"Rejoice, unfading rose. Rejoice, the only one who budded forth the unfading apple. Rejoice, birth-giver of the aromatic balm of the King of all. Rejoice, O Bride unwedded, the world's salvation." + Dear Beloved in Christ, God is with us! Tonight is yet another important milestone in our Lenten journey: The Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos. The poetic and ancient Akathist Hymn was written in the 6th Century. Contained within the Hymn is the entire story of our salvation through the ... [Read more]
Articles for Great Lent
The Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete
Have compassion and save me, have mercy on me, O Son of David, Who healed with a word the demoniac. And let Your voice of tender compassion speak to me as to the robber, "Truly I tell you, you will be with Me in Paradise when I rise in My glory." ~ Hymn from Ode 9 of the Great Canon of St. Andrew Dear Beloved in Christ, God is with us! Tonight is a major milestone in then annual Lenten journey: The Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete. During Clean Week (the first week of Great Lent), this ... [Read more]
Oh No! This Whole Fasting Thing Again
As we begin the season of Great Lent, one of the most common discussions I have with parishioners and spiritual children has to do with the dietary aspect of fasting. People want to know how they should fast, and typically, they will give reasons as to why they can't adhere to certain dietary rules. They already know what they can and can't do based on their limitations, but for some reason they still want to have the conversation. Some individuals are unable to follow all the rules due to ... [Read more]
Fast and Pray In Love
On the Sunday of the Prodigal Son, Fr. Theodore spoke about Orthodox Praxis in his homily. Drawing the distinction between Theoria (theory) and Praxis (practice) is important. Theoria is tied to Theology, the teachings of the Church. Praxis, on the one hand, is associated with worship, and on the other hand, is connected with “living rightly,” day to day as an Orthodox Christian. In the New Testament, we read of the teachings of the Lord. We also see in the N.T examples given by our Lord ... [Read more]
Journey-to-Pascha Calendars for Your Family
Here are couple of one page, printable resources to help you and your family chart your way to Pascha, with the services offered at St. John the Baptist written in on the appropriate days. We hope you will print one (or both!) and personalize with stickers, color, or added prayers or notes... or simply mark off the days as you go. Journey-to-Pascha I Journey-to-Pascha II For "Journey-to-Pascha II" the dates and times of a couple of the services during the 5th week may change, so double ... [Read more]
Get Ready! Lent Is Almost Here!
As I sit down to write this article, it’s hard to believe that Great Lent is just around the corner. It seems like only yesterday, we were in the midst of the Forty Liturgies of the Nativity Fast. Despite this feeling, when we hear certain Gospel readings in church on Sunday, we know that Lent is drawing near. This is because our Church does not let great feasts or important seasons sneak up on us. I thank God for the Sunday readings that come just before the beginning of the Triodion, such as ... [Read more]
Saint Mary of Egypt
One of the most prominent figures we find in Great Lentis a woman whose very life epitomizes the most important theme during this period of time, and her name is St. Maryof Egypt. She is an icon or repentance, a depositor of hope, and an evangelist like few others because, after fleeing into the desert, she hardly spoke at all, and to only one person at that! Nevertheless, though she had renounced the world, and detached herself from living among people, her love for God and her silent yet ... [Read more]
Great Lent: An Opportunity to Recommit to Our Prayer Rules
Great Lent is a wonderful opportunity to deepen our spiritual lives. In the spiritual classic, Unseen Warfare, by Saints Nicodemus the Athonite and Theophan the Recluse, it is written: “The greatest and most perfect thing a man may desire to attain is to come near to God and dwell in union with Him.” This goal is not simply a short term seasonal goal that we strive for once a year during the forty days preceding Pascha, but it is a goal we must strive to experience every day of the year. A ... [Read more]
Fasting Guidelines
Let us fast with a fast pleasing to the Lord. This is the true fast: the casting off of evil, the bridling of the tongue, the cutting off of anger, the cessation of lusts, evil talking, lies and cursing. The stopping of these is the fast true and acceptable. ~ Monday Vespers of the First Week A special word must be said about fasting during Great Lent. Generally speaking, fasting is an essential element of the Christian life. Christ fasted and taught men to fast. Blessed fasting is done in ... [Read more]
Simple Tips for Keeping Lent in our Families
Let’s be honest: how do we moms feel when we suddenly realize while we are in Liturgy that the Gospel reading for the Sunday is the Prodigal Son, which cues us that Lent is around the corner? If you’re like me, you start doing a mental checklist of all the meat that needs to be used up in the next few weeks and of what upcoming events are going to conflict with the fast and services. I think when does Holy Week fall and whose birthday is getting trumped by Lent (we have three family birthdays in ... [Read more]
