Those Amazing, Holy, Myrrh-Bearing Women!

Christ is Risen!

Last Sunday we celebrated the Sunday of the Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women, who, before the dawn, courageously and steadfastly visited the tomb of our Lord – and were greeted by a Shining Angel with the Glad Tidings, He is not here: for He is risen! Come and see where the Lord lay. ~ St. Matthew 28:6

How valiant and brave those amazing women were!

What noble, saintly souls!

(Saints Mary Magdalene, the Virgin Mary Theotokos, Mary the wife of Cleopas, Joanna, Salome, Mary and Martha of Bethany, and Susanna.)

What Great Love and Faith blazed brightly in their hearts!

…To quietly travel through the dangerous dark before the dawn …carrying their supplies of myrrh, aloe, and spices to finish anointing His Body, as was the custom …wondering how to even get into the tomb – with that giant rock guarding its doorway?!

Their Good Intentions combined with their Actions of Faith, Transformed that scene from dismal darkness into Light.

They were counted worthy to witness the Glorious Dawn of His Resurrection! They conversed with an Angel, and beheld an empty, humble tomb of stone become a Most Holy Place!

The Angel Cried to the Lady – A Joyful Paschal Hymn & 2024 Parish Recording

Exalt! Be Glad! Be Radiant!

TRULY He is Risen!

Be Radiant!

Pascha-Tide Tulips – Shared by Irena and Juliana

Christ is Risen!

The featured tulips above with their outspread petals, appear as a brand new, unknown species of flower!

May we too, extend our little”petals” wide open and joyously aloft in pure praise, especially for the smallest of blessings… and numinously become as a hitherto unrevealed, beauteous flower – transforming the inner heart through radiant gratitude.

Gratitude (our little Sacrifice of Praise), Begets Gratitude – blossoming forth with great, unexpected gifts of Joy!

Truly He is Risen!

Christ is Risen!

Kulich (a festive sweet bread) ablaze with candles, wait for the post-Liturgy Blessing!

Greeting you especially on this Blessed and Holy Pascha! The Feast of Feasts!

Past Blisswood Paschal-tide Posts

Christ is Risen!

Thomas Sunday & Mothers’ Day Greetings!

What Shines Through

More Musical Easter Eggs ~ Let Us Rejoice!

Christ is Risen! Happy Pascha!

Peace Starts With Each of Us

Banquet of Faith

Christ is Risen!

Radonitsa

Great and Holy Pascha

Son Rise Paschal Song (Youth Choir)

Christ is Risen (Youth Choir)

Music Mosaic – Past Paschas

Layers of Lent

Strolling through a verdant Blisswood Grove in Costa Rica~ Pura Vida!

…You know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armour of light. ~ Romans 13:11-12

Wishing you a Blessed Clean Monday! Let us Spring Clean our souls, Grow in God’s Grace… and Bloom in His Sonshine!

As we sail across the Great Sea of the Fast may our Great Lenten Journeys be Peaceful, and Fruitful – helping us to see Christ in others, and preparing us to joyously reach those Shining Shores of Great and Holy Paschathe Feast of Feasts… the reason why Christ was Born!

Wishing you all the Bright Joys of the Fast!

Clean Monday, Great Lent, Holy WeekPast Blisswood Posts Resource

Holding On and Letting Go

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

In His Glowing, Gladsome Light

In a little corner of a neighbouring Blisswood, trees seem to joyfully uplift their branches. Thank you Anysia for sharing this luminous nascent sunset from a recent walk!

Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. ~ Psalm 96:12

Psalm 96:12 amplifies a poignant call to worship, from beyond humanity… and extending out to include the natural elements of our world – where even fields and trees express exultation in God’s Presence and anticipation of Christ’s Second Coming!

May we, traversing our many mosaicked paths of life, be like the fields and trees who in essence, remember to praise Him! For when we walk with appreciation in the Glowing, Gladsome Light of His Creation, we understand and recall that God is here. Now. Right beside us!

Anytime our spiritual batteries need recharging, take a walk outside.

Go to the ocean, forest, or park.

Go to your garden!

Just go!

Make the Most of Beautiful Moments!

Nature is indeed a Secret Gospel!

Nibicula Est, Transibit

Detail of our Saviour’s Feet from mosaic in Chora

Come and lay
all heartache care and worry
at His Feet
!

(And LEAVE them there!)

Greetings on the Eve of Holy Theophany!

A friend recently shared an ancient and amazing Latin quote attributed to St. Athanasius the Great. Nibicula est, transibit which translates to It is a small cloud; it will pass”

Trials and tribulations are just for now, Nibicula Est, Transibit – are exactly like those fleeting clouds on the horizon!

Christ is our Siloam. He is our Bright Sun of Righteousness in a cloudless sky.

Come! Let us kiss His Precious Feet – those very same Feet which once trod Eden’s dusky paths, and are still fragrant with the Petals of Paradise!

When a problem is acute…tell it to the Angels so they may place it at the Lord’s Feet, and pray the Lord for an Angel of Peace to calm your soul. How beautiful is the Mystery of Tomorrow! ~St. Gavrilia

Wishing you a Blessed Theophany!

With love in Christ.

Happy Eve of Nativity!

Past Orthodox Christmas Postings Resource ⭐️

On the Night of Nativity ~ 7th Century Homily

This Nativity night [Christ] bestowed peace on the whole world;
So let no one threaten;
This is the night of the Most Gentle One –
Let no one be cruel;
This is the night of the Humble One –
Let no one be proud.
Now is the day of joy –
Let us not revenge;
Now is the day of Good Will –
Let us not be mean.
In this Day of Peace –
Let us not be conquered by anger.
Today the Bountiful One impoverished Himself for our sake;
So, rich one, invite the poor to your table.
Today we receive a Gift for which we did not ask;
So let us give alms to those who implore and beg us.
This Day opens the heavenly doors to our prayers;
Let us open our door to those who ask our forgiveness.
Today the Divine One took upon Himself the seal of our humanity,
In order for humanity to be adorned by the Seal of Divinity.

~ by St. Isaac the Syrian, 7th century

Parish Youth Choir sang this short Nativity piece (virtually), back in 2020. Their merry voices rang out like silver trumpets, with the lyrics from St. Isaac the Syrian’s poem above, and put to my music.

Below, our Parish Choir (2014 recording) sing the ancient Nativity Kontakion composed by 6th century St. Romanos the Melodist:

2014 Parish Recording of Megalynarion, Ode 9, & Nativity Canon

Snowflakes are Dancing Little Pine Tree My Nativity Carol

Wishing you a Blessed Nativity Feast tomorrow, and a Joyous Twelve Days of Christmas… bursting with Light and Love!

Past Theophany Posts

Holy Theophany/Epiphany Feast Day is January 19th/6th

Theophany Greetings Jan. 19, 2021

Light Jan.21, 2021

Holy Theophany Jan. 19, 2022

In the Form of a Dove Jan. 19, 2023

Cloak of Humility Jan. 25, 2025

Blessed Nativity – Flourishing 2026

Past Nativity Posts’ Resource

Feast Day January 7/December 25th

Christ is Born!

May your hearts and hearths be filled with a thriving, verdant joy these coming days, as we look ahead to the Light of our Saviour’s Nativity and His Holy Theophany.

May the Lord richly bless us throughout the year.

Glorify Him!

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