The Dormition of the Theotokos

Blogging about this Feast slipped right by me, so I’m a bit late posting about it. Forgive me!
The following is from the Theologic.com website:

The Dormition of the Theotokos
Celebrated on August 15 (August 28)
The Feast of the Dormition or Falling Asleep of the Theotokos commemorates the death, resurrection, and glorification of Christ’s mother. To help us [...]

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O Pure Virgin

“O Pure Virgin”
by St. Nectarios of Aegina

Tone 5
(A, B, and C refer to the three distinct melodies within the hymn.)
(A) O pure and virgin Lady, / O spotless Theotokos: Rejoice, O unwedded Bride!
O Virgin Queen and Mother / O dewey fleece most sacred: / Rejoice, O unwedded Bride!
(B) O height transcending heaven above / O [...]

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Softening of Evil Hearts

The Softening of Evil Hearts
The icon of the Most Holy Theotokos known as “the Softening of Evil Hearts” or “Simeon’s Prophecy.” The Mother of God is depicted without Her Child, with seven swords piercing her breast: three from the left side, three from the right, and one from below.
A similar icon, “Of the Seven Swords” [...]

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Many Georgians Saw the Holy Virgin!

Many residents of Tskhinvali saw the Holy Virgin during the shelling, the local bishop claims

The Blessed Theotokos did not desert Ossetia, but instead came and walked in the streets of Tskhinvali during the heaviest shellings of  the city!!
Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Lord our God, have mercy upon us!

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Veneration of the Mother of God

The high esteem in which the Mother of God has been held among Christians goes back to ancient times. But the dogmatic teaching concerning the veneration of the Theotokos was developed and defined gradually, as was the case with other dogmas.
The Orthodox Church teaches two dogmas about the Mother of God: concerning Her  [...]

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The Holy Theotokos – Image of an Ideal Woman

One of the most terrible manifestations of our times is the complete distortion of the image of an ideal woman. The ideal image depicted for us by the mass media shows a sort of attractive witch, unashamedly half-naked, with loose and disheveled hair, impudent glance, business-like, energetic, fearless, unfettered by moral laws or conscience. In [...]

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MAN CAN NOT COMPREHEND THE DUST, MUCH LESS GOD

St. Ephraim the Syrian
Whither wilt thou mount, feeble man? Thou dust that art flung upon dust, let thy conversation be in the dust! Even the dust which is beneath thee is above thee, to search into. If that beneath be too high for thee, how wilt thou attain to Him who is above? If the [...]

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The Quiet Before

Before momentous events, there often is a quiet time.
Before a thunderstorm there  is a quiet lull. The leaves hang listlessly, there is a vague yellowish-green to the sky and clouds. The air is heavy and slightly damp to the nose.
Before the “Big Game” there is a hush in the crowd.
Before a war there is a [...]

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Lessons from the Maccabees – From Fr. Stephens Blog

These are the links to two posts in one of my favorite blogs. They were very meaningful to me, and I hope they will speak to you, also!
The Seven Holy Maccabbees
Lessons from the Maccabbees
I’m not just being lazy – Fr. Stephen has one of the best blogs going, in my NOT so humble opinion! I [...]

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What Should My Name Tag Say?

Take this quiz at QuizGalaxy.com

Obviously, my mind is a total blank, today . . .

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