Deliver me not over unto the souls of them that afflict me, for unjust witnesses are risen up against me, and injustice hath lied to itself.(Psalm 26, Sept) We read this Psalm during the Royal Hours for Theophany, which I just finished. In this Psalm, David is crying out for help for deliverance from… Continue reading “… and injustice hath lied to itself.”
Great is the Feast that is past…
Brothers and Sisters, I had one of those "moments of clarity" at Wednesday night’s Vespers for St. Seraphim, and I thought I should share it. This was the first day of the forefeast of Theophany, and in one of the stichera we sang (quoting from memory), "Great is the feast that is past (Nativity), but greater… Continue reading Great is the Feast that is past…
The Best Namesday I have ever had.
Today is the remembrabce of St Seraphim of Sarov, my patron, and more important to me (and I think he would agree), the first “Children’s liturgy” of our parish. We are undergoing many positive changes in our parish life, which should be no less than living the life in Christ. Since I have… Continue reading The Best Namesday I have ever had.
Jan 1/14 Circumcision of Christ. Commentary on OT readings.
The Readings for the Circumcision and St Basil include 3 OT readings in Vespers, a Matins Gospel and the usual Epistle and Gospel in liturgy. The readings follow the commentart, because they are so long. The Vespers readings cover three different subjects, and taken in total, describe a substantial part of the moral content… Continue reading Jan 1/14 Circumcision of Christ. Commentary on OT readings.
Moments of clarity.
The mindless man and the witless shall perish together, and they shall leave their riches to others. And their graves shall be their houses unto eternity, their dwelling places unto generation and generation, thought they have called their lands after their own names. (Psalm48:10-11 Boston) It is wonderful to read the Psalter daily. Just… Continue reading Moments of clarity.
Children’s liturgies
I normally do not post something that is "parish specific" on this blog because I want it to be a resource for everyone. The following is slightly modified from a post to our parish mailing list (anyone can join). I thought I would post in the hope of getting constructive comments, help and resources. … Continue reading Children’s liturgies
By faith… / ?????…
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.… Continue reading By faith… / ?????…
Sunday after Nativity 2009. Things are not as they seem!
LISTEN NOW Matthew 2:13-23 13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.… Continue reading Sunday after Nativity 2009. Things are not as they seem!
Let us then make our soul a Heaven
Let us then make our soul a Heaven. The heaven is naturally bright; for not even in a storm does it become black, for it does not itself change its appearance, but the clouds run together and cover it. Heaven has the Sun; we also have the Sun of Righteousness. I said it is possible… Continue reading Let us then make our soul a Heaven
Sun before Nativity 2009. The Geneology of Christ.
LISTEN NOW Matthew 1:1-25 1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; 3 And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; 4 And… Continue reading Sun before Nativity 2009. The Geneology of Christ.