Sorry that this entry is being uploaded late, tis finals week, and the auto schedule was for the wrong date.
In the Name of The Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
In our Liturgy, we pray in response to the presentation of the Holy Gifts, "One is Holy, One is Lord, Jesus Christ, to the Glory of God the Father, Amen." It is from this point, I wish to talk about the feast of the Maternity of St Anna.
God by his very nature is Holy. The Theotokos is holy by Grace, not anything on her own merit. Or put another way, Mary is by grace, what God is by nature. Traditionally this feast is not celebrated on the 8th of December, but rather the 9th, a day later, because The Theotokos is human, and Christ makes up for what is lacking. (And St John the Forerunner's conception is celebrated on the 23rd of September, one day early in anticipation, for being the greatest of the prophets....(a rather nice note))
The Troparion for the day tells us "Today, the bonds of barrenness are loosed, for God has heard the prayers of Joachim and Ana. He promised beyond hope, the birth of their godly daughter. The Indescribable, himself, born of her as a mortal commanded us through the angel to sing to her: Rejoice, O woman, full of grace, the Lord is with you."
Our Kontakion tells us: "Today the whole world celebrates how Anna becomes a mother by the power of God, She conceived the woman whose conception of the Word is beyond our words."
You'll notice, that in both of these situations, it's neither the Theotokos of Ss Joachim and Anna who are the focus, but rather Our Triune God, all through the power of God. For without God, we are nothing.
This is what we should remember on this day, the power of God can overcome anything, and we too can become by grace, what God is by nature. The Theotokos is the perfect example of this.
Let us the faithful, extol the Theotokos, the ever flowing Fountain of Life, radiant Beacon of Grace, Living Temple, and most pure Tabernacle, more spacious than earth and heaven.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Showing posts with label Byzantine Catholic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Byzantine Catholic. Show all posts
13 December 2016
21 July 2016
21 February 2016
Reflection on the Troparia and Kontakia of the 3rd Sunday of Lent
The Troparia for This coming Sunday are:
You have destroyed Death by your cross, you opened paradise to the thief, The sorrow of the myrrh bearers you turned to joy. You commanded your apostles to proclaim: Christ our God, you have risen, granting great mercy to the world.
Save your people O Lord, and bless your inheritance. Grant victory to your Church over evil and protect your people by your Cross
The Kontokian for this coming Sunday is as follows:
No longer does the flaming sword guard over the ages of Eden, for the tree of the cross has come to quench it wondrously. The sting of death and the victory of Hades have been driven out. For you, O my Saviour, stood and called out to those in Hades, Enter again into paradise.
On this the Third Sunday of Lent, we venerate the Holy Cross,
In the 1st Troparia, which is the Troparia of the resurrection, we see Jesus remembering the good thief on the cross.
We recall the words of the good thief in the prayer before Holy Communion, "Remember me, O Lord when you come into your Kingdom." Why do we pray these words? We beg for the mercy of God (as we have been throughout the Liturgy)....These are not just empty words on a page, they are quite significant. We beg for God's mercy to not eat and drink our own condemnation in the reception of Holy Communion. We pray for the forgiveness of all of our sins, God is good and loves us all, and all things are possible through the Holy Trinity.
To proclaim: Christ is Risen, granting great mercy to the world. As St Paul alludes to, the Faith is in in vain if the resurrection did not happen. Great mercy, the latin word misericordiae, literally means o have a place in the heart....
My Bishop Gerald puts it this way "...mercy has a much deeper, more profound meaning. I did not simply mean to feel sorry for a person. The word "mercy" mean to have the ability to get inside the "body" of a person so that you can see things as he/she sees them. It meant to possess the ability o think with their minds and to feel with their feelings."
Our Lord did exactly this by taking flesh, being born of a woman (cf Eph 4, 4-6, Phil 2, 1-12). Taking on human nature in all things but sin. Our God is very personal and not someone that is far or abstract as some would like to say. For some this can be quite a challenge, how could God be so personable? I is definitely a great mystery and something we could dwell upon forever.
