In 1895, the New York Times published an article on a "Damascus Preacher" a "Minister for Syrians," a rapidly growing Christian "colony" in America. Father Raphael would later become the first Orthodox Bishop consecrated in North America and our father among the saints, Raphael of Brooklyn (Feb 27/ Mar 11).
No less than thirty North American parishes --from Montreal to Mexico City-- were established by him, a sign of St. Raphael's dedication, missionary zeal, and love and a miraculous accomplishment. As one nun declared, "Who can do what he did?"
"Father to orphans, and Friend of the poor, Peacemaker and Good Shepherd, Joy of all the Orthodox, Son of Antioch, Boast of America: Intercede with Christ God for us and for all who honor thee." (Troparion, Tone 3)
No less than thirty North American parishes --from Montreal to Mexico City-- were established by him, a sign of St. Raphael's dedication, missionary zeal, and love and a miraculous accomplishment. As one nun declared, "Who can do what he did?"
"Father to orphans, and Friend of the poor, Peacemaker and Good Shepherd, Joy of all the Orthodox, Son of Antioch, Boast of America: Intercede with Christ God for us and for all who honor thee." (Troparion, Tone 3)
The last recorded words of our father among the saints David of Wales ("Dewi Sant" in Welsh) were "Be steadfast, brothers, and do the little things." St David of Wales (Mar 1/ Mar 14)
When his mother, St. Nonna (Mar 3/Mar 16), while pregnant with the future saint, entered the church to listen to a sermon, "the priest then lost his speech for a while. This was understood as a sign from the Lord that the infant in Nonna's womb was to surpass all teachers of faith in Wales and to become the spiritual father of the Welsh nation." orthochristian.com/69157.html
St David indeed "became renowned as a teacher and preacher, founding monasteries in Britain and Brittany. "The Monastic Rule of David prescribed that monks had to pull the plow themselves without draught animals; to drink only water; to eat only bread with salt and herbs; and to spend the evenings in prayer, reading and writing. No personal possessions were allowed: to say 'my book' was an offence." orthodoxwiki.org/David_of_Wales
When his mother, St. Nonna (Mar 3/Mar 16), while pregnant with the future saint, entered the church to listen to a sermon, "the priest then lost his speech for a while. This was understood as a sign from the Lord that the infant in Nonna's womb was to surpass all teachers of faith in Wales and to become the spiritual father of the Welsh nation." orthochristian.com/69157.html
St David indeed "became renowned as a teacher and preacher, founding monasteries in Britain and Brittany. "The Monastic Rule of David prescribed that monks had to pull the plow themselves without draught animals; to drink only water; to eat only bread with salt and herbs; and to spend the evenings in prayer, reading and writing. No personal possessions were allowed: to say 'my book' was an offence." orthodoxwiki.org/David_of_Wales
+ "Be joyful, brothers and sisters, keep the holy faith and do your little good works"
+ "Always rejoice and be in the faith. Do the same little deeds that I did: you yourselves saw them and heard of them. I am following the path which our fathers walked before us."
+Our father among the saints, David of Wales (Mar 1/ Mar 14)
+ "Always rejoice and be in the faith. Do the same little deeds that I did: you yourselves saw them and heard of them. I am following the path which our fathers walked before us."
+Our father among the saints, David of Wales (Mar 1/ Mar 14)
How shall I, who am unworthy, enter into the splendor of Your saints? If I should dare to enter into the bridal chamber, my vesture will condemn me, since it is not a wedding garment; and being bound up, I shall be cast out by the angels. Cleanse, O Lord, the filth of my soul, and save me, as You are the one Who loves mankind. In Your love, Lord, cleanse my soul, and save me.
Take away from me Thy scourges; for from the strength of Thy hand I have fainted. With reprovings for iniquity hast Thou chastened man, and hast made his life to melt away like a spider's web; nay, in vain doth every man disquiet himself. Hearken unto my prayer, O Lord, and unto my supplication; give ear unto my tears. Be not silent, for I am a sojourner with Thee, and a stranger, as were all my fathers. Spare me, that I may be refreshed before I go hence, and be no more.
Kathisma 6, Psalm 38:10-13, Monday Vespers
Image: The Hill of Crosses in Lithuania
Kathisma 6, Psalm 38:10-13, Monday Vespers
Image: The Hill of Crosses in Lithuania
Make me the habitation of Thy Spirit alone, And no longer a habitation of sin, That as Thy house from the entry of communion Every evil spirit and passion may flee from me like fire. +St. Symeon the Translator
The Great Fast has begun. Fasting is about more than abstaining from certain foods. Let us also
"Fast from criticism, feast on praise.
