5th Week of Great Lent – Tuesday. Counting our blessings.

  Better is an entertainment of herbs with friendliness and kindness, than a feast of calves, with enmity. (Proverbs 15:17, from the selection Prov 15:7-19, Vespers, 5th Tuesday of Great Lent)     The Scriptures should be very personal to us and evoke deep emotions when we read them. Everything in the scriptures is about… Continue reading 5th Week of Great Lent – Tuesday. Counting our blessings.

Old Testament references to the Cross. 4th Week of Great Lent – Friday Matins

During the entire fourth week of Great Lent, the precious cross is a constant subject of the services.   This is typical of the way we celebrate our feasts. It is not “one and done”, like so many people, in (lamentably) and out of the church tend to mark Christian holidays: there is always a… Continue reading Old Testament references to the Cross. 4th Week of Great Lent – Friday Matins

The Connection between abstinence and understanding. 4th Week of Great Lent – TUESDAY

Illumined in our souls through abstinence, let us venerate the saving cross upon which Christ was nailed, and let us cry aloud to it: Hail the delight and sure help of those that fast; Hail, destroyer of the passions, adversary of the devils; Hail blessed wood! (Matins Sessional Hymn, Tone 8, from the Triodion, Tuesday… Continue reading The Connection between abstinence and understanding. 4th Week of Great Lent – TUESDAY

3rd Week of Great Lent – FRIDAY Vespers.”A deceitful balance” – Proverbs 10:31-11:12

A deceitful balance is an abomination before the Lord: and a just weight is his will.  Great Lent, the Third Week, Friday, Vespers – Proverbs 11:1, from the selection: Proverbs 10:31-11:12     The Proverbs are excellent texts for checking ourselves. We must read the scriptures with the intent of finding personal correction and guidance.  … Continue reading 3rd Week of Great Lent – FRIDAY Vespers.”A deceitful balance” – Proverbs 10:31-11:12

3rd Week of Great Lent. Thursday. “The Ensign of the people…” Sixth Hour, Isaiah 11:10-12:2

  In that day the root of Jesse, who standeth for an ensign of the people, him the Gentiles shall beseech, and his sepulchre shall be glorious. Great Lent, the Third Week, Thursday, The Sixth Hour, Isaiah 11:10, from the selection: Isaiah 11:10-12:2       The “root of Jesse” is none other than our… Continue reading 3rd Week of Great Lent. Thursday. “The Ensign of the people…” Sixth Hour, Isaiah 11:10-12:2

3rd Week of Great Lent – Wednesday. “Joyful celebration of the fast”

“As we continue in the joyful celebration of the fast, we cry aloud: keep us all in peace, O Lord, deliver us from every snare of the enemy, and in Thy surpassing love count us worthy to venerate with love Thy precious cross, through which thou grantest to the inhabited world Thy mercy, O Thou… Continue reading 3rd Week of Great Lent – Wednesday. “Joyful celebration of the fast”

3rd Week of Great Lent – TUESDAY. Vespers. Wisdom has built a house for herself, and set up seven pillars.

Wisdom has built a house for herself, and set up seven pillars. 2. She has killed her beasts; she has mingled her wine in a bowl, and prepared her table. 3. She has sent forth her servants, calling with a loud proclamation to the feast, saying, 4. Who so is foolish, let him turn aside… Continue reading 3rd Week of Great Lent – TUESDAY. Vespers. Wisdom has built a house for herself, and set up seven pillars.