This lent I have tried to focus on 1. The Prayer of St. Ephrem and 2. Finding balance, peace, and looking inside at what I need to change. As I have prayed the Prayer of St. Ephrem over and over and over again this lent, I have been quite convicted with regards to the last… Continue reading Grant me to see my own transgressions.
Tag: great lent
This Week’s Hymnography
Thursday evening we gathered together in Church to sing, to worship, to give thanks to our God Who has come into the world through the Virgin. This day we honored Mary who gave her entire being in service to our Lord and God, Jesus Christ, our Savior. She never hesitated. She said yes to the… Continue reading This Week’s Hymnography
Anger and Meekness
During Great Lent this year I have endeavored to read a few different books. First, in order to make this happen I had to give up my slothful evenings of TV watching. And even still, I will probably not complete all the books I hope to. The one book, I will not read cover to… Continue reading Anger and Meekness
“Pilgrimage to Pascha”
Yesterday Great Lent began. I love Lent because I feel like I am given a do-over every year. A time to refocus my mind, body, and soul back on Christ. Really focus on Him! I try to stay focused on Him daily throughout the year but let's be honest, it isn't easy with all that… Continue reading “Pilgrimage to Pascha”
Forgiveness Sunday
Today, in the Eastern Orthodox church, it is designated as Forgiveness Sunday. It is the day before we enter Great Lent and we think about forgiveness, we ask forgiveness of each other and go into Great Lent with repentance on our minds and hearts. Last night we sang some beautiful hymnography in preparation for this… Continue reading Forgiveness Sunday
The End and the Beginning
Yesterday, just before the Gospel reading in the Divine Liturgy we heard the choir sing Alleluia and the Reader read "Come let us rejoice in the Lord! Let us make a joyful noise to God our Savior!" The choir sings again, "Alelluia" and the Reader responds with "Let us come before His face with thanksgiving;… Continue reading The End and the Beginning
Blessed Sunday!
Hello dear friends! I pray this Sunday finds you all well. I find myself at home this Sunday. We've been battling covid in our household and though we are feeling much, much better we thought we'd wait one more Sunday before heading back to the crowds. I've missed being at Church. Reading through the hymns… Continue reading Blessed Sunday!
A Foretaste
This stichera hymn sung last night really grabbed my attention. So vivid, it brings a bit of excitement to my heart as we know it to be a foretaste of what is to come. We have completed the forty days that profit our souls.Let us sing: “Rejoice, city of Bethany, home of Lazarus!Rejoice, Mary and… Continue reading A Foretaste
Middle of the Fast
This week marks the very middle of the fast. Last Sunday was the very center. As we head into the end of the fast may we find strength and encouragement from this hymn... This hymn is actually sung this coming Monday, the perfect time for a boost of encouragement to keep going. Today we sing… Continue reading Middle of the Fast
Prayer of St. Ephraim
As we walk our way through lent I thought I'd share with you one of my favorite prayers said specifically during Great Lent. It really is the perfect reflection of what our journey through lent is about. To change me. To work on me and my own salvation. I find this prayer to sum up… Continue reading Prayer of St. Ephraim
Kindler of Joy! 