Gleanings from Orthodox Christian Authors and the Holy Fathers

holy_week

2 Entries

Let those of us who have wisely finished the course of fasting And who celebrate with love the beginning of the suffering of the Passion of the Lord, Let us all, my brothers, zealously imitate the purity of self-controlled Joseph; Let us fear the sterility of the fig tree; Let us dry up through almsgiving the sweetness of passion. In order that we may joyously anticipate the Resurrection, Let us procure like myrrh pardon from on high Because the eye that never sleeps observes all things. St Romanos the Melodist - On Joseph II, Prooimion II

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Lo, the day has dawned which I longed to see, A time favorable for me. My God is lodged in the house of Simon, I shall hasten to him and weep, just as Anna did about her sterility. Simon may consider me drunk, Just as Elias then considered Anna. I shall keep on praying And saying, `Lord, I do not ask for a child. I seek my very own soul which I have lost! O Emmanuel, born of a Virgin, just as Thou has removed the stigma of sterility when Samuel was born Of the childless woman, so deliver me, a harlot From the slime of my deeds.' St Romanos the Melodist - On the Sinful Woman

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