. ~ Genesis 1:4
From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord’s name is to be praised. ~ Psalm 113:3
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. ~ Psalm 119:105
It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. ~Lamentations 3:22-23
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. ~ St. John 8:12
It seems that we do not understand one thing: it is not good when we return the love of those who love us, yet hate those who hate us. We are not on the right path if we do this. We are the sons of light and love, the sons of God, his children. As such we must have His qualities and His attributes of love, peace, and kindness towards all. ~ Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica
Thy bridal chamber I see adorned, O my Savior, and I have no wedding garment that I may enter. O Giver of Light, enlighten the vesture of my soul, and save me. ~Exapostilarion of Bridegroom Matins
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. ~St. Matthew 5:5
Complete trust in God – that’s what holy humility is. Complete obedience to God, without protest, without reaction, even when some things seem difficult and unreasonable. Abandonment to the hands of God. ~ Elder Porphyrios
…your job is to work upon yourself: for this you are chosen; the rest is in the hands of God. He who humbles himself shall be exalted. ~St. Theophan the Recluse
The Comforter, the Holy Spirit, who fills the whole universe, passes through all believing, meek, humble, good, and simple human souls, dwelling in them, vivifying and strengthening them. He becomes one spirit with them and everything to them – light, strength, peace, joy, success in their undertakings, especially in a pious life, and everything good … “We have been all made to drink into one Spirit” (I Corinthians 12:13). All pious people are filled with the Spirit of God similarly as a sponge is filled with water. ~ St. John of Kronstadt
In the mercy of God, the little thing done with humility will enable us to be found in the same place as the saints who have laboured much and been true servants of God. ~St. Dorotheos of Gaza
When pride retreats from a man, humility begins to dwell in him, and the more pride is diminished, so much more does humility grow. The one gives way to the other as to its opposite. Darkness departs and light appears. Pride is darkness, but humility is light. ~ St. Tikhon of Zadonsk
IC XC ~ Jesus Christ (Abbreviated Greek for Jesus Christ. The lines above the letters indicate the words are abbreviated)
NIKA ~ Conquers
IC XC and NIKA (Greek) refer to Jesus Christ’s conquest of Hades and His victory over death and sin by His glorious Resurrection. IC XC and NIKA is stamped on Prosphora.
It’s a pious custom to keep holy bread and holy water in one’s icon corner. These are consumed upon breaking the previous night’s fast, along with morning prayers.
O Lord my God, may Thy holy gift and Thy Holy Water be unto forgiveness of my sins, unto enlightenment of my mind, unto strengthening of my spiritual and bodily powers, unto health of my soul and body, unto vanquishing of my passions and weaknesses, by Thy boundless merciful kindness, through the prayers of Thy Most-pure Mother and all Thy Saints. Amen. ~ Russian Orthodox Cathedral of St John the Baptist
Altar Mosaic at St. Sophia Church, Canada
The Lord greatly loves the repenting sinner and mercifully presses him to His bosom: “Where were you, My child? I was waiting a long time for you.” The Lord calls all to Himself with the voice of the Gospel, and His voice is heard all over the world. “Come to me My sheep. I created you, and I love you. My love for you brought me to earth, and I suffered all things for the sake of your salvation, and I want you all to know My love, and to say, like the apostles on Mt. Tabor: Lord it is good for us to be with You.” ~ St. Silouan the Athonite
This Icon is a variant of the Hodegetria (Directress) style icon. Here we see the Most Holy Theotokos and her Son, Our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ Who stands beside her… His Hand poised, ready to bless us.
Four Beautiful Prayers to the Mother of God
O Theotokos and Virgin, rejoice, O Mary, Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, for thou hast born the Saviour of our souls. Amen.
It is truly meet to bless thee, O Theotokos. Ever-Blessed, and Most Pure and the Mother of our God. More honourable than the cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, without corruption thou gavest birth to God the Word. True Theotokos, we magnify Thee. Amen.
Beneath thy tender mercy we take refuge, O Theotokos. Reject not our prayer in our distress but deliver us from harm, O Only Pure and Blessed Lady. Amen
Most Glorious Ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of Christ our God, receive our prayer and present it to thy Son and our God, that, for thy sake, He may save our souls. Amen.
Floral wedding confetti on church entrance floor mosaic – St. Sophia, Canada
Today is Forgiveness Sunday. Tomorrow Great Lent begins.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. ~ St. Matthew 5:7
A pebble tossed into a pond radiates countless ripples.
Forgiveness does this too. It releases waves of empathy and compassion, affecting everyone it touches, including ourselves.
Mercy is a powerful gift, restoring peace of mind, and helping us to move forward, sloughing off anger or resentment. Giving or receiving forgiveness bestows healing to our spiritual and physical health.
Great Lent begins tomorrow. Today, on Forgiveness Sunday, we greet each other by asking mutual forgiveness. (Whether in person if possible, or by a phone call or email) What a delightfully liberating way to start the Fast… with clean slates; in the spirit of mercy and Christian love.
Forgive me. God Forgives!
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. ~St. Matthew 6:14 – 15
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. ~ Ephesians 4:32
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ~ Colossians 3:13
Sincere repentance is a gift of God such that, although we may not have committed any severe fall into sin or evil deed, we still see ourselves in our true light, see how weak we are, how much we sin in the mind, in our feelings, and especially in our imagination. Looking honestly at ourselves, we have nothing left to say except “Lord God have mercy on me, help me, and forgive, forgive, forgive me!” Then forgiveness will come into our souls like Pascha, and we are as it were born anew. And if the Lord should forgive, who will condemn us? ~ Metropolitan Vitaly, Paschal Encyclical, 2001
Sometimes we do not see any outlet, any escape from our sins, and they torment us: on account of them, the heart is oppressed with sorrow and weary. But Jesus looks upon us, and streams of tears flow from our eyes, and with the tears all the tissue of evil in our soul vanishes. We weep with joy that such mercy has suddenly and unexpectedly been sent to us. ~ St. John of Kronstadt
Hawaii 2014
A handful of sand, thrown into the sea, is what sinning is, when compared to God’s providence and mercy. Just as an abundant source of water is not impeded by a handful of dust, so also the Creator’s mercy is not defeated by the sins of His creations. ~ St. Isaac the Syrian
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ~ Lamentations 3:22-23