It sometimes seems that evil is going to conquer the Church. Whether it's ridiculous statements by *insert clergy member here* or some type of scandal, we know our God who loves us all, keeps His promises, the gates of hell will not prevail against the Church. (Mt 16, 19), we pray the grace of Our Lord guide the Church through the various storms that attack the Church.
After the ancestral sin of our parents Adam and Eve, the tree of Life, the Cross restores what was lost. Death has been trampled by Death, by His grace are we able to enter eternal life. Those that died before Christ were called on his decent into Hades.
Today in addition to the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, we in the Byzantine church chant "We bow to your Cross, O Lord, and we glorify, your Holy Resurrection. In place of the Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy and Immortal. 3 times of course.
It is through the Cross that we are able to have Life after death, let us focus upon the mystery of the cross, and do our best, so that Our Lord will indeed, remember us when we come into His Kingdom.
You have destroyed Death by your cross, you opened paradise to the thief, The sorrow of the myrrh bearers you turned to joy. You commanded your apostles to proclaim: Christ our God, you have risen, granting great mercy to the world.
Save your people O Lord, and bless your inheritance. Grant victory to your Church over evil and protect your people by your Cross
The Kontokian for this coming Sunday is as follows:
No longer does the flaming sword guard over the ages of Eden, for the tree of the cross has come to quench it wondrously. The sting of death and the victory of Hades have been driven out. For you, O my Saviour, stood and called out to those in Hades, Enter again into paradise.
On this the Third Sunday of Lent, we venerate the Holy Cross,
In the 1st Troparia, which is the Troparia of the resurrection, we see Jesus remembering the good thief on the cross.
We recall the words of the good thief in the prayer before Holy Communion, "Remember me, O Lord when you come into your Kingdom." Why do we pray these words? We beg for the mercy of God (as we have been throughout the Liturgy)....These are not just empty words on a page, they are quite significant. We beg for God's mercy to not eat and drink our own condemnation in the reception of Holy Communion. We pray for the forgiveness of all of our sins, God is good and loves us all, and all things are possible through the Holy Trinity.
To proclaim: Christ is Risen, granting great mercy to the world. As St Paul alludes to, the Faith is in in vain if the resurrection did not happen. Great mercy, the latin word misericordiae, literally means o have a place in the heart....
My Bishop Gerald puts it this way "...mercy has a much deeper, more profound meaning. I did not simply mean to feel sorry for a person. The word "mercy" mean to have the ability to get inside the "body" of a person so that you can see things as he/she sees them. It meant to possess the ability o think with their minds and to feel with their feelings."
Our Lord did exactly this by taking flesh, being born of a woman (cf Eph 4, 4-6, Phil 2, 1-12). Taking on human nature in all things but sin. Our God is very personal and not someone that is far or abstract as some would like to say. For some this can be quite a challenge, how could God be so personable? I is definitely a great mystery and something we could dwell upon forever.
It sometimes seems that evil is going to conquer the Church. Whether it's ridiculous statements by *insert clergy member here* or some type of scandal, we know our God who loves us all, keeps His promises, the gates of hell will not prevail against the Church. (Mt 16, 19), we pray the grace of Our Lord guide the Church through the various storms that attack the Church.
After the ancestral sin of our parents Adam and Eve, the tree of Life, the Cross restores what was lost. Death has been trampled by Death, by His grace are we able to enter eternal life. Those that died before Christ were called on his decent into Hades.
Today in addition to the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, we in the Byzantine church chant "We bow to your Cross, O Lord, and we glorify, your Holy Resurrection. In place of the Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy and Immortal. 3 times of course.
It is through the Cross that we are able to have Life after death, let us focus upon the mystery of the cross, and do our best, so that Our Lord will indeed, remember us when we come into His Kingdom.
