Prayer for the Prosperity of the Russian Orthodox Church

[Stolen from: Redeeming the Time {blog} Friday after Ascension, May 16/29 2009]

[Also found HERE in RTF format.]

O Lord Jesus Christ our God, accept from us, Thine unworthy servants, these words of thanksgiving:

For Thou hast given unity to the Church of Russia and transformed into joy the greatly painful cry of Thy servants.

Hearken now to our supplication:

Bring Thine own laborers unto the harvest, that the Church may not lack good pastors to enlighten so great a multitude of those who have not been taught the Faith or have fallen away therefrom.

Instill obedience to Thee in those who govern, and justice and mercy in their judgments; compassion in the rich, and long-suffering in the weak:

That in our land the kingdom of Christ may thus grow and increase, and that Thou, O God Who art wondrous in Thy saints, may be glorified therein.

Unto those who are led astray by heresies and schisms, who have fallen away from Thee or seek Thee not, show Thyself forth as almighty, that not one of them may perish, but that all of us may be saved and come to the knowledge of the Truth:

That all, in harmonious oneness of mind and constant love, may glorify Thy most honored name, O kind and patient-hearted Lord, unto the ages of ages.

On May 13, 2008, the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia adopted the Prayer for the Prosperity of the Church of Russia, to be read during Divine Liturgy on the Ascension of the Lord; and, as desired, on the feast day of All Russian Saints; the feast days of St Vladimir, St Olga and especially-venerated Russian saints. This prayer replaces the Prayer for the Salvation of Russia.

The Ascension

Ascension of the Lord

On May 28th (Thursday of the 7th week following Pascha) we celebrated the Ascension of Christ into the Heavens.

“The Ascension is a sign and token of the Second Coming. “This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11). “
http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=42

There is a Liturgy served on Ascension. In the Russian tradition, the Vigil is celebrated the evening before.

Following Pascha, there has been much relaxed fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays with fish, wine, and oil permitted. Following Pentecost, there will be a fast-free week, and then, after the Sunday of All Saints we will enter the Apostles Fast.

We celebrate by attending the services, receiving the Holy Gifts, and hearing the priest’s instructional homily. We take the memory of the Feast home with us. We talk about Christ’s Ascension in our families, and talk about how grateful we are that our God came to be among us, to suffer and die for the life of the world, and Ascended to return to the Father.

Each season is celebrated with a special Feast. Each day is a feast for one or more saints. Each hour of the day has a prayer.

And so we Orthodox go through life constantly praising God – from hour to hour, from day to day, from season to season, from Feast to Feast, from year to year. Each hour, each day, each season, each Feast assures us that God is With Us!

May 11 / 24 – Sunday of the Blind Man

Tomorrow, Sunday May 24 (May 11, old style) is the 6th Sunday after Pascha on which we remember the healing of the Blind Man.

We also remember the special Saints of the days: Hieromartyr Mocius (Mucius), Presbyter of Amphipolis in Macedonia.
Saints Methodius and Cyril, Equals of the Apostles, first teachers of the Slavs.
Hieromartyr Joseph, Metropolitan of Astrakhan.
Commemoration of the Founding of Constantinople. St. Nicodemus, Archbishop of Serbia. St. Sophronius, recluse of the Kiev Caves.
New-martyrs Dioscorus and Argyrus. St. Bessarion, Archbishop of Larissa. Martyr Acacius of Lower Moesia. St. Tudy, Abbot of Ile Tudy. St. Comgall, Bishop and founder of Bangor Monastery. St. Wiro. St. Bassus.

The healing of the Blind Man occurred 6 months prior to the passion of Christ, yet we celebrate it on the 6th Sunday following Pascha.

The V. Rev. Archimandrite Panteleimon P. Lampadarios, Patriarchal Vicar of Alexandria wrote a homily on this Sunday. It may be found on the Orthodox Research Institute website.

He concludes:

“The man who was born blind in today’s Gospel, met Christ and confessed Him as being the True God. Let us follow his example; let us approach Christ and ask Him to cure our spiritual blindness. Let us ask Him, to grant us the divine Light, so that we can see the virtuous path on which we must walk on. Let us ask Him, to lift up the heavy darkness of our sinful passions, which sinks us into a unsearchable darkness. The Lord said, if the darkness which is in you is dark, how much dark is the darkness? Let us ask Him to grant us His mercy, so that through the interventions of most blessed Lady and Ever Virgin Mary, the Theotokos, and all the Saints to achieve our salvation in Christ. Amen.”

Fifth Sunday of Pascha: The Samaritan Woman

Today we celebrate the Samaritan Woman. According to Church tradition, the Samaritan Woman was named Photini (Photina) (or in Slavonic, Svetlana). She was that Samaritan woman who had the rare fortune to speak with the Lord Christ Himself at Jacob’s Well in Sychar (John. 4). Coming to faith in the Lord, she then came to belief in His Gospel, together with her two sons, Victor and Josiah, and five sisters who were called Anatolia, Phota, Photida, Paraskeva and Kyriake. They went to Carthage in Africa. But they were arrested and taken to Rome in the time of the Emperor Nero, and thrown into prison. By the providence of God, Domnina, Nero’s daughter, came into contact with St. Photina and was brought by her to the Christian faith. After imprisonment, they all suffered for Christ. Photina, who first encountered the light of truth by a well, was thrown into a well, where she died and entered into the immortal Kingdom of Christ.”
(Bishop Nikolaj Velimirovic, The Prolog from Ochrid / Ohridski Prolog)

By the well of Jacob, O holy one, /
thou didst find the Water /
of eternal and blessed life; /
and having partaken /
thereof, O wise Photina, /
thou wentest forth proclaiming Christ, the Anointed One.
(Megalynarion for St. Photina, according to the Byzantine usage.)

When I say “we celebrate,” what do I mean? It means that we (the Orthodox Christians) chant a special set of verses in various parts of the Vigil and the Liturgy that are totally specific to the Saint we celebrate. During the Vigil, we chant the Canon for the Saint during the Matins. The Troparia (verses) of the Canon detail the life of the Saint and the lessons we learn from him. We also chant the Troparion (if there is one) and the Kontakion (if there is one) for that Saint. During the Liturgy, there is a reprise of some of the Troparia from the Canon as well as the Troparion and/or Kontakion. Some Saints do not have a Troparion or Kontakion. I’ve never figured out exactly why. Other times, there may be one, but it isn’t used. Again, I’ve never figured out exactly why. But I’m sure the Church has a good reason!

Finally, the Gospel lesson during Vigil OR during the Liturgy recounts the Gospel that tells of the Saint (if Biblical – New Testament). If it is a Saint who came earlier or later, there will be a Gospel related to the Sunday.

In the case of the Samaritan Woman, The Gospel of the Liturgy is John 4:5-42 which tells of the meeting of the Samaritan Woman with Christ.

For some celebrations, we eat special foods or have special kinds of flowers or fruits we bring to Church as offereings, then share (fruits) afterward.

