Humility of Heart

Greetings on the Afterfeast of The Ascension!

Christ Has Ascended! In Glory… From Earth to Heaven!

The heart gives life to the body, and humility gives life to the soul. ~ Elder Porphyrios

All my happiness and unhappiness are contained in the thoughts and inclinations of my heart. ~ St. John of Kronstadt

If you are a Christian, then you do not believe that your life is an accident, a meaningless, purposeless, random peak of a cosmic probability wave. You know that your purpose is to become the Body of Christ. You know that your life is a sacrament, not unlike the Eucharist.  Grains of wheat grow from the earth, shaped and fashioned through much labour to be offered to God and to become His Body. Likewise a human life: taken from the earth, shaped and fashioned through much labour to become an offering to God and His Body. And just as there are differences between different liturgical traditions, different people found different ways to live their lives as a sacred offering to God. Perhaps it is less important whether you sing psalms in the shower or not, recite the Lord’s Prayer three times a day or five – what is important is that you live your life as a sacrament, as an icon, and not as a caricature. ~ Fr. Sergei Sveshnikov

Admiring the bleeding hearts in our garden patio, and accompanied with joyful birdsong, an old and precious Childhood “Thank You” Prayer came to mind… attributed to Edith Rutter-Leatham from the late 1800’s. May God rest her soul! So many toddlers (myself included) have been inspired to learn how to pray simply, and with gratitude.

Thank you for the world so sweet,
Thank you for the food we eat,
Thank you for the birds that sing,
Thank you God for everything.
Amen.

Thank YOU for visiting Blisswood!

Soon, we arrive at the wondrous Great Feast of Holy Pentecost!

With love in Christ.

Past Pentecost Posts

Parish’s Old Chapel at the Great Feast of Pentecost, circa 2002.

Blessed Feast!

Greetings on tomorrow’s Great Feast of Pentecost, the 50th day after Pascha, and the Church’s Birthday!

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, Amen!

I’ve noticed over the years, that on Pentecost, and the following day (Holy Spirit Day), it seems breezier than usual outside. The trees, flowers and grasses sway and dance in the gentle winds. The Breath of the Holy Spirit, the Giver of Life, tangibly encircles all. At Pentecost, the sun shines brighter. More golden. Today the birds sing sweeter, and a wordless song of gratitude bubbles up from within, like a silver fountain of shining joy.

Greetings on Pentecost

Pentecost Greetings

Pentecost! The Earth’s Name’s Day!

Pentecost Rose & Traditions (and how to make…)

Mosaic of Life

Day of the Holy Spirit

Happy Holy Spirit Day

I Believe

Happy 3rd Day of the Holy Spirit!

Blessed art Thou, Christ our God, Who hast shown forth the fishermen as supremely wise, by sending down upon them the Holy Spirit, and through them, didst draw the world into Thy net. O Lover of mankind, glory be to Thee. ~ Troparion of Pentecost

O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things, Treasury of good things, and Giver of life: come and take up Thine abode in us, and cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O Good One! ~ Trisagion Prayers

The Lord grant thee according to thy heart, and all thy purposes fulfill. ~ From 2nd Antiphon at Pentecost

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