14 January 2016
Some thoughts on sin/confession
In the Divine Liturgy, we pray the following:
"O Lord, I also believe and profess that this, which I am about to receive, is truly your most precious body and your life-giving blood, which I pray, make me worthy to receive for the remission of all my sins and for life everlasting. Amen
O God, be merciful to me a sinner
O God, cleanse me of my sins and have mercy on me
O Lord, forgive me for I have sinned without number."
Something I find a bit fascinating is that we pray for the remission of all of our sins...this may seem rather strange for those on the outside looking in, or those that are not familiar at all...typically more people are familiar with the western terminology and mindset towards sin, which goes a little something like this:
A person must be in the "state of grace" to receive Holy Communion, and one can determine this via:
Mortal sin: sin that leads directly to the cutting off of our relationship with God...(must go directly to confession, or make a perfect act of contrition with the resolve of going to confession asap)
Venial sin: sin of a lesser degree, wounds, but not completely cuts off our relationship with God. (forgiven during the penitential act, and by receiving Communion)
Then for a sin to be mortal there are 3 conditions
a. Grave matter
b. full knowledge
c. the intention to sin to do it.
All wonderful and good mind you, absolutely nothing against what has been presented...however, for those that tend towards scrupulosity, and those that tend to be a bit OCD about their sinful lives, perhaps this approach wouldn't necessarily be quite helpful...and perhaps might make one go crazy over things when perhaps they should not do so...
As the old saying goes, life in the Church is not meant to drive one insane (it really isn't, I know it might be hard to believe at times...especially in these times)
In the Eastern world, confession is more or less seen as move on and strive to do better. Cooperate with the graces given and strive to "sin no more", rather than atonement for what we've done in the past...and perhaps one of these days I'll write a more detailed write up on the Eastern thoughts on sin...but today's not that day.
In the Eastern world, sin is more or less seen as falling short, or not cooperating with those graces that are received. No need to define exactly which is which, simply falling short, and we need to ry and do better.
At least in my own experience for me it's been much easier and freeing to live the Eastern spirituality towards confession and sin. I find it much easier when I do need to go to confession, to say what needs to be said. Perhaps it's because my world is so defined being a mathematician and a physicist, that spiritually, so to speak, a break from what is the normal course of thought should be done.
So yes, sometimes it is better to do an examination once a month, rather than a hurried confession before Divine Liturgy....this is not to say not to go to confession, of course one should. But one should not be scrupulous, or going mad stressing over every little thing either.
"O Lord, I also believe and profess that this, which I am about to receive, is truly your most precious body and your life-giving blood, which I pray, make me worthy to receive for the remission of all my sins and for life everlasting. Amen
O God, be merciful to me a sinner
O God, cleanse me of my sins and have mercy on me
O Lord, forgive me for I have sinned without number."
Something I find a bit fascinating is that we pray for the remission of all of our sins...this may seem rather strange for those on the outside looking in, or those that are not familiar at all...typically more people are familiar with the western terminology and mindset towards sin, which goes a little something like this:
A person must be in the "state of grace" to receive Holy Communion, and one can determine this via:
Mortal sin: sin that leads directly to the cutting off of our relationship with God...(must go directly to confession, or make a perfect act of contrition with the resolve of going to confession asap)
Venial sin: sin of a lesser degree, wounds, but not completely cuts off our relationship with God. (forgiven during the penitential act, and by receiving Communion)
Then for a sin to be mortal there are 3 conditions
a. Grave matter
b. full knowledge
c. the intention to sin to do it.
All wonderful and good mind you, absolutely nothing against what has been presented...however, for those that tend towards scrupulosity, and those that tend to be a bit OCD about their sinful lives, perhaps this approach wouldn't necessarily be quite helpful...and perhaps might make one go crazy over things when perhaps they should not do so...
As the old saying goes, life in the Church is not meant to drive one insane (it really isn't, I know it might be hard to believe at times...especially in these times)
In the Eastern world, confession is more or less seen as move on and strive to do better. Cooperate with the graces given and strive to "sin no more", rather than atonement for what we've done in the past...and perhaps one of these days I'll write a more detailed write up on the Eastern thoughts on sin...but today's not that day.
