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 [...]

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Rhythms in Life

We Orthodox Christians live slightly different lives from the rest of the “herd” in the US. Yes, we go to work, our children go to school, we go to Church, like many others. Unlike the others, however, Orthodox Christians consult a special Church Calendar daily to see which Saints are commemorated and whether it is [...]

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The Icon of the Mother of God, named “Prosperess of Loaves”

The Icon of the Mother of God, named “Prosperess of Loaves” (“Sporitel’nitsa Khlebov”), was written at the blessing of the starets-elder of the Visitation Optina wilderness monastery, the priest-schemamonk Amvrosii (Ambrosii) (23/XI/1812 – 10/X/1891). Father Amvrosii, a great Russian ascetic of the XIX Century, was ardent with a childlike faith towards the Mother of God. [...]

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Oct 18 (Oct 1 old style) The Protection of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary

The Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos “Today the Virgin stands in the midst of the Church, and with choirs of Saints she invisibly prays to God for us. Angels and Bishops venerate Her, Apostles and prophets rejoice together, Since for our sake she prays to the Eternal God!” This miraculous appearance of the Mother [...]

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The Appearance of the Most Holy Mother of God to the Monk Sergei of Radonezh

Commemorated on August 24 One time, in the deep of night, the Monk Sergei (1314-1392) was reading an Akathist to the Mother of God. Having finished his habitual rule, he sat down to rest a bit, but suddenly he said to his cell-mate, the Monk Mikhei (+ 6 May 1385): “Take courage, child, we shall [...]

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The Gruzinian (Georgian) Icon of the Mother of God

In 1622 the Persian shah Abbas conquered Gruzia. Many Christian holy things were plundered and many such were sold to the Russian merchants that were in Persia. Thus, the Gruzinian Icon of the Mother of God came the way of a certain merchant named Stefan, who piously kept it. During this time in Yaroslavl’ the [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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  Ever-virginity [...]

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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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Axion Esti

During the celebration of the Divine Liturgy every Sunday, we hear the beautiful, and inspiring hymn called “Axion Esti” which follows the prayer (as we kneel) called the “Epiklesis.” This hymn was written originally in the year 720 by St. Cosmas, one of the greatest hymnographers of the Christian Church. The hymn, however, began with [...]

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Agni Parthene

This is a special hymn to the Theotokos (Virgin Mary) which was composed by St. Nectarius of Aegina. It is chanted frequently in monasteries and in churches all over the world. There are both Byzantine and Russian style chants. This one is more Byzantine in style.

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Wider Than the Heavens

Written by the Very Rev. Vladimir Berzonsky “The brain – is wider than the sky; For – put them side by side- The one the other will contain With ease – and you – beside” (Emily Dickenson) Emily Dickenson is among my favorite American poets. I appreciate her near monastic life style and relish her [...]

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