Stefan Hrusca - Christmas Carols

High Is The Sky, And Deep.

Who Is Living In This House?

Dogmatic Development, Ecclesial Evolution, Individual Infallibility, Papal Petrine Primacy

The Sex, And The City, And The Orthodox Canons

One for the money; two for the show; three to get ready; and four to go!

The first time you marry is when you finally find 'The One'. The second time is when fate and destiny offers you a second chance. And the third time's the charm.

Canon IV Of Our Holy Father Basil The Great,
Archbishop Of Cæsarea In Cappadocia.

They that marry a second time, used to be under penance a year or two. They that marry a third time, three or four years. But we have a custom, that he who marries a third time be under penance five years, not by canon, but tradition. Half of this time they are to be hearers, afterwards Co-standers; but to abstain from the communion of the Good Thing, when they have shewed some fruit of repentance.

Canon L Of Our Holy Father Basil The Great,
Archbishop Of Cæsarea In Cappadocia.

We look on third marriages as disgraceful to the Church, but do not absolutely condemn them, as being better than a vague fornication.

Reformed Reaction To The Concept Of Synergy

A Year That Made (The) Church History

The Wachowski Brothers managed to persuade everybody into thinking that The Matrix has been intended as a Trilogy all along, pretty much like when in 325 A.D. Constantine & Co. convinced everyone that God has for the whole time been a Trinity.

(The Protocols Of The Elders Of Zion Athos).

The Condition Of Women In Orthodoxy

The Problem Of Pain.

Apophatism: The Very Heart Of Orthodoxy

The Marital Strife Between The Apophatic East
And The Positivist West.

Romanian Orthodox Wedding - Isaiah's Dance

The Sixth Sola, Some Six Centuries Before Luther's Schism

Saint Photios The Great,

Patriarch Of Constantinople.

And in the Holy Ghost, the Lord, the Giver of Life, Who from the Father ALONE proceeds, Who together with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, Who spoke through the Prophets.

Et in Spiritum Sanctum, Dominum et vivificantem, qui ex Patre SOLO procedit; qui cum Patre et Filio simul adoratur et conglorificatur; qui locutus est per Prophetas.

Ecclesia Semper Evoluanda

John Henry Cardinal Newman.

Everything is evolving, everything is falling apart.

Perfect Political Puppets

"Change We Need".

Sola Scriptura

Orthodox Shariah

Things They Don't Teach You In Catechism Class:

"Zorba The Greek", or:
"Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Orthodoxy

* But Were Afraid To Ask".

(No wonder they've excommunicated Kazantzakis)

For Those Who Didn't Get It The First Time ...

Orthodoxy For Dummies: Short And Simple:

Our Faith Exhaustively Explained

In Plain English, For Anyone To Understand.

Mr. Robinson

Photios Jones & Perry Robinson.

Eastern Exuberance And Profound Piety

Does the J.C.B. come from Jesus Christ Buldozer?

Protestantism & Historical Continuity

The Protestant View On The Eucharist

Why Won't God Heal Amputees?

Our Father Among The Saints,

Saint John Damascene.

A picture's worth more than a thousand words.

Numerhology

Rhology And Mariology

The Akathist Hymn.

