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 [...]

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Our Fathers Among the Saints, the Three Hierarchs Basil, Gregory and John

Troparion of the Three Great Hierarchs Tone 1 Let all who love their words come together and honour with hymns/ the three luminaries of the light-creating Trinity:/ Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian,/ and renowned John of golden speech,/ who have enlightened the world with the rays of their divine doctrines,/ and are mellifluous rivers [...]

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Where Is the Happy Ending?

I am the father of two young daughters who are now of an age in which playtime and imagination consist largely of princesses, princes, and other fairy things. The older child is also developing a sense of the happy ending, the resolution to the crisis encountered in the tale, the promised chaste kiss awakening to [...]

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The Translation of the Relics of Our Father Among the Saints, Ignatios the God-bearer

Troparion of St Ignatious the Godbearer Tone 3 Soaring with love for Him Who holds thee in His hands,/ thou wast shown to be a Godbearer, O Ignatius./ Thou didst finish thy course in the West/ and pitch thy dwelling in the unwaning day of the heavens./ O righteous Father, entreat Christ our God to [...]

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Saint Ephraim the Syrian

Troparion of St Ephraim Tone 8 By a flood of tears you made the desert fertile,/ And your longing for God brought forth fruits in abundance./ By the radiance of miracles you illumined the whole universe./ O our holy father Ephraim, pray to Christ our God to save our souls! Kontakion of St Ephraim Tone [...]

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The Martyr Felicitas, with Her Seven Martyr Sons

Troparion of St Felicitas and her seven martyred sons Tone 1 Truly thou art blessed, O holy Felicitas,/ for thou didst never doubt the mercy of Christ our God,/ and in spite of all temptations, with thy seven sons thou didst rejoice/ to return to Him rather than to languish in dishonour on earth./ Wherefore [...]

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Our Father Among the Saints, Gregory of Nazianzus, Archbishop of Constantinople, the Theologian

Troparion of St Gregory the Theologian Tone 1 The shepherd’s pipe of thy theology/ conquered the philosophers’ trumpets;/ for since thou didst search out the depths of the Spirit,/ beauty of speech was added to thee./ Intercede with Christ our God that our souls may be saved,/ O Father Gregory. Kontakion of St Gregory the [...]

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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 [...]

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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. [...]

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Saint Xenia of St. Petersburg, Fool for Christ

Troparion of St Xenia of St Petersburg Tone 8 Christ the Lord has shown forth in thee a new mediatress and intercessor for our race;/ thou didst will to endure evil in thy life and didst lovingly serve both God and man./ We zealously run to thee in misfortune and sorrow,/ we hope in thee [...]

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