🇷🇺 🇺🇦 We do not know everything about the conflicts of this world, nor is it necessary to know. We just pray with a compassionate heart for the peace of the world and for all. We do not take sides, because each side will be responsible for crimes, and we do not want to share in these crimes and be condemned. If we pray for those who are more wrong than right, well, we perform the commandment to love even enemies.
And if we pray for those who are more right than wrong, we do well. Therefore, we cannot go wrong if we pray that God save all and grant peace to the world. Especially for us, priests and monks, it is very important not to be political at all, because we offer our sacrifice to God, the Holy Liturgy, for the whole world; and if we are for some and against others, our sacrifice is annulled. I think that when there is a war, the best is not to be judgmental, but to have compassion and pray that the Lord may spare all from suffering. If my Liturgy is to have any value, no one should be missing from my heart when I stand before the altar of God and say to Him, ‘Thine own of Thine own, we offer unto Thee, in all and for all.
—Archimandrite Zacharias Zacharou
—Archimandrite Zacharias Zacharou
“Blessed is the man, whose hope is in the name of the Lord, and who hath not looked upon vanities and false frenzies.”
Psalm 39:6, from Kathisma 6 (Psalms 37-45), read at Thursday Matins during Lent. http://bit.ly/kathisma6
Psalm 39:6, from Kathisma 6 (Psalms 37-45), read at Thursday Matins during Lent. http://bit.ly/kathisma6
churchmotherofgod.org
Kathisma 6
Orthodox Church of the Mother of God, Mays Landing, New Jersey. A parish of the Orthodox Church in America.
If the philosophies of men were able to satisfy man, why did the philosophers Justin and Origen become Christians? Why did Basil, Chrysostom and Gregory, who in Athens studied all the philosophy of the Greeks, receive baptism? And why did Blessed Augustine, who knew the wisdom of both the Greeks and the Romans, throw away all and seek salvation and illumination in the Christian Faith? And St. Clement of Rome, who was very wealthy and very learned? And St. Catherine, who was from the royal house and knew all the worldly wisdom of the Egyptians? And the young Crown Prince Ioasaph in India, who knew all the Indian philosophies? And many, many more who, in philosophy, primarily sought explanations to the puzzles of the world and illumination for their souls, and afterward entered the Church and worshipped the Lord Christ?
— Reflection , PROLOGUE OF OHRID ☦️ March 4
— Reflection , PROLOGUE OF OHRID ☦️ March 4
"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." (Matthew 6:14)
Great Lent begins Monday. The last Pre-Lenten Sunday remembers the Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise. It is called both Cheesefare Sunday and the Sunday of Forgiveness. The Gospel lesson (Matthew 6:14-21) reminds us that God the Father will forgive us in the same manner as we forgive our brother.
This is the last day dairy products are eaten before the Fast. Great Lent begins on the next day, Clean Monday, a total fast day, except for a little water. At the beginning of Lent, we are like Adam, expelled from paradise through food. Today's Gospel also tells us that our fast must not be hypocritical or “for show.” Our work and our appearance are to continue as usual and our extra efforts are to be known only by God.
Great Lent begins Monday. The last Pre-Lenten Sunday remembers the Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise. It is called both Cheesefare Sunday and the Sunday of Forgiveness. The Gospel lesson (Matthew 6:14-21) reminds us that God the Father will forgive us in the same manner as we forgive our brother.
This is the last day dairy products are eaten before the Fast. Great Lent begins on the next day, Clean Monday, a total fast day, except for a little water. At the beginning of Lent, we are like Adam, expelled from paradise through food. Today's Gospel also tells us that our fast must not be hypocritical or “for show.” Our work and our appearance are to continue as usual and our extra efforts are to be known only by God.
Christ, the Saviour of the world, opens the door of paradise to everyone who follows Him, and the Church, by revealing to us the beauty of the Kingdom, makes our life a pilgrimage toward our heavenly fatherland.
If a person sincerely asks you to forgive him for his sinning against you - kindly forgive him every time he sins and love him staying close to him. When a wicked person pretends to be asking you for forgiveness so that he can then do what he wants, constantly entangling you in his affairs that harm other people spiritually - forgive him seventy-seven times and after that love him from afar and pray.
☦️Saint Paisios
☦️Saint Paisios
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Video: Kontakion of the Great Canon of St Andrew of Crete
The Great Canon of St Andrew, Bishop of Crete is a "monumental work, which St Andrew wrote for his personal meditations. Nothing else has its extensive typology and mystical explanations of the scripture, from both the Old and New Testaments. One can almost consider this hymn to be a' survey of the Old and New Testament'. Its other distinguishing features are a spirit of mournful humility, hope in God, and complex and beautiful Trinitarian Doxologies and hymns to the Theotokos in each Ode."