The Venerable Theodore the Sanctified

Theodore was a disciple of St. Pachomius. He was born and raised as a pagan but as a young man came to the knowledge of the True Faith and was baptized. Learning about St. Pachomius, he secretly fled from his parent’s home to Pachomius’ monastery. St. Pachomius tonsured him a monk and admired him because of his unique zeal and obedience. When his mother arrived to ask him to come home, Theodore did not even want to appear before her but prayed that God would enlighten her with the truth. Indeed, not only did her son not return home, but she herself did not return home. Seeing a convent not far away which was under the spiritual direction of Pachomius’ sister, she entered the convent and was tonsured a nun. After a period of time Paphnutius, Theodore’s brother, also came to the monastery and was tonsured a monk. In time the bishop of Panopolis called St. Pachomius to establish a monastery for those who desired the monastic life. Pachomius took Theodore with him and entrusted him with the duty of establishing this new monastery. After the death of Pachomius, Theodore became the abbot of all Pachomius’ monasteries and lived to a ripe old age. Theodore lived a life pleasing to God, directing the many monks on the road to salvation. He died peacefully and took up habitation in the kingdom of Eternal Light in the year 368 A.D.

Reflection on St. Theodore the Sanctified: When Theodore the Sanctified was in Panopolis with St. Pachomius, his spiritual father, a philosopher came to him and offered to debate with him about the Faith. The philosopher then posed these three questions to Theodore: “Who was not born, but died?” “Who was born and did not die?” “Who died and did not decay?” To these questions, St. Theodore replied: “Adam was not born and died. Enoch was born and did not die. Lot’s wife died and did not decay.” And the saint added this advice to the philosopher: “Heed our sound advice; depart from these useless questions and scholastic syllogisms; draw near to Christ Whom we are serving and you will receive forgiveness of sins.” The philosopher became mute from such a pointed answer and being ashamed, he departed. From this, the enormous difference is clearly seen between a pagan philosopher and a Christian saint. The one [the philosopher] looses himself in abstractions, in cleverly twisted words, in logical provocations and in thoughtful sport while the other [the saint] directed his whole mind on the Living God and on the salvation of his soul. The one is abstract and dead, while the other is practical and alive.

We celebrate,today, the memory of St. Theodore the Sanctified, reminding ourselves of his example of simplicity of life and devotion to God.

Losing Christianity

The USA is not so gradually losing it’s Christianity. As an inveterate watcher of news shows, I have been horrified, bemused and disgusted at all the attacks on basic Christian beliefs (and Jewish and Muslim beliefs, for that matter). I seem to have some company: Smart Girl Nation posted THIS yesterday (5/10/09).

Now, while I generally think that Smart Girl Nation is a little too “valley girl” to be taken very seriously, I was heartened by this post.

This AM, I heard on the news that the Christian Children’s Fund is changing it’s name to the Children’s Fund International – supposedly to be “more inclusive.” Query – how many Christians (theoretically the major supporters of this charity) will continue to donate to a group that denies Christ? I certainly won’t.

Finally, the persecution of Miss California for answering an “opinion” question with her own opinion is simply another, nasty, example of anti-Christian rhetoric. Putting a lovely young woman in a no-win situation and attacking her response is simply another incidence of anti-Christian rhetoric.

The day cometh when Christianity will be outlawed. How many, then, will be martyrs for Christ?

“All the Saints Are our Elder Brothers”

St. John of Kronstadt
from: Orthodox Photos
.

The ever-memorable Russian Pastor, St John of Kronstadt, in his “Thoughts Concerning the Church” writes: “Acknowledge that all the saints are our elder brothers in the one House of the Heavenly Father, who have departed from earth to heaven, and they are always with us in God, and they constantly teach us and guide us to eternal life by means of the church services, Mysteries, rites, instructions, and church decrees, which they have composed-as for example, those concerning the fasts and feasts-, so to speak, they serve together with us, they sing, they speak, they instruct, they help us in various temptations and sorrows. And call upon them as living with you under a single roof; glorify them, thank them, converse with them as with living people; and you will believe in the Church” (St. John of Kronstadt, “What Does It Mean To Believe In The Church? Thoughts About the Church and the Orthodox Divine Services”)

(From: Fr. Michael Pomazansky, Orthodox Dogmatic Theology; St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood Press, 1994).

But You Don’t Look Sick . . .

This was sent in an e-zine I subscribe to (But You Don’t Look Sick). I highly recommend it to anyone who has, or who had a friend or family member who has, a chronic illness – especially one of the inflammatory diseases (fibromyalgia, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, polyarteritis nodosum, ankylosing spondylitis, etc).

My Roulette Kinda Life

I remember going to the bright lights of Atlantic City and watching people play roulette. I would just walk around and watch people. I liked to watch the “high rollers” because they seemed so carefree with amounts of money that would make me sick, if I lost. For a moment, I would love to be able to be one of them and not have a care in the world, and be able to bet freely. I stayed long enough to watch the same older man, win big.

People were cheering for him, as he bet black. He looked like luck was on his side that night, but then he just broke even, no cheers that time, but no big disappointments either, he was safe. Just as I was about to walk away I watched as he lost it all. He looked frustrated and even a little mad, but he continued to play anyway. In a matter of minutes I saw such a wide spectrum of luck and emotion. I laughed to myself knowing I couldn’t even afford to play. I walked away and never forgot thinking “that is my life… a roulette wheel. I never know what I’ll wake up to, what I can do, or how I am going to feel.” It’s all a risk, an unknown.
[--MORE--]

I find that much on this website is apropos to my life with RA and fibromyalgia. The inability to plan, the frequency of reneging on events, the validation of sudden losses of energy. I commend this entire website to you.

In particular, be sure to check out The Spoon Theory on the website.

And the next time I say, “I’m out of spoons,” you’ll know what I mean.

Thank you!

Christ God is Risen!

Another deeply joyful Serbian video of Paschal celebration!

Christos Voskrese! Christ is Risen!
Voistinu Voskrese! Indeed, He is Risen!

Christ God is Risen – Let Us Rejoice

Last year, during the Paschal season I  posted what is, to me, the quintessential Easter Song:

Christ God is Risen!

I hope you enjoy this little reprise!

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Paschal Message of Metropolitan Philip 2009

Paschal Greetings from Metropolitan PHILIP

“He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one to His own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:5-6)

“O Christ Saviour, we were but yesterday buried with Thee, and we shall rise with Thee in Thy Resurrection. We were but yesterday crucified with Thee: glorify us with Thee in Thy kingdom.”
(Verse from the Third Ode of the Paschal Canon)

Beloved Hierarchs, Clergy, Trustees, Parish Council Members, and All Faithful of our God-Protected Archdiocese:

Christ is Risen!

I greet you with the Paschal greeting, praying that our Risen Lord will bless you and your families as we celebrate His glorious Resurrection from the dead. As we live in the midst of a world plagued by war, famine, crime and moral decay, we have no other hope than to look to our Lord who destroyed death and gave new life to all. This new life and hope should strengthen us to overcome all of these destructive forces and, in fact, enable us to speak out against them. Indeed, as Christ ended the “wailing of Eve by His Resurrection,” we must also “proclaim that the Saviour is risen from the dead.”

