THE MYSTIFICATOR

" The Talk "

2010-09-04T01:28:00.003+03:00

Personal Passover

2009-06-30T23:57:00.015+03:00

Why is this girl so different from all other girls?

Why do I shed both sweet as well as bitter tears for all others, but the thought of losing her makes only bitter tears run down my eyes?

Tobit 8:4 And after that they were both shut in together, Tobias rose out of the bed, and said, Sister, arise, and let us pray that God would have pity on us. 5 Then began Tobias to say, Blessed art thou, O God of our fathers, and blessed is thy holy and glorious name for ever; let the heavens bless thee, and all thy creatures. 6 Thou madest Adam, and gavest him Eve his wife for an helper and stay: of them came mankind: thou hast said, It is not good that man should be alone; let us make unto him an aid like unto himself. 7 And now, O Lord, I take not this my sister for lush but uprightly: therefore mercifully ordain that we may become aged together. 8 And she said with him, Amen. 9 So they slept both that night. 15 Then Raguel praised God, and said, O God, thou art worthy to be praised with all pure and holy praise; therefore let thy saints praise thee with all thy creatures; and let all thine angels and thine elect praise thee for ever. 16 Thou art to be praised, for thou hast made me joyful; and that is not come to me which I suspected; but thou hast dealt with us according to thy great mercy. 17 Thou art to be praised because thou hast had mercy of two that were the only begotten children of their fathers: grant them mercy, O Lord, and finish their life in health with joy and mercy. 19 And he kept the wedding feast fourteen days.

I Don't Really Love Her ...

2009-06-25T18:47:00.006+03:00

... because, if I were to truly love her, I'd just hold my peace:

this way it would be better for everyone involved ...

Protestant Proof Texting

2009-05-17T14:10:00.004+03:00

What movies, mosaics, and Bibles have in common.

By transferring passages, and dressing them up anew, and making one thing out of another, they succeed in deluding many through their wicked art in adapting the oracles of the Lord to their opinions. Their manner of acting is just as if one, when a beautiful image of a king has been constructed by some skilful artist out of precious jewels, should then take this likeness of the man all to pieces, should rearrange the gems, and so fit them together as to make them into the form of a dog or of a fox, and even that but poorly executed; and should then maintain and declare that this was the beautiful image of the king which the skilful artist constructed, pointing to the jewels which had been admirably fitted together by the first artist to form the image of the king, but have been with bad effect transferred by the latter one to the shape of a dog, and by thus exhibiting the jewels, should deceive the ignorant who had no conception what a king’s form was like, and persuade them that that miserable likeness of the fox was, in fact, the beautiful image of the king.

(St. Iraeneus, Against Heresies, First Book, Eighth Chapter).

Orthodoxy: Coming Soon To A Town Near You!

2009-05-05T21:31:00.002+03:00

Just in case You've been wondering what the Orthodox are up to, building all these God-forsaken little missions in small, back-water U.S. towns in the middle of nowhere...

Feminism: An Orthodox Touch

2009-04-28T01:13:00.005+03:00

The Patriarch And The Maiden.

The Miracle Of Easter ... Exposed!

2009-04-18T17:49:00.007+03:00

John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth,
and the truth shall make you free.

NEWS FLASH!

The Patriarch Of Jerusalem
forced by the Israeli Police under threat of imprisonment
to admit to the fraudulent nature of the Holy Fire,
to disclose the mythical nature of the Resurrection,
and to reveal the illusory nature of prayers to and for the dead.

1 Corinthians 15:14 And if Christ be not risen,
then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

Vain, indeed!

The Greatest Story Ever Told

2009-04-10T21:30:00.003+03:00

The Synoptic Problem.

The Dilemma

2009-04-03T07:48:00.008+03:00

[ This video is currently unavailable. ]

See my problem now?...

Isaiah 53:1 ¶Who hath believed our report?

Natural Theology

2009-03-24T22:15:00.001+02:00

Atheism

2009-03-17T21:27:00.006+02:00

Orthodoxy And The Papacy

2009-03-13T22:40:00.013+02:00

Yep ... it's that time of the year again ...

