by George Demacopoulos | български | ქართული | ελληνικά | Română | Русский | Српски The oldest-surviving Christian hymns designed exclusively for Holy Week are a set known as the Idiomele. In the modern Orthodox Church, they are sung during the Royal Hours service of Good Friday morning (the final hymn is sung during two…
Continue readingThe Exhortation of Jesus Invigorating Spiritual Life
by V.K. McCarty Look not at the things which are seen, but at those which are not seen; for the things which are seen may be timely, but the thingswhich are not seen are for eternity. (Cyril of Alexandria, Homily 104) Jesus offering the parable of the great feast awaiting us, as one step in…
Continue readingCelebrating Archangel Light
by V.K. McCarty Commanders of the heavenly hosts,we who are unworthy beseech you,by your prayers encompass us beneath the wings of your immaterial glory,and faithfully preserve us who fall down and cry to you:Deliver us from all harm, for you are the commanders of the powers on high!(Troparion for the Synaxis of the Archangel Michael…
Continue readingEncountering the Mandylion Icon of Christ
“The indescribable glory of His face was changing through grace”—Menaion for August. Since the feast-day of the Mandylion Ikon of Christ, memories of encountering it have been galvanizing my prayer, recalling an extraordinary encounter meeting it on pilgrimage many years ago. The Mandylion Icon “Not Made by Hands” occupies a central place among Orthodox images…
Continue readingVenerating the Transfiguration Every Day
You were transfigured on the mountain, O Christ God,revealing Your glory to Your disciples as far as they could bear it. Let Your everlasting Light also shine upon us sinners.Through the prayers of the Theotokos,O Giver of Light, glory to You! (Troparion for Transfiguration—Tone 7) During my Seminary days, walking into Chapel meant walking by,…
Continue readingThe Gospel of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost
by V. K. McCarty | български | ქართული | ελληνικά | Română | Русский | Српски “When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind. . .”* The Pentecost feast-day reading from Acts (2:1-21) is absolutely…
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