May the eternal light of the Empty Tomb shine in your hearts and in the hearts of people everywhere.

Wishing you a glorious Paschal season, I remain
Yours in the Risen Lord,

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death!
And upon those in the tombs bestowing life!

Paschal Message Metropolitan Jonah 2009

Archpastoral Message of His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah, on the occasion of the great feast of the Lord’s Pascha, 2009

Posted 04/18

Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!

To the Very Reverend and Reverend Clergy, Monastics, and Faithful of The Orthodox Church in America

Dearly Beloved in Christ,

Beloved, let us greet one another with Paschal Joy, and exchange the kiss of peace.

Let us feast soberly, that our joy may be full. Let us not stuff ourselves to satiety with feasting, nor indulge our passions to insensibility. Most of all, let us not give ourselves over to the darkness of the fallen world from which we have sought to purify ourselves, lack of forgiveness, anger and judgment, bitterness and hatred.

Rather, let us allow our old selves to remain crucified and buried, that the New Man may live, resurrected in and with Christ. Let us live according to the Kingdom, in communion with the Holy Spirit, so that we may be renewed by the Resurrection.

Our Pascha is not simply the beautiful services and the good food. It is not just family and Easter bunnies. It is not just the fellowship and familiar old customs.

Pascha is the dawn of the Age to Come, the Kingdom of God radiating into our souls and minds and hearts. Pascha is the experience of salvation itself, the foretaste of the Messianic Banquet, and the transformation of our lives. In Pascha we behold Christ, Risen from the dead, the revelation of the Second Coming.

We have gone with Christ to His Passion, but have we been crucified with Him?

We have held vigil at His Tomb, but were we asleep, and missed Him? Did our minds betray us and we doubt His Resurrection?

Let the fruit of our Lenten efforts be the enlightenment of our minds and the renewal of our hearts that our repentance not be in vain.

Let us sing with joy together with the Angels and Archangels, and all creation which has groaned awaiting the revelation of the Son of Man. With all creation, the living and dead, the spiritual and material, and with all the saints, let us cry:

Christ is Risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life!

Христос Воскресе из мертвых, смертию смерть поправ, и сущим во гробех живот даровав!

Χριστος ανεστη εκ νεκρων, θανατο θανατον πατησας και της εν τοις μνημασι ζωην χαρισαμενος.
With love and joy in the Risen Christ,

+JONAH
Archbishop of Washington and New York
Metropolitan of All America and Canada

Archpastoral Paschal Message of His Grace Bishop Irinej of Australia and New Zealand

Archpastoral Paschal Message of His Grace Bishop Irinej of Australia and New Zealand

IRINEJ
BY THE GRACE OF GOD
THE SERBIAN ORTHODOX
BISHOP OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

Addressing you: beloved monastics, clergy, all sons and daughters, the faithful spiritual children of our Holy Church, with a heart resounding and overflowing with joy in the victory of the inextinguishable light over the death-bearing darkness of sin, the great and victory-bearing Feast of Feasts – The Resurrection of Christ, We wholeheartedly greet all of you with the salvific Christian greeting:

CHRIST IS RISEN!

Shine, shine – let us all sing -
O New Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!
Exalt now and be glad, o Zion; and rejoice, O Pure Theotokos
in the Resurrection of your Son!
(Paschal Irmos – 9th Canon)

And again, We reiterate, sing dear spiritual children, for the Resurrection has brought forth joy in abundance! Together with the Most Holy Theotokos let us rejoice in the Resurrection of her Offspring, convinced that the Lord will fulfill the promise given to us, His disciples and friends (Jn. 15:14) and that the answer will radiate out of the life-giving Tomb in response to the lament of His Mother, and to our sorrows and bitter tears: For I shall arise and be glorified with eternal glory as God and I shall exalt all who magnify you in faith and in love (Irmos of Holy and Great Saturday-9th Canon). And that is truly the joy of Zion, the joy of those persons who live and desire to live on the Mount of the Lord and to maintain an indissoluble bond with the Risen Lord.

Therefore, exalt today for we are surrounded by the radiance and brilliance of the New Jerusalem – that Heavenly Kingdom – which is revealed in the celebration of every Divine Liturgy, and especially today’s – Paschal Liturgy. Truly, the Divine Liturgy is bestowed upon us as a visible gift of that inextinguishable light of the Eighth Day, that day which stands apart from time and space, in eternity. Zion exalts, for even the hills and mountains and all that God has created rejoice, and we exalt in Zion and rejoice in our One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic and indivisible Orthodox Church!

We rejoice in the Church, for, according to the words of the famous Theologian, Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann, we know that the Church is not an institution with Sacraments; but rather a Sacrament with institutions, wherein we experience the world being made the Kingdom of God through Christ. Also, precisely for the sake of our salvation, Fr. Alexander’s warning is revealed unto us: You will not save the Church; rather the Church will save you! And that we could comprehend this as something which is essential to our daily lives, it is good to call to remembrance the Proverbs of Solomon wherein it is stated: Where there is no vision, the people perish (29:18).

Therefore, in the Church, outside of which there is no salvation, a person of faith cannot and will not perish. It is never too late for anyone to repent and believe, for this generous Master receives the last as the first. It is necessary to open our ears and hearts and our entire being unto the hearing of faith. Then, when we open up ourselves so that the Divine Logos may abide in us (cf. Jn. 1:14), truly the light of the Risen Lord will shine upon us. Let us extend a hand of reconciliation to one another, embrace each other and forgive all by the Resurrection. Only then will we be able to preserve that which we already are. And the paradox of our holy Christian Faith is found exactly in that: if we do not open up ourselves, if we do not come out of our self-sufficiency, we will not be able to preserve anything. And precisely such a sacrifice of love is impossible without the Resurrection.

Inspired by the sacrificial love of the Theotokos – the Mother of the Light, let us hasten to our Mother Church as to the ship of our salvation, so that we may sail upon the waters of a clear vision of ourselves, our identity, our vocation and our holy mission, both as individual members of the Church, according to our Baptism, and as one holy Body of Christ’s Church. This is the holy Faith which we have received through Tradition and which We impart unto you, our beloved faithful, not only for preservation, but also for enrichment and advancement. Truly, this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith (I Jn. 5:4) and that is the only and unique source of our entire joy and fullness of our Christian victory – the victory of the Risen Lord! Therefore today, as all creation rejoices in the victory of love over death (cf. Songs 8:6), We greet you with the victorious greeting:

CHRIST IS RISEN!

TRULY, HE IS RISEN!

Given in Sydney, at Pascha in the Year 2009

Your fervent intercessor before the Risen Christ,

+IRINEJ

Pascha 2009

The bright Pascha of our Lord has come again, and with it, the promise of our Lord’s Resurrection. On this day we celebrate what is actually a continuous series of actions by God to bring us back to him.

In the beginning, in the Garden, Adam and Eve walked and talked with God, as with a benevolent Father who was interested in everything about His children. When they disobeyed, they gave up the priviledge of the Garden, and of the closeness they previously had with their Father. The Garden was closed to them and to their children. Think of it as a massive “time out” in today’s speak.