Made In Romania

2009-03-06T20:14:00.001+02:00

Protestantism

2009-02-28T16:21:00.001+02:00

Get On The Bus!

2009-02-11T03:15:00.002+02:00

Amateur Apologetics Of Dogmatic Development

2009-02-06T03:50:00.006+02:00

Catholicism On Trial:

When The Evidence Is Not All That Evident.

The Western World's View Of God's Wrath

2009-02-06T03:40:00.000+02:00

Individual Infallibility Of Papal Petrine Primacy

2009-02-06T03:35:00.000+02:00

To Tommy

2009-02-06T03:30:00.002+02:00

Nature Lover

2009-01-31T08:59:00.002+02:00

The Green Patriarch.

Purple Postings

2009-01-30T21:57:00.001+02:00

Convert Testimonies

2009-01-27T10:29:00.001+02:00

An Anemic Attempt At Answering An Animal Ache

2009-01-24T02:36:00.009+02:00

The Orthodox Perspective On The Atonement

2009-01-21T00:46:00.021+02:00

The last enemy that shall be destroyed
is death.
(1 Corinthians 15:26)

O death, where is thy sting?
O grave, where is thy victory?
(1 Corinthians 15:55)

The Frank Connection

2009-01-19T02:26:00.000+02:00

Orthodox Ecumenism 101.

The Fear Of God

2009-01-19T01:22:00.003+02:00

Anybody considering conversion?

(Yeah, I thought so).

Everybody, Listen Up, Here's How It's Done:

2009-01-13T20:33:00.003+02:00

Av ha Rachamim (Father of Mercies)
Sung By The Great Moyshe Oysher,
A Bessarabian Jew.

Psalm 50.

The Devious Lure That Orthodoxy Exerts On The Innocent, Impressionable, And Unsuspecting Souls Of Potential (And Particulary Gullible) Converts

2009-01-11T15:28:00.053+02:00

Revelation 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 17:2 With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. 18:3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

This one's fer Frank, the frankest of all Franks,
also called Kepha, the Rock, because of how much he likes Rock.

What is it about the Orthodox? Is their lack of integrity native to their religion? Within the past year, two Orthodox participants in discussions here have earned a ban. In both instances warnings were issued almost from the time they first began posting here - not due to the content of their writing and argumentation, repetitive though it was, but due to their demagoguery in the comboxes. Not only that, they both proceeded to defy their bans from the time they were issued. One would think that they would be at least somewhat concerned about maintaining some sort of testimony both personally and for their denomination. It doesn't look good for Orthodoxy to have representatives of their group who behave in such a manner. What's more the second of these, Lvka, not only violated his ban, but he can't even keep his own word. In a comment since removed, Lvka actually agreed with my vote to permaban him, because without it, he wouldn't be able to resist the temptation to misbehave. So much for Orthodox integrity. Currently, Lvka and Orthodox are not welcome here, not now, not ever. When Turretinfan urged clemency, I told him that I'm always open to the lifting of a ban. However, I'm not the only contributor to this blog. Unless the others here are open to lifting it, I will not lift it. I've tried that with Orthodox himself too, and he demonstrated he could not be trusted. Indeed, he took to posting pseudonymously for a time too, as if we couldn't figure out it was him. This sort of infantile behavior will not be tolerated. As a reminder, this blog is also a ministry. We provide this service free of charge to the community, but that doesn't mean that the community gets to set their own terms when participating here. If people who are banned have something to say, then they can use their own blogs to say it - not this one. They wouldn't appreciate it if we showed up at an Orthodox church service and started behaving in this manner. We'd be ejected quickly. The same rules apply to them when they come here, as it would apply to us in such a situation. So, let the record publicly show the entire blogging community that Lvka and Orthodox are not to be trusted to behave. If they are participating on your blogs, you might want to keep that in mind. I would urge other Orthodox bloggers, like Perry Robinson and JNorm -both of whom do a pretty good job and for whom, while I personally disagree with you both I have some respect for the way you comport yourselves - to have a word with their two peers about such childish behavior. Get it together, Lvka, and you might just have your ban lifted later on, but it does not help you to act the way you are currently. Any continued posts from you in any thread will tell us that you don't believe that what you say here is worth the bandwidth, and we can do with you what we did with Orthodox - hunt down your posts in every thread, and delete them on the premise that you agree that your posts are without value and should be deleted.

