Author: seraphimholland

Life of St Mary of Egypt – By the numbers

The Life of St Mary of Egypt, which is read during Matins for the 5th Thursday of Great Lent, has many numbers in it. This is a summary of all important numbers, such as 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,17,30,42,47,53,76,77,100,522. The explanation of these numbers gives a good summary of her edifying life. We tell her life “by the numbers” and provide links to her life. many icons, and questions about her life.

Scourged By The Whips Of Sin. Understanding Sin And Repentance

We must understand the nature and effect of sin. The Matins canon, especially, in the Triodion, describes this in many important ways. Sin is not so much things we do or do not do, as it is our condition – weakened and often estranged from God. Let us look at the Matins Canon for the 4th week of Great Lent as it continues the Lenten theme of exploring the parable of the prodigal son and understand about the “whips of sin”, but looking at 3 stichera form the canon:

“My mind has been scourged by the whips of sin by wicked thieves and evil thoughts. Heal me, Christ my Savior, and save me for Thou art rich in mercy” (Matins Canon, 4th Sunday of Great Lent, Ode 1)

“I have wasted my God-given life on the passions, O Master, and I am fiercely scourged in every part by my transgressions; but I turn to Thee for refuge and I pray: Have pity on me” (Matins Canon, 4th Sunday of Great Lent, Ode 6)

“Scourging my mind with the passions, thieves have seized my wealth and left me as one dead, but take pity on me and save me O Lord. ” (Matins Canon, 4th Sunday of Great Lent, Ode 1)

What does fasting do. 4th Sunday of Great Lent.

Why do we fast? Few people understand that we fast because of a requirement of our nature and because of the nature of the demons. “This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting” (Mark. 9:29). Let us understand why we fast and put off all legalism concerning this essential practice.

Christianity is simple. Lent is about changing. Exegesis of the Beatitudes.

Today, brothers and sisters, on this fourth Sunday of Great Lent, we remember Saint John Climacus who is known as Saint John of the Ladder. The icon of The Ladder of Divine Ascent in our church shows the monks that are climbing up towards Jesus Christ. It is a metaphor for our life and for how we must continually ascend, we must continually add virtue to virtue.

But where should we begin? The Lord gives us a place to begin. He says to us, “Blessed are the poor in spirit because theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.” …

The Significance of Fasting in the Struggle against Fallen Spirits. By St. Ignatius (Brianchaninov)

Homily by St Ignati Briachaninov: The Lord said to His Apostles about the evil spirits, “This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting” (Mark. 9:29). Here is a new aspect of fasting! Fasting is acceptable to God when it is preceded by the great virtue of mercy; fasting prepares a reward in heaven when it is foreign to hypocrisy and vainglory; fasting works when it is joined with another great virtue – prayer.

How does it work? It not only tames the passions in the human body, but it enters into battle with the spirits of evil, and conquers them.

St Ignaty goes on to explain in great detail how fasting works and why we must fast, and what our disposition must be. This may be the most important text on fasting you will every read! Your battle against the spirits of the air is very weak unless you understand St Ignaty’s words!

The dark sorrow of material things. The sweetness of abstinence. Matins Canon for St John Climacus.

A few words after Presanctified liturgy about the DOGMA regarding material things and attachment to them, referring to 3 stichera from the matins canon for St John Climacus. Our DOGMAS are not just about God, but some are strictly moral truths. Especially when we sing canons in honor of Saints, and in many Lenten canons, these truths are very apparent:

“Ascending from the dark sorrow of material things, O holy John, thou hast gone to dwell in spiritual light: give me light through thine intercessions to the Lord. ”

“Suckled on the sweetness of abstinence, thou hast cast away the bitterness of sensual indulgence; and so, father, thou givest us a pleasure sweeter than honey and the honeycomb. ”

“Ascending to the height of the virtues and rejecting the pleasures that creep upon the ground, O holy father, thou hast become the sweetness of salvation to thy flock. ”
(all from the matins canon to St John Climacus, Ode 1)

We are building a deck because our trapeza is too small.

We have a good “problem”. We built a small temple with an even smaller hall because that was all we could afford, and started worshipping in it June 2011. We have grown enough to make it impossible to fit everybody in our tiny trapeza (church hall).

We have decided to build a covered deck outside the hall, since adding to the building is way out of our means right now. This will more than double our usable dining space. It is important to have more dining space, since a very important part of our community life is that we always eat a meal (not just donuts and coffee!) together after liturgy.

We plan to add fans, heaters, misters and plastic sheeting, like you see in some restaurants, so we can use the deck year round.

We have a donation to build the deck, but will need to raise funds for the absolutely necessary roof, tables, etc. The deck will be about 7 or 8 thousand, and a shingled roof will be about 9 thousand (we are exploring a canvas roof to reduce costs). We will also need to get fans, tables, etc.

Would you help us?

Pictures of design included.