“Difficult times are our lot, but we Christians must choose the Cross. Christ has placed us on His sleigh, and he will take us where He will.”
+St Matrona, the Righteous Wonderworker of Moscow
St Matrona led an ascetic life on her bed of pain. She fasted constantly, slept little, her head resting on her chest. Her forehead was dented from making innumerable signs of the Cross that she made. People from afar, of all ages and conditions, thronged around her to seek her wisdom and her prayers.
St Matrona fell asleep in the Lord in 1952 (April 19/May 2). Miracles continue at her tomb at the women’s monastery of the Protecting Veil of the Mother of God
+St Matrona, the Righteous Wonderworker of Moscow
St Matrona led an ascetic life on her bed of pain. She fasted constantly, slept little, her head resting on her chest. Her forehead was dented from making innumerable signs of the Cross that she made. People from afar, of all ages and conditions, thronged around her to seek her wisdom and her prayers.
St Matrona fell asleep in the Lord in 1952 (April 19/May 2). Miracles continue at her tomb at the women’s monastery of the Protecting Veil of the Mother of God
St Luke, Archbishop of Crimea takes us to the scene of “the most horrible of all crimes ever committed on the earth.”
"It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon" (Luke 23:44).
The terrified sun due to what the killers did, killing the Son of God on earth, hid its rays, so that no one would see the most horrible of all the crimes ever committed on earth. Out of fear and trembling, the accursed lips of those who killed the Savior of the world, who had just mocked Him, said: “He saved others, but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. (Matthew 27, 42).
The time has come for the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ to reach its peak. Do you know why the others who were executed on the cross hung on it for days until they died while our Lord died much faster, in just six hours? Did you know that too much pain, which lasts a long time, just this can only cause death?
"It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon" (Luke 23:44).
The terrified sun due to what the killers did, killing the Son of God on earth, hid its rays, so that no one would see the most horrible of all the crimes ever committed on earth. Out of fear and trembling, the accursed lips of those who killed the Savior of the world, who had just mocked Him, said: “He saved others, but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. (Matthew 27, 42).
The time has come for the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ to reach its peak. Do you know why the others who were executed on the cross hung on it for days until they died while our Lord died much faster, in just six hours? Did you know that too much pain, which lasts a long time, just this can only cause death?
This is exactly what happened to the Lord Jesus Christ. His torment and suffering were horrible because He was overwhelmed by such an unimaginably great burden of our sins of the whole world, for which He voluntarily sacrificed and redeemed them with His untainted Blood.
The only power that remained in Him was only to say His last words: "I am thirsty" (John 19:28). "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit" (Luke 23 46). The earth shook and the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the unfaithful people, who did not accept the Messiah, left, beating their breasts. What did these foolish fanatics think, who had just cried out to Pilate, "Crucify him, crucify him" (Luke 23:21). "His blood is on us and on our children!" (Matt. 27:25). Have they understood that Satan himself was shouting these terrible words with their mouth?
The same people just before the ceremony solemnly welcomed the Lord Jesus Christ, laying their garments on the street and holding palm branches in their hands and shouting, "Hosanna, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, blessed is the king of Israel!" (John 12:13). This thing is very terrible, it shows how deep the evil spirit can enter the human heart.
But let us leave the foolish fanaticism of the enemies of Christ, who considered it a great sin and the abolition of the Mosaic Law to cure on Sabbath the paralyzed, the sick, those that are heavily ill, the demon-possessed, and the blind. Let us think that another kind of fanaticism has existed in the history of the human race. Let us remember how many imaginary heretics died in the flames of the holy test in Spain. Let us remember the night of St. Bartholomew during which many French Protestants were slaughtered because of their heterodox. Let us remember the rivers of blood shed during the war, when Christians fought against other Christians for 30 whole years.
The only power that remained in Him was only to say His last words: "I am thirsty" (John 19:28). "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit" (Luke 23 46). The earth shook and the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the unfaithful people, who did not accept the Messiah, left, beating their breasts. What did these foolish fanatics think, who had just cried out to Pilate, "Crucify him, crucify him" (Luke 23:21). "His blood is on us and on our children!" (Matt. 27:25). Have they understood that Satan himself was shouting these terrible words with their mouth?
The same people just before the ceremony solemnly welcomed the Lord Jesus Christ, laying their garments on the street and holding palm branches in their hands and shouting, "Hosanna, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, blessed is the king of Israel!" (John 12:13). This thing is very terrible, it shows how deep the evil spirit can enter the human heart.