(The Triabloguers).

It just now began to dawn on me that instead of all the epithets used in the title I could've used just one single simple word: 'American'. Oh, well ... :-)

Protestantism And Historical Continuity

2009-01-10T02:34:00.004+02:00

Pink Postings

2009-01-08T23:46:00.002+02:00

The Post-Modern Pseudo-Petrine Proclamation

2009-01-07T16:59:00.006+02:00

[ This video is currently unavailable. ]

"Who do people say that I AM?"

An Annulment

2009-01-01T21:37:00.003+02:00

And God said: "Lines Zero to Infinity, delete!": and the Universe ceased to exist. Then God said: "Cancel project Genesis: it never had existed!"

Arthur C. Clarke

Believer's Baptism

2009-01-01T21:32:00.002+02:00

Stefan Hrusca - Christmas Carols

2008-12-24T12:24:00.004+02:00

High Is The Sky, And Deep.

Who Is Living In This House?

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

2008-12-20T03:18:00.002+02:00

The Sex, And The City, And The Orthodox Canons

2008-12-19T01:11:00.010+02:00

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

2008-12-17T17:45:00.007+02:00

A Year That Made (The) Church History

2008-12-16T18:15:00.011+02:00

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

2008-12-15T18:32:00.004+02:00

The Problem Of Pain.

Apophatism: The Very Heart Of Orthodoxy

2008-12-12T23:12:00.010+02:00

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

Romanian Orthodox Wedding - Isaiah's Dance

2008-12-12T13:50:00.001+02:00

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

2008-11-30T14:35:00.006+02:00

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

2008-11-30T14:24:00.003+02:00

John Henry Cardinal Newman.

Everything is evolving, everything is falling apart.

Perfect Political Puppets

2008-11-28T02:54:00.009+02:00

"Change We Need".

Sola Scriptura

2008-11-13T23:54:00.002+02:00

Orthodox Shariah

2008-11-10T00:17:00.007+02:00

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 ...

2008-10-30T21:46:00.006+02:00

Orthodoxy For Dummies: Short And Simple:

Our Faith Exhaustively Explained

In Plain English, For Anyone To Understand.

Mr. Robinson

2008-10-21T01:43:00.003+03:00

Photios Jones & Perry Robinson.

Eastern Exuberance And Profound Piety

2008-10-14T17:52:00.001+03:00

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

Protestantism & Historical Continuity

2008-10-08T18:21:00.002+03:00

The Protestant View On The Eucharist

2008-10-03T00:55:00.007+03:00

Why Won't God Heal Amputees?

2008-09-19T22:52:00.013+03:00

Our Father Among The Saints,

Saint John Damascene.

A picture's worth more than a thousand words.

Numerhology

2008-09-11T04:53:00.002+03:00

Rhology And Mariology

2008-09-08T05:27:00.005+03:00

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

2008-08-29T21:21:00.015+03:00

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

2008-08-10T11:51:00.009+03:00

Theodoros Vassilikos - The Holy Liturgy.

Theodoros Vassilikos - The Cherubic Hymn.

Pious Propaganda Productions Proudly Presents:

2008-08-03T20:38:00.018+03:00

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

2008-08-01T06:38:00.013+03:00

Orthodoxy Exhaustively Explained

In Plain English, For Anyone To Understand.

Banned And Erased

2008-07-30T09:52:00.002+03:00

Vom Fuerste Geaechzet Und Vom Bapst Gebannt.

We were both born in the Autumn of `83.

Orthodoxy: Where The Truth Lies

2008-07-08T19:40:00.001+03:00

The Holy Fore-Most Apostles Peter And Paul

2008-06-29T11:35:00.003+03:00

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

2008-06-24T23:11:00.002+03:00

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

2008-06-16T11:27:00.000+03:00

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

2008-06-15T22:38:00.003+03:00

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

2008-05-21T19:33:00.003+03:00

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

2008-05-02T18:28:00.003+03:00

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

2008-04-29T12:55:00.000+03:00

The Third Day Of Easter.