The Great Canon of St Andrew, Bishop of Crete is a "monumental work, which St Andrew wrote for his personal meditations. Nothing else has its extensive typology and mystical explanations of the scripture, from both the Old and New Testaments. One can almost consider this hymn to be a' survey of the Old and New Testament'. Its other distinguishing features are a spirit of mournful humility, hope in God, and complex and beautiful Trinitarian Doxologies and hymns to the Theotokos in each Ode."
It is the longest canon in all Orthodox services. The only times it is appointed to be read in church are the first four nights of Great Lent (Clean Monday through Clean Thursday, at Great Compline, when it is serialized). It is read in its entirety at Matins for Thursday of the fifth week of Great Lent, when the entire life of St Mary of Egypt is also read.
"The canon is a dialog between St. Andrew and his soul. The ongoing theme is an urgent exhortation to change one’s life. St Andrew always mentions his own sinfulness placed in juxtaposition to God’s mercy, and uses literally hundreds of references to good and bad examples from the OT and NT to 'convince himself' to repent."
www.orthodox.net/greatlent/great-canon-of-andrew-of-crete-explanation.html
"The canon is a dialog between St. Andrew and his soul. The ongoing theme is an urgent exhortation to change one’s life. St Andrew always mentions his own sinfulness placed in juxtaposition to God’s mercy, and uses literally hundreds of references to good and bad examples from the OT and NT to 'convince himself' to repent."
www.orthodox.net/greatlent/great-canon-of-andrew-of-crete-explanation.html
St Nicholas Orthodox Church
We are in McKinney Texas, about 20 miles north of Dallas. We are a diverse community of Orthodox Christians from all parts of the globe. Some of us are emigres from Russia, Ukraine, Greece, Bulgaria and other Orthodox nations, while others are American converts…
Where shall I begin to lament the deeds of my wretched life? How shall I begin, O Christ, to relieve my present tears? But as Thou art deeply compassionate, grant me forgiveness of sins.
Come, O wretched soul, and together with thy body confess to the Creator of all so that henceforth, thou shalt abstain from thy past foolishness and offer tears of repentance to God.
Having rivaled the first-formed Adam by my transgressions, I have found myself stripped naked of God, of the everlasting kingdom and all of its delights, because of my sins.
--Ode One, Troparia, The Great Canon of St Andrew of Crete
Come, O wretched soul, and together with thy body confess to the Creator of all so that henceforth, thou shalt abstain from thy past foolishness and offer tears of repentance to God.
Having rivaled the first-formed Adam by my transgressions, I have found myself stripped naked of God, of the everlasting kingdom and all of its delights, because of my sins.
--Ode One, Troparia, The Great Canon of St Andrew of Crete
This icon, written on Mount Athos by monks and iconographers at the Dormition of the Mother of God in 2006, portrays the six weeks of Great Lent in the events celebrated by the Church:
The Triumph of Orthodoxy, the Holy Cross Day, Lazarus Saturday, as well as the honoured saints: St. Gregory Palamas, St. John of Climacus and St. Mary of Egypt.
The Triumph of Orthodoxy, the Holy Cross Day, Lazarus Saturday, as well as the honoured saints: St. Gregory Palamas, St. John of Climacus and St. Mary of Egypt.
Together let us honour the holy company united by faith, those noble warriors of the Master of all."
The Forty Martyrs of the Armenian town of Sebaste (Mar 9), in what is now eastern Turkey were devout Christian soldiers "who wielded equally well the sword of battle and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God (Eph. 6:17)", enduring many tortures and finally martyrdom for their faith.
Saint Paisios the Athonite on the bravery of holy Martyrs:
"What love the holy Martyrs had for Christ, what bravery! ... [For example,] St. Gideon the Karakallenos (+1818) -- what amazing forbearance he had! To his executioners he said, 'Take my hand, take my leg, take my nose.' In short, take everything! Incredible! But for a man to reach that point, he must not love himself, he must love God.
The Forty Martyrs of the Armenian town of Sebaste (Mar 9), in what is now eastern Turkey were devout Christian soldiers "who wielded equally well the sword of battle and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God (Eph. 6:17)", enduring many tortures and finally martyrdom for their faith.
Saint Paisios the Athonite on the bravery of holy Martyrs:
"What love the holy Martyrs had for Christ, what bravery! ... [For example,] St. Gideon the Karakallenos (+1818) -- what amazing forbearance he had! To his executioners he said, 'Take my hand, take my leg, take my nose.' In short, take everything! Incredible! But for a man to reach that point, he must not love himself, he must love God.
