"Whoever wants to purely pray, he should not pay any attention to newspaper news, should not read unwholesome books, or be curious to know anything about the lives of others. All this brings to mind a lot of impure thoughts, and when people try to understand them, they become more and more confusing and tempt the soul."
+ St Silouan the Athonite
+ St Silouan the Athonite
Feb 1: We commemorate St Brigid, “the Mary of the Gael,” known for her compassion for the poor.
St. Brigid established a monastery on land given to her by the King of Leinster. The land was called Cill Dara (Kildare), or “the church of the oak.” This was the beginning of women’s cenobitic monasticism in Ireland.
One of the most remarkable of St Brigid's many miracles is her healing of a blind nun named Dara. Once, during a particularly beautiful sunrise, the Saint took pity on Dara, making the sign of the cross and praying that Dara would be healed of her blindness, so as to experience the beauty of the sunrise. Dara's eyes were opened and she saw the sun in the east, and the trees and flowers sparkled with dew. Then, after awhile she turned to St Brigid and said, “Close my eyes again, dear Mother, for when the world is visible to the eyes, then God is seen less clearly by the soul.” St Brigid prayed and Dara again became blind.
St. Brigid established a monastery on land given to her by the King of Leinster. The land was called Cill Dara (Kildare), or “the church of the oak.” This was the beginning of women’s cenobitic monasticism in Ireland.
One of the most remarkable of St Brigid's many miracles is her healing of a blind nun named Dara. Once, during a particularly beautiful sunrise, the Saint took pity on Dara, making the sign of the cross and praying that Dara would be healed of her blindness, so as to experience the beauty of the sunrise. Dara's eyes were opened and she saw the sun in the east, and the trees and flowers sparkled with dew. Then, after awhile she turned to St Brigid and said, “Close my eyes again, dear Mother, for when the world is visible to the eyes, then God is seen less clearly by the soul.” St Brigid prayed and Dara again became blind.
[2/2] Devotion to St Brigid remains strong in Ireland. With St. Patrick of Ireland (March 17) and St. Columba of Iona (June 9), she is one of the three patron saints of Ireland. She is also venerated in northern Italy, France, and Wales.
"Holy Brigid, You shower grace upon the world, and multiply miracles. Intercede with Christ our God that He may save our souls."
"Holy Brigid, You shower grace upon the world, and multiply miracles. Intercede with Christ our God that He may save our souls."
And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace, according to Your Word, for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples: a light to enlighten the Gentiles and the glory of Your people Israel.
✝️ Luke 2:25-32, from the Gospel Reading for The Meeting of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, in the Temple
✝️ Luke 2:25-32, from the Gospel Reading for The Meeting of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, in the Temple
The “Triodion” refers to the ten weeks leading up to Pascha as well as to the book which contains the hymns, readings, and prayers specific to this season.
The name "Triodion" means “three odes”. During this period, the Canons (the series of hymns sung at Matins) contain only three odes instead of the usual nine.
The Lenten Triodion book is used continuously in services from the Sunday of the Publican through Great Lent and Holy and Great Week.
The name "Triodion" means “three odes”. During this period, the Canons (the series of hymns sung at Matins) contain only three odes instead of the usual nine.
The Lenten Triodion book is used continuously in services from the Sunday of the Publican through Great Lent and Holy and Great Week.
At the Meeting of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, in the Temple, the Holy, Righteous Anna the Prophetess (Synaxsis of Ss. Symeon and Anna Feb 3/ Feb 16) was there, giving thanks and bearing witness of Him "to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem."
"Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem. " +Luke 2:36-38
"Enlightened by the Spirit, your pure heart became the dwelling place of most splendid prophecy; for you saw things far off as if they were near. Therefore, we honour you, blessed and glorious Prophetess Anna."
"Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem. " +Luke 2:36-38
"Enlightened by the Spirit, your pure heart became the dwelling place of most splendid prophecy; for you saw things far off as if they were near. Therefore, we honour you, blessed and glorious Prophetess Anna."
Glory to Thee for calling me into being
Glory to Thee, showing me the beauty of the universe
Glory to Thee, spreading out before me heaven and earth
Like the pages in a book of eternal wisdom
Glory to Thee for Thine eternity in this fleeting world
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 Ikos 1, "Akathist of Thanksgiving," found among the effects of Protopresbyter Gregory Petrov upon his death in a prison camp in 1940. The title is from the words of Saint John Chrysostom-- "Glory to God for all things" -- as he was dying in exile.
Glory to Thee, showing me the beauty of the universe
Glory to Thee, spreading out before me heaven and earth
Like the pages in a book of eternal wisdom
Glory to Thee for Thine eternity in this fleeting world
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 Ikos 1, "Akathist of Thanksgiving," found among the effects of Protopresbyter Gregory Petrov upon his death in a prison camp in 1940. The title is from the words of Saint John Chrysostom-- "Glory to God for all things" -- as he was dying in exile.
Born into nobility but joyfully declaring herself a slave of Christ, the virgin-martyr Agatha of Palermo in Sicily (Feb 5/ Feb 18) was a model of courage even in the midst of the cruelest tortures. “Corn does not reach the granary until it is threshed, and my soul cannot attain eternal blessedness until it is separated by sufferings from my body.”
Holy Agatha, pray for us, that we may overcome our weakness, and be numbered with the Righteous.
Holy Agatha, pray for us, that we may overcome our weakness, and be numbered with the Righteous.
