Eighteen Orthodox priests and a deacon, most of them Serbs, participated in this unforgettable service. Like the sick man who had been lowered through the roof of a house and placed in front of the feet of Christ the Savior, the Greek Archimandrite Meletios was carried on a stretcher into the chapel, where he remained prostrate throughout the service.
The priests who participated in the 1945 Dachau Easter service are commemorated at every Divine Service held in the Dachau Russian Orthodox Memorial Chapel, along with all Orthodox Christians who lost their lives ‘at this place, or at another place of torture.’
Within the Dachau Resurrection Chapel is a large icon depicting angels opening the gates of the Dachau concentration camp and Christ Himself leading the prisoners to freedom.
Should you ever come to Germany, be sure to visit our Russian chapel at Dachau and pray for all those who died ‘at this place, or at another place of torture.’”
— from “In Communion”, Pascha/ Spring 2011 (Issue 60)
The priests who participated in the 1945 Dachau Easter service are commemorated at every Divine Service held in the Dachau Russian Orthodox Memorial Chapel, along with all Orthodox Christians who lost their lives ‘at this place, or at another place of torture.’
Within the Dachau Resurrection Chapel is a large icon depicting angels opening the gates of the Dachau concentration camp and Christ Himself leading the prisoners to freedom.
Should you ever come to Germany, be sure to visit our Russian chapel at Dachau and pray for all those who died ‘at this place, or at another place of torture.’”
— from “In Communion”, Pascha/ Spring 2011 (Issue 60)
Watch live streams of the Holy Fire service at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre at 1pm Jerusalem/ 6am ET in N. America on Holy Saturday: www.tv4e.gr/livestreaming.php and at facebook.com/JerusalemPatriarchate/
"God never abandons a soul that puts its trust in Him, even though it is overpowered by temptations, for He is aware of all weaknesses. A man knows the weight that can be placed on the back of an ass, a mule or a camel, and burdens each beast with as much as it can carry; the potter knows how long he must keep his clay in the fire, for if he exposes it too long to the flames, the pot will crack, and if he does not bake it long enough, it will not be fit for use. Now if a man has judgment as precise as this, how infinitely greater is the wisdom of God in judging the degree of temptation which a soul is able to bear?"
☦️ St. Nilus of Sora
☦️ St. Nilus of Sora
There are five marks of the Church: one, holy, Catholic, apostolic — and persecuted.
Pray for the canonical church in Ukraine, for her peace and protection during this Holy Week.
In recent months, an escalation of persecution by the anti-Christian, anti-Orthodox government of Ukraine has resulted in the arrests, imprisonment, and house arrest of hundreds of metropolitans, bishops and priests. Their “crime” is their refusal to obey the political institution called "Orthodox Church of Ukraine.”
The persecution — beatings, killings, temple takeovers and sometimes their outright destruction — is reminiscent of the brutality of Soviet times. And again, most of the world turns a blind eye to the plight of the faithful.
Pray for Metropolitans Onufry, Pavel, Longin, Jonathan, Bishop Agathangelo, and all priests, monks, nuns, and faithful Orthodox lay people, many of whose beloved temples and monasteries have been illegally confiscated with the encouragement of local authorities and the Kyiv regime.
Pray for the canonical church in Ukraine, for her peace and protection during this Holy Week.
In recent months, an escalation of persecution by the anti-Christian, anti-Orthodox government of Ukraine has resulted in the arrests, imprisonment, and house arrest of hundreds of metropolitans, bishops and priests. Their “crime” is their refusal to obey the political institution called "Orthodox Church of Ukraine.”
The persecution — beatings, killings, temple takeovers and sometimes their outright destruction — is reminiscent of the brutality of Soviet times. And again, most of the world turns a blind eye to the plight of the faithful.
Pray for Metropolitans Onufry, Pavel, Longin, Jonathan, Bishop Agathangelo, and all priests, monks, nuns, and faithful Orthodox lay people, many of whose beloved temples and monasteries have been illegally confiscated with the encouragement of local authorities and the Kyiv regime.
Lord, have mercy! Grant protection and give courage to the persecuted faithful of Ukraine!
