As we, Orthodox Christians, come to the end of the first week of Great Lent, I thought I'd share something I recently read on battling extraneous thoughts during prayer. It doesn't matter what faith you follow, as Christians we are called to "pray without ceasing". We are called to follow the example of Christ and… Continue reading The Battle With Thoughts
I've been looking forward to this day for a many weeks, maybe even months. I sometimes ache for it. See, this day happens every single year within the liturgical calendar of the Orthodox Church. Today is what we call Forgiveness Sunday. Today is the day before Great Lent begins. During Liturgy today we read Matthew… Continue reading Today is a Big Day
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.
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
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
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”
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
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
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!
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
Kindler of Joy! 