When the righteous Joachim and Anna bring their child Mary to the temple, the era of the temple comes to an end. With Mary’s entrance the "preview of the good will of God" is shown forth. On the Feast of the Presentation (Nov 21/ Dec 4) we celebrate that we too are the house and tabernacle of the Lord.
From the East came the Mongol Horde destroying everything in their path; from the West came the forces of the Teutonic Knights, which blasphemously and with the blessing of the Roman Pope, called itself "Cross-bearers" by wearing the Cross of the Lord. In the midst of terror, God raised up for the salvation of Russia holy Prince Alexander Nevsky (Repose Nov 23/ Dec 6) courageous warrior and man of prayer.
Veneration of St Alexander began his burial, where he miraculously extended his hand for the written prayer of absolution placed in the coffin.
O Blessed Alexander, God has granted you the grace of healing, entreat Him to strengthen your suffering spiritual children, and to save all Orthodox Christians.
Veneration of St Alexander began his burial, where he miraculously extended his hand for the written prayer of absolution placed in the coffin.
O Blessed Alexander, God has granted you the grace of healing, entreat Him to strengthen your suffering spiritual children, and to save all Orthodox Christians.
“Santa Manna," a watery liquid with a rose scent, began exuding from the tomb of the Basilica of Myra immediately after the death of St Nicholas the Wonderworker (Dec 6/ Dec 19) and has continued without interruption since the translation of his bones to Bari, Italy. The casket containing the bones of St Nicholas is impermeable-- yet, without scientific explanation, up to 50 ml of the liquid continues to form annually in the tomb of the Saint in the crypt of the Basilica in Bari. It is an authentic relic because of its contact with the bones of St Nicholas.
The “santa manna” is mixed with with holy water and kept in large bottles designed by local artists depicting episodes from the life, miracles and protection of St Nicholas. Pilgrims are attracted to Bari because of the miracles St Nicholas works through this holy water.
O holy Nicholas, by your prayers protect those who call upon you from every danger. Amen.
The “santa manna” is mixed with with holy water and kept in large bottles designed by local artists depicting episodes from the life, miracles and protection of St Nicholas. Pilgrims are attracted to Bari because of the miracles St Nicholas works through this holy water.
O holy Nicholas, by your prayers protect those who call upon you from every danger. Amen.
Holy Martyr Catherine, the all-praised Bride of Christ, pray for us!
The Monastery of the God-trodden Mountain of Sinai, gradually became known as the Monastery of Saint Catherine. Here the holy martyr’s relics are kept inside two precious reliquaries given by the Russian Empire. One reliquary enshrines her precious head, and the other, her left hand. Her relics, which have continued over the centuries to exude a heavenly fragrance, are brought out for the veneration of the faithful on special occasions. Each pilgrim is given a silver ring bearing her monogram in honour of the ring that Saint Catherine (Nov 24/ Dec 7) received from Christ Himself.
The Monastery of the God-trodden Mountain of Sinai, gradually became known as the Monastery of Saint Catherine. Here the holy martyr’s relics are kept inside two precious reliquaries given by the Russian Empire. One reliquary enshrines her precious head, and the other, her left hand. Her relics, which have continued over the centuries to exude a heavenly fragrance, are brought out for the veneration of the faithful on special occasions. Each pilgrim is given a silver ring bearing her monogram in honour of the ring that Saint Catherine (Nov 24/ Dec 7) received from Christ Himself.
Most Holy Theotokos, see my distress, see my affliction! Help me, for I am helpless. Feed me, for I am a stranger and a pilgrim. You know my offence, forgive it and resolve it as you will.
In 2020, this 18th-century icon of the Mother of God of the Sign started to stream myrrh in the ruined Church of St Michael the Archangel in Tula, Russia.
In 2020, this 18th-century icon of the Mother of God of the Sign started to stream myrrh in the ruined Church of St Michael the Archangel in Tula, Russia.
All the saints wrote many praises to our Panagia. But I, the poor one, have found no words more elegant or sweet to describe her, than to cry out to her at every moment:
“My dear Mother! My dear, sweet Mother! When my soul departs may it come into thy hands, and through them may it be given to its Creator, thine Only-begotten Son. We desire nothing else, our dear, sweet Mother, except to give up our soul amidst that flaming love, at a time when the divine eros is afire.
☦️ St Joseph the Hesychast
“My dear Mother! My dear, sweet Mother! When my soul departs may it come into thy hands, and through them may it be given to its Creator, thine Only-begotten Son. We desire nothing else, our dear, sweet Mother, except to give up our soul amidst that flaming love, at a time when the divine eros is afire.
☦️ St Joseph the Hesychast
“Let us praise Andrew, the herald of God,
the namesake of courage,
the first-called of the Savior's disciples
and the brother of Peter.
As he once called to his brother, he now cries out to us:
'Come, for we have found the One whom the world desires!'"
Kontakion (Tone 2)
In the year 62, the holy, glorious and all-laudable Apostle Andrew the First-Called (Dec 13/Nov 30) was tortured and martyred in Peloponnese. The new converts wanted to remove him from his cross, but the saint would not allow them. Instead, he comforted them and as he prayed, an extraordinary light encompassed him for about a half hour before he gave up his soul.
the namesake of courage,
the first-called of the Savior's disciples
and the brother of Peter.
As he once called to his brother, he now cries out to us:
'Come, for we have found the One whom the world desires!'"
Kontakion (Tone 2)
In the year 62, the holy, glorious and all-laudable Apostle Andrew the First-Called (Dec 13/Nov 30) was tortured and martyred in Peloponnese. The new converts wanted to remove him from his cross, but the saint would not allow them. Instead, he comforted them and as he prayed, an extraordinary light encompassed him for about a half hour before he gave up his soul.
Lord, grant mercy, protection and strength to the persecuted hierarchs of Ukraine, especially at this time His Eminence Metropolitan Longin of Bancheny.
The Bishop-Abbot, who has been called a living saint for adopting children rejected by their parents, has again been hospitalized with atrial fibrillation.
Since the 1990s, He has saved hundreds of children from the streets, many of them infected with the HIV virus from birth. Many others and were born with disabilities or developmental disorders.
Although he has been recognized as a Hero of Ukraine for his work with orphans, the state now considers the much-beloved vicar of the Diocese of Chernivtsi and Bukovina and abbot of the Holy Ascension-Bancheny Monastery as an enemy of Ukraine. The hierarch’s staunch commitment to the canonical Orthodox Church and his outspoken opposition to the war has resulted in the same false charges that have being brought against a number of Orthodox hierarchs.
Lord, have mercy!
The Bishop-Abbot, who has been called a living saint for adopting children rejected by their parents, has again been hospitalized with atrial fibrillation.
Since the 1990s, He has saved hundreds of children from the streets, many of them infected with the HIV virus from birth. Many others and were born with disabilities or developmental disorders.
Although he has been recognized as a Hero of Ukraine for his work with orphans, the state now considers the much-beloved vicar of the Diocese of Chernivtsi and Bukovina and abbot of the Holy Ascension-Bancheny Monastery as an enemy of Ukraine. The hierarch’s staunch commitment to the canonical Orthodox Church and his outspoken opposition to the war has resulted in the same false charges that have being brought against a number of Orthodox hierarchs.
Lord, have mercy!