Hieromartyr St Simeon, the Kinsman of the Lord (April/ 27/ May 10), one of the Apostles of the 70 and second Bishop of Jerusalem, is hymned as one who guided his flock "to the heavenly sheepfold" and for the sake of Christ, "crucified, imitating His passion."
The Apostle and Hieromartyr Simeon (Symeon) was a first cousin of our Lord Jesus Christ. He was the son of Clopas (or Cleopas, also called Alphaeus), the brother of Joseph the Betrothed. At 100 years of age, he was seized by pagans and, after prolonged torture, crucified.
The Apostle and Hieromartyr Simeon (Symeon) was a first cousin of our Lord Jesus Christ. He was the son of Clopas (or Cleopas, also called Alphaeus), the brother of Joseph the Betrothed. At 100 years of age, he was seized by pagans and, after prolonged torture, crucified.
Passion Week: Holy and Great Monday. The cursing of the fig tree. “Let no fruit grow on you ever again.” Immediately the fig tree withered away. Matthew 21:19b
The Lord rebukes, the Lord encourages.
The "parable of the Fig tree which had leaves but was barren of any fruit. With this image, the Lord is rebuking those around Him who adorned themselves with the greenery of external piety but were devoid of inner virtue, as well as those who throughout history, had become slaves to the law and had not borne the fruit of the spirit....
By cursing the barren fig tree, the Lord is not simply revealing his Divine power, but encouraging us to persevere in faithful prayer, for He says, Whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. And so we must, first of all, enter into this coming week with a prayerful heart and a pure mind. If we can do this, even in a small measure, we shall receive the grace of God in abundance."
The Lord rebukes, the Lord encourages.
The "parable of the Fig tree which had leaves but was barren of any fruit. With this image, the Lord is rebuking those around Him who adorned themselves with the greenery of external piety but were devoid of inner virtue, as well as those who throughout history, had become slaves to the law and had not borne the fruit of the spirit....
By cursing the barren fig tree, the Lord is not simply revealing his Divine power, but encouraging us to persevere in faithful prayer, for He says, Whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. And so we must, first of all, enter into this coming week with a prayerful heart and a pure mind. If we can do this, even in a small measure, we shall receive the grace of God in abundance."
Homily delivered at the Bridegroom Matins Service at the Chapel of Saint Sergius of Radonezh, April 13, 2014
https://oca.org/holy-synod/statements/his-beatitude-metropolitan-tikhon/the-barren-fig-tree
https://oca.org/holy-synod/statements/his-beatitude-metropolitan-tikhon/the-barren-fig-tree
Beginning on the evening of Palm Sunday and continuing through the evening of Holy Tuesday, the Orthodox Church observes a special service known as the Service of the Bridegroom. Each evening service is the Matins or Orthros service of the following day (e.g. the service held on Sunday evening is the Orthros service for Holy Monday).
Traditionally, the icon of Christ the Bridegroom (Gr: O Nymphios/Ο Νυμφίος) is brought to the front of the church on Palm Sunday evening, where it remains until Holy Thursday. In the icon, Christ's wedding garment is the robe the soldiers gave Him. His wedding crown is the crown of thorns. His head is bowed low and his arms are crossed in humility, laying down His life for His Bride. The wedding will be His Crucifixion on the Cross just behind Him. We are invited guests to the wedding. This is a week for us to prepare.
Traditionally, the icon of Christ the Bridegroom (Gr: O Nymphios/Ο Νυμφίος) is brought to the front of the church on Palm Sunday evening, where it remains until Holy Thursday. In the icon, Christ's wedding garment is the robe the soldiers gave Him. His wedding crown is the crown of thorns. His head is bowed low and his arms are crossed in humility, laying down His life for His Bride. The wedding will be His Crucifixion on the Cross just behind Him. We are invited guests to the wedding. This is a week for us to prepare.
"Behold, the Bridegroom comes in the middle of the night,
And blessed is the servant He shall find vigilant;
But unworthy is he whom he shall find neglectful.
Beware therefore, O my soul, lest you be weighed down by sleep,
Lest you be given over to death and be closed out from the kingdom;
But rise up crying out: 'Holy! Holy! Holy are You our God;
Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, have mercy on us.'”
(Troparion of the Bridegroom Service)
And blessed is the servant He shall find vigilant;
But unworthy is he whom he shall find neglectful.