The number of the New Martyrs of Russia (Sunday closest to Jan. 25) far exceeds that of all the martyrs who died for Christ during the first three centuries of Christianity. The Russian Church lost millions of its sons and daughters, not only at the hands of external enemies, but also those of their own country. Among those who were murdered and tortured in the years of persecution were countless Orthodox: laity, monks, priests, and bishops, whose only “crime” was their unshakable faith in God.
Among those who suffered for their faith were some who labored in America before the Russian Revolution: St. Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia (April 7); St. Alexander Hotovitzky (Dec. 4); St. John Kochurov (Oct. 31).
☦️ Holy New Martyrs of Russia, pray for us!
Among those who suffered for their faith were some who labored in America before the Russian Revolution: St. Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia (April 7); St. Alexander Hotovitzky (Dec. 4); St. John Kochurov (Oct. 31).
☦️ Holy New Martyrs of Russia, pray for us!
Your Guardian Angel: Fr. George Calciu
When God created the celestial hosts … He established that the angels must be in an uninterrupted relationship with mankind. Among those angels, the guardian angels are the most kind and loving because they begin their mission in the world by taking care of children. They are sweet like children; they are gentle like children; and they are vulnerable and shy, just like children.
When God created the celestial hosts … He established that the angels must be in an uninterrupted relationship with mankind. Among those angels, the guardian angels are the most kind and loving because they begin their mission in the world by taking care of children. They are sweet like children; they are gentle like children; and they are vulnerable and shy, just like children.
Guardian Angel [2/3]
…
Each person, good or bad, has a guardian angel. When a baby is born, God sends a guardian angel to teach him and to defend him against all danger, against temptation, against bad influences. When you are ready to commit a sin, an interior voice whispers in your hears: “Don’t do this!” When a danger threatens you, the same angelic voice prevents you: “Don’t go there!” or: “Avoid this person, or this group, or this intention!” If you preserve at least a small part of your child-like purity, a small part of your innocence, you will always hear the voice of your angel, guiding you through the vicissitudes of this life to a better place in Christian society, to a better community of people. You will feel the protection of God and your soul will be free from fear, uncertainty and doubt; and you will have the courage to face injustice, to love your neighbor and your enemy. You will walk in the light of God.
…
Your guardian angel will assist you in your last days; he will take your soul, defending against the attacks of the demons who will claim your soul because of the sins you committed during your life. Your angel will then proclaim that as long as you are not sentenced, you still belong to God. He will take you on a three-day journey to visit all the places on earth you have inhabited — whether briefly or for a long time — and he will remind you of all the good or bad deeds you committed. He will tell you: "Here, you prayed; here, you helped a sick person; there, you refused to help somebody," and you will thus have in mind all the bad and good deeds of your life.
…
Each person, good or bad, has a guardian angel. When a baby is born, God sends a guardian angel to teach him and to defend him against all danger, against temptation, against bad influences. When you are ready to commit a sin, an interior voice whispers in your hears: “Don’t do this!” When a danger threatens you, the same angelic voice prevents you: “Don’t go there!” or: “Avoid this person, or this group, or this intention!” If you preserve at least a small part of your child-like purity, a small part of your innocence, you will always hear the voice of your angel, guiding you through the vicissitudes of this life to a better place in Christian society, to a better community of people. You will feel the protection of God and your soul will be free from fear, uncertainty and doubt; and you will have the courage to face injustice, to love your neighbor and your enemy. You will walk in the light of God.
…
Your guardian angel will assist you in your last days; he will take your soul, defending against the attacks of the demons who will claim your soul because of the sins you committed during your life. Your angel will then proclaim that as long as you are not sentenced, you still belong to God. He will take you on a three-day journey to visit all the places on earth you have inhabited — whether briefly or for a long time — and he will remind you of all the good or bad deeds you committed. He will tell you: "Here, you prayed; here, you helped a sick person; there, you refused to help somebody," and you will thus have in mind all the bad and good deeds of your life.
[Guardian Angel 3/3]
Guided by the angel, you will visit the realms of happiness occupied by the good souls and the unhappy realm of the bad ones — so as to understand that God is just, but that He is also good and merciful. you will discover on this journey if you have given away "a scallion" to a beggar, and thus your guardian angel will plead for you in front of the Supreme Judge.
And if the judgment be against you because of your many sins, do not forget that your guardian angel will not abandon you even if you are in "the pool of tar." He will sustain a hope for your salvation until the Last Judgement, when the mercy of God may shower upon you and you may be called to the Kingdom of our Father, through the prayers of your guardian angel, amen.
Guided by the angel, you will visit the realms of happiness occupied by the good souls and the unhappy realm of the bad ones — so as to understand that God is just, but that He is also good and merciful. you will discover on this journey if you have given away "a scallion" to a beggar, and thus your guardian angel will plead for you in front of the Supreme Judge.
And if the judgment be against you because of your many sins, do not forget that your guardian angel will not abandon you even if you are in "the pool of tar." He will sustain a hope for your salvation until the Last Judgement, when the mercy of God may shower upon you and you may be called to the Kingdom of our Father, through the prayers of your guardian angel, amen.
"Be careful! This town is not going to burn and its people are not going to be captured. They are innocent. Do you hear me? " ✝️ These were the words of warning from St. Haralambos (Feb 10/ Feb 23), given in a dream to a shocked German officer who had been ordered to burn the town of Filiatra in Greece in 1944. The order had been given in retribution for sabotage against German soldiers. The town was spared.
When the officer later saw an icon of St. Haralambos, he recognized him as the one who had appeared to him. The miracle continues to move Greek faithful.
When the officer later saw an icon of St. Haralambos, he recognized him as the one who had appeared to him. The miracle continues to move Greek faithful.