In the Eastern world, sin is more or less seen as falling short, or not cooperating with those graces that are received. No need to define exactly which is which, simply falling short, and we need to ry and do better.
At least in my own experience for me it's been much easier and freeing to live the Eastern spirituality towards confession and sin. I find it much easier when I do need to go to confession, to say what needs to be said. Perhaps it's because my world is so defined being a mathematician and a physicist, that spiritually, so to speak, a break from what is the normal course of thought should be done.
So yes, sometimes it is better to do an examination once a month, rather than a hurried confession before Divine Liturgy....this is not to say not to go to confession, of course one should. But one should not be scrupulous, or going mad stressing over every little thing either.
27 May 2015
A prayer for pentecost
O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, You bestowed Your peace upon us and You granted us the gift of the Most Holy Spirit. And, while sill yet being present with us in this life, You continue to bestow upon the faithful this inheritance that can never be taken away. On this day, in a vivid manner, You sent down this grace upon your disciples and apostles, confirming their lips with fiery tongues so that, through them, we and the whole human race have received the knowledge of God tthrough our own ears in our own language. We have been enlightened by the light of the Spirit and have been delivered from error as through from darkness by the distribution of visible and fiery tongues. Through this mysterious action, we have thereby been taught faith in You; and having been illuminated, we bless You (+), together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, as one Divinity and Power and Authority.
You are also the Splendor of the Father, the unchangeable and immutable Image of His essence and His nature, and he Source of wisdom and grace. Open my sinful lips and teach me he manner in which and for what needs I should pray. For You know the great multitude of my sins, but their magnitude can be vanquished by Your loving kindness. For behold, I kneel before you with fear, and I cast the despair of my soul into the depth of Your mercy. Guide my life along Your ways, for You govern all creation by a word with the unchangeable power of Your wisdom; show me the way in which I should walk, O tranquil Haven of those who are forcefully perplexed. Grant the Spirit of Your wisdom o my deliberations, giving the Spirit of understanding to my ignorance. With the Spirit of Your fear, overshadow my deeds and renew a steadfast spirit deeply within me. And with Your Sovereign Spirit toward those things that are profitable for me, I may be deemed worthy o fulfill Your commandments. Let me be constantly aware of Your coming in glory when You will judge our deeds. Protect me from the corrupting pleasures of this world; strengthen me with the desire to strive for the treasures of the world to come.
For You have said, O Master, that whatever anyone asks for in Your name, it will be received without hindrance from Your Father, the co-eternal God. Therefore, on he feast on the descent of Your Holy Spirit, I, a sinner, also entreat Your goodness so hat You would grant me whatever I have asked that is for salvation. Indeed, O Lord, You are the generous Giver of all benefits; and You are a gracious provider Who gives most abundantly those things for which we ask. You are the Compassionate One and the Merciful One Who sinlessly became a partaker of our flesh; and unto those who bend their knees to You, Who became the purifier of our sins, You extend your infinite loving-kindness
O Lord, grant Your generosities to Your people. Hear us from Your holy heaven. Sanctify us by the power of Your saving right hand. Cover us beneath the shelter of Your wings, and do not despise he works of Your hand. We have transgressed against You alone; against You only have we sinned, but only You do we worship We do not know how to worship a strange god; neither do we stretch our our hands O Master to any other god. Pardon our transgressions and accept our prayers that we offer on bended knees. Extend he hand of Your help to all of us. Accept the prayer of all as f it were pleasant incense, acceptable before your most gracious kingdom.
Lord O Lord, who delivers us from every arrow that flies by day, deliver us from all things that walk in darkness. Accept the lifting up of our hands as an evening sacrifice. Deem us also worthy to pass blamelessly through the course of the night, untempted by evil things; and deliver us from every disturbance and apprehension that comes to us from the Devil. Grant compunction to our souls, and grant hat we may meditate upon the trial at Your fearsome and righteous judgement. Nail the fear of You to our flesh, and mortify all of our earthly body members so that during the quietness of sleep we may be enlightened with the vision of Your judgements. Remove us also from every unseemly dream and harmful passion of the flesh. Then raise us up again at the time for prayer, fortified in tthe faith and advancing in your commandments.
