“O blessed Father Herman of Alaska,
North star of Christ’s holy Church,
The light of your holy life and great deeds
Guides those who follow the Orthodox way.
Together we lift high the Holy Cross
You planted firmly in America.
Let all behold and glorify Jesus Christ,
Singing his holy Resurrection.”

"Say the prayer fervently; struggle mightily; abstain; pray; wear simple, humble clothes; read spiritual books; get up at night and pray in order to be warmed and become as sturdy as a rock." —Elder Ephraim of Arizona

Even with a single thought we can be raised to heaven or descend to hell! How important it is to control our thought life! Video: Father Spyridon Bailey

Full video @ https://youtu.be/gXvmM3i_Eks

Having risen from sleep, we fall down before Thee, O Good One, and we cry aloud to Thee the angelic hymn, O Mighty One: Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O God; through the Theotokos, have mercy on us.

Across the northern hemisphere, Dec. 21 is the first day of winter-- and it's beautiful. #wintersolstice

He who holds the earth in the hollow of His hand now is beheld in Bethlehem wrapped in swaddling bands. We offer pre-festal hymns to His Mother, who maternally rejoices, having held to her bosom the Son of God.

Alms is not only meant to offer something material, but more valuable is to offer something spiritual. What is this spiritual charity? It's when I forgive an enemy of mine. Instead of condemning him, I am merciful, I don't blame him, I don't hate him, but I pray for him. This is the greatest charity a Christian can do. ☦️ Geronda Ephraim

Today the Virgin comes to the cave to give birth to the Eternal Word.
Hear the glad tidings and rejoice, O universe!
Glorify with the angels and the shepherds the Eternal God, who is willing to appear as a new-born child, yet is our God before all ages.

Photo: icon above the altar at the grotto of the Nativity, Bethlehem

"And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." + Luke 2:7

"Mary was of David’s seed, so she went with Joseph to register in Bethlehem. She bore in her womb the Fruit not sown by man. The time for the birth was at hand. Since there was no room at the inn, the cave became a beautiful palace for the Queen. Christ is born, raising up the image that fell of old." —Troparion, Eve of the Nativity of our Lord

Larg deschideţi poarta ("Open wide the gate to all souls....")
Romanian carol from the Holy Mountain

“For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over His kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.” —Isaiah 9:6-7

He who sits at the right hand of the Father, goes without shelter at the inn, that He may for us prepare many mansions in the house of His Heavenly Father ... He was born, not in the house of His parents, but at the inn, by the wayside, because through the Mystery of the Incarnation, He has become the Way, by which He guides us to our home. ☦️ Venerable Bede (+ 735)

Orthodox Nativity Chant “In the Dark Night", by the Monks of Svetogorskaya Lavra in Ukraine. Pray for persecuted Orthodox faithful in Ukraine and all our Orthodox brothers and sisters everywhere who are enduring many hardships.

Счастливого Рождества!
Srećan Božić
Crăciun fericit
Веселого Різдва
შობას გილოცავთ
Χαρούμενα Χριστούγεννα
Merry Christmas

"Behold a new and wondrous mystery."

"All join to praise this holy feast, beholding the Godhead here on earth, and man in heaven. He Who is above, now for our redemption dwells here below; and He that was lowly is by divine mercy raised." ☦️ St John Chrysostom

Feast of the Holy Nativity, Christ the Saviour Cathedral, Moscow

St John Chrysostom and St Theophylactus, commenting on St Matthew’s Gospel, say that the star that revealed the Nativity to the Magi "was no ordinary star. Rather, it was “a divine and angelic power that appeared in the form of a star.” St Demetrius of Rostov says it was a '"manifestation of divine energy.”

The Magi -- Melchior, Caspar, and Bathasar (Dec 25), when they entered the house where the Holy Infant lay, the Magi “fell down, and worshipped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented Him gifts: gold, and frankincense, and myrrh” (Mt. 2:11).