Yet, even then, God was planning the ways to bring his errant children back to Him. God could not come as Himself. Remember, he only showed his back to Moses. He appeared to people as what has become our Christian symbolism – as a burning bush, as a small voice after a storm, as a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of smoke by day during the Exodus. God has ever been with us., even in the darkest of our times.

Someone once told me that we are closest to God when we are “crucified on the back of the Cross with Christ. We can’t see Him, we can’t “feel” Him, but He is closest to us and we to Him at that time.” This is kind of horrifying thought, but as with any stereotypical comment, there is a bit of truth in it. God IS closest to us when we are the most distressed, when we are hurting, worried, frightened. Our own emotions cloud Him from us at these times.

But today is a new beginning. It is Bright Pascha! God is no longer hidden from us – even if we are distressed. God appears to us and show us that the Gates of Hell are broken, that the power of the Evil One is broken, that the Evil One himself is bound and gagged.

The trials of this earth no longer have power over us. Economics, politics, differences of opinion with our spouses, fights with our children – none of these have power over us anymmore. For Christ is Risen! Indeed, He is Risen!

God is with us in a way He wasn’t before the Incarnation, Life, Passion, Death and Glorious Resurrection of Christ. We can turn to Him and lay aside our fears, our burdens. We can make better decisions with God’s Guidance.

“Let God Arise”
(The Paschal Canticle)
Let God arise and let His enemies be dispersed!

The Holy Pascha is revealed to us today.
The Pascha, new and Holy. The Pascha Mystical.
The Pascha all honorable.
The Pascha which is Christ the Redeemer.
The spotless Pascha, the great Pascha.
The Pascha of the Faithful.
The Pascha which has opened unto us the gates of Paradise.
The Pascha that sanctifies all the Faithful.

As smoke vanishes so let them vanish.

Come from that scene, O women, bearers of glad tidings,
And say to Sion: Receive from us the glad tidings of joy:
Of Christ’s Resurrection.
Exult and be glad and rejoice O Jerusalem,
Seeing Christ the King Who comes forth from the tomb
Like a bridegroom in procession.

So the sinners will perish before the face of God
But let the righteous be glad.

The myrrhbearing women at the break of dawn
Drew near to the tomb of the Lifegiver.
There they found an angel sitting upon the stone.
He greeted them with these words:
“Why do you seek the living among the dead?
Why do you mourn the incorrupt amidst corruption?
Go: proclaim the glad tidings to his disciples.”

This is the day which the Lord hath made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

The Pascha beautiful,
The Pascha of the Lord,
The Pascha,
The Pascha all honorable has dawned for us.
The Pascha!
On which let us embrace one another with joy.
O Pascha! A ransom for sorrow.
For today shining forth from the tomb
As from the bridal chamber
Christ filled the women with joy saying,
“Proclaim the glad tidings to the Apostles.”

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
Both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen

It is the Day of Resurrection
Let us be glorious in splendor for the Feast.
Let us embrace one another.
Also, brethren, let us speak to those who hate us
And in the Resurrection let us forgive all thing.
Therefore let us cry:
Christ is risen from the dead; trampling down death by death,
and upon those in the tombs bestowing life!
Christ is risen from the dead; trampling down death by death,
and upon those in the tombs bestowing life!
Christ is risen from the dead; trampling down death by death,
and upon those in the tombs bestowing life!

Let us rejoice, indeed, in the victory of Christ and in the possibilty of uniting with Him! Let us bask in the joy of Pascha! And let us renew our struggle in the knowledge that no matter what happens to us in this life, we are with our Lord and God, and He is with us!

God is with us!
Understand this, O nations, and submit yourselves
For God is with us!

Pulling Back

The Ol’ Curmudgeon had an angioplasty (stent placed in his heart) on February 25. He was feeling miserable for about 2 months before he finally admitted he needed some help. Following the angioplasty, he was feeling much better. On March 24, he had his post-procedure appointment with the cardiologist, and was given a full release to go back to work full time. The next day he was “RIFFed.” This is where a company uses the “reduction in force” (RIF) excuse to lay someone or people off.

Since then, he’s started having cardiac symptoms again – flutters, chest discomfort, out of breath, bone weariness. Finally got him to go in again, and he is now on a Holter Monitor for 48 hours (assuming we can keep his electrodes on). I’m hoping that this is mainly stress, but with an injured ticker, it pays to be careful.

He has been without cigarettes for 5 days, now, too. I’m proud of him for that, but I know it is adding to his stress. While the symptoms he is having are NOT in anyway related to any reported effects/side-effects of Chantix(r) or nicotine withdrawal, they all can be related to stress and worry – both of which he is experiencing on many levels. So, I’m hoping and praying that these symptoms are simply that – stress and worry – and that once we rule-out the cardiac thingies, that we can address his stress and worry.

I’m wishing I could go back to work. But I’m too old and I’m too disabled. I wouldn’t last more than a day going to a hospital, working and coming home. Yet, I feel guilty that I’m not taking care of the Ol’ Curmudgeon. I keep thinking there is SOMETHING I should be able to do.

We say the Akathist to St. Xenia together, and we each pray privately. But we are “pulling back” from things. We are withdrawn from each other in some ways. I don’t want to worry him, so I don’t tell him some things. He doesn’t want to worry me, so he doesn’t tell me some things. We don’t go anywhere. We don’t make phone calls. We are simply pulling back from many things.

Now, however, it’s time for us to reach out, so I’m reaching out in this way

If any of y’all out in reader-land are so inclined, please add “Theodore” to your prayers: for his health, for his life, for a job. If you are interested, I will be posting the Akathist to St. Xenia of St. Petersburg on my Angelfire website in the next day or so. Check back for the URL.

Lord, have mercy!

Saturday of the Akathist Hymn

Akathist to the Holy Virgin
(From: http://www.fatheralexander.org/booklets/english/m_akathist_e.htm)

Background Information

THE AKATHIST HYMN is one of the most well-loved services of devotion in the Orthodox Church. Although there is some debate concerning the particulars of its authorship, many scholars agree with the pious tradition which states that the Akathist was composed in the imperial city of Constantinople, “the city of the Virgin,” by St. Romanos the Melodist, who reposed in the year 556. The Akathist Hymn has proved so popular that many other hymns have been written following its format, particularly in the Russian Orthodox Church. These include Akathists to Our Lord Jesus Christ, to the Cross, to various saints, etc.

The word “akathistos” literally means “not sitting,” i.e., standing; normally all participants stand while it is being prayed. The hymn is comprised of 24 stanzas, alternating long and short. Each short stanza (kontakion) ends with the singing of “Alleluia.” Each longer stanza (ikos) ends with the refrain: “Rejoice, O Bride Unwedded.”

The majority of the hymn is made up of praises directed to the Mother of God, always beginning with the salutation of the Archangel Gabriel: “Rejoice.” In each of them, one after the other, all the events related to our Lord’s incarnation pass before us for our contemplation. The Archangel Gabriel ( in Ikos 1) marvels at the Divine self-emptying and the renewal of creation which will occur when Christ comes to dwell in the Virgin’s womb. The unborn John the Baptist (Ikos 3) prophetically rejoices. The shepherds (Ikos 4) recognize Christ as a blameless Lamb, and rejoice that in the Virgin “the things of earth join chorus with the heavens.” The pagan Magi, (Kontakion 5) following the light of the star, praise Her for revealing the light of the world.

