“We implore you, cover us with your holy veil (omophorion) and deliver us from all evil.”
The Feast of the Protection of The Theotokos (Oct 1/ Oct 14 and in the Greek tradition on Oct 28) commemorates the appearance of our holy Theotokos in the Church of Blachernae in Constantinople in the early sixth century,
as recorded in the life of Saint Andrew the Fool for Christ.
While the multitudes of the faithful were gathered in the church, Epiphanius, the friend of Saint Andrew, through the Saint's prayers, beheld our most Holy Lady Theotokos coming through the air, radiant with heavenly light and surrounded by an assembly of the Saints.
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The Feast of the Protection of The Theotokos (Oct 1/ Oct 14 and in the Greek tradition on Oct 28) commemorates the appearance of our holy Theotokos in the Church of Blachernae in Constantinople in the early sixth century,
as recorded in the life of Saint Andrew the Fool for Christ.
While the multitudes of the faithful were gathered in the church, Epiphanius, the friend of Saint Andrew, through the Saint's prayers, beheld our most Holy Lady Theotokos coming through the air, radiant with heavenly light and surrounded by an assembly of the Saints.
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St John the Baptist and the holy Apostle John the Theologian accompanied the Queen of Heaven above the faithful and spreading out her veil over them, signifying her unceasing protection of all Christians. Because of this, we keep a yearly feast of thanksgiving, beseeching our Lady never to cease sheltering us in her mighty prayers.
“Remember us in your prayers, O Lady Virgin Mother of God, that we not perish by the increase of our sins. Protect us from every evil and from grievous woes, for in you do we hope, and, venerating the Feast of your Protection, we magnify you.”
St John the Baptist and the holy Apostle John the Theologian accompanied the Queen of Heaven above the faithful and spreading out her veil over them, signifying her unceasing protection of all Christians. Because of this, we keep a yearly feast of thanksgiving, beseeching our Lady never to cease sheltering us in her mighty prayers.
“Remember us in your prayers, O Lady Virgin Mother of God, that we not perish by the increase of our sins. Protect us from every evil and from grievous woes, for in you do we hope, and, venerating the Feast of your Protection, we magnify you.”
"On the mountain lives an old monk, working out his salvation in prayer and seclusion. He is just the one to show Nikola the holiness in each moment."
Are your children reading Orthodox books? Dessi Jackson is a mother of six, an immigrant from Bulgaria, living in the countryside of Maryland, and she writes books about Saints that you and your children are likely to fall in love with. http://amzn.to/2sH8Itd
* Roses in the Snow: A Tale of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary
* Saint Felix and the Spider
* The Saint and His Bees
* Nikola and the Monk
View all at http://amzn.to/2sH8Itd
Are your children reading Orthodox books? Dessi Jackson is a mother of six, an immigrant from Bulgaria, living in the countryside of Maryland, and she writes books about Saints that you and your children are likely to fall in love with. http://amzn.to/2sH8Itd
* Roses in the Snow: A Tale of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary
* Saint Felix and the Spider
* The Saint and His Bees
* Nikola and the Monk
View all at http://amzn.to/2sH8Itd
“Grant me torrents of tears, O most pure one, to cleanse my soul from impurity. I offer the groans of my heart to thee unceasingly, strive for me, O Sovereign Lady. Accept my service of supplication and offer it to compassionate God. O thou who art above the angels, raise me above this world's confusion. O Light-bearing heavenly tabernacle, direct the grace of the Spirit in me. I raise my hands and lips in thy praise, defiled as they are by impurity, O all-immaculate one. Deliver me from soul-corrupting evils, and fervently intercede with Christ, to Whom is due honour and worship, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen."
Most Holy Theotokos, shelter us under your mantle.
Most Holy Theotokos, shelter us under your mantle.