A mother runs into a fire to save her child. She doesn't feel any pain, because her love is stronger than the burning of the fire. Her love for her child masks the pain. So you can imagine how much more the love for Christ can mask the pain of martyrdom!..
For the Saint approaching martyrdom, the love for Christ is stronger than the pain; it neutralizes it. The Martyrs felt the executioner's sword to be sweeter than the bow of a violin. When the love of Christ really blossoms, then martyrdom becomes a festival; fire refreshes better than a bath, because the burning feeling is dispelled by the burning of divine love. A flaying becomes a caress...
Divine eros takes hold of the heart, takes hold of the mind, and man goes 'mad'. He does not feel the pain of anything else, because his mind is on Christ; and his heart is overflowing with joy. So many Saints went to their martyrdom and felt such joy, one would think they were going to a festival!..."
For the Saint approaching martyrdom, the love for Christ is stronger than the pain; it neutralizes it. The Martyrs felt the executioner's sword to be sweeter than the bow of a violin. When the love of Christ really blossoms, then martyrdom becomes a festival; fire refreshes better than a bath, because the burning feeling is dispelled by the burning of divine love. A flaying becomes a caress...
Divine eros takes hold of the heart, takes hold of the mind, and man goes 'mad'. He does not feel the pain of anything else, because his mind is on Christ; and his heart is overflowing with joy. So many Saints went to their martyrdom and felt such joy, one would think they were going to a festival!..."
"You offered yourself as sweet bread to the Trinity, holy martyr Theodore. By your prayers, O Christ God, save our souls."
In the 4th century, emperor Julian the Apostate ordered food in the Constantinople marketplace to be sprinkled with blood offered to idols. The Great Martyr Theodore the Recruit appeared in a dream to Archbishop Eudoxius, ordering him to tell Christians to buy nothing at the marketplaces in Constantinople. Instead, Christians were to eat boiled wheat with honey (kolyva / koliva).
On the first Saturday of Great Lent we commemorate St Martyr Theodore and the Miracle of the Boiled Wheat. On the Friday evening prior, kolyva is blessed and distributed to the faithful. Kolyva is a symbol of the Resurrection. prepared for memorial services in the Orthodox Church, reminding us of our Lord's words: "Unless the grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone, but if it dies it bears much fruit." (John 12:24)
In the 4th century, emperor Julian the Apostate ordered food in the Constantinople marketplace to be sprinkled with blood offered to idols. The Great Martyr Theodore the Recruit appeared in a dream to Archbishop Eudoxius, ordering him to tell Christians to buy nothing at the marketplaces in Constantinople. Instead, Christians were to eat boiled wheat with honey (kolyva / koliva).
On the first Saturday of Great Lent we commemorate St Martyr Theodore and the Miracle of the Boiled Wheat. On the Friday evening prior, kolyva is blessed and distributed to the faithful. Kolyva is a symbol of the Resurrection. prepared for memorial services in the Orthodox Church, reminding us of our Lord's words: "Unless the grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone, but if it dies it bears much fruit." (John 12:24)
The Great Fast
"Fast from criticism, feast on praise.
Fast from self-pity, feast on joy.
Fast from ill-temper, feast on peace.
Fast from resentment, feast on contentment.
Fast from jealousy, feast on humility.
Fast from selfishness, feast on service.
Fast from fear, feast on faith.
Fast from bitterness, feast on forgiveness.
Fast from discontent, feast on gratitude."
--Fr John Bakas
"Fast from criticism, feast on praise.
Fast from self-pity, feast on joy.
Fast from ill-temper, feast on peace.
Fast from resentment, feast on contentment.
Fast from jealousy, feast on humility.
Fast from selfishness, feast on service.
Fast from fear, feast on faith.
Fast from bitterness, feast on forgiveness.
Fast from discontent, feast on gratitude."
--Fr John Bakas
On the 1st Sunday of Great Lent, the Sunday of Orthodoxy, we commemorate the “Triumph of Orthodoxy,” the restoration of the holy icons in the reign of the holy Empress Theodora.
St John of Damascus on Holy Images: "I do not worship matter, I worship the God of matter, who became matter for my sake, and deigned to inhabit matter, who worked out my salvation through matter. I will not cease from honouring that matter which works my salvation."
St John of Damascus on Holy Images: "I do not worship matter, I worship the God of matter, who became matter for my sake, and deigned to inhabit matter, who worked out my salvation through matter. I will not cease from honouring that matter which works my salvation."