But let us leave the foolish fanaticism of the enemies of Christ, who considered it a great sin and the abolition of the Mosaic Law to cure on Sabbath the paralyzed, the sick, those that are heavily ill, the demon-possessed, and the blind. Let us think that another kind of fanaticism has existed in the history of the human race. Let us remember how many imaginary heretics died in the flames of the holy test in Spain. Let us remember the night of St. Bartholomew during which many French Protestants were slaughtered because of their heterodox. Let us remember the rivers of blood shed during the war, when Christians fought against other Christians for 30 whole years.
But let's look around. We see that there are so many not heterodox but people who do not believe in Christ at all. There are also many about whom the apostle Paul said: "Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? ” (Heb. 10: 28-29).
There is nothing we can do to help these unfortunate people. We are only a small flock of Christ and we never forget the tremendous words of our Savior: "Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18: 8). We are all standing before the Epitaph now. During this tremendous moment, Jesus body, the Sacrifice, is taken down from the Cross, which was performed for our sins and the whole world's sin. We see in the Epitaph His dead body full of open wounds. Let this tremendous spectacle cause the love of the Son of God to burn in our hearts, Who suffered so much from the people whom He came to save, but they did not accept Him.
Come all faithful children of Christ to worship the Epitaph, to kiss it with our lips, to touch it with our hearts and to wet it with our tears. Amen".
There is nothing we can do to help these unfortunate people. We are only a small flock of Christ and we never forget the tremendous words of our Savior: "Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18: 8). We are all standing before the Epitaph now. During this tremendous moment, Jesus body, the Sacrifice, is taken down from the Cross, which was performed for our sins and the whole world's sin. We see in the Epitaph His dead body full of open wounds. Let this tremendous spectacle cause the love of the Son of God to burn in our hearts, Who suffered so much from the people whom He came to save, but they did not accept Him.
Come all faithful children of Christ to worship the Epitaph, to kiss it with our lips, to touch it with our hearts and to wet it with our tears. Amen".
At 2:14 pm Jerusalem Time on Holy Saturday 2024, the Holy Fire descended in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.
It appeared in the edicule (the small chapel built over the burial place of Christ) about five minutes after the Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III, entered there, as is the custom, to patiently pray and wait.
https://www.youtube.com/live/q9TB71HVrfI?si=bvCNMxQGFaE3asXd
It appeared in the edicule (the small chapel built over the burial place of Christ) about five minutes after the Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III, entered there, as is the custom, to patiently pray and wait.
https://www.youtube.com/live/q9TB71HVrfI?si=bvCNMxQGFaE3asXd
YouTube
Live Jerusalem, Holy Light from From Church of Resurrection and Holy Sepulcher, Jerusalem
By Thine own Blood, O Savior, Thou hast ransomed mortal men, and by Thy death Thou hast delivered us from bitter death, granting us eternal life by Thy Resurrection. Give rest, then, O Lord, to all those who have fallen asleep in godliness, whether in wilderness or city, on the sea or land, in every place, both princes, priests and bishops, monks and married people, of every age and line, and count them worthy of Thy heavenly Kingdom.
(from a Vespers Hymn for the Saturday of Souls)
Miniature church at Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery, Rossburn, Manitoba, Canada
(from a Vespers Hymn for the Saturday of Souls)
Miniature church at Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery, Rossburn, Manitoba, Canada
Though locked away in a tower so that she wouldn't be exposed to Christianity, the Great Virgin Martyr and Equal to the Apostles, Irene (May 5) was led to the faith by her personal tutor. Her zeal and suffering converted thousands, including her own father, a governor who tried to have her killed for her faith in Christ. He would himself come to the faith by her prayers. Even after being beheaded, St Irene continued preaching Christ— having been raised up by an angel. A local king, seeing her alive and hearing her preach, was baptized with many of his subjects.
Resurrection Day! O peoples, let us brilliantly shine! * Pascha, the Lord's Pascha! * For Christ our God has out of death * passed us over into life, * and likewise from earth * to heaven, as we now sing * unto Him a triumphal hymn.
Χριστὸς ἀνέστη ἐκ νεκρῶν...
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
Χριστὸς ἀνέστη ἐκ νεκρῶν...
Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
The Holy Light comes on Saturday at a quarter past one. The Holy Light does not represent the Resurrection for us on earth, but the descent into hell, that the prophecy of Isaiah had to be fulfilled: "Those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, light will shine upon you; those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, great light will come upon you."
On Saturday, the Saviour was in hell with his soul. With us, when he rose at midnight, he rose with all his body, Sunday, but with them he was only with his soul and took them out.