As the hymn progresses, various individuals and groups encounter Christ and His Mother. Each has his own need; each his own desire or expectation, and each finds his or her own particular spiritual need satisfied and fulfilled in Our Lord and in the Mother of God. So too, each generation of Orthodox, and each particular person who has prayed the Akathist, has found in this hymn an inspired means of expressing gratitude and praise to the Mother of God for what she has accomplished for their salvation.

In the same way, may the readers of this booklet find the Mother of God to be a help and consolation for their souls as well.
Fr. Michael Carney

The Service

(NOTE: If saying privately, simply omit the portions marked **)

**Priest: Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages!

**People: Amen.

(Tone 6)

O Heavenly King, The Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere and fillest all things, Treasury of Blessings and Giver of Life, Come and abide in us, and cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls, O Good One.

Reader: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal have mercy on us. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal have mercy on us. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal have mercy on us.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins, Master, pardon our transgressions, Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy Name’s sake.

Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

** Priest: (says the exclamation)

Kontakion 1
(Tone

Choir: To Thee, the Champion Leader, we Thy servants dedicate a feast of victory and of thanksgiving as ones rescued out of sufferings, O Theotokos: but as Thou art one with might which is invincible, from all dangers that can be do Thou deliver us, that we may cry to Thee: Rejoice, O Unwedded Bride! (Customarily sung three times at the beginning of the Akathist, once at the end.)

Ikos 1

(Priest:) An archangel was sent from Heaven to say to the Theotokos: Rejoice! And beholding Thee, O Lord, taking bodily form, he was amazed and with his bodiless voice he stood crying to Her such things as these:

Rejoice, Thou through whom joy will shine forth:
Rejoice, Thou through whom the curse will cease!
Rejoice, recall of fallen Adam:
Rejoice, redemption of the tears of Eve!
Rejoice, height inaccessible to human thoughts:
Rejoice, depth undiscernible even for the eyes of angels!
Rejoice, for Thou art the throne of the King:
Rejoice, for Thou bearest Him Who beareth all!
Rejoice, star that causest the Sun to appear:
Rejoice, womb of the Divine Incarnation!
Rejoice, Thou through whom creation is renewed:
Rejoice, Thou through whom we worship the Creator!
Rejoice, O Bride Unwedded!

Kontakion 2

(Priest:) Seeing herself to be chaste, the holy one said boldly to Gabriel: The marvel of thy speech is difficult for my soul to accept. How canst thou speak of a birth from a seedless conception? And She cried: Alleluia!

Ikos 2

(Priest:) Seeking to know knowledge that cannot be known, the Virgin cried to the ministering one: Tell me, how can a son be born from a chaste womb? Then he spake to Her in fear, only crying aloud thus:

Rejoice, initiate of God’s ineffable will:
Rejoice, assurance of those who pray in silence!
Rejoice, beginning of Christ’s miracles:
Rejoice, crown of His dogmas!
Rejoice, heavenly ladder by which God came down:
Rejoice, bridge that conveyest us from earth to Heaven!
Rejoice, wonder of angels sounded abroad:
Rejoice, wound of demons bewailed afar!
Rejoice, Thou Who ineffably gavest birth to the Light:
Rejoice, Thou Who didst reveal Thy secret to none!
Rejoice, Thou Who surpassest the knowledge of the wise:
Rejoice, Thou Who givest light to the minds of the faithful!
Rejoice, O Bride Unwedded!

Kontakion 3

(Priest:) The power of the Most High then overshadowed the Virgin for conception, and showed Her fruitful womb as a sweet meadow to all who wish to reap salvation, as they sing: Alleluia!

Ikos 3

(Priest:) Having received God into Her womb, the Virgin hastened to Elizabeth whose unborn babe at once recognized Her embrace, rejoiced, and with leaps of joy as songs, cried to the Theotokos:

Rejoice, branch of an Unfading Sprout:
Rejoice, acquisition of Immortal Fruit!
Rejoice, laborer that laborest for the Lover of mankind:
Rejoice, Thou Who givest birth to the Planter of our life!
Rejoice, cornland yielding a rich crop of mercies:
Rejoice, table bearing a wealth of forgiveness!
Rejoice, Thou Who makest to bloom the garden of delight:
Rejoice, Thou Who preparest a haven for souls!
Rejoice, acceptable incense of intercession:
Rejoice, propitiation of all the world!
Rejoice, good will of God to mortals:
Rejoice, boldness of mortals before God!
Rejoice, O Bride Unwedded!

Kontakion 4

(Priest:) Having within a tempest of doubting thoughts, the chaste Joseph was troubled. For knowing Thee to have no husband, he suspected a secret union, O blameless one. But having learned that Thy conception was of the Holy Spirit, he said: Alleluia!

Ikos 4

(Priest:) While the angels were chanting, the shepherds heard of Christ’s coming in the flesh, and having run to the Shepherd, they beheld Him as a blameless Lamb that had been pastured in Mary’s womb, and singing to Her, they cried:

Rejoice, Mother of the Lamb and the Shepherd:
Rejoice, fold of rational sheep!
Rejoice, torment of invisible enemies:
Rejoice, opening of the gates of Paradise!
Rejoice, for the things of Heaven rejoice with the earth:
Rejoice, for the things of earth join chorus with the heavens!
Rejoice, never-silent mouth of the Apostles:
Rejoice, invincible courage of the passion-bearers!
Rejoice, firm support of faith:
Rejoice, radiant token of Grace!
Rejoice, Thou through whom hades was stripped bare:
Rejoice, Thou through whom we are clothed with glory!
Rejoice, O Bride Unwedded!

Kontakion 5

(Priest:) Having sighted the divinely-moving star, the Magi followed its radiance; and holding it as a lamp, by it they sought a powerful King; and having reached the Unreachable One, they rejoiced, shouting to Him: Alleluia!

Ikos 5

(Priest:) The sons of the Chaldees saw in the hands of the Virgin Him Who with His hand made man. And knowing Him to be the Master, even though He had taken the form of a servant, they hastened to serve Him with gifts, and to cry to Her Who is blessed:

Rejoice, Mother of the Unsetting Star:
Rejoice, dawn of the mystic day!
Rejoice, Thou Who didst extinguish the furnace of error:
Rejoice, Thou Who didst enlighten the initiates of the Trinity!
Rejoice, Thou Who didst banish from power the inhuman tyrant:
Rejoice, Thou Who didst show us Christ the Lord, the Lover of mankind!
Rejoice, Thou Who redeemest from pagan worship:
Rejoice, Thou Who dost drag us from the works of mire!
Rejoice, Thou Who didst quench the worship of fire:
Rejoice, Thou Who rescuest from the flame of the passions!
Rejoice, guide of the faithful to chastity:
Rejoice, gladness of all generations!
Rejoice, O Bride Unwedded!

