"Preserve the purity of your baptismal garment and death will become your victory." Fr. Tim Alikakos
There are several Saturdays of the Soul throughout the year, the Saturday before the Sunday of the Last Judgement.
When the Memorial Service is offered, it is customary for the family of the departed to bring a dish of boiled wheat to the Church, known as koliva, as symbol of the Resurrection.
Speaking of the Resurrection, our Lord said: "Unless the grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone, but if it dies it bears much fruit." (John 12:24) O our God, be mindful of all those who have fallen asleep before us in the hope of resurrection unto life eternal.
“Grant them rest, O Lord, where the Light of Thy Countenance shines upon them."
Photo: Berlin-Tegel Russian Orthodox Cemetery
There are several Saturdays of the Soul throughout the year, the Saturday before the Sunday of the Last Judgement.
When the Memorial Service is offered, it is customary for the family of the departed to bring a dish of boiled wheat to the Church, known as koliva, as symbol of the Resurrection.
Speaking of the Resurrection, our Lord said: "Unless the grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone, but if it dies it bears much fruit." (John 12:24) O our God, be mindful of all those who have fallen asleep before us in the hope of resurrection unto life eternal.
“Grant them rest, O Lord, where the Light of Thy Countenance shines upon them."
Photo: Berlin-Tegel Russian Orthodox Cemetery
☦️ 🇷🇺 🇺🇦 🇵🇸 🇮🇱 ☦️ We do not know everything about the conflicts of this world, nor is it necessary to know. We just pray with a compassionate heart for the peace of the world and for all. We do not take sides, because each side will be responsible for crimes, and we do not want to share in these crimes and be condemned. If we pray for those who are more wrong than right, well, we perform the commandment to love even enemies. And if we pray for those who are more right than wrong, we do well. Therefore, we cannot go wrong if we pray that God save all and grant peace to the world. Especially for us, priests and monks, it is very important not to be political at all, because we offer our sacrifice to God, the Holy Liturgy, for the whole world; and if we are for some and against others, our sacrifice is annulled. I think that when there is a war, the best is not to be judgmental, but to have compassion and pray that the Lord may spare all from suffering.
If my Liturgy is to have any value, no one should be missing from my heart when I stand before the altar of God and say to Him, ‘Thine own of Thine own, we offer unto Thee, in all and for all.
—Archimandrite Zacharias Zacharou
—Archimandrite Zacharias Zacharou
But he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, "I do not know this man of whom you speak." And immediately the cock crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, "Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times." And he broke down and wept. ☦️ Mark 14:71-72
My soul, wait silently for God alone,
For my expectation is from Him.
He only is my rock and my salvation;
He is my defense;
I shall not be moved.
In God is my salvation and my glory;
The rock of my strength,
And my refuge, is in God.
Trust in Him at all times, you people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us.
Psalm 61:5-8
For my expectation is from Him.
He only is my rock and my salvation;
He is my defense;
I shall not be moved.
In God is my salvation and my glory;
The rock of my strength,
And my refuge, is in God.
Trust in Him at all times, you people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us.
Psalm 61:5-8
Who will honour these women today?
Worthy of daily honour and devotion is the Virgin Mary Mother of Our Lord and God, Jesus Christ.
We also honour the women whose faithfulness nurtured and helped grow the Church:
+Saint Helena, who converted the Roman Empire by her son Constantine
+Saint Empress Theodora, who ruled the Byzantine Empire
+Saint Nino who converted an entire country, Georgia
+Saint Queen Tamar and the faithful queens of Georgia
+Saint Olga who converted Russia to Christianity by her grandson, St. Vladimir of Kiev
Worthy of daily honour and devotion is the Virgin Mary Mother of Our Lord and God, Jesus Christ.
We also honour the women whose faithfulness nurtured and helped grow the Church:
+Saint Helena, who converted the Roman Empire by her son Constantine
+Saint Empress Theodora, who ruled the Byzantine Empire
+Saint Nino who converted an entire country, Georgia
+Saint Queen Tamar and the faithful queens of Georgia
+Saint Olga who converted Russia to Christianity by her grandson, St. Vladimir of Kiev