Bright Monday

2008-04-28T12:51:00.001+03:00

The Second Day Of Easter.

Christ Is Risen!

2008-04-27T03:16:00.002+03:00

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

2008-04-27T02:24:00.007+03:00

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

2008-04-25T21:43:00.021+03:00

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

2008-04-24T23:31:00.014+03:00

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

2008-04-23T23:00:00.003+03:00

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

2008-04-23T19:26:00.003+03:00

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

2008-04-20T12:24:00.006+03:00

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

2008-04-19T20:03:00.007+03:00

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

2008-04-01T14:31:00.023+03:00

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

2008-03-26T18:05:00.003+02:00

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

2008-03-01T19:50:00.003+02:00

Paula Seling - Rain In The Month Of Mars.

Se7en

2008-02-19T03:07:00.003+02:00

That's how many !

The Third Snowfall

2008-02-16T18:47:00.002+02:00

Vangelis - Antarctica.

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

2008-02-16T15:17:00.006+02:00

The Meeting Of Our Lord In The Temple

2008-02-02T11:49:00.000+02:00

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

2008-01-30T21:04:00.000+02:00

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 !

2008-01-26T15:02:00.000+02:00

The Psalms Of David

2008-01-23T17:18:00.003+02:00

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

2008-01-21T18:13:00.003+02:00

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

2008-01-07T21:28:00.000+02:00

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

2008-01-06T14:10:00.000+02:00

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

2008-01-04T09:28:00.000+02:00

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!

2008-01-01T02:55:00.000+02:00

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.

Orthodoxy & Literal Interpretation

2007-12-29T04:35:00.000+02:00

Of Our Father Amongst The Saints

Maxim Martyr

Philocalia.

Biblical Text.

Genesis 3:17 ¶And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; 18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; 19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Commentary.

What is the ground that’s cursed by God for the sake of Adam’s deeds, and what does it mean for man to eat of it in sorrows? What does it mean, then, for it to bring forth to man thorns and thistles, and for man to eat the herb of the field? What does it mean for man to eat bread in the sweat of his face? For at no time has anyone seen a man to eat either earth, or grass, or brambles; nor do they who eat bread consume it together with the sweat of their faces, as that story tells us.

The ground that’s cursed for the sake of Adam’s deeds is his body, that’s endlessly being cursed by his actions, that is, by the passions of his earth-bound mind, and by the unfruitfulness of his virtues, which are the works of God. Of his own body is man then being fed with the pains and many sorrows which it brings forth, rejoicing only in the little pleasure that it has to offer. From his own body spring forth to man then, aside from its rotten pleasures, the worries and thoughts as thorns, and the great temptations, dangers and perils as brambles and thistles. And these then, in their turn, sting him from all sides, -through reason, desire, and anger-, so that he may barely be able to procure for, and eat of the bread that is for the maintenance of his health and welfare of his body, which becomes like unto a grass that fades away and withers. But even this is done through a lengthy repeating of pains “in the sweat of his face”, that is, through the tiredness and enslavement of the senses, which are then being compelled to eagerly explore the sensible things. And the toil to sustain his life here, either by a certain skill, or by any other such clever method, is to man then as bread.

The 14,000 Innocent Infants Slain By King Herod

2007-12-29T02:01:00.000+02:00

The 14,000 Innocent Infants Slain By King Herod.

Troparion - Tone 1

We beseech You, O Lord of mankind, to accept in supplication the suffering which Your saints endured for Your sake, O Lord, and heal all our infirmities.

Kontakion - Tone 8

When the King was born in Bethlehem, the Magi came from the East. Having been led by a star from on High, they brought Him gifts. But in exceeding wrath, Herod harvested the infants as sorrowing wheat; the rule of his kingdom has come to an end.

King Herod was actually pro-choice, and all that he really wanted to do was merely to set these poor women finally free from the oppression of the patriarchal society in which they lived, and to whose men-made rules they were unwillingly subjected to: `t'was a men's world back then, Ladies and Gentlemen!