Kontakion 6

(Priest:) Having become God-bearing heralds, the Magi returned to Babylon, having fulfilled Thy prophecy; and having preached Thee to all as the Christ, they left Herod as a babbler who knew not how to sing: Alleluia!

Ikos 6

(Priest:) By shining in Egypt the light of truth, Thou didst dispel the darkness of falsehood; for its idols fell, O Saviour, unable to endure Thy strength; and those who were delivered from them cried to the Theotokos:

Rejoice, uplifting of men:
Rejoice, downfall of demons!
Rejoice, Thou who didst trample down the dominion of delusion:
Rejoice, Thou who didst unmask the fraud of idols!
Rejoice, sea that didst drown the Pharaoh of the mind:
Rejoice, rock that doth refresh those thirsting for life!
Rejoice, pillar of fire that guideth those in darkness:
Rejoice, shelter of the world broader than a cloud!
Rejoice, sustenance replacing manna:
Rejoice, minister of holy delight!
Rejoice, land of promise:
Rejoice, Thou from whom floweth milk and honey!
Rejoice, O Bride Unwedded!

Kontakion 7

(Priest:) When Symeon was about to depart this age of delusion, Thou wast brought as a Babe to him, but Thou was recognized by him as perfect God also; wherefore, marveling at Thine ineffable wisdom, he cried: Alleluia!

Ikos 7

(Priest:) The Creator showed us a new creation when He appeared to us who came from Him. For He sprang from a seedless womb, and kept it incorrupt as it was, that seeing the miracle we might sing to Her, crying out:

Rejoice, flower of incorruptibility:
Rejoice, crown of continence!
Rejoice, Thou from whom shineth the Archetype of the Resurrection:
Rejoice, Thou Who revealest the life of the angels!
Rejoice, tree of shining fruit, whereby the faithful are nourished:
Rejoice, tree of goodly shade by which many are sheltered!
Rejoice, Thou that has carried in Thy womb the Redeemer of captives:
Rejoice, Thou that gavest birth to the Guide of those astray!
Rejoice, supplication before the Righteous Judge:
Rejoice, forgiveness of many sins!
Rejoice, robe of boldness for the naked:
Rejoice, love that doth vanquish all desire!
Rejoice, O Bride Unwedded!

Kontakion 8

(Priest:) Having beheld a strange nativity, let us estrange ourselves from the world and transport our minds to Heaven; for the Most High God appeared on earth as a lowly man, because He wished to draw to the heights them that cry to Him: Alleluia!

Ikos 8

(Priest:) Wholly present was the Inexpressible Word among those here below, yet in no way absent from those on high; for this was a divine condescension and not a change of place, and His birth was from a God-receiving Virgin Who heard these things:

Rejoice, container of the Uncontainable God:
Rejoice, door of solemn mystery!
Rejoice, report doubtful to unbelievers:
Rejoice, undoubted boast of the faithful!
Rejoice, all-holy chariot of Him Who sitteth upon the Cherubim:
Rejoice, all-glorious temple of Him Who is above the Seraphim!
Rejoice, Thou Who hast united opposites:
Rejoice, Thou Who hast joined virginity and motherhood!
Rejoice, Thou through whom transgression hath been absolved:
Rejoice, Thou through whom Paradise is opened!
Rejoice, key to the kingdom of Christ:
Rejoice, hope of eternal good things!
Rejoice, O Bride Unwedded!

Kontakion 9

(Priest:) All the angels were amazed at the great act of Thine incarnation; for they saw the Unapproachable God as a man approachable to all, abiding with us, and hearing from all: Alleluia!

Ikos 9

(Priest:) We see most eloquent orators mute as fish before Thee, O Theotokos; for they are at a loss to tell how Thou remainest a Virgin and could bear a child. But we, marveling at this mystery, cry out faithfully:

Rejoice, receptacle of the Wisdom of God:
Rejoice, treasury of His Providence!
Rejoice, Thou Who showest philosophers to be fools:
Rejoice, Thou Who exposest the learned as irrational!
Rejoice, for the clever critics have become foolish:
Rejoice, for the writers of myths have faded away!
Rejoice, Thou Who didst rend the webs of the Athenians:
Rejoice, Thou Who didst fill the nets of the fishermen!
Rejoice, Thou Who drawest us from the depths of ignorance:
Rejoice, Thou Who enlightenest many with knowledge!
Rejoice, ship for those who wish to be saved:
Rejoice, harbor for sailors on the sea of life!
Rejoice, O Bride Unwedded!

Kontakion 10

(Priest:) Desiring to save the world, He that is the Creator of all came to it according to His Own promise, and He that, as God, is the Shepherd, for our sake appeared unto us as a man; for like calling unto like, as God He heareth: Alleluia!

Ikos 10

(Priest:) A bulwark art Thou to virgins, and to all that flee unto Thee, O Virgin Theotokos; for the Maker of Heaven and earth prepared Thee, O Most-pure one, dwelt in Thy womb, and taught all to call to Thee:

Rejoice, pillar of virginity:
Rejoice, gate of salvation!
Rejoice, leader of mental formation:
Rejoice, bestower of divine good!
Rejoice, for Thou didst renew those conceived in shame:
Rejoice, for Thou gavest wisdom to those robbed of their minds!
Rejoice, Thou Who didst foil the corrupter of minds:
Rejoice, Thou Who gavest birth to the Sower of purity!
Rejoice, bridechamber of a seedless marriage:
Rejoice, Thou Who dost wed the faithful to the Lord!
Rejoice, good nourisher of virgins:
Rejoice, adorner of holy souls as for marriage!
Rejoice, O Bride Unwedded!

Kontakion 11

(Priest:) Every hymn is defeated that trieth to encompass the multitude of Thy many compassions; for if we offer to Thee, O Holy King, songs equal in number to the sand, nothing have we done worthy of that which Thou hast given us who shout to Thee: Alleluia!

Ikos 11

(Priest:) We behold the holy Virgin, a shining lamp appearing to those in darkness; for, kindling the Immaterial Light, She guideth all to divine knowledge, She illumineth minds with radiance, and is honored by our shouting these things:

Rejoice, ray of the noetic Sun:
Rejoice, radiance of the Unsetting Light!
Rejoice, lightning that enlightenest our souls:
Rejoice, thunder that terrifiest our enemies!
Rejoice, for Thou didst cause the refulgent Light to dawn:
Rejoice, for Thou didst cause the river of many streams to gush forth!
Rejoice, Thou Who paintest the image of the font:
Rejoice, Thou Who blottest out the stain of sin!
Rejoice, laver that washest the conscience clean:
Rejoice, cup that drawest up joy!
Rejoice, aroma of the sweet fragrance of Christ:
Rejoice, life of mystical gladness!
Rejoice, O Bride Unwedded!

Kontakion 12

(Priest:) When the Absolver of all mankind desired to blot out ancient debts, of His Own will He came to dwell among those who had fallen from His Grace; and having torn up the handwriting of their sins, He heareth this from all: Alleluia!