Beware therefore, O my soul, lest you be weighed down by sleep,
Lest you be given over to death and be closed out from the kingdom;
But rise up crying out: 'Holy! Holy! Holy are You our God;
Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, have mercy on us.'”
(Troparion of the Bridegroom Service)
On Great and Holy Monday, we remember Christ's divine power and God's judgment symbolized in Christ’s cursing of the fig tree. The tree portrayed the Jewish synagogue, which had not produced the fruit of faithful obedience to God and so was stripped of all spiritual grace. (Matthew 21: 18-20).
Also, on Great and Holy Monday the we commemorate Joseph the Patriarch, the beloved son of Jacob, betrayed by his brothers and sold to foreigners for thirty pieces of silver. In the Old Testament story (Genesis 37, 39, 41), Joseph typifies in himself the betrayal, Passion, death and glorification of out Lord Jesus Christ.
Also, on Great and Holy Monday the we commemorate Joseph the Patriarch, the beloved son of Jacob, betrayed by his brothers and sold to foreigners for thirty pieces of silver. In the Old Testament story (Genesis 37, 39, 41), Joseph typifies in himself the betrayal, Passion, death and glorification of out Lord Jesus Christ.
"Armed with the power of the Spirit" the Holy Apostle James (April 30/May 13) brother of St John the Theologian, "preached Christ to all" (from the Troparion). James, the brother St John the Theologian, was the first of the Apostles to receive the crown of martyrdom. His beheading at Jerusalem in the year 44 was based on the false witness of his accusers.
With the Apostle Peter and John, his brother, the Apostle James witnessed the Raising of the Daughter of Jairus, the Lord’s Transfiguration on Mount Tabor, and His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Most praised James, ask remission of sins and great mercy for those who sing hymns to you.
With the Apostle Peter and John, his brother, the Apostle James witnessed the Raising of the Daughter of Jairus, the Lord’s Transfiguration on Mount Tabor, and His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Most praised James, ask remission of sins and great mercy for those who sing hymns to you.
He is sold, and very cheap, for it is only for thirty pieces of silver; but He redeems the world, and that at a great price, for the price was His own blood. As a sheep He is led to the slaughter, but He is the shepherd of Israel, and now of the whole world also. As a lamb He is silent, yet He is the is bruised and wounded, but He heals every discase and every infirmity. He is lifted up and nailed to the tree, but by the tree of ife He restores us; indeed, He saves even the robber crucified with Him, indeed He wrapped the visible world in darkness. He is given vinegar to drink mingled with gall. Who? He who turned water into wine, who is the destroyer of the bitter Word, and is proclaimed by the voice of one crying in the wilderness. He is bruised and wounded, but He heals every disease and every infirmity.
He is lifted up and nailed to the tree, but by the tree of life He restores us; indeed, He saves even the robber crucified with Him, indeed He wrapped the visible world in darkness. He is given vinegar to drink mingled with gall. Who? He who turned water into wine, who is the destroyer of the bitter taste, Who is sweetness and altogether desired. He lays down His life, but He has power to take it again ...He dies, but He gives life, and by His death destroys death. He is buried but He rises again; He goes down into hell, but He brings up the souls.
☦️ St. Gregory of Nazianzus. Third Theological Oration, 20. B#7.
☦️ St. Gregory of Nazianzus. Third Theological Oration, 20. B#7.
Why are you lazy, my pitiful soul? Why are you thinking about unprofitable cares at such a time? Why are you busy with things that pass away? The final hour is at hand and we shall soon be parted from all that is here. While you still have time, get sober and cry, “I have sinned against You, my Saviour. Do not cut me down like that unfruitful fig tree; but, since You are compassionate, O Christ, take pity on me as I cry out with fear: Let us not be left out of the wedding hall of Christ.” —Oikos from the Bridegroom Service
Image by Vladimir Zanoga. Skvoz veka, 1992
Image by Vladimir Zanoga. Skvoz veka, 1992
More than the harlot have I transgressed, and yet no torrents of tears have I offered You, O Good One. But praying in silence, I fall before You, and with longing I kiss Your immaculate feet, so that You, as Master, will grant forgiveness of trespasses to me who cry out to You, O Savior: From the mire of my sinful burdens deliver me. ~~Kontakion, Bridegroom Service