“If we continue to be plagued by guilt, even after we have received the absolution of Christ, through His agent the priest, we compound the very sin we've confessed, for in clinging to our guilt, we act as thought there is no forgiveness. Clinging to guilt is not a sign of humility, but rather a sign of unbelief, for we turn a cold shoulder to the very forgiveness that has been pronounced, as though it were not true.
Christ's absolution is a two way street, for having confessed our sin, and receiving Christ's forgiveness, we must receive that forgiveness with great joy, for we, like the woman at the well, must go, and sin no more.”
—Abbot Tryphon
Christ's absolution is a two way street, for having confessed our sin, and receiving Christ's forgiveness, we must receive that forgiveness with great joy, for we, like the woman at the well, must go, and sin no more.”
—Abbot Tryphon
Today the Virgin comes to the cave
to give birth to the Eternal Word.
Hear the glad tidings and rejoice, O universe!
Glorify with the angels and the shepherds
the Eternal God, who is willing to appear as a new-born child,
yet is our God before all ages.
https://youtu.be/tSvLOvzQaf8
to give birth to the Eternal Word.
Hear the glad tidings and rejoice, O universe!
Glorify with the angels and the shepherds
the Eternal God, who is willing to appear as a new-born child,
yet is our God before all ages.
https://youtu.be/tSvLOvzQaf8
Seventh Angel uncovered at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. "It's looking at the spot where it's believed Jesus was born." (Video link below)
"Italian restoration workers at the Church of the Nativity in the West Bank city of Bethlehem have been showing off a stunning mosaic of an angel that was previously hidden beneath plaster."
Link to story and video: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-36591434
"Italian restoration workers at the Church of the Nativity in the West Bank city of Bethlehem have been showing off a stunning mosaic of an angel that was previously hidden beneath plaster."
Link to story and video: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-36591434
"And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." + Luke 2:7
"Mary was of David’s seed, so she went with Joseph to register in Bethlehem. She bore in her womb the Fruit not sown by man. The time for the birth was at hand. Since there was no room at the inn, the cave became a beautiful palace for the Queen. Christ is born, raising up the image that fell of old." Troparion, Eve of the Nativity of our Lord
"Mary was of David’s seed, so she went with Joseph to register in Bethlehem. She bore in her womb the Fruit not sown by man. The time for the birth was at hand. Since there was no room at the inn, the cave became a beautiful palace for the Queen. Christ is born, raising up the image that fell of old." Troparion, Eve of the Nativity of our Lord
[It is] quite possible that when miracles do come our way, our smugness and pride prevent us from seeing the miracle that is right in front of us. I once asked a young Egyptian Christian about the appearance of the Holy Virgin before crowds of people on the dome of Saint Mary Coptic Orthodox Church in Cairo. Everyone, whether they were Christians, Muslims, Jews, or atheists, were able to witness the appearance, and I wondered why such miracles happened in Egypt, but not in the West. The young man said that Christians in the Middle East live their lives in expectation of miracles, so when they come they are not surprised, but received with joy. Westerners, he said, in their collective pride, are skeptics, and ignore miracles sent by God.
If we are awaiting the day God will prove Himself to us, we fail to notice that He has been doing just that from the very beginning, but our smugness and pride have blinded us to that which has always been there.
—Abbot Tryphon
If we are awaiting the day God will prove Himself to us, we fail to notice that He has been doing just that from the very beginning, but our smugness and pride have blinded us to that which has always been there.
—Abbot Tryphon
Christ is born, glorify Him. Christ from heaven, go out to meet Him. Christ on earth; be exalted. Sing unto the Lord all the whole earth; and that I may join both in one word, Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad, for Him Who is of heaven and then of earth. Christ in the flesh, rejoice with trembling and with joy; with trembling because of your sins, with joy because of your hope. Christ of a Virgin; O you Matrons live as Virgins, that you may be Mothers of Christ. Who does not worship Him That is from the beginning? Who does not glorify Him That is the Last?
Again the darkness is past; again Light is made; again Egypt is punished with darkness; again Israel is enlightened by a pillar. (Exodus 14:20) The people that sat in the darkness of ignorance, let it see the Great Light of full knowledge. (Isaiah 9:6) Old things are passed away, behold all things have become new. (1 Corinthians 5:17) The letter gives way, the Spirit comes to the front. The shadows flee away, the Truth comes in upon them. Melchisedec is concluded. He that was without Mother becomes without Father (without Mother of His former state, without Father of His second). The laws of nature are upset; the world above must be filled. Christ commands it, let us not set ourselves against Him. O clap your hands together all you people, because unto us a Child is born, and a Son given unto us, Whose Government is upon His shoulder (for with the Cross it is raised up), and His Name is called The Angel of the Great Counsel of the Father. (Isaiah 9:6) Let John cry, Prepare the way of the Lord: (Matthew 3:3) I too will cry the power of this Day. He Who is not carnal is Incarnate; the Son of God becomes the Son of Man, Jesus Christ the Same yesterday, and today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) Let the Jews be offended, let the Greeks deride; (1 Corinthians 1:23) let heretics talk till their tongues ache. Then shall they believe, when they see Him ascending up into heaven; and if not then, yet when they see Him coming out of heaven and sitting as Judge.
—Oration 38, I-II, St Gregory the Theologian
—Oration 38, I-II, St Gregory the Theologian
Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.” When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called My Son.” + St Matthew 2:13-15
Joseph, the Betrothed (first Sunday after the Nativity) was chosen by God to be the guardian of Jesus Christ and His holy Mother, a task which he performed with great humility and diligence.
Joseph, the Betrothed (first Sunday after the Nativity) was chosen by God to be the guardian of Jesus Christ and His holy Mother, a task which he performed with great humility and diligence.
The Second Day Of The Feast Of The Nativity is the Synaxis Of the Most Holy Theotokos (Dec 26). We honour the Mother of God as the one through whom the Incarnation was made possible. She is "the new Eve, the first and pre-eminent representative of the renewed human race, chosen and prepared by God throughout all generations, for the fulfillment of the Great Mystery of His Incarnation." (Synaxarion)
The Holy Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen (Jan 9/ Dec 27), the first Apostolic-era martyr for Jesus Christ, entered into Christ's Kingdom asking for forgiveness towards his murderers: "Lord, do not charge them with this sin." Acts 7:59
"You confounded the council of those who persecuted you, beholding your Saviour enthroned at the Father’s right hand. Never cease praying that our souls may be saved!"
"You confounded the council of those who persecuted you, beholding your Saviour enthroned at the Father’s right hand. Never cease praying that our souls may be saved!"