Ikos 12

(Priest:) While singing to Thine Offspring, we all praise Thee as a living temple, O Theotokos; for the Lord Who holdeth all things in His hand dwelt in Thy womb, and He sanctified and glorified Thee, and taught all to cry to Thee:

Rejoice, tabernacle of God the Word:
Rejoice, saint greater than the saints!
Rejoice, ark gilded by the Spirit:
Rejoice, inexhaustible treasury of life!
Rejoice, precious diadem of pious kings:
Rejoice, venerable boast of reverent priests!
Rejoice, unshakable fortress of the Church:
Rejoice, inviolable wall of the kingdom!
Rejoice, Thou through whom victories are obtained:
Rejoice, Thou through whom foes fall prostrate!
Rejoice, healing of my flesh:
Rejoice, salvation of my soul!
Rejoice, O Bride Unwedded!

Kontakion 13

(Priest:) O all-praised Mother Who didst bear the Word, holiest of all the saints, accept now our offering, and deliver us from all misfortune, and rescue from the torment to come those that cry to Thee: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! (This Kontakion is sung three times)

And again we sing Ikos 1 and Kontakion 1

Triple Litany

**Priest: Have mercy on us O God, according to Thy great mercy, we pray Thee, hearken and have mercy.

**People: (after every petition)

**Priest: Again we pray for the holy Orthodox Patriarchs of the East; for the Orthodox episcopate of the Russian Church; for our lord the Very Most Reverend Metropolitan Laurus, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad; for our lord the Most Reverend Anthony, Archbishop of Western America and San Francisco; and for our lord, the Most Reverend Bishop Kyrill; and all our brethren in Christ:

**Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, and visitation for the servants of God NN: (while the names are read, the people sing the litany response softly), and for the pardon and remission of their sins.

**Again we beg Thee, O Lord, to hearken to our petition, and have mercy on Thy servants NN: (the response is sung softly as above). In Thy grace and bounty, fulfill their petitions, and forgive all their sins, whether voluntary or involuntary. Accept their sacrifice of praise upon Thy heavenly altar; protect them from every visible and invisible enemy; deliver them from all misery, sickness, and affliction; grant them health and length of days, we pray Thee, O Lord, hearken and have mercy.

**Priest: Again we pray for travelers by land, by sea, and by air; for the sick and the suffering; for the servants of God NN: (as above), and for all those that are under trial, in harsh labor, in exile, imprisonment, and in every tribulation, necessity, and danger, and for their salvation, we pray Thee O Lord, hearken and have mercy.

**Again we pray that the Lord our God will preserve this city and this holy temple and every city and country from pestilence, famine, earthquake, flood, fire, the sword, the invasion of enemies, civil war, and sudden death, and that our good God, Who loveth mankind, will be graciously favorable and easily entreated, and will turn away from us all the wrath stirred up against us, and deliver us from all His righteous chastisement which impendeth against us, and have mercy on us.

**Again we pray for the blessed and ever-memorable, holy Orthodox Patriarchs, and pious kings and right-believing queens, and the founders of this holy temple, and for all our fathers and brethren gone to their rest before us, and the Orthodox here and everywhere laid to rest.

**Again we pray for all the people here present, who await Thy great and rich mercy.

**Again we pray that the Lord will listen to the prayers of us sinners, and have mercy on us.

**Hear us O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of those who are far off upon the sea, and show mercy, show mercy O Master, upon us sinners. For Thou art a merciful God and Thou lovest mankind, and unto Thee we ascribe glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

People: Amen.

**Priest: Let us pray to the most holy Theotokos.

**People: (all kneel as we sing:)

(Priest:) Our most gracious Queen, our hope, O Theotokos, Who receivest the orphaned and art the intercessor for the stranger; the joy of those in sorrow, protectress of the wronged, see our distress, see our affliction! Help us, for we are helpless. Feed us, for we are strangers and pilgrims. Thou knowest our offences; forgive them, and resolve them as Thou dost will. For we know no other help but Thee, no other intercessor, no gracious comforter, only Thee, O Theotokos to guard and protect us for ages of ages. Amen.

**Priest: Wisdom, Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

People: More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, without corruption Thou gavest birth to God the Word: True Theotokos, we magnify Thee.

**Priest: Glory to Thee, O Christ our God and our hope, glory to Thee.

People: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages, Amen. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Father, bless.

**Priest: (gives the blessing of the day, and all come to venerate the Icon)

Three Brightly Burning Lamps

Monday, March 23, 2009 / March 10, 2009 (Church Calendar) 2009

Fourth Week of the Great Lent: Adoration of Cross. Tone seven.
Great Lent. By Monastic Charter: Strict Fast (Bread, Vegetables, Fruits)
Martyrs Codratus (Quadratus) and with him: Cyprian, Dionysius, Anectus, Paul, Crescens, Dionysius (another), Victorinus, Victor, Nicephorus, Claudius, Diodorus, Serapion, Papias, Leonidas, Chariessa, Nunechia, Basilissa, Nice, Galla, Galina, Theodora, and others at Corinth (258).
New Hieromartyr Demetrius, priest (1938).
Martyrs Codratus, Saturninus, and Rufinus of Nicomedia (3rd c.).
Venerable Anastasia the Patrician of Alexandria (567).
New Martyr Michael of Agrapha, Thessalonica (1544). (Greek).
Martyr Marcian (Greek).
Venerable George Arselaites (6th c.).
St. Attalus, abbot of Bobbio (626).
St. John of Khakuhli, Georgia, called Chrysostom (10th-11th c.).
St. Paul of Taganrog (1879).
St. Kessog, bishop of Loch Lomond.

“Grant us, O our Lord, to bring Thee three choice gifts. Grant us, O our Lord, to burn three aromatic censers before Thee. Grant us, O our Lord, to light for Thee three brightly burning lamps: the spirit, the soul and the body, these three gifts for the One Trinity.” — St Ephraim the Syrian

About Forgiveness

Fr. Stephen Freeman had a wonderful blog post about forgiveness on March 13, 2009. I recommend it to you. He said, in part:

These are a few thoughts on beginning the life of forgiveness:

1. Begin by struggling to form the habit of forgiveness in the smallest things. With a child, with traffic, with little irritations. Do not struggle in a small way but throw yourself into forgiveness. It should become a habit, but a habit of grace, a large action.

2. Use this prayer for the enemies who seem to be beyond your ability to pray: “O God, at the dread judgment, do not condemn them for my sake.” This places forgiveness at a distance and even a hard heart can often manage the small prayer of forgiveness at such a distance.

3. Be always aware of your own failings and constantly ask for God’s forgiveness. “Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.”

4. As much as possible cultivate in your heart the understanding that all human beings are broken and victims of the fall. None of us enters a world of purity, nor do we enter the world fully fuctional as a human being. It is the gradual cultivation of mercy in our heart. Many will complain that our culture already has a “cult of victimization” in which no one takes responsibility for their actions. The same people will imagine that the world would be better if only everyone took more responsibility. But they themselves will not take on the responsibility that belong to us all. As Dostoevsky says, “Each man is responsible for everything before everyone.” Thus the complaint comes out of our pride. We think we ourselves are not responsible for the state of the world as it is and that if only others were as good as we were the world would be better. This is a lie.

