Preparing for the Journey to Pascha!
Pre-Lent The paschal season of the Church is preceded by the season of Great Lent, which is itself preceded by its own liturgical preparation. The first sign of the approach of Great Lent comes five Sundays before its beginning. On this Sunday the Gospel reading is about Zacchaeus the tax-collector. It tells how Christ brought […]
Twelve Days of Christmas
We all know the story of Christmas, and joys of this wonderful time of year to be with family and friends. But think beyond our modern customs . . . reflect on “The Twelve Days of Christmas” In the Christian tradition of both east and west, the twelve days of Christmas refer to the period […]
From PASCHA to Pentecost
After the 40-day Fast, Holy Week and the Glorious Resurrection, we look forward to celebrating the Paschal season of our Lord’s Triumph over death. No longer bound by sin, all mankind has the promise of Life Eternal. It is now up to each of us to grow in Faith. And looking to the wonderful legacy give us by […]
St. John of Kronstadt:
Firmly purpose in your soul to hate every sin of thought, word, and deed, and when you are tempted to sin . . . “Firmly purpose in your soul to hate every sin of thought, word, and deed, and when you are tempted to sin resist it valiantly and with a feeling of hatred for […]
St. Theophan the Recluse:
. . . if we undertake to cure ourselves, then we will be able to do something about it. “If [the disease of sin] is natural, then it cannot be cured. Thus it would remain always, no matter how hard you worked to rid yourself of it. If you accept this thought, you will lose […]