Fast from self-pity, feast on joy.
Fast from ill-temper, feast on peace.
Fast from resentment, feast on contentment.
Fast from jealousy, feast on humility.
Fast from selfishness, feast on service.
Fast from fear, feast on faith.
Fast from bitterness, feast on forgiveness.
Fast from discontent, feast on gratitude."
Fr John Bakas
"Fast from criticism, feast on praise.
Fast from self-pity, feast on joy.
Fast from ill-temper, feast on peace.
Fast from resentment, feast on contentment.
Fast from jealousy, feast on humility.
Fast from selfishness, feast on service.
Fast from fear, feast on faith.
Fast from bitterness, feast on forgiveness.
Fast from discontent, feast on gratitude."
Fr John Bakas
Saint Patrick, the Apostle of the Irish, (Mar 17) was seized from his native Britain by Irish marauders when he was sixteen years old. Though the son of a deacon and a grandson of a priest, it was not until his captivity that he sought out the Lord with his whole heart.
When he came to Ireland as its enlightener, it was a pagan country; when he ended his earthly life some thirty years later, about 461, the Faith of Christ was established in every corner.
When he came to Ireland as its enlightener, it was a pagan country; when he ended his earthly life some thirty years later, about 461, the Faith of Christ was established in every corner.
Glory to Thee for Thy mercies, seen and unseen
Glory to Thee through every sigh of my sorrow
Glory to Thee for every step of my life’s journey
For every moment of glory
Glory to Thee, O God, from age to age
—from the "Akathist of Thanksgiving” ("Glory to God for All Things"), composed by Protopresbyter Gregory Petrov shortly before his death in a prison camp in 1940
Glory to Thee through every sigh of my sorrow
Glory to Thee for every step of my life’s journey
For every moment of glory
Glory to Thee, O God, from age to age
—from the "Akathist of Thanksgiving” ("Glory to God for All Things"), composed by Protopresbyter Gregory Petrov shortly before his death in a prison camp in 1940
Beware of the praise of others. It could be a demon speaking! Fr. Kosta Kaltsidis tells a story on humility from the life of a modern saint, St Iakovos (Tsalikis) of Evia. https://youtu.be/g4jdsjOKLqs?t=312
YouTube
Homily - Forgiveness Sunday 2021
"Christ wants people who will bother Him!" The prayers of Lent are the prayers of prodigals-- us. And it's not enough to pray at home.
Be a bothersome prodigal! Do not relent during Lent. Think of those who left home and became a bother. Remember the widow who bothered the unrighteous judge. Even he, being self-serving, listened to her pleas. Think of the Canaanite woman who bothered Christ. Remember also Jacob, who wrestled with God.
VIDEO: https://youtu.be/Jix6yWlvUJI?t=19
Be a bothersome prodigal! Do not relent during Lent. Think of those who left home and became a bother. Remember the widow who bothered the unrighteous judge. Even he, being self-serving, listened to her pleas. Think of the Canaanite woman who bothered Christ. Remember also Jacob, who wrestled with God.
VIDEO: https://youtu.be/Jix6yWlvUJI?t=19
“Now therefore, listen to me, my children, for blessed are those who keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise, and do not disdain it. Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the Lord;" Proverbs 8:32-35
Basilica of St. George's Cathedral, Veliky Novgorod
Basilica of St. George's Cathedral, Veliky Novgorod
Orthodox Preaching With No Sugar Coating
Even though virus fears have caused authorities to restrict the Holy Liturgy and other services in many places, we are still able to receive Holy Communion yet, we don't go. "We not only ignore God but we reject Him", thinking that somehow our self-made "cheap knockoff" Christianity entitles us to heaven. https://youtu.be/8tADWKy-eVk?t=77
Even though virus fears have caused authorities to restrict the Holy Liturgy and other services in many places, we are still able to receive Holy Communion yet, we don't go. "We not only ignore God but we reject Him", thinking that somehow our self-made "cheap knockoff" Christianity entitles us to heaven. https://youtu.be/8tADWKy-eVk?t=77
YouTube
Heartbreaking: We are called to receive God but we do not go! - Fr Kosta Kaltsidis, Feb. 2021
Orthodoxy Without Sugar Coating "It's a heartbreaking fact that we are called, we are invited through the Blood of our Lord" to come and receive God, "but we...