O, Most-Holy God-Bearer, Virgin Lady, who are higher and above the Angels and Archangels, and more honored than all creation; great astonishment of Angels, foretelling of Prophets, precious adornment of Archangels, powerful strengthening of Martyrs, most-glorified praise of the Apostles, strong guidance of monks, firm forbearing of fasters, the cleanness and glory of virgins, peaceful joy of mothers, wisdom and teaching of children, guidance of the poor and widowed; clothing to the naked, health to the sick, release to the enslaved: silence to those at sea, safe haven to the stranded, untiring guidance to those astray, smooth walking to travelers, good rest to those tired, safe cover and escape to the oppressed; hope to the hopeless, helper to the needy; to the poor: unending richness, to those whom no-one loves: love and meekness; to the sinners: redemption towards God; to all Christians: strong fencing, unconquered and useful helper. Through you the Unseen One became seen, for which we bring you prayer: we, your servants, to you, our Lady. O, most-merciful Queen of the understanding-endowed and most-glorious Light, who gave birth to our King, Christ our God, Who gives life to all; who are praised by the Heavenly Hosts, angelic mind, all-shining star, and holier than all Saints; Queen of all kings, Lady of all creation, God-approved Virgin, unwedded Bride, Palace of the Most-Holy Spirit, fiery Throne of the Unseen King, heavenly Ark carrying the Word of God, fiery Chariot; rest of the living God, unspoken begetting of the Body of Christ, nest of the Heavenly Eagle, well-singing turtledove; most-kind, peaceful and most-pure dove; children-loving Mother, depth of mercies, drop that spills the wrath of God, unmeasured depth, unspoken mystery, unknown wonder, unspoken marvel; Church not made by human hands, of the very King of all Ages; well-smelling incense, honored garment, God-weaved purple garb, spiritual Paradise, fruit of the life-bearing tree; most-beautiful flower, that bloomed unto us the heavenly bliss; grape of our redemption; cup of the Heavenly King, in which the wine of the unending grace has been poured unto us by the Holy Spirit; messenger of the law, beginning of the true faith in Christ, unshaken tower and firm fortress, perdition of heretics, sword of God’s wrath against all unlawfulness; appalling of the devils, victory in wars, true guardian of all Christians, and entrusted redemption to the world. O, all-merciful Virgin Lady, God-Bearing Mistress, hear us who pray unto you, and show your mercy to the right-believing people; ask your Son to deliver us from all harm and evil. And guard this holy place and all towns and villages and Christian parts and all the right-believing people, which escape to you and call upon your holy name from all needs, and from every illness, sickness and disease, from all earth-shakes, floods, fires, and wars; from the coming of other nations upon us, and from the war from amongst us; from every pain, suffering and trouble. So that your servants may not be lessened by wounds, fear, death, or by the rightful wrath of God; but keep them and deliver them by your mercy, Lady, who pray for us and for good weather and times bearing all useful fruits, which you bestow upon us. Ease, lift, and deliver, most-merciful Mistress and most-praised God-Bearer, those who are in perils from all needs. Remember your servants and don’t overlook their tears and sighs; but renew us through your kindness, so that we may be thankfully comforted, by finding a helper in you. Have mercy on us, most-pure Lady, and help your right-believing people. Our hope, gather together those scattered: guide the lost on their way, those fallen away from the right belief turn them once again back to the faith, uphold the elderly, teach the young, feed the babes and glorify those who praise you; but foremost guard the Holy Church of your Son and keep her in the length of days. O, merciful and most-gracious Queen of Heaven and Earth, God-Bearer and Ever-Virgin, have mercy on us by your intercessions for all the right-believing Christian people. Keep it under the cover of your mercy; defend it with your precious covering, and pray to Christ, our God, Whom in a manner beyond nature you’ve embodied, to gird us with power from above, so that we may be able to defend ourselves against all of our seen and unseen enemies, who constantly wage war against us. Have mercy on, and help deliver through your prayers, Mother, our Most-Blessed Father (N), Patriarch of the (N) Orthodox Church, [our (Highly) Most-Hallowed (Metropolitan) (Arch-)Bishop (N)], and all Orthodox Hierarchs, Archimandrite fathers, Priests and Deacons, and all churchly clergy and all right-believing people, who revere your holy icon. Look upon all of us with your most-merciful usefulness; lift us up from the midst of our sins, and enlighten the eyes of our heart towards the search of redemption. Merciful be upon us here, and at the Last and Dreadful Judgment intercede to your Son on our behalf. Those who departed in right belief from this life unto the everlasting one together with the Angels, Archangels and all the Saints let them partake, so that they may sit at the right hand of your Son and God; and through your prayer make all Orthodox Christians worthy to live together with Christ, and to delight with joy in the angelic places. For you are, Lady, the glory of the Heavenly Hosts and the helper of earthlings; you are our hope and the usefulness of all who seek you and ask your holy help; you are the fervent prayer to your Son and our God, for the prayers of the Mother avail much for the softening of the Master. And with your intercession we take heart to draw near to the Holy Altar, near to the grace of the Most-Holy and Life-Giving Mysteries, though unworthy we may be. For that reason, we, the sinners, also rejoice when we see your all-honored image in the icon, holding the All-Keeper in your hands; and in all humbleness falling down before His face, with love and trembling we kiss Him, awaiting, Lady, that through your holy and God-received prayers, we may arrive at the heavenly gates of the everlasting life, and to stand unashamed on Judgment Day at the right side of your Son and our God, praising Him together with His beginning-less Father and with the Most-Holy, Kind and Quickening Spirit, both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