Through the generosity and the goodness of Your only-begotten Son, with Whom You are blessed together with Your all-holy, gracious, and life-creating Spirit (+), now and ever and forever. Amen
You are also the Splendor of the Father, the unchangeable and immutable Image of His essence and His nature, and he Source of wisdom and grace. Open my sinful lips and teach me he manner in which and for what needs I should pray. For You know the great multitude of my sins, but their magnitude can be vanquished by Your loving kindness. For behold, I kneel before you with fear, and I cast the despair of my soul into the depth of Your mercy. Guide my life along Your ways, for You govern all creation by a word with the unchangeable power of Your wisdom; show me the way in which I should walk, O tranquil Haven of those who are forcefully perplexed. Grant the Spirit of Your wisdom o my deliberations, giving the Spirit of understanding to my ignorance. With the Spirit of Your fear, overshadow my deeds and renew a steadfast spirit deeply within me. And with Your Sovereign Spirit toward those things that are profitable for me, I may be deemed worthy o fulfill Your commandments. Let me be constantly aware of Your coming in glory when You will judge our deeds. Protect me from the corrupting pleasures of this world; strengthen me with the desire to strive for the treasures of the world to come.
For You have said, O Master, that whatever anyone asks for in Your name, it will be received without hindrance from Your Father, the co-eternal God. Therefore, on he feast on the descent of Your Holy Spirit, I, a sinner, also entreat Your goodness so hat You would grant me whatever I have asked that is for salvation. Indeed, O Lord, You are the generous Giver of all benefits; and You are a gracious provider Who gives most abundantly those things for which we ask. You are the Compassionate One and the Merciful One Who sinlessly became a partaker of our flesh; and unto those who bend their knees to You, Who became the purifier of our sins, You extend your infinite loving-kindness
O Lord, grant Your generosities to Your people. Hear us from Your holy heaven. Sanctify us by the power of Your saving right hand. Cover us beneath the shelter of Your wings, and do not despise he works of Your hand. We have transgressed against You alone; against You only have we sinned, but only You do we worship We do not know how to worship a strange god; neither do we stretch our our hands O Master to any other god. Pardon our transgressions and accept our prayers that we offer on bended knees. Extend he hand of Your help to all of us. Accept the prayer of all as f it were pleasant incense, acceptable before your most gracious kingdom.
Lord O Lord, who delivers us from every arrow that flies by day, deliver us from all things that walk in darkness. Accept the lifting up of our hands as an evening sacrifice. Deem us also worthy to pass blamelessly through the course of the night, untempted by evil things; and deliver us from every disturbance and apprehension that comes to us from the Devil. Grant compunction to our souls, and grant hat we may meditate upon the trial at Your fearsome and righteous judgement. Nail the fear of You to our flesh, and mortify all of our earthly body members so that during the quietness of sleep we may be enlightened with the vision of Your judgements. Remove us also from every unseemly dream and harmful passion of the flesh. Then raise us up again at the time for prayer, fortified in tthe faith and advancing in your commandments.
Through the generosity and the goodness of Your only-begotten Son, with Whom You are blessed together with Your all-holy, gracious, and life-creating Spirit (+), now and ever and forever. Amen
02 August 2014
Sunday Troparion and Kontokion (Tone 7)
You have destroyed Death by your Cross, you opened paradise to the thief. The sorrow of the myrr-bearers you turned to joy. You command your apostles to proclaim, Christ Our God is risen, granting great mercy to the world.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever Amen
No longer can the might of death rule over us. Christ descended destroying and crushing its power. Hades remains enchained the prophets rejoice together. The Savior has appeared saying to those in darkness come forth Faithful to the Resurrection.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever Amen
No longer can the might of death rule over us. Christ descended destroying and crushing its power. Hades remains enchained the prophets rejoice together. The Savior has appeared saying to those in darkness come forth Faithful to the Resurrection.