5. The proper response to taking such responsibility is to pray and ask forgiveness. Feeling guilty is generally another self-centered action and is not the same thing as asking forgiveness.

6. Make a life confession at least once a year – being careful to name as many resentments as you can remember (this last advice comes from Met. Jonah Paffhausen).

“But I say to you that hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from him who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to every one who begs from you; and of him who takes away your goods do not ask them again. And as you wish that men would do to you, do so to them. “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For the measure you give will be the measure you get back” (Luke 6:27-38).

I commend this post to you in full.

The End of Days - Forgiveness Sunday

Services for Fr. Damian in Georgia

From an e-mail from St. Mary of Egypt (ROCOR) Church in Roswell, GA:

Below is a tentative schedule of services for Father Damian. The schedule could change only if there are problems in transporting Father Damian’s body.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009 7:00 PM – Third Day Memorial Service

Wednesday, March 11, 2009 7:00 PM– already scheduled Presanctified Liturgy. If Father Damian’s body is present there will be a Litiya for the departed following the Liturgy.

Thursday, March 12, 2009 10:00 AM – Panikhida (with sermons from various Priest)

12:00 – 12:30 PM – Burial at the Monastery of the Glorious Ascension in Resaca, GA

3:00 – 4:00 PM – Tentative arrival time for Memorial Meal at St. Mary of Egypt

Directions to the Monastery:
From the South:
Take I-75 N. to exit 318 Resaca.
Turn right (north) onto Hwy. 41.
Stay on Hwy. 41 through the small town of Resaca and into Whitfield County (there are signs for the confederate battlefield near the county line).
Our driveway is about 1/4mi. (or less) after entering Whitfield Co. on the left, marked by two small white crosses. If you see the Bethlehem Baptist Church you just passed it.
Take the driveway to the top of the hill and you’re there.

Message from Father John:

“As of now the plans are to have a third-day Memorial Service on Tuesday, March 10th, at 7:00 PM. On Wednesday we will have our regular services and at the end of the Presanctified Liturgy we will have a Litiya for the departed if Father Damian’s body is already in the church. On Thursday morning, March 12th, we plan to have a Panikhida with sermons by some priests in the church at 10:00 AM. We will go to the monastery for the burial and probably be there by 12:00-12:30 PM. After the burial we will come directly back to the church and be here between 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM for the memorial meal. The only reason this could change is if there would be any problem in transporting Father Damian’s body.”

Memory Eternal! [Heiromonk Damian]

From an e-mail I received this morning:

“Through the great, saving mercy of God, Father Damian (Hart) had a peaceful repose, Saturday evening, March 7 at 11:13 Pacific time. May his memory be eternal!

Father Damian had been suffering from small-cell lung cancer that metastasized to his brain. When treatment failed, he went back to the monastery where he was tenderly cared for by the monks there. They read the Prayers at the Departing of the Soul from the Body as he reposed.

This is a very bittersweet moment. The Ol’ Curmudgeon and I helped him found the Monastery of the Glorious Ascension in Resaca GA, and he was instrumental in helping us think through our decision to move to ROCOR. We loved him. He was a wonderfully kind confessor, and a good priest. He was a dedicated monk. The world is poorer for him no longer being here. My tears are mingling with the tears of all the others who mourn him.

My correspondent included the following sermon which Father Damian preached on Holy Cross Day, September 14, 2004:

THE UNIVERSAL ELEVATION AND THE EXALTATION OF THE PRECIOUS AND LIFE-CREATING CROSS

In the Name of God: the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

We are celebrating the Feast of the Life-creating Cross which drove away darkness and brought in the Light. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. (John 12 : 32) As we keep this Feast, we are lifted up with the crucified Christ, leaving behind us earth and sin so that we may gain eternal life. Saint Andrew, Bishop of Crete, wrote: So great and out­standing a possession is the Cross that he who wins it has won a treasure. Rightly could I call this treasure the fairest of all fair things and the costliest, in fact as well as in name, for on it and through it and for its sake the riches of salvation that had been lost were restored to us. (Oratio 10 in Exaltatione sanctae crucis: PG 97, 1018 – 1019)

Had there been no Cross, Christ could not have been crucified. Had there been no Cross, Christ Who is Life itself could not have been nailed to the tree. And if Life had not been nailed to it, there would be no streams of immortality pouring from Christ’s side, blood and water, for the world’s cleansing. The legal bond of our sin would not be canceled, our transgressions would not have been blotted out, we should not have obtained our freedom, we should not have enjoyed the fruit of the tree of life and the gates of paradise would not stand open. Had there been no Cross, death would not have been trodden underfoot, nor hell harrowed.

Therefore, the Cross is called Honorable, Precious, and Life-creating. The Cross is Honorable because it is both the sign of God’s suffering and the trophy of his victory. The Cross is Precious because through the Cross the many noble acts of Christ found their consummation–all in fact, for both his miracles and his sufferings were fully rewarded with victory. The Cross is Life-creating because it stands for Christ’s suffering, for on it he freely suffered death for us men and for our salvation; and it is also Christ’s trophy because it was the means by which the devil was wounded and death conquered; the iron-barred gates of hell were smashed, and the Cross became the one common salvation of the whole world.

The Cross is called Christ’s glory; it is saluted as His triumph. We recognize it as the cup He longed to drink and the climax of the sufferings He endured for our sake. As to the Cross be­ing Christ’s glory, listen to His own words: Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. (John 13 : 31) And again from the high priestly prayer which He prayed the night on which He gave Himself up for the salvation of the world: And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. (John 13 : 31) And once more: Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice (the same confirming voice which spoke after His Baptism in Jordan and was heard by Peter, James, and John on Tabor at the Transfiguration) from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. (John 13 : 31) Here He speaks of the glory that would accrue to Him through the Cross. And if you would understand that the Cross is Christ’s triumph, hear once more what he himself also said: And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. (John 12 : 32)

And Christ is lifted up, again and again and again for all men. He is lifted up for all men at each Divine Liturgy just after the Words of Institution: This is My Body; this is My Blood, when the common elements which we have offered back to God become the Precious and Holy and Im­maculate Sanctified Gifts–those Holy Things of which, by God’s mercy, we receive a portion–those Holy Things which He has sanctified for us and given to us that They may be a provision on the way to life eternal, an acceptable defense at the fearful judgment seat of Christ, and the means that we have, together with all the Saints, to be made partakers of those eternal good things, which the Lord has prepared for those who love Him (Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great): Thine own of thine own we offer unto thee on behalf of all and for all. And again He is lifted up for all men, just before at the Fracture, just before we receive these Precious Gifts, when His Immaculate Body is commingled with His Precious Blood: Holy Things are for the holy. He does indeed draw all men unto Him, for He Himself fills all things, being Himself uncircumscribed. Now you see that the Mystery of the Cross is Christ’s glory and triumph and our salvation.

In the Name of God: the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

My correspondent concluded -

“And so, let our sadness be a bright sadness as we mourn the repose of Father Damian. Let us take up our Cross and let us put our confidence in our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ Who loveth man. Let us give joyous thanks for the life of Father Damian, ever proclaiming: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.”

May his Memory be Eternal!