The Holy Prophet & Forerunner John The Baptist

The Beheading Of The Holy Prophet & Forerunner

John The Baptist.

Matthew 3:2 Repent ye, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!

The Holy Prophet & Forerunner John The Baptist.

Isaiah 40:3 ¶The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness,
Prepare ye the way of the LORD,
and make straight in the desert a highway for our God!

Malachi 3:1 ¶Behold, I will send My messenger before thy face,
and he shall prepare the way before Me.

Liturgical Lite

Theodoros Vassilikos - The Holy Liturgy.

Theodoros Vassilikos - The Cherubic Hymn.

Pious Propaganda Productions Proudly Presents:

Putna Monastery - Psalms 1, 2, 3.

Putna Monastery - Psalm 33.

Putna Monastery - Psalm 50.

Theodoros Vassilikos - Psalm 135.

Theodoros Vassilikos - The Cherubic Hymn.

The Holy Liturgy.

The Troparia Of The First And Fifth Voice. An Easter Hymn.

The Paraklesis Canon.

The Jordan On The Day Of The Lord's Baptism.

Orthodoxy For Dummies: Short And Simple

Orthodoxy Exhaustively Explained

In Plain English, For Anyone To Understand.

Banned And Erased

Vom Fuerste Geaechzet Und Vom Bapst Gebannt.

We were both born in the Autumn of `83.

Orthodoxy: Where The Truth Lies

The Holy Fore-Most Apostles Peter And Paul

The Holy Fore-Most Apostles Peter And Paul.

Troparion - Tone 4

First-enthroned of the apostles, teachers of the universe: Entreat the Master of all to grant peace to the world, and to our souls great mercy!

The Holy Fore-Most Apostles Peter And Paul.

Kontakion - Tone 2

O Lord, You have taken up to eternal rest and to the enjoyment of Your blessings the two divinely-inspired preachers, the leaders of the Apostles, for You have accepted their labors and deaths as a sweet-smelling sacrifice, for You alone know what lies in the hearts of men.

Kontakion - Tone 2

Today Christ the Rock glorifies with highest honor the rock of Faith and leader of the Apostles, together with Paul and the company of the twelve, whose memory we celebrate with eagerness of faith, giving glory to the one who gave glory to them!

The Birth Of Saint John The Baptist

The Birth Of Saint John The Baptist.

Troparion - Tone 4

Prophet and Forerunner of the coming of Christ, although we cannot praise you worthily, we honor you in love at your nativity, for by it you ended your father's silence and your mother's barrenness, proclaiming to the world the incarnation of the Son of God!

Kontakion - Tone 3

Today the formerly barren woman gives birth to Christ's Forerunner, who is the fulfillment of every prophecy; for in the Jordan, when he laid his hand on the One foretold by the prophets, he was revealed as Prophet, Herald, and Forerunner of God the Word.

The Most-Holy And Life-Giving Trinity

The Most-Holy And Life-Giving Trinity.

Troparion - Tone 8

Blessed art You, O Christ Our God, Who have revealed the fishermen as most wise by sending down upon them the Holy Spirit. Through them You drew the world into Your net, O Lover of Man, Glory to You!

The Visitation Of Abraham.

Kontakion - Tone 8

When the most High came down and confused the tongues, He divided the nations; but when he distributed the tongues of fireHe called all to unity. Therefore, with one voice, we glorify the All-holy Spirit!

