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
When owing to sickness, proceeding from various causes, you feel unwell and indisposed, and when in this condition your prayer is cold, heavy, filled with despondency and even despair, do not be disheartened or despairing, for the Lord knows your sick and painful condition. Struggle against your infirmity, pray as much as you have strength to, and the Lord will not despise the infirmity of your flesh and spirit.
☦️ St John of Kronstadt
☦️ St John of Kronstadt
"Rádonitsa", Day of Rejoicing, is celebrated on Tuesday of St Thomas week. Rádonitsa comes from the word "radost" (joy), brought by Jesus' Resurrection. It is a day for the faithful to gather in cemeteries to proclaim the good news of the Resurrection to the departed.
"Blessed are they whom Thou hast chosen and taken, O Lord. Their memory is from generation to generation. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Their souls shall dwell with the blessed."
"Blessed are they whom Thou hast chosen and taken, O Lord. Their memory is from generation to generation. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Their souls shall dwell with the blessed."
Did this 6th-century Irish Saint visit North America?
Our venerable and God-bearing father Brendan the Navigator also called the Voyager (May 16) was a 6th-century Irish monastic and missionary who was possibly the first Orthodox Christian to set foot on what is now Canadian soil.
The historic account of a possible trans-Atlantic voyage is disputed, based on doubts about the ability of a curragh, the sea craft on which Brendan is said to have sailed, to make such a journey. However, in 1976, Irish explorer Tim Severin built an ox leather curragh, a replica of the sort Brendan would have used. Over two summers he sailed from Ireland via the Hebrides, Faroe Islands and Iceland to Newfoundland to demonstrate that the such a voyage was feasible.
Regardless of what was the actual full extent of St Brendan’s journeys, he is the patron saint of sailors and traveller. He is considered one of the "Twelve Apostles of Ireland", said to have been tutored by the great teacher, Finnian of Clonard.
Our venerable and God-bearing father Brendan the Navigator also called the Voyager (May 16) was a 6th-century Irish monastic and missionary who was possibly the first Orthodox Christian to set foot on what is now Canadian soil.
The historic account of a possible trans-Atlantic voyage is disputed, based on doubts about the ability of a curragh, the sea craft on which Brendan is said to have sailed, to make such a journey. However, in 1976, Irish explorer Tim Severin built an ox leather curragh, a replica of the sort Brendan would have used. Over two summers he sailed from Ireland via the Hebrides, Faroe Islands and Iceland to Newfoundland to demonstrate that the such a voyage was feasible.
Regardless of what was the actual full extent of St Brendan’s journeys, he is the patron saint of sailors and traveller. He is considered one of the "Twelve Apostles of Ireland", said to have been tutored by the great teacher, Finnian of Clonard.
At the age of twenty-six, Brendan was ordained a priest and afterwards founded a number of monasteries— the first one was on the Aran Islands. He also travelled to Hinba (Argyll), an island off of Scotland, as well as Wales and finally to Brittany, on the northern coast of France.
St Brendan is a also a patron for boatmen, divers, mariner’s, whales, and portaging canoeists.
“The Divine Likeness has been perfected in thee, O holy Father Brendan, For taking up the Cross thou hast followed Christ, And by thy deeds thou hast taught us to disdain the flesh for it passes away, But to cultivate the soul for it is immortal: Wherefore, O holy father, thy spirit rejoices with the Angels.”
St Brendan is a also a patron for boatmen, divers, mariner’s, whales, and portaging canoeists.
“The Divine Likeness has been perfected in thee, O holy Father Brendan, For taking up the Cross thou hast followed Christ, And by thy deeds thou hast taught us to disdain the flesh for it passes away, But to cultivate the soul for it is immortal: Wherefore, O holy father, thy spirit rejoices with the Angels.”