Sunday of St John of the Ladder (The Fourth Sunday of Great and Holy Lent)

Troparion of St John Tone 3
Thou hast set up a holy ladder by thy words/ and hast shone forth as a teacher of monks;/ thou dost lead us, O John, from the purification that comes from discipline/ to the light of the Divine Vision./ O righteous Father, pray to Christ our God to grant us [...]

Read Full Post »

The Annunciation of the Archangel Gabriel to Mary, the Mother of God

Troparion Tone 4
Today is the beginning of our salvation/ and the manifestation of the mystery which is from eternity./ The Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin,/ and Gabriel announces grace./ So with him let us also cry to the Mother of God:/ Rejoice, thou who art full of grace!/ The Lord is [...]

Read Full Post »

The Adoration of the Holy and Life-giving Cross (The Third Sunday of Great and Holy Lent)

Troparion Tone 1
O Lord, save Thy people/ and bless Thine inheritance./ Grant victory over their enemies to Orthodox Christians,/ and protect Thy people with Thy Cross.
Kontakion Tone 4
O Christ our God,/ Who wast voluntarily lifted up on the Cross,/ grant Thy mercies to Thy new people named after Thee./ Gladden with Thy power Orthodox Christians/ [...]

Read Full Post »

The Distinction Between Essence and Energies and its Importance for Theology

I was just reacquainted with this article by Christos Yannaras on Perry’s blog, and recommend it to you: The Distinction Between Essence and Energies and its Importance for Theology.
Yannaras was one of three influential authors I read in 02 and 03 as I began my initial exploration into the Orthodox Church. I started with, [...]

Read Full Post »

Naming the Child

Having had some experience, as a father, of the miscarriage of our unborn child, Sam, I was quite moved by the Ancient Faith Radio interview with Matushka Jenny Schroedel about her new book, Naming the Child. (The book can be ordered through Amazon.com.)
The AFR interview
There is also a website set up where parents of [...]

Read Full Post »

Our Father Among the Saints, Patrick, Enlightener of Ireland

Troparion of St Patrick Tone 4
Most glorious art Thou, Christ our God/ Who didst establish our Father Patrick/ as the Enlightener of the Irish and a torch-bearer on earth,/ and through him didst guide many to the true Faith./ Most Compassionate One, glory to Thee.
Apolytikion of St Patrick Tone 3
O Holy Hierarch, equal of the [...]

Read Full Post »

Day on Mount Athos

Read Full Post »

The Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas (The Second Sunday of Great and Holy Lent)

Troparion Tone 8
Light of Orthodoxy, pillar and doctor of the Church, adornment of monks, invincible champion of theologians, O Gregory the wonderworker, praise of Thessalonica, preacher of grace, ever pray that our souls may be saved.
Kontakion Tone 2
Organ of wisdom, holy and divine, bright clarion of theology, we praise thee in harmony, O divine speaker [...]

Read Full Post »

Our Father Among the Saints, Benedict of Nursia, Father of Monks

Troparion Tone 1
By thine ascetical struggles, O Godbearing Benedict,/ thou didst prove true to thy name./ For thou wast the son of benediction, and didst become a model and rule/ to all who emulate thy life and cry:/ Glory to Him Who has strengthened thee; glory to Him Who has crowned thee;/ glory to Him [...]

Read Full Post »

Medal of St Benedict

As mentioned in my previous post, I purchased a St Benedict medal when in Rome in the summer of ‘98. The following is some information about the medal:

One side of the medal bears an image of St. Benedict, holding a cross in the right hand and the Holy Rule in the left. On the one [...]

Read Full Post »