The 14-pointed silver star in the Grotto of the Nativity marks the precise spot of the birth, inscribed with "Hic de Virgine Maria Jesus Christus natus est" ("Here Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary"), symbolizing the three sets of 14 generations in Christ's genealogy from Matthew. Orthodox veneration emphasizes the cave's humility, prefiguring Christ's death and resurrection, as depicted in Nativity icons.
“Prepare thyself, O Bethlehem! Adorn thyself well, O manger! The Truth hath come! Receive Him, O cave! The shadow hath passed away, and God hath appeared to mankind through the Virgin, assuming our form and deifying our flesh.”
The Feast of the Nativity, Julian Calendar
“Prepare thyself, O Bethlehem! Adorn thyself well, O manger! The Truth hath come! Receive Him, O cave! The shadow hath passed away, and God hath appeared to mankind through the Virgin, assuming our form and deifying our flesh.”
The Feast of the Nativity, Julian Calendar
The bees of Isidor Timinis, a beekeeper near Athens, Greece show veneration for the Holy First-Martyr and Archdeacon Stephen (Dec 27/ Jan 9). The bees do the same with icons of the Lord, the Holy Theotokos and the saints. The bees regularly “wax" around the icons’ images, but never over top of them.
Who should appear in a photo of a group of workers on their way help build a church dedicated to Saint Gabriel the Confessor? Saint Gabriel himself! The photograph is of a group of faithful on their way to the construction site of the church, in the village of Inchkhuri, Martvili region, Georgia.
Nothing was visible at the time the photo was taken. It was only afterward that those viewing the photos noticed Saint Gabriel appearing among them. Glory to God in His Saints!
Nothing was visible at the time the photo was taken. It was only afterward that those viewing the photos noticed Saint Gabriel appearing among them. Glory to God in His Saints!
When being praised by all the world, St Seraphim, Wonderworker of Sarov (Jan 2/ Jan 13) referred to himself as "the poor wretch Seraphim." St Seraphim was healed thrice by the Mother of God. When he fell ill at the age of 10, the miracle-working Kursk icon of Theotokos passed by his family home. After Seraphim's mother took him to kiss the icon, he recovered quickly.
The Uncovering of St Seraphim's relics took place in 1903, seventy years after his repose and is commemorated on July 19/ August 1. In 1991, St Seraphim’s relics were rediscovered after being hidden in a Soviet anti-religious museum for seventy years.
Save us by your prayers, venerable Seraphim, our father.
The Uncovering of St Seraphim's relics took place in 1903, seventy years after his repose and is commemorated on July 19/ August 1. In 1991, St Seraphim’s relics were rediscovered after being hidden in a Soviet anti-religious museum for seventy years.
Save us by your prayers, venerable Seraphim, our father.
Receive me, O Christ, the Lover of all men, as You received the prostitute, the thief, the tax-collector and the prodigal. Take away the heavy burden of my sins, for You take away the sins of the world; You heal the infirmities of men, You call to Yourself and give rest to those who labour and are heavy-laden.
In her grief at the death of her husband, she began calling herself by his name, “Andrew Feodorovich.” She replaced her own clothes with his military uniform, which she wore daily. She would even tell those around her that it was not her husband, but she who had died. Indeed, her ego had died. She had crucified it, and surrendered everything to Christ. She gave away all of her possessions, and afterwards gave the little money she received from strangers to the poor.
Living in fields and wandering in the streets, she was spat upon, mocked and abused for her foolish ways, but through it all, she kept fervent prayer, and continued to live in humble generosity. One of her selfless acts was helping to secretly build a church near the Smolensk cemetery. This is why some of her icons show her holding bricks.
If we truly wish to crucify our own egos and pride, let us seek her intercessions of this miracle-working Fool-for-Christ. Saint Xenia
of St. Petersburg, pray for us sinners!
Living in fields and wandering in the streets, she was spat upon, mocked and abused for her foolish ways, but through it all, she kept fervent prayer, and continued to live in humble generosity. One of her selfless acts was helping to secretly build a church near the Smolensk cemetery. This is why some of her icons show her holding bricks.
If we truly wish to crucify our own egos and pride, let us seek her intercessions of this miracle-working Fool-for-Christ. Saint Xenia
of St. Petersburg, pray for us sinners!
"It is essential for us to confess that the holy Ever-Virgin Mary is actually Theotokos (Birth-giver of God), so as not to fall into blasphemy. For those who deny that the Holy Virgin is actually Theotokos are no longer believers, but disciples of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
☦️St. Ephraim the Syrian (Jan 28), "To John the Monk"
☦️St. Ephraim the Syrian (Jan 28), "To John the Monk"
“O Lord and Master of my life...", the familiar prayer of humility said during Great Lent, comes to us from the Monk Ephrem the Syrian (Jan 28/ Feb 10) a most humble teacher of repentance of the 4th century. In his youth he was the disciple of Saint James, Bishop of Nisibis, one of the 318 Fathers at the First Ecumenical Council. He was an ardent student and sought-after teacher of Holy Scripture as well as composer of many prayers and hymns which have enriched Church's Divine-services.
Saint Ephrem “accepted only the dignity of deacon, in which he remained until death.” Saint Basil the Great “once invited the Monk Ephrem to accept the cathedra-chair of a bishop, but the saint feigned folly to avoid for himself this honour, in humility reckoning himself unworthy of it.”
—quotes from the Synaxarion
Saint Ephrem “accepted only the dignity of deacon, in which he remained until death.” Saint Basil the Great “once invited the Monk Ephrem to accept the cathedra-chair of a bishop, but the saint feigned folly to avoid for himself this honour, in humility reckoning himself unworthy of it.”
—quotes from the Synaxarion
The “Triodion” starts this Sunday, the Sunday of the Publican. The name "Triodion" means “three odes” and 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.
During the Triodion, 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.
☦️ Saint Theophan the Recluse:
"Use the time of the Triodion to cleanse your souls through persistent prayer, fasting, and good deeds. Let the chants of the Triodion penetrate your heart and awaken your longing for God.
May the Lord bless you and strengthen you in this spiritual struggle, so that you may reach with joy the light of His Resurrection!"
During the Triodion, 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.
☦️ Saint Theophan the Recluse:
"Use the time of the Triodion to cleanse your souls through persistent prayer, fasting, and good deeds. Let the chants of the Triodion penetrate your heart and awaken your longing for God.
May the Lord bless you and strengthen you in this spiritual struggle, so that you may reach with joy the light of His Resurrection!"
When disputes arose among believers as to which of the three holy hierarchs, Basil the Great, John Chrysostom and Gregory of Nazianzus (Synaxis, Jan 30/ Feb 12) was the greatest, the three settled the matter themselves, appearing in great glory to Bishop John of Euchaita, declaring:
“As you see, we are one in God and there is nothing contradictory in us; neither is there a first or a second among us.” The saints also advised Bishop John that he write a common service for them and to order a common feast day of celebration.
Let us honour with hymns the three great torch-bearers of the triune Godhead: Basil, Gregory and John.
“As you see, we are one in God and there is nothing contradictory in us; neither is there a first or a second among us.” The saints also advised Bishop John that he write a common service for them and to order a common feast day of celebration.
Let us honour with hymns the three great torch-bearers of the triune Godhead: Basil, Gregory and John.