01 August 2014
Today begins the Dormition fast
Also today there's a movement to fast and do a Holy Hour for the Christians in the Middle East, let us pray and fast for them, for their deliverance and for their salvation
08 June 2014
Blessed Pentecost
A hymn for Pentecost here
Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, everywhere present and filling all things, Treasury of Blessings and giver of life, come and dwell within us, cleanse us of all stain, and save our souls O Gracious One.
Today is the official end of Easter, today we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and Mary. The Apostles' were unable to bring the message of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth, without the power from on high.
Today our colour is green for Hope (the only day in the Byzantine church we wear green), in our new life in the Spirit. (In Rome it is red for the Holy Spirit)
Let us pray to cooperate with the grace we receive.
Pax Vobis
Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, everywhere present and filling all things, Treasury of Blessings and giver of life, come and dwell within us, cleanse us of all stain, and save our souls O Gracious One.
Today is the official end of Easter, today we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and Mary. The Apostles' were unable to bring the message of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth, without the power from on high.
Today our colour is green for Hope (the only day in the Byzantine church we wear green), in our new life in the Spirit. (In Rome it is red for the Holy Spirit)
Let us pray to cooperate with the grace we receive.
Pax Vobis
31 January 2014
The Divine Liturgy epistle from Weds.
James 3:11-4:6 From the DRB
Doth a fountain send forth, out of the same hole, sweet and bitter water? [12] Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear grapes; or the vine, figs? So neither can the salt water yield sweet. [13]Who is a wise man, and endued with knowledge among you? Let him shew, by a good conversation, his work in the meekness of wisdom. [14] But if you have bitter zeal, and there be contentions in your hearts; glory not, and be not liars against the truth. [15] For this is not wisdom, descending from above: but earthly, sensual, devilish.
[16] For where envying and contention is, there is inconstancy, and every evil work. [17] But the wisdom, that is from above, first indeed is chaste, then peaceable, modest, easy to be persuaded, consenting to the good, full of mercy and good fruits, without judging, without dissimulation. [18] And the fruit of justice is sown in peace, to them that make peace. Doth a fountain send forth, out of the same hole, sweet and bitter water?
From whence are wars and contentions among you? Are they not hence, from your concupiscences, which war in your members? [2] You covet, and have not: you kill, and envy, and can not obtain. You contend and war, and you have not, because you ask not. [3] You ask, and receive not; because you ask amiss: that you may consume it on your concupiscences. [4]Adulterers, know you not that the friendship of this world is the enemy of God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of this world, becometh an enemy of God. [5] Or do you think that the scripture saith in vain: To envy doth the spirit covet which dwelleth in you?
[6] But he giveth greater grace. Wherefore he saith: God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble
I was singing the epistle and somethings came to mind…in particular in verse 3 (I don't dare quote the NAB, which was the translation used in the Liturgy): You ask, and receive not, because you ask amiss: that you may consume it on your concupiscences.
As we know from the catechism, concupiscence is the tendency towards sin, or an intense human desire.
We often times put ourselves first, when we're asking for things in prayer. I know I tend to fall into this trap too. So often we often ask, Why doesn't God answer our prayers…and often times the answer given is that God answers all prayers, and in His will, this is most certainly true, but perhaps, also we asked for something that will confirm us in our weaknesses? (Think of, I really want that 105' flat screen ;)….or I want car x)…God in His infinite Wisdom, knows our weaknesses and He will not confirm us in our weaknesses, as He wants us to get closer to Him…and confirming us in our weaknesses will not do such.
Perhaps the questions we should ask when praying are:
1. Does what I'm asking for lead me closer to Him? If yes, ask in prayer…if NOT, don't.
2. Am I seeking to do my own will or God's? Of course the latter isn't given with some lightbulb moment with unicorns and dancing rainbows.
