Now, O Lord, calm me into a quietness that heals and listens, and molds my longing and passions my wounds and wonderings into a more holy and human shape. ~ Ted Loder, from Guerrillas of Grace
Pascha Liturgy with Christ is Risen (by dlucs)
“ “The Testament of our Lord,’ which dates in its present form from the middle of the fourth century or a little later, arose among the conservative Christians of Syria or southeastern Asia Minor.” It embodies a list of rules and regulations governing the “acceptance of new members into the Church and (deals) with the question of the trades and professions which it is legitimate or otherwise for Church-members to follow. It will be observed that…’The Testament of Our Lord’ is consistently rigorous in refusing baptism to soldiers and magistrates except on condition of their quitting their offices, and forbidding a Christian to become a soldier on pain of rejection (from the Church):”
The Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams -Early Christianity and Today p1/3 (by Anglican08)
Today He who hung the earth upon the waters is hung on the tree,
The King of the angels is decked with a crown of thorns.
He who wraps the heavens in clouds is wrapped in the purple of mockery.
He who freed Adam in the Jordan is slapped on the face.
The Bridegroom of the Church is affixed to the Cross with nails.
The Son of the virgin is pierced by a spear.
We worship Thy passion, O Christ.
We worship Thy passion, O Christ.
We worship Thy passion, O Christ.
Show us also Thy glorious resurrection.
Holy Friday Lamentations
The Lamentations refers to the Funeral Service for our Lord. It is actually the Orthros (Martins) for Saturday morning. It is made up of a large number of verses divided in three long stanzas. As one stanza ends, the other begins with a different music. The author of these Lamentations is said to be St. Romanos Melodos.
The verses of the Lamentations are filled with moving expressions that can hardly fail to generate deep sorrow “for the sunset, even though temporary, of the unending Light, for the loss of spring of Life and of the light of the eyes of the Virgin’.
Threadbare, Brother- Be Thou My Vision (by tcwalker31)
Now, O Lord, calm me into a quietness that heals and listens, and molds my longing and passions my wounds and wonderings into a more holy and human shape. ~ Ted Loder, from Guerrillas of Grace
Orthodox Chant of Psalm 102 (103) Mt Athos, Byzantine style. (by mishakol129)
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I entrust my life.
9 Rescue me from my enemies, LORD,
for I hide myself in you.
10 Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
lead me on level ground.”
“A hermit declared with evident satisfaction that ‘God will punish all atheists. They will burn in everlasting fire.’
Obviously upset, the Staretz [St Silouan] said: ‘Tell me, supposing you went to paradise, and there you looked down and saw someone burning in hell fire, would you feel happy?’
‘It can’t be helped. It would be their own fault,’ said the hermit.
The Staretz [St Silouan] answered him in a sorrowful countenance: ‘Love could not bear that,’ he said. ‘We must pray for all.’”
