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.
"Christianity is either fire or it is nothing." ☦️St Maria of Paris
Livestreams of The Holy Fire service at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Holy Saturday: facebook.com/JerusalemPatriarchate/ and
www.tv4e.gr/livestreaming.php at 1pm Jerusalem/ 6am ET.
Livestreams of The Holy Fire service at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Holy Saturday: facebook.com/JerusalemPatriarchate/ and
www.tv4e.gr/livestreaming.php at 1pm Jerusalem/ 6am ET.
In the Divine Liturgy “we stand in the place of Moses, and wrestle in the place of Jacob. We gaze with Ezekiel and the fiery wheels with the Son of Man in their midst. We stand with St. John the Theologian and the vast crowds of heaven before the Lamb-slain-from-the-foundation upon the altar with the four beasts and angels surrounding Him.
The Liturgy presents us with a living icon on the one hand, but also with the sacramental reality as well. We not only see the icon of what has been shown to the prophets, but also do what they did not: we eat the flesh of the Son of God and drink His blood. He dwells in us and we in Him.” —Fr. Stephen Freeman
The Liturgy presents us with a living icon on the one hand, but also with the sacramental reality as well. We not only see the icon of what has been shown to the prophets, but also do what they did not: we eat the flesh of the Son of God and drink His blood. He dwells in us and we in Him.” —Fr. Stephen Freeman
Lazarus Saturday: Lazarus was already in Hades when he heard the voice of God. In an instant he experienced the power of God, as Jesus, with a loud voice said, "Lazarus, come forth." The same voice calls us to listen, to trust, and to follow Him daily-- so that our ears will hear Him when He calls our name at the resurrection and says to us, "Come forth."
“By raising Lazarus from the dead before Thy Passion, Thou didst confirm the universal resurrection, O Christ God!”
Icon: The resurrection of Lazarus, Sinai, 12th century
“By raising Lazarus from the dead before Thy Passion, Thou didst confirm the universal resurrection, O Christ God!”
Icon: The resurrection of Lazarus, Sinai, 12th century
Prayer of Spouses for Each Other
O Lord Jesus Christ our God, who through Your holy apostle Paul have taught us to bear one another's burdens and so fulfil Your holy Law: mercifully grant me to bear the burdens of my husband/wife in love. Bless our marriage, sending down upon us perfect and peaceful love, preserving us in oneness of mind and in steadfast faith. Pour out Your love upon my husband/wife (name), that he/she may be filled with joy and may please You in all things. Defend us from quarrels and temptations and preserve us in peace and harmony that together we may forever glorify Your holy Name: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O Lord Jesus Christ our God, who through Your holy apostle Paul have taught us to bear one another's burdens and so fulfil Your holy Law: mercifully grant me to bear the burdens of my husband/wife in love. Bless our marriage, sending down upon us perfect and peaceful love, preserving us in oneness of mind and in steadfast faith. Pour out Your love upon my husband/wife (name), that he/she may be filled with joy and may please You in all things. Defend us from quarrels and temptations and preserve us in peace and harmony that together we may forever glorify Your holy Name: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Pascha is coming!
“I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death...O grave, I will be your destruction.” (Hos. 12:14) “I know that my redeemer lives, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth, and though after worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.” (Job 19:25-26)
“So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is writen, Death is swallowed up in victory” (I Cor. 15:54) “Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.” ☦️ Resurrection Troparion, Resurrection Matins
“I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death...O grave, I will be your destruction.” (Hos. 12:14) “I know that my redeemer lives, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth, and though after worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.” (Job 19:25-26)
“So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is writen, Death is swallowed up in victory” (I Cor. 15:54) “Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.” ☦️ Resurrection Troparion, Resurrection Matins
“Lazarus, come forth!”+John 11:43
Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.”Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” +John 11:41-43
#LazarusSaturday
Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.”Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” +John 11:41-43
#LazarusSaturday
As we approach Palm Sunday, let us remember Saint Corona patron saint of plagues and afflictions. The Greek variant of her name is Stephanie.
The saint was tied between two palm trees and when the tree trunks were released her body was torn.
St Corona/Stephanie had caught the attention of authorities at the age of 16 for coming to the aid of a Roman soldier named Victor, who was being tortured for being a Christian. Victor had his eyes gouged out and was beheaded. The two martyr-saints are commemorated on November 11.
The saint was tied between two palm trees and when the tree trunks were released her body was torn.
St Corona/Stephanie had caught the attention of authorities at the age of 16 for coming to the aid of a Roman soldier named Victor, who was being tortured for being a Christian. Victor had his eyes gouged out and was beheaded. The two martyr-saints are commemorated on November 11.
Be the defenders of purity and the sanctity of family life. Teach your children to understand and keep in purity what God has ordained, namely that youth be a period of purity... They receive God’s blessing through the Sacrament of Marriage give birth to blessed children, and God will always protect them because God will never be indebted.”
-- His Eminence Metropolitan Laurențiu, Metropolitan of Transylvania
-- His Eminence Metropolitan Laurențiu, Metropolitan of Transylvania
Now we worry about a piece of bread, about a roof over our heads, about our social conditions. And it seems to us that the meaning of life consists of this. But the Church says, Look at the pussy willows: leaves will sprout and later flowers and fruit. So it is even in a Christian soul.
+ Archbishop Andrei (Rymarenko) 1893-1978
+ Archbishop Andrei (Rymarenko) 1893-1978