Pentecost - The Descent Of The Holy Spirit

Pentecost - The Descent Of The Holy Spirit.

Troparion - Tone 8

Blessed art You, O Christ Our God, Who have revealed the fishermen as most wise by sending down upon them the Holy Spirit. Through them You drew the world into Your net, O Lover of Man, Glory to You!

Kontakion - Tone 8

When the Most-High came down and confused the tongues, He divided the nations; but when he distributed the tongues of fire He called all to unity. Therefore, with one voice, we glorify the All-Holy Spirit!

The Holy Emperors Constantine And Helen

The Equal-To-The-Apostles Holy Empress Helen,

The Mother Of Saint Constantine The Great,

The First Christian Ruler Of The Roman Empire.

Troparion - Tone 8

Having seen the figure of the Cross in the heavens, and like Paul not having received his call from men, O Lord, Your apostle among rulers, the Emperor Constantine, has been set by Your hand as ruler over the Imperial City that he preserved in peace for many years, through the prayers of the Theotokos, O only lover of mankind.

Kontakion - Tone 3

Today Constantine and his mother Helen reveal the precious Cross, the weapon of the faithful against their enemies. For our sakes, it has been shown to be a great sign, and fearsome in battle.

Bright Friday - The Spring Of Healing

The Life-Giving Fount.

Apolytikion in the Third Tone

As a life-giving fount, thou didst conceive the Dew that is transcendent in essence, O Virgin Maid, and thou hast welled forth for our sakes the nectar of joy eternal, which doth pour forth from thy fount with the water that springeth up unto everlasting life in unending and mighty streams; wherein, taking delight, we all cry out: Rejoice, O thou Spring of life for all men.

Bright Friday.

Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone

O Lady graced by God, you reward me by letting gush forth, beyond reason, the ever-flowing waters of your grace from your perpetual Spring. I entreat you, who bore the Logos, in a manner beyond comprehension, to refresh me in your grace that I may cry out, "Hail redemptive waters."

Bright Tuesday

The Third Day Of Easter.

Bright Monday

The Second Day Of Easter.

Christ Is Risen!

Indeed He's Risen!

Apolytikion in the Plagal of the First Tone

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death by death, and bestowing life on those in the graves.

Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone

Though You went down into the tomb, You destroyed Hades' power, and You rose the victor, Christ God, saying to the myrrh-bearing women, "Hail!" and granting peace to Your disciples, You who raise up the fallen.

Great And Holy Saturday - The Harrowing Of Hell

The Descent Into Hell.

Troparion - Tone 2

When You did descend to death, O Life Immortal, You did slay hell with the splendor of Your Godhead, and when from the depths You did raise the dead, all the Powers of Heaven cried out, O Giver of Life, Christ our God, glory to You!

Kontakion - Tone 6

He who shut in the depths is beheld dead, wrapped in fine linen and spices. The Immortal One is laid in a tomb as a mortal man. The women have come to anoint Him with myrrh, weeping bitterly and crying: "This is the most blessed Sabbath, on which Christ has fallen asleep to rise on the third day!"

Great And Holy Friday - The Funeral Of Our Lord

The Crucifixion Of Our Lord.

Troparion - Tone 2

The Noble Joseph, when he had taken down Your most pure Body from the tree, wrapped it in fine linen, and anointed it with spices, and placed it in a new tomb.

The Mourning Of Our Lady.

Troparion - Tone 2

The angel came to the myrrh-bearing women at the tomb and said: Myrrh is fitting for the dead, but Christ has shown Himself a stranger to corruption.

The Taking Down From The Cross.

Kontakion - Tone 8

Come, let us all sing the praises of Him who was crucified for us, for Mary said when she beheld Him upon the tree: Though You do endure the cross, You are my Son and my God!

The Funeral Of Our Lord.

The First Stanza Of The First State Of The Lord's Requiem.

In the Grave, Oh Life,
You've been laid down, Oh Christ,
And the Angelic Hosts of Heaven were terrified,
Your great and humble condescension glorifying.