Another thing that came to my mind during the singing of the Epistle: in verse 6 "God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. "
Pride is of course a major form of idolatry, and all of us can fall into it. It comes in its various forms. I can tell you for myself, I'm one of the most self-determined people on the face of the planet….often times there are times when I should break myself and seek help, but I refuse because I do not want the help. (I of course am trying to fix this, but it's rather difficult)…giving grace to the humble. But of course humility is not merely a public display. Humility is the recognition that everything is God's first, yours last. (if at all). As I've mentioned before on this blog it'd be a false sense of humility to place one's own preferences ahead of one's duties. Something that comes to mind is the letter Pope Benedict XVI sent to the Bishops involving the removing of the excommunications of the SSPX Bishops. His grace is most certainly a free gift, we must certainly choose to accept it.
Upon doing some self reflecting, I can see situations where I've done the exact opposite of humility. It's quite tempting to want to go in and change things right away. (In certain situations it's absolutely necessary)….It's more humble to work with someone you disagree with than overtake them with might. The questions to think on humility are:
1. Do we recognize our gifts as from God, or from our own so called merits?
2. Are there situations where we exalt ourselves and our own preferences rather than working within what is given?
I pray that all of us are able to grow in both our prayer life and our humility in our daily lives and actions.
Pax Vobis
26 January 2014
Troparion for the 36th Su after Pentecost
Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad, for the Lord has shown the might of His arm. By His death, the Lord has trampled Death, He has become the first-born on of the dead. He has delivered us from the death of Hades, and has granted great mercy to the world.
Music here
Music here
18 January 2014
15 January 2014
What I learned Weds # 2 I think
I had been intending to join my friend Emmy, and her what I've learned Weds, but I've been extremely lazy at blogging, and since I'm even lazier to change the icon to a guy kneeling, I won't :p
Thus here we go:
1) Cats do have hearts. In spite of them thinking that they rule the universe (and let's not get it twisted, they do)...just look at this cute kitty :)...after 3 weeks of not seeing me, and being cat sit by a friend of mine, here's what I come to :)
2) In the Byzantine Liturgy, there are multiple ways of celebrating it. In the Russian tradition they sing the troparia (plural of troparian) of both the Sunday proper and of the Saint that is being celebrated each Sunday. Like Last Sunday they sung the psalm for both the Sunday after Theophany and St Tatyana. In the Ruthenian Byzantine tradition, they do not do this, with the exception of solemn feast days.
3) For those of you that know me, IRL, know my trust of people is extremely thin. It has nothing to do with this post actually. The third is that, I'm actually better at Russian than I thought, and I'm making fewer mistakes....the un-announced big announcement will come later. Do keep praying for me :)
Until next time
Pax Vobis
Thus here we go:
1) Cats do have hearts. In spite of them thinking that they rule the universe (and let's not get it twisted, they do)...just look at this cute kitty :)...after 3 weeks of not seeing me, and being cat sit by a friend of mine, here's what I come to :)
2) In the Byzantine Liturgy, there are multiple ways of celebrating it. In the Russian tradition they sing the troparia (plural of troparian) of both the Sunday proper and of the Saint that is being celebrated each Sunday. Like Last Sunday they sung the psalm for both the Sunday after Theophany and St Tatyana. In the Ruthenian Byzantine tradition, they do not do this, with the exception of solemn feast days.
3) For those of you that know me, IRL, know my trust of people is extremely thin. It has nothing to do with this post actually. The third is that, I'm actually better at Russian than I thought, and I'm making fewer mistakes....the un-announced big announcement will come later. Do keep praying for me :)
Until next time
Pax Vobis
12 January 2014
St Tatyana of Rome
From the Church bulletin at St Andrew's in El Segundo
On the 12th of January, the Afterfeast of the Theophany, we commemorate the martyr Tatyana of Rome and those who suffered with her. Saint Tatyana was a Roman whose parents were from the nobility. She was a Christian and a deaconess in the church. The Emperor at that time, Alexander, , was wavering and indecisive in his faith, for he kept the statues of Christ. Apollo, Abraham, and Orpheus in his palace. His assistance took it upon themselves to persecute the Christians without waiting for orders from him. When they brought out the virgin Tatyana for torture, she prayed to God for her torturers. They behold four angels standing around the Saint, and eight of them fell to the ground and professed belief in Christ, for which they were also tortured and slain. Other tormentors continued their savagery on Tatyana or days, placing her in a dungeon each night. The next day, by God's grace, she appeared before them completely healed. Finally, Tatyana and her father were led out together and both were beheaded in about the year 225.