The Fifth Day After Christmas.

The Holy Arch-Deacon And Proto-Martyr Stephen

2007-12-27T06:28:00.000+02:00

The Holy Arch-Deacon And Proto-Martyr Stephen.

Troparion - Tone 4

O Protomartyr and mighty warrior of Christ our God, You are victorious in battle and crowned with glory, O holy Stephen! You confounded the council of your persecutors, beholding your Savior enthroned at the right hand of the Father. Never cease to intercede for the salvation of our souls!

Kontakion - Tone 3

Yesterday the Master assumed our flesh and became our guest; today His servant is stoned to death and departs in the flesh, the glorious Protomartyr Stephen.

The Third Day Of Christmas.

The Synaxis Of The Holy Mother Of God

2007-12-26T22:01:00.000+02:00

The Synaxis Of The Holy Mother Of God

And Ever-Virgin Marry.

Kontakion in the Plagal of the Second Tone

He, who was begotten of the Father before the morning star, without a mother, becomes incarnate of you today, without a father. Wherefore, a star announces the good news to the Magi. Angels with shepherds praise your immaculate birth-giving, O Full of Grace.

The Second Day Of Christmas.

Psalms 84:3 Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God.

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-25T22:36:00.002+02:00

The Birth Of Our Lord, God, And Saviour

Jesus Christ.

Troparion - Tone 4

Your Nativity, O Christ our God, has shone to the world the Light of wisdom! For by it, those who worshipped the stars, were taught by a Star to adore You, the Sun of Righteousness, and to know You, the Orient from on High. O Lord, glory to You!

Kontakion - Tone 3

Today the Virgin gives birth to the Transcendent One, and the earth offers a cave to the Unapproachable One! Angels with shepherds glorify Him! The wise men journey with a star! Since for our sake the Eternal God was born as a Little Child!

Stefan Hrusca - Your Birth.
(The Christmas Troparion)

Second Vespereal Reading

Numbers 24:2 And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him. 3 And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: 5 How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel! 6 As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river's side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters. 7 He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted. 8 God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows. 9 He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee. 17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth. 18 And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly.

Third Vespereal Reading

Micah 4:6 In that day, saith the LORD, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted; 7 And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever. 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. 3 Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel. 4 And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth.

Fourth Vespereal Reading

Isaiah 11:1 ¶And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: 2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; 3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: 4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. 5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. 6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. 7 And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 8 And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den. 9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. 10 ¶And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.

Fifth Vespereal Reading

Baruch 3:35 This is our God, and there shall none other be accounted of in comparison of him 36 He hath found out all the way of knowledge, and hath given it unto Jacob his servant, and to Israel his beloved. 37 Afterward did he shew himself upon earth, and conversed with men. 4:1 This is the book of the commandments of God, and the law that endureth for ever: all they that keep it shall come to life; but such as leave it shall die. 2 Turn thee, O Jacob, and take hold of it: walk in the presence of the light thereof, that thou mayest be illuminated. 3 Give not thine honour to another, nor the things that are profitable unto thee to a strange nation. 4 O Israel, happy are we: for things that are pleasing to God are made known unto us.

Sixth Vespereal Reading

Daniel 2:31 ¶Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible. 32 This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, 33 His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. 34 Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. 35 Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth. 36 This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king. 44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. 45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.

Seventh Vespereal Reading

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Angel of Great Advice, Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Eighth Vespereal Reading

Isaiah 7:10 ¶Moreover the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying, 11 Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above. 12 But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD. 13 And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. 15 Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good. 16 For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings. 8:1 ¶Moreover the LORD said unto me, Take thee a great roll, and write in it with a man's pen concerning Mahershalalhashbaz. 2 And I took unto me faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the priest, and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah. 3 And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived, and bare a son. Then said the LORD to me, Call his name Mahershalalhashbaz. 4 For before the child shall have knowledge to cry, My father, and my mother, the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be taken away before the king of Assyria. 9 ¶Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces. 10 Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us.

The Holy Nun-Martyr Eugenia Of Rome

2007-12-24T22:51:00.000+02:00

The Holy Nun-Martyr Eugenia Of Rome.