Great And Holy Thursday - The Twelve Gospels

The Last Supper.

Troparion - Tone 6

Of Your Mystical Supper, O Son of God, accept me today as a communicant. For I will not speak of Your mysteries to Your enemies, neither like Judas will I give You a kiss, but like the thief will I confess You: Remember me, O Lord, in Your Kingdom!

The Mystical Supper.

Troparion - Tone 4

By Your precious blood, You have redeemed us from the curse of the law. By being nailed to the cross and pierced by a spear, You have poured forth immortality for man. O our Savior, glory to You!

Kontakion - Tone 8

Come, let us all sing the praises of Him who was crucified for us, for Mary said when she beheld Him upon the tree: Though You do endure the cross, You are my Son and my God!

The Bridegroom.

Troparion - Tone 8

Behold the Bridegroom comes at midnight, and blessed is the servant whom He shall find watching, and again unworthy is the servant whom He shall find heedless. Beware, therefore, O my soul, do not be weighed down with sleep, lest you be given up to death and lest you be shut out of the Kingdom. But rouse yourself crying: Holy, Holy, Holy, are You, O our God! Through the Theotokos have mercy on us!

Great And Holy Wednesday - The Betrayal Of Jude

The Betrayal Of Judas.

Troparion - Tone 8

When the glorious disciples were enlightened at the washing of their feet before the supper, then the impious Judas was darkened, ailing with avarice and to the lawless judges he betrays You, the righteous Judge. Behold, O lover of money, this man who because of money hanged himself. Flee from the greedy soul which dared such things against the Master. O Lord, who is good towards all men, glory to You!

Kontakion - Tone 2

With his hands the betrayer receives the Bread. With his hands he secretly receives the silver, the price of Him who fashioned man with His hands; so the servant and deceiver Judas remains depraved.

The Great And Holy Martyr George

The Great And Holy Martyr George,

The Victorybearer.

Troparion - Tone 4

You were bound for good deeds, O martyr of Christ: George; by faith you conquered the torturer's godlessness. You were offered as a sacrifice pleasing to God; thus you received the crown of victory. Through your intercessions, forgiveness of sins is granted to all.

Kontakion - Tone 4

God raised you as his own gardener, O George, for you have gathered for yourself the sheaves of virtue. Having sown in tears, you now reap with joy; you shed your blood in combat and won Christ as your crown. Through your intercessions, forgiveness of sins is granted to all.

Palm Sunday - The Floweries

The Entry Of Our Lord Into Jerusalem.

Troparion - Tone 4

When we were buried with You in Baptism, O Christ God, we were made worthy of eternal life by Your Resurrection! Now we praise You and sing: Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord!

Kontakion - Tone 6

Sitting on Your throne in heaven, carried on a foal on earth, O Christ God! Accept the praise of angels and the songs of children who sing: Blessed is He that comes to recall Adam!

Lazarus Saturday

The Raising Of Lazarus From The Dead.

Troparion - Tone 1

By raising Lazarus from the dead before Your passion, You did confirm the universal Resurrection, O Christ God! Like the children with the palms of victory, we cry out to You, O Vanquisher of death; Hosanna in the Highest! Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord!

Kontakion - Tone 2

Christ the Joy, the Truth and the Light of all, The Life of the World and the Resurrection Has appeared in His goodness, to those on earth. He has become the Image of our Resurrection, Granting divine forgiveness to all!

April Fools

Of Our Father Amongst The Saints

John Damascene

The Dogmatic or An Exact Exposition Of The Orthodox Faith

Further, they say that there are in the heaven twelve signs made by the stars, and that these move in an opposite direction to the sun and moon, and the other five planets, and that the seven planets pass across these twelve signs. Further, the sun makes a complete month in each sign and traverses the twelve signs in the same number of months. These, then, are the names of the twelve signs and their respective months:—

The Ram, which receives the sun on the 21st of March.
The Bull, on the 23rd of April.
The Twins, on the 24th of May.
The Crab, on the 24th of June.
The Lion, on the 25th of July.

