This is the season to blossom!
“The Lenten spring is welcomed by Christians in the Church not as the time for self-inflicted agony or self-improving therapy. It is greeted as the sanctified season consecrated to the correction, purification, and enlightenment of the total person through the fulfillment of the commandments of the crucified God. It is received as the time for battling with evil spirits and blossoming with the fruit of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Gal 5.22). It is accepted as “the great and saving forty days” set apart for complete and total dedication to the things of God. It is the “tithe of the year” that tells us that all times and seasons belong to the Lord who has created and redeemed the world.
—Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko of Blessed Memory (+March 18, 2015)
“The Lenten spring is welcomed by Christians in the Church not as the time for self-inflicted agony or self-improving therapy. It is greeted as the sanctified season consecrated to the correction, purification, and enlightenment of the total person through the fulfillment of the commandments of the crucified God. It is received as the time for battling with evil spirits and blossoming with the fruit of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Gal 5.22). It is accepted as “the great and saving forty days” set apart for complete and total dedication to the things of God. It is the “tithe of the year” that tells us that all times and seasons belong to the Lord who has created and redeemed the world.
—Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko of Blessed Memory (+March 18, 2015)
The gentle, charitable St. Cuthbert, Wonderworker of Lindisfarne (Mar 20) could not perform the Holy Liturgy without tears. Likewise, he wept at hearing confessions. His compassion extended to all creatures.
When the saint would stand along the frigid coastline to pray, otters would come around him and cover his feet to keep them dry and warm. They would even bring him fish that they had caught.
St. Cuthbert was known to surround himself with a species of duck and gave a rule which prohibited them from being eaten or disturbed. To this day, the species is known as the “Cuddy duck” in St. Cuthbert’s honour.
“Having surpassed thy brethren in prayers, fasting, and vigils, thou wast found worthy to entertain a pilgrim-angel; and having shone forth with humility as a bright lamp set on high, thou didst receive the gift of wonderworking. And now as thou dwellest in the heavenly Kingdom, O our righteous Father Cuthbert, intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.”
When the saint would stand along the frigid coastline to pray, otters would come around him and cover his feet to keep them dry and warm. They would even bring him fish that they had caught.
St. Cuthbert was known to surround himself with a species of duck and gave a rule which prohibited them from being eaten or disturbed. To this day, the species is known as the “Cuddy duck” in St. Cuthbert’s honour.
“Having surpassed thy brethren in prayers, fasting, and vigils, thou wast found worthy to entertain a pilgrim-angel; and having shone forth with humility as a bright lamp set on high, thou didst receive the gift of wonderworking. And now as thou dwellest in the heavenly Kingdom, O our righteous Father Cuthbert, intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.”
The tradition of praying a sundown coincides with the time of lighting the lamps, before the time of electricity. This was a definite transition time in ancient times, something we have lost in our electrical power world where there is no need to change what we are doing because of the setting of the sun. But, this transition required a definite change of activity in the days before electricity.
In the Church at this time of day, as the sun sets, we traditionally gather in the Church to give thanks for all the blessings our Lord has granted us this day. This prayer service begins with the psalm of creation (Psalm 103).
In the Church at this time of day, as the sun sets, we traditionally gather in the Church to give thanks for all the blessings our Lord has granted us this day. This prayer service begins with the psalm of creation (Psalm 103).
During prayer, be like a lisping infant, mingling your spirit in one with the spirit of the prayer you are pronouncing. Count yourself as nothing and accept the prayer as a great gift of God. Renounce your own carnal wisdom and do not listen to it, for carnal "knowledge puffeth up," it doubts, imagines, blasphemes.
☦️ St John of Kronstadt
☦️ St John of Kronstadt
A young man complained to a priest, “Father, I won't come back to church.” When the priest asked him why, the young man replied,
“I see women gossiping about each other. The man next to me fell asleep. The deacon can't read well and during the Liturgy some people are busy with their cellphones. Also, many people are not friendly.” The priest replied, “You're right. But before you leave church permanently, will you please take this leftover candle and circle the temple three times without spilling a drop of oil. Then you can leave.”
“Just that? Okay.”
The young man made the three rounds as the priest had asked. After he finished, he announced, “Father, I did it.” The priest asked him, “When you were walking around the temple, did you notice a person gossiping about someone?”
“No.” [1/2]
“I see women gossiping about each other. The man next to me fell asleep. The deacon can't read well and during the Liturgy some people are busy with their cellphones. Also, many people are not friendly.” The priest replied, “You're right. But before you leave church permanently, will you please take this leftover candle and circle the temple three times without spilling a drop of oil. Then you can leave.”
“Just that? Okay.”
The young man made the three rounds as the priest had asked. After he finished, he announced, “Father, I did it.” The priest asked him, “When you were walking around the temple, did you notice a person gossiping about someone?”
“No.” [1/2]
[2/2] “Did you see someone playing around with their cell phone?”
“No.”
“Do you know why? You were concentrated on the candle so as to not spill the oil. So this is how it is in our lives. When our hearts are focused on Christ, we have no inclination to look at the faults of others.”
Christ is in our midst! Let us be attentive!
“No.”
“Do you know why? You were concentrated on the candle so as to not spill the oil. So this is how it is in our lives. When our hearts are focused on Christ, we have no inclination to look at the faults of others.”
Christ is in our midst! Let us be attentive!