In Russia this is often known as day of the student (she's a patroness of students'). This is also my dad's birthday, as well as my cat's feast day :)
On the 12th of January, the Afterfeast of the Theophany, we commemorate the martyr Tatyana of Rome and those who suffered with her. Saint Tatyana was a Roman whose parents were from the nobility. She was a Christian and a deaconess in the church. The Emperor at that time, Alexander, , was wavering and indecisive in his faith, for he kept the statues of Christ. Apollo, Abraham, and Orpheus in his palace. His assistance took it upon themselves to persecute the Christians without waiting for orders from him. When they brought out the virgin Tatyana for torture, she prayed to God for her torturers. They behold four angels standing around the Saint, and eight of them fell to the ground and professed belief in Christ, for which they were also tortured and slain. Other tormentors continued their savagery on Tatyana or days, placing her in a dungeon each night. The next day, by God's grace, she appeared before them completely healed. Finally, Tatyana and her father were led out together and both were beheaded in about the year 225.
In Russia this is often known as day of the student (she's a patroness of students'). This is also my dad's birthday, as well as my cat's feast day :)
10 December 2013
The How to pray the chyotki
Rumor has it that the author of this blog has his own chyotki (It is transliterated this way better the Russian spelling is чётки )...For those of you that have zero idea what a chyotki is...here's a picture
A chyotki is a prayer rope that dates back to the early centuries when the illiterate monks couldn't rad and so they'd use this to help them count their prayers...most often it is used like this:
On the big bead, you say O Holy Theotokos save us...
On the little beads you say: Lord Jesus, Son of David, (breathe) have mercy on me (us)...(often called prayer of the heart, or the Jesus' prayer)
It's that simple...Mine is blue, in honour of Our Lady (and it being my favorite color)...according to some, at the parish I attend, they say that Bishops' often have theirs blue...(God help us if that refers anything vocation wise)...I have 33 knots on mine in honour of the life of Our Lord...but there are several different sizes one can get. It is worn on the left arm...It is the eastern form of the rosary....and I rather like this prayer, so I thought I'd share it with you fellow readers.
The Holy Father wears one like this:
So thus I don't wish for anyone to say here at this blog that I hate the Holy Father....alright? We pray for him daily at this blog.
Pax Vobis
A chyotki is a prayer rope that dates back to the early centuries when the illiterate monks couldn't rad and so they'd use this to help them count their prayers...most often it is used like this:
On the big bead, you say O Holy Theotokos save us...
On the little beads you say: Lord Jesus, Son of David, (breathe) have mercy on me (us)...(often called prayer of the heart, or the Jesus' prayer)
It's that simple...Mine is blue, in honour of Our Lady (and it being my favorite color)...according to some, at the parish I attend, they say that Bishops' often have theirs blue...(God help us if that refers anything vocation wise)...I have 33 knots on mine in honour of the life of Our Lord...but there are several different sizes one can get. It is worn on the left arm...It is the eastern form of the rosary....and I rather like this prayer, so I thought I'd share it with you fellow readers.
The Holy Father wears one like this:
So thus I don't wish for anyone to say here at this blog that I hate the Holy Father....alright? We pray for him daily at this blog.
Pax Vobis
04 November 2013
Thought of the day
This is very soothing...May our mouths be filled with Your Praise O Lord so that we may sing of your glory, for You have deemed us worthy to partake of Your Holy, divine immortal, pure and life creating mysteries. Keep us in Your holiness so that all the day long we may live according Your Truth. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia :)
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