The Virgin, on the 25th of August.
The Scales, on the 25th of September.
The Scorpion, on the 25th of October.
The Archer, on the 25th of November.
Capricorn, on the 25th of December.
Aquarius, on the 25th of January.
The Fish, on the 24th of February.

But the moon traverses the twelve signs each month, since it occupies a lower position and travels through the signs at a quicker rate. For if you draw one circle within another, the inner one will be found to be the lesser: and so it is that owing to the moon occupying a lower position its course is shorter and is sooner completed.

Annunciation, on the 25th of March.
The Great and Holy Martyr George, on the 23rd of April.
The Holy Emperors Constantine and Helen, on the 21st of May.
The Birth of Saint John the Baptist, on the 24th of June.
The Holy and Glorious Apostles Peter and Paul, on the 29th of June.
The Holy and Glorious Prophet Elijah, on the 20th of July.
The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist, on the 29th of August.
The Conception of Saint John the Baptist, on the 23rd of September.
The Great and Holy Martyr Demetrius, on the 26th of October.
The Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called, on the 30th of November.
Christmas, on the 25th of December.
The Three Holy Hierarchs, on the 30th of January.

Nevertheless, with the ancient Romans themselves not honoring or observing any of the aforementioned calendrical dates with any particular feasts or celebrations, we are simply left wondering, only to ask ourselves: whence the idea in the first place?

The Annunciation

The Annunciation Of The Holy Mother Of God

And Ever-Virgin Mary.

Troparion - Tone 4

Today is the beginning of our salvation, the revelation of the eternal mystery! The Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin as Gabriel announces the coming of Grace. Together with him let us cry to the Theotokos: Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with You!

Kontakion - Tone 8

O Victorious Leader of Triumphant Hosts! We, your servants, delivered from evil, sing our grateful thanks to you, O Theotokos! As you possess invincible might, set us free from every calamity so that we may sing: Rejoice, O unwedded Bride!

Paula Seling - Rain In The Month Of Mars

Paula Seling - Rain In The Month Of Mars.

Se7en

That's how many !

The Third Snowfall

Vangelis - Antarctica.

To Reform, Or To Deform? This Is The Question!

The Meeting Of Our Lord In The Temple

The Meeting Of Our Lord In The Temple.

Troparion - Tone 1

Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, full of grace! From you shone the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God. Enlightening those who sat in darkness! Rejoice, and be glad, O righteous elder; You accepted in your arms the Redeemer of our souls, Who grants us the Resurrection.

Kontakion - Tone 1

By Your nativity, You did sanctify the Virgin's womb, and did bless Simeon's hands, O Christ God. Now You have come and saved us through love. Grant peace to all Orthodox Christians, O only Lover of man!

The Holy Three Hierarchs: Basil, Gregory And John

The Holy Three Hierarchs:

Basil, Gregory And John.

Troparion - Tone 1

Let us who love their words gather together and honor with hymns the three great torch-bearers of the triune Godhead: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom. These men have enlightened the world with the rays of their divine doctrines. They are sweetly-flowing rivers of wisdom filling all creation with springs of heavenly knowledge. Ceaselessly they intercede for us before the Holy Trinity!

Kontakion - Tone 2

O Lord, You have taken up to eternal rest and to the enjoyment of Your blessings the divinely-inspired heralds, the greatest of Your teachers, for You have accepted their labors and deaths as a sweet-smelling sacrifice, for You alone are glorified in Your saints!

BEGGING THE QUESTION ... BIG TIME !

The Psalms Of David

Psalms 1, 2, 3; Sung On The Fifth Voice.

Psalm 22, The Shepherd's Psalm,
Sung On The Fifth Voice.

The Holy Liturgy: Psalm 102, The First Antiphon,
Sung On The Eighth Voice.

Cantor Balan Ioan - Pricesne On The Fifth Voice

Our Father. (The Lord's Prayer).



Mercy Me, Oh Lord, When I'm In Need.
(You Are My God).



All-Praised Creator.



My Cryings Shall Be Heard.



By The Rivers Of Babylon.
(Psalm 136).