Troparion - Tone 4

Your lamb Eugenia, O Jesus, calls out to You in a loud voice: I love You, O my bridegroom, and in seeking You, I endure suffering. In Baptism I was crucified so that I might reign in You, and died so that I might live with You. Accept me as a pure sacrifice, for I have offered myself in love. By her prayers save our souls, since You are merciful.

Kontakion - Tone 4

You left the passing glory of the world to follow Christ, keeping spotless the brilliance of your soul, O inspired Martyr Eugenia, worthy of all praise!

Apolytikion in the Third Tone

Being mystically moved by the Spirit, thou didst sing God's praise, thereby receiving the clear light of divine knowledge in thy heart; and shining bright as the sun with a righteous life, thou overcamest the devil in martyrdom. O Eugenia, thou most glorious Martyr of the Lord, entreat Christ God to grant great mercy unto us.

Stefan Hrusca - White Flowers

2007-12-24T21:09:00.002+02:00

Stefan Hrusca - White Flowers.

Stefan Hrusca - The Deer's Carol

2007-12-23T12:29:00.000+02:00

Stefan Hrusca - The Deer's Carol.

275 Pretty Darn Good Reasons On Why Any Sane Person Should NOT Be(come) Orthodox ... Ever!

2007-12-22T20:56:00.001+02:00

And here they are, Ladies and Gentlemen [pun intended], in all their nakedness [pun intended]:

According to the divinely-inspired words of our Holy Prophet and God-Seer Moses, as recorded in his Second Book, that of Exodus, -in the fifteenth verse of the nineteenth chapter-, as well as following the saintly advice of the Glorious and divinely-appointed Apostle Paul, as written in his First Epistle to the Corinthians, -in the fifth verse of the seventh chapter-, the Holy Fathers unanimously decree that husband and wife should abstain from the rightful pleasures that are, by the very nature of things, normally tied to married life, for the entire duration of such holy time-periods as those dedicated to feasting and fasting ... Until now, nothing of spectacular: I mean, it sounds reasonable enough, ... right?

Well, then: let's just take a closer look at what that actually means ... shall we?

During Spring-time, we have a contiguous two month long time interval, comprising Meat-Fare Week, the six weeks of Great Lent, Great and Holy Week, and -last, but not least- Bright Week, in which the performance of weddings [and other such wedding-related things, which this author will leave to the imagination of the reader] is, by Canon Law, strictly forbidden.

In the summer time, when the weather is fine, for a contiguous time period of approximatively a month (more or less), ranging from the next Sunday following Pentecost, and all the way up to the 29th of June, when we end our month-long fast by celebrating the Feast of the Holy, Most-Glorious Chief-Apostles Peter and Paul, the same things are required of us, as have been described above.

The exact same goes then for the two contiguous weeks of the Fast of the Falling-Asleep of the Holy Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, celebrated in the Fall, prior to the 15th of August, ... as well as for the contiguous two month long time span, consisting of the Christmas-Fast, which is celebrated in Winter, and the two weeks between the Lord's Birth and His Baptism, which immediately follow the Feast.

... Which would amount, according to my calculations, to about five months of marital abstinence each year: BUT, WAIT! THERE'S MORE! WE'RE NOT OUT OF THE WOODS YET!

The remaining time, amounting to about seven months, is, obviously, comprised of such insignificant little time-units we call weeks ... which weeks consist, obviously, of seven days, out of which two are Fast-Days: Wednesdays and Fridays; and two are Feast-Days: Saturdays and Sundays ... which leads to more than half of this remaining time-frame being forbidden to the two spouses for fulfilling each their respective duties towards each-other.

So, in conclusion, a little math: 12-5 = 7; 3/7 * 7 = 3; 3*30 = 90; 365-90 = 275. Hence, also, the name of this article.

Now, I beg of ye, please do not misunderstand me, my dear Gentlemen and my fair Ladies: but isn't this cross a bit too hard to bear, ... even for normal, every-day people, who maybe do not wish, or feel the desire, to often or frequently express their passionate feelings for one another ?

Why do some Orthodox even want to become monks anyway? ...