—Elder Cleopa of Sihastria Monastery
On Saturday, the Saviour was in hell with his soul. With us, when he rose at midnight, he rose with all his body, Sunday, but with them he was only with his soul and took them out.
—Elder Cleopa of Sihastria Monastery
The Precious Cross appeared in the sky over Jerusalem on the morning of May 7, 351 during the reign of the emperor Constantius, the son of Saint Constantine.
The historian Sozomen says that this wondrous sign, which lasted for a whole week, led to the conversion of multitudes of pagans and Jews to Christianity. At a time when the turmoil brought on by the Arian heresy was still raging, the appearance of the cross strengthened the Orthodox faithful and contributed to the return of many Arians to the Church.
The appearance of the Precious Cross is also a reminder to us of the glorious Second Coming of Christ, when “the sign of the Son of man shall appear in heaven (Matthew 24:30).
Photo: Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, Phuket, Thailand
The historian Sozomen says that this wondrous sign, which lasted for a whole week, led to the conversion of multitudes of pagans and Jews to Christianity. At a time when the turmoil brought on by the Arian heresy was still raging, the appearance of the cross strengthened the Orthodox faithful and contributed to the return of many Arians to the Church.
The appearance of the Precious Cross is also a reminder to us of the glorious Second Coming of Christ, when “the sign of the Son of man shall appear in heaven (Matthew 24:30).
Photo: Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, Phuket, Thailand
When the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian was more than one hundred years old, "he took seven of his disciples and went to a spot outside the city of Ephesus. There he told them to dig a grave in the form of a cross. Then he climbed into the grave and told his disciples to cover him with earth. Later, the grave was opened and the saint’s body was not there. Each year on May 8 (May 21) a red dust would arise from the grave which the faithful collected in order to be healed of their illnesses.
Although the main Feast of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian is on Sept 26 (Oct 9), the Church commemorates the Apostle on this day to mark the annual pilgrimage to his grave.
oca.org/readings/daily/2020/05/08/2
Although the main Feast of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian is on Sept 26 (Oct 9), the Church commemorates the Apostle on this day to mark the annual pilgrimage to his grave.
oca.org/readings/daily/2020/05/08/2
“Behold, the Virgin shall conceive in her womb.”
The wonderworking Prophet-Evangelist-Martyr Isaiah (May 9/ May 22) foretold in remarkable detail the coming of the Messiah and His birth from a Virgin. St Isaiah described Christ as both God and Man, and One “wounded for our sins and tortured for our transgressions.”
St Isaiah also describes Christ as teacher of all the nations and founder of the Kingdom of God. He foresees Christ’s Resurrection and the universal spreading of His Church.
Icon of Holy Prophet Isaiah with the Most Holy Theotokos, Sinai, 13th century
The wonderworking Prophet-Evangelist-Martyr Isaiah (May 9/ May 22) foretold in remarkable detail the coming of the Messiah and His birth from a Virgin. St Isaiah described Christ as both God and Man, and One “wounded for our sins and tortured for our transgressions.”
St Isaiah also describes Christ as teacher of all the nations and founder of the Kingdom of God. He foresees Christ’s Resurrection and the universal spreading of His Church.
Icon of Holy Prophet Isaiah with the Most Holy Theotokos, Sinai, 13th century
Antipascha: St Thomas Sunday (Second Sunday of Pascha)
Then [Christ] said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” + John 20:27-28
The Holy and Glorious Apostle Thomas did not want to be found guilty of careless belief. He did not want to believe an apparition, and our Lord understood this. When St Thomas touched the Life-giving side of the Lord, he no longer had any doubts.
Icons named “The Doubting Thomas” are incorrectly titled. The correct inscription is “The Touching of Thomas” or “The Belief of Thomas.”
By the intercessions of Thine Holy Apostle Thomas, O Christ our Lord and our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Icon from the altar of the Church of the Nativity of St John the Baptist (Chesmenskaya), St Petersburg, Russia
Then [Christ] said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” + John 20:27-28
The Holy and Glorious Apostle Thomas did not want to be found guilty of careless belief. He did not want to believe an apparition, and our Lord understood this. When St Thomas touched the Life-giving side of the Lord, he no longer had any doubts.
Icons named “The Doubting Thomas” are incorrectly titled. The correct inscription is “The Touching of Thomas” or “The Belief of Thomas.”
By the intercessions of Thine Holy Apostle Thomas, O Christ our Lord and our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Icon from the altar of the Church of the Nativity of St John the Baptist (Chesmenskaya), St Petersburg, Russia