Prayer to the Holy Martyr Varus for the repose of the non-Orthodox:
"O Holy, wondrous Martyr Varus, who, burning with zeal for the Heavenly King, didst confess Him before thy torturers and didst greatly suffer for Him! Now the Church doth venerate thee, as one glorified with the glory of heaven by Christ the Lord, Who granted thee the abundant grace to approach Him boldly. [1/2]
"O Holy, wondrous Martyr Varus, who, burning with zeal for the Heavenly King, didst confess Him before thy torturers and didst greatly suffer for Him! Now the Church doth venerate thee, as one glorified with the glory of heaven by Christ the Lord, Who granted thee the abundant grace to approach Him boldly. [1/2]
[2/2] And now, standing before Him together with the Angels, rejoicing on high, beholding the Most Holy Trinity clearly, and enjoying the Uncreated Light, remember the suffering of our relatives who have died outside the Faith, and accept our pleas, and as thou didst intercede for the unbelieving ancestors of Cleopatra and didst free them from eternal suffering, remember those who have died unbaptized and have been buried in an ungodly manner, and pray earnestly that they may be delivered from eternal darkness, that we may all, with one mouth and one heart, praise the Most Merciful Creator unto the ages of ages. Amen." thee the abundant grace to approach Him boldly.
And now, standing before Him together with the Angels, rejoicing on high, beholding the Most Holy Trinity clearly, and enjoying the Uncreated Light, remember the suffering of our relatives who have died outside the Faith, and accept our pleas, and as thou didst intercede for the unbelieving ancestors of Cleopatra and didst free them from eternal suffering, remember those who have died unbaptized and have been buried in an ungodly manner, and pray earnestly that they may be delivered from eternal darkness, that we may all, with one mouth and one heart, praise the Most Merciful Creator unto the ages of ages. Amen."
And now, standing before Him together with the Angels, rejoicing on high, beholding the Most Holy Trinity clearly, and enjoying the Uncreated Light, remember the suffering of our relatives who have died outside the Faith, and accept our pleas, and as thou didst intercede for the unbelieving ancestors of Cleopatra and didst free them from eternal suffering, remember those who have died unbaptized and have been buried in an ungodly manner, and pray earnestly that they may be delivered from eternal darkness, that we may all, with one mouth and one heart, praise the Most Merciful Creator unto the ages of ages. Amen."
When St John the Wonderworker Of Shanghai and San Francisco reposed in 1966, it was before this holy Icon. On March 8/ March 21, the Russian Church remembers the miraculous Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God, which escaped being blown up by evil-doers at the Znamensky Cathedral in Kursk in 1898.
For seven centuries the faithful have prayed before the Icon and received help according to their faith.
For seven centuries the faithful have prayed before the Icon and received help according to their faith.
The Sunday of the Veneration of the Holy Cross. Why Daffodils?
The Sunday of the Veneration of the Holy Cross cross marks the halfway point of Great Lent. The church reminds us of where we are journeying—to the cross and ultimately the Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The cross of salvation is traditionally processed around the Church on a bed of daffodils.
As the first flowers of spring, the time when nature is reborn, daffodils remind us of Resurrection. We cannot think of the Cross without remembering of Resurrection. We cannot imagine the death and the passions of Christ without having in mind the empty tomb radiating hope. Christ’s death has no meaning without His Resurrection.
The Sunday of the Veneration of the Holy Cross cross marks the halfway point of Great Lent. The church reminds us of where we are journeying—to the cross and ultimately the Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The cross of salvation is traditionally processed around the Church on a bed of daffodils.
As the first flowers of spring, the time when nature is reborn, daffodils remind us of Resurrection. We cannot think of the Cross without remembering of Resurrection. We cannot imagine the death and the passions of Christ without having in mind the empty tomb radiating hope. Christ’s death has no meaning without His Resurrection.
“Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.”
The Annunciation to the Most-Holy Theotokos (Mar 25) "is the beginning of our salvation, the revelation of the eternal mystery! The Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin as Gabriel announces the coming of Grace. Together with him let us cry to the Theotokos: Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with you!" (Troparion of the Feast, Tone 4)
The Annunciation to the Most-Holy Theotokos (Mar 25) "is the beginning of our salvation, the revelation of the eternal mystery! The Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin as Gabriel announces the coming of Grace. Together with him let us cry to the Theotokos: Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with you!" (Troparion of the Feast, Tone 4)
All-merciful Virgin Theotokos, Mother of compassions and love for mankind, my most beloved hope and aspiration! O Mother of the most sweet and most desired Saviour, my Mistress, Theotokos, look down on me, I humbly pray thee, with thy merciful eye and despise me not. I am all in darkness, all in filth, all immersed in the mire of passions, terribly fallen and unable to stand. Do thou take pity on me and grant me a helping hand, lift me up out of sinful depths. Pour forth on me the oil of thy compassion and accept this prayer and save me, O thou the Mediatress of my salvation. Amen.
O Almighty Word of the Father, Jesus Christ, Who art Thyself perfect: Because of Thy great mercy, do not ever depart from me, Thy servant, but always abide in me. O Jesus, Good Shepherd of Thy sheep, let me not fall into the disobedience of the serpent, nor leave me to the will of Satan, for the seeds of corruption are in me. O Lord God adorable, O Holy King Jesus, guard me while I sleep with the unfading light, Thy Holy Spirit, through Whom Thou didst sanctify Thy disciples. Grant even to me, Thy unworthy servant, O Lord, Thy salvation upon my bed. Enlighten my mind with the light of the understanding of Thy Gospel; my soul with love of Thy Cross; my heart with the purity of Thy word; my body with Thy passionless passion; preserve my thought in Thy humility, and raise me at the time proper for Thy glorification. For Thou art most glorified with Thy Father, Who is without beginning, and Thy Most Holy Spirit, unto the ages. Amen.