Oh Lord, What Shall Be Of Me?

The Holy Prophet And Forerunner John The Baptist

The Holy Prophet And Forerunner

John The Baptist.

Troparion - Tone 2

The memory of the righteous is celebrated with hymns of praise, but the Lord's testimony is sufficient for you, O Forerunner. You were shown in truth to be the most honorable of the prophets, for you were deemed worthy to baptize in the streams of the Jordan Him whom they foretold. Therefore, having suffered for the truth with joy, you proclaimed to those in hell God who appeared in the flesh, who takes away the sin of the world, and grants us great mercy.

Kontakion - Tone 6

The river Jordan trembled and was driven back filled with fear at Your coming in the flesh, while John drew back in awe as he fulfilled the ministry of a prophet. The ranks of angels stood amazed, when they beheld You in the flesh being baptized in the streams. And we, who were in darkness, are filled with light as we praise You, who have appeared to enlighten all.

The Baptism Of Our Lord

The Baptism Of Our Lord, God and Saviour

Jesus Christ.

Troparion - Tone 1

When You, O Lord, were baptized in the Jordan, the worship of the Trinity was made manifest: for the voice of the Father bore witness to You and called You His beloved Son. And the Spirit, in the form of a dove, confirmed the truthfulness of His word. O Christ, our God, You have revealed Yourself and have enlightened the world, glory to You!

Kontakion - Tone 4

Today You have shown forth to the world, O Lord, and the light of Your countenance has been marked on us. Knowing You, we sing Your praises. You have come and revealed Yourself, O unapproachable Light.

Stefan Hrusca - Prayer For The Parents

Stefan Hrusca - Prayer For The Parents.

(Only the last three stanzas are sung in the video).

Enigmatical and tame,
Having finished their life’s aim,
At our side they fade and die,
Our dearest, dearest parents.
Call them back to You, oh Lord,
For they had it here so hard,
Make them young as they once were,
Make them younger than us all.

And for those that gave us birth,
Give an order, give something,
To delay their stay a bit,
Before they’ll start off again.
They’ve paid dearly, with their lives,
Their sons’ errors and mistakes;
Oh Lord, make immortal ones
Of the parents that are gone.

Behold them going away,
Behold them fading away,
Like candles in a cuckoo’s nest,
As if they snow, as if they rest.
Full of illnesses and pain
We return once more to dust;
As we’re all still standing tall,
Let us comfort our parents.

The earth’s getting heavier,
Break-up’s even harder still,
So long, dearest, dearest dad!
Fare-well, my beloved mom!
Why d’you look at me like this,
Oh my son and daughter mine?
I’ll be soon heading their way,
Dear ones, I’ll also be gone.

So long, dearest, dearest dad!
Fare-well, my beloved mom!
So long, dearest, dearest son!
Fare-well, dearest daughter mine!
Oh my father, oh my son,
Mother mine and daughter mine.

Happy New Year!

The Circumcision Of Our Lord.

Troparion - Tone 1

Enthroned on high with the Eternal Father and Your divine Spirit, O Jesus, You willed to be born on earth of the unwedded handmaid, your Mother. Therefore You were circumcised as an eight-day old Child. Glory to Your most gracious counsel; glory to Your dispensation; glory to Your condescension, O only Lover of mankind.

Kontakion - Tone 3

The Lord of all accepts to be circumcised, thus, as He is good, excises the sins of mortal men. Today He grants the world salvation, while light-bearing Basil, high priest of our Creator, rejoices in heaven as a divine initiate of Christ.

The Holy Hierarch Basil The Great,
Archbishop Of Caesarea In Cappadocia.

Troparion - Tone 1

Your proclamation has gone out into all the earth which was divinely taught by hearing your voice expounding the nature of creatures, ennobling the manners of men. O holy father of a royal priesthood, entreat Christ God that our souls may be saved.

Kontakion - Tone 4

You were revealed as the sure foundation of the Church, granting all men a lordship which cannot be taken away, sealing it with your precepts, O Venerable and Heavenly Father Basil.