“Thou didst enter the flame as it were a place a bloom with flowers…”
Saint Thecla the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles (Sept 24/ Oct 7) was taught by the Holy Apostle Paul. Her holy relics are at the monastery bearing her name in Maaloula, Syria, an ancient Christian village which came under attack in 2013 by ISIS-affiliated militants. Their attempt to burn down the entire monastery failed. Twelve nuns who were kidnapped were later released. Looted icons were eventually retrieved. Who can doubt the intercession of the Holy First-Martyress?
Icon photo credit: The Eastern Orthodox Church on Facebook
Saint Thecla the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles (Sept 24/ Oct 7) was taught by the Holy Apostle Paul. Her holy relics are at the monastery bearing her name in Maaloula, Syria, an ancient Christian village which came under attack in 2013 by ISIS-affiliated militants. Their attempt to burn down the entire monastery failed. Twelve nuns who were kidnapped were later released. Looted icons were eventually retrieved. Who can doubt the intercession of the Holy First-Martyress?
Icon photo credit: The Eastern Orthodox Church on Facebook
Christ God ... Wall us about with your holy Angels, that, protected and guided by their host, we may reach the unity of the faith and the knowledge of your unapproachable glory; for you are blessed to the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayers of the Day in the Orthodox Church by Mother Thekla, edited by Fr. Christopher
http://amzn.to/2rXz4GZ
Prayers of the Day in the Orthodox Church by Mother Thekla, edited by Fr. Christopher
http://amzn.to/2rXz4GZ
When you are praying alone, and your spirit is dejected, and you are wearied and oppressed by your loneliness, remember then, as always, that God the Trinity looks upon you with eyes brighter than the sun; also all the angels, your own Guardian Angel, and all the Saints of God.
☦️St. John of Kronstadt
Photo: Holy Transfiguration Russian Orthodox Cathedral, Los Angeles
☦️St. John of Kronstadt
Photo: Holy Transfiguration Russian Orthodox Cathedral, Los Angeles
"... for the eyes of our soul to see the light of intelligible and divine realities, that is the depths of things, they must first be filled with the light which radiates from these depths. In him who sees must be found something of what is seen."
—Fr. Dimitru Staniloae, Orthodox Spirituality
Sometimes if seems radiant, divine, inner illumination is captured even by the eyes of ordinary souls, even unbelievers, such as happens Holy Saturday at the Holy Sepulchre when the Holy Light is seen by all. Holy illumination may even be captured by a photo lens.
This photo was captured at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, Santa Fe, New Mexico, several years ago. Father John Bethancourt is the priest in the center of the photo. It was taken after three baptisms, as Fr John was completing the chrismations.
One of the baptized was a convert from Judaism. Her father, a rabbi, is said to have taken the photos. It is believed that he did not retouch the photo and had no motivation to do so.
—Fr. Dimitru Staniloae, Orthodox Spirituality
Sometimes if seems radiant, divine, inner illumination is captured even by the eyes of ordinary souls, even unbelievers, such as happens Holy Saturday at the Holy Sepulchre when the Holy Light is seen by all. Holy illumination may even be captured by a photo lens.
This photo was captured at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, Santa Fe, New Mexico, several years ago. Father John Bethancourt is the priest in the center of the photo. It was taken after three baptisms, as Fr John was completing the chrismations.
One of the baptized was a convert from Judaism. Her father, a rabbi, is said to have taken the photos. It is believed that he did not retouch the photo and had no motivation to do so.
If you aspire to friendship with Christ, you will hate money and the gluttonous love of money; for money lures towards itself the mind of whoever loves it and diverts it from love of Jesus…
You should realize, however, that money is in fact disastrous to you, and the disaster will be all the greater because you will also lose your true wealth, God, without whom the life of salvation is impossible.
If you love money you do not love Christ…
+ St Nikita Stithatos (On The Inner Nature of Things)
You should realize, however, that money is in fact disastrous to you, and the disaster will be all the greater because you will also lose your true wealth, God, without whom the life of salvation is impossible.
If you love money you do not love Christ…
+ St Nikita Stithatos (On The Inner Nature of Things)