Irish Lent!

Irish Lent!:
An Irishman moved into a tiny hamlet in County Kerry, walked into the pub and promptly ordered three beers. The bartender raised his eyebrows, but served the man three beers, which he drank quietly at a table, alone.
The next evening the man again ordered and drank three beers at a time. Soon the [...]

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The Lenten Fasting Rule of the Orthodox Church

[Note: This post is from previous years, and I have reposted it each season. I may make this the last time I do so, since it could tend to give the false impression and tend to focus attention on the external "sensationalist" (no other church in the West does this sort of mindset) details, [...]

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Our Father Among the Saints, John Cassian the Roman, Abbot of Marseilles

Troparion Tone 6
In thy divine teachings thou wast a physician for souls, O Father Cassian,/ and setting aright the thoughts of monastics by grace,/ thou didst lead them to life everlasting./ Wherefore, we all honor thee with love.
Kontakion Tone 2
Having delighted in discipline, abstinence, and continence,/ O divinely wise one,/ and having bridled your carnal [...]

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The Failure of Reason in the Face of Human Suffering

Although this post was sparked by reading my priest’s, Father Patrick Reardon’s The Trial of Job and by a conversation with fellow parishioner and dear friend, Dr. Michael Rhodes, one should not think that the failures and infelicities of my thoughts here are in any way generated by these two men. Rather, they have [...]

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The Sunday of the Last Judgment

Troparion Tone 8
The doors of repentance do Thou open to me, O Giver of life,
for my spirit waketh at dawn toward Thy holy temple,
bearing a temple of the body all defiled.
But in Thy compassion, cleanse it by the loving-kindness of Thy mercy.
Theotokion Tone 8
Guide me in the paths of salvation, O Theotokos,
for I have defiled [...]

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Our Father Among the Saints, Leo, Pope of Rome

Troparion of St Leo Tone 3
Thou wast the Church’s instrument/ in strengthening the Church’s teaching of true doctrine;/ thou didst shine forth from the West like a sun/ and didst dispel the heretics’ error./ O righteous Leo, entreat Christ our God to grant us His great mercy.
Kontakion of St Leo Tone 3
From the throne of [...]

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Sunday of the Prodigal Son

Troparion Tone 8
The doors of repentance do Thou open to me, O Giver of life,
for my spirit waketh at dawn toward Thy holy temple,
bearing a temple of the body all defiled.
But in Thy compassion, cleanse it by the loving-kindness of Thy mercy.
Theotokion Tone 8
Guide me in the paths of salvation, O Theotokos,
for I have defiled [...]

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Elder Paisios, an Audio Recording of a Talk from His Cell

The following are audio recordings (with visuals and English subtitles) of Elder Paisios giving a talk in his cell before his repose.
Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

[H/T: Orthodox Wisdom]

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Father Patrick on the Prayer of the Publican

Here are two pieces from my priest and pastor, Father Patrick Henry Reardon, on the prayer of the publican:
The Prayer of the Publican [OrthodoxyToday.net] (This is a more simple devotional reflection on the Gospel passage.)
The Prayer of the Publican [Touchstone Magazine] (This is a more scholarly article, with generous footnotes, tracing the Jesus Prayer back [...]

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Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee

Troparion of the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee Tone 8
The doors of repentance do Thou open to me, O Giver of life,
for my spirit waketh at dawn toward Thy holy temple,
bearing a temple of the body all defiled.
But in Thy compassion, cleanse it by the loving-kindness of Thy mercy.
Theotokion Tone 8
Guide me in [...]

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