The 5th week of Great Lent is often called “the most Lenten” week of Lent, with services abundant and overflowing with penitence.
Wednesday of the 5th week: Matins is celebrated with the reading of the Great Canon of St Andrew of Crete and the life of St Mary of Egypt.
Saturday of the fifth week: The Church commemorates the icon of the Theotokos, "Laudation of the Virgin." Akathists are generally not sung during Great Lent, but this Saturday is the only exception.
Sunday of the 5th week: We commemorate St Mary of Egypt. Her life as a moving testament to sincere repentance, and the miracle of salvation in Christ, open to the most obstinate of sinners, according to God's infinite mercy.
Wednesday of the 5th week: Matins is celebrated with the reading of the Great Canon of St Andrew of Crete and the life of St Mary of Egypt.
Saturday of the fifth week: The Church commemorates the icon of the Theotokos, "Laudation of the Virgin." Akathists are generally not sung during Great Lent, but this Saturday is the only exception.
Sunday of the 5th week: We commemorate St Mary of Egypt. Her life as a moving testament to sincere repentance, and the miracle of salvation in Christ, open to the most obstinate of sinners, according to God's infinite mercy.
“The image of God, was faithfully preserved in you, O Mother. For you took up the Cross and followed Christ. By Your actions you taught us to look beyond the flesh for it passes, rather to be concerned about the soul which is immortal. Wherefore, O Holy Mary, your soul rejoices with the angels.”
At the end of her earthly life, † St Mary of Egypt (Apr 1) asked the † Righteous Zosimas to recite both the Creed and the “Our Father.” When the prayers were finished, she partook of the Holy Mysteries of Christ. Then she raised her hands to the heavens and said, “Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace, for my eyes have seen Your salvation.”
At the end of her earthly life, † St Mary of Egypt (Apr 1) asked the † Righteous Zosimas to recite both the Creed and the “Our Father.” When the prayers were finished, she partook of the Holy Mysteries of Christ. Then she raised her hands to the heavens and said, “Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace, for my eyes have seen Your salvation.”
One has to understand that even though the modern woman is poisoned by the idea of the equality between the sexes, this equality does not exist in nature. And what can understand that bitter truth better than a woman's heart? This means that the woman, trying to adapt to the world in exterior, deep inside still wants protection, she is afraid of shame and betrayal, and she is dreaming of a strong shoulder. She is prepared to say "get lost" to all these ideas of equality and democracy in 99 out of 100 times, if she gets simple family happiness. So this domestic harmony should be given to her. She should receive it. She should be given earned money, sincere kiss and soothing words of approval. Every woman should receive all that from her husband. And, my God, so much happiness and power, energy and devotion, so much endearment and care will the manly part of humanity receive! However, it is a pity that the majority of us are no longer Knights.
—Archpriest Andrew Tkachev
—Archpriest Andrew Tkachev
“If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.” Psalm 138:8
Archpriest Theodore Gignadze: “Even if you’re on the verge of death, even if you die and are put in a grave, even if you end up in hell – I will not leave you anywhere, because I have been in every place, and I can find you in every place.”
Archpriest Theodore Gignadze: “Even if you’re on the verge of death, even if you die and are put in a grave, even if you end up in hell – I will not leave you anywhere, because I have been in every place, and I can find you in every place.”
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
On the 5th Saturday of Great Lent, the Saturday of the Akathist, we commemorate the “Laudation of the Virgin” Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos. A feast day dedicated to the icon was established to commemorate several occasions when the Holy Virgin was petitioned for the protection of Constantinople from invaders.
The first the attempted invasions was in 625. In that year, "when the emperor Heraclius was fighting the Persians, the Khan sent forces to attack Constantinople by land and by sea. Patriarch Sergius urged the people not to lose heart, but to trust in God.
A procession was made around the city with the Cross of the Lord, the robe of the Virgin, the Icon of the Savior not made by hands, and the Hodigitria Icon of the Mother of God. The Patriarch dipped the Virgin’s robe in the sea, and the city’s defenders beat back the Khan’s sea forces. The sea became very rough, and many boats sank. [1/2]
On the 5th Saturday of Great Lent, the Saturday of the Akathist, we commemorate the “Laudation of the Virgin” Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos. A feast day dedicated to the icon was established to commemorate several occasions when the Holy Virgin was petitioned for the protection of Constantinople from invaders.
The first the attempted invasions was in 625. In that year, "when the emperor Heraclius was fighting the Persians, the Khan sent forces to attack Constantinople by land and by sea. Patriarch Sergius urged the people not to lose heart, but to trust in God.
A procession was made around the city with the Cross of the Lord, the robe of the Virgin, the Icon of the Savior not made by hands, and the Hodigitria Icon of the Mother of God. The Patriarch dipped the Virgin’s robe in the sea, and the city’s defenders beat back the Khan’s sea forces. The sea became very rough, and many boats sank. [1/2]
[2/2] The invaders retreated, and the people of Constantinople gave thanks to God and to His Most Pure Mother." bit.ly/2xNObrg
A conversation with Saint Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia
“You must purify your thoughts because due to your sensitivity, you are prone to anxiety and sadness. Banish them, so nothing of them remains. Love the temptations that come to you, and you will neither be disturbed nor saddened. Love all your brothers with the same love. Love your elder much: see your elder as Christ. You need to acquire humility; as much humility as possible.”
“That's difficult, Elder, in the world we live in. How can I achieve that?”
“By loving Christ even more.”
“You must purify your thoughts because due to your sensitivity, you are prone to anxiety and sadness. Banish them, so nothing of them remains. Love the temptations that come to you, and you will neither be disturbed nor saddened. Love all your brothers with the same love. Love your elder much: see your elder as Christ. You need to acquire humility; as much humility as possible.”
“That's difficult, Elder, in the world we live in. How can I achieve that?”
“By loving Christ even more.”
A contrast revealed in icons
St. Mary of Egypt: repented in tears, struggled valiantly against temptations and received the longed-for Mystical Supper, the Cup of Salvation, from the hand of St. Zozimas.
Judas Iscariot: left the Mystical Supper after betraying his Master, leaving behind an empty halo and a mere silhouette in the place of where he should have been had he not turned his back on Jesus Christ. He brought upon himself the despair of guilt without repentance.
St. Mary of Egypt: repented in tears, struggled valiantly against temptations and received the longed-for Mystical Supper, the Cup of Salvation, from the hand of St. Zozimas.
Judas Iscariot: left the Mystical Supper after betraying his Master, leaving behind an empty halo and a mere silhouette in the place of where he should have been had he not turned his back on Jesus Christ. He brought upon himself the despair of guilt without repentance.