THE JOY OF GOD - ELDER AVVAKUM OF THE LAVRA

 

THE JOY OF GOD - ELDER AVVAKUM OF THE LAVRA

J O Y

The grace-filled elder Avvakum from Lavra (on Mt. Athos) would say:

Joy comes from one’s relationship and union with God. Mankind has been created to be joyful, not sad. 

When you enjoy the wrong things, you will inevitably pay back for all this pleasure you have had. 

But God’s joy demands no repayment. For instance I, who own nothing in this world, cannot pay for the happiness I have. 

I am not the only one proclaiming this truth. My brother monks, who also have nothing else besides God, are filled with joy. 

I have emptied myself for Christ’s sake. I have nothing but my Lord – and joy.

Poverty is beautiful for it sets you free.

One should empty himself to make room for Christ to enter his heart.

When the Lord is with me, there is my happiness also. 

In each ascetic cave you will find spiritual joy.

Saint Ephraem the Syrian's Sermon on the Transfiguration of our Lord and God and Savior, Jesus Christ

 https://abrahammessenger.blogspot.com/p/a-portion-of-saint-ephraem-syrians.html

from

Saint Ephraem the Syrian's

Sermon on the Transfiguration

of our Lord and God and Savior,

Jesus Christ

From the land comes the joy of harvest, from the vineyard fruits that give food, and from the Scriptures teaching that gives life. The land has one season for the harvest, and the vineyard has one season for the vintage, but the Scripture when read always overflows with teaching that gives life. The land when it has been harvested lies fallow and the vineyard when the grapes have been picked is unproductive, but when Scripture is harvested the grapes of those who expound it are not lacking in it. It is picked every day and the grape clusters of the hope in it are never exhausted. Let us then draw near to this land and enjoy its life-giving furrows; and let us harvest from it grapes of life, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, who said to his Disciples,

‘There are some of those standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of man coming in his glory’.

Understand what our Lord meant

‘And after six days he took Simon Peter and James and John his brother to a very high mountain and he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his garments became white like light’. 

Men whom he said would not taste death until they saw the image of his coming, are those whom he took and led up the mountain and showed them how he was going to come on the last day in the glory of his divinity and in the body of his humanity.

He led them up the mountain to show them who the Son is and whose he is. Because when he asked them, ‘Whom do men say the Son of man is?’ They said to him, some Elias, others Jeremias, or one of the Prophets. This is why he leads them up the mountain and shows them that he is not Elias, but the God of Elias; again, that he is not Jeremias, but the one who sanctified Jeremias in his mother’s womb; not one of the Prophets, but the Lord of the Prophets, who also sent them. And he shows them that he is the maker of heaven and earth, and that he is Lord of living and dead. For he gave orders to heaven and brought down Elias, and made a sign to the earth and raised up Moses.

He led them up the mountain to show them that he is the Son of God, born from the Father before the ages and in the last times incarnate from the Virgin, as he knows how, born ineffably and without seed, preserving her virginity incorrupt; for wherever God wills it, the order of nature is overcome. For God the Word dwelt in the Virgin’s womb, and the fire of his divinity did not consume the members of the Virgin’s body, but protected them carefully by its nine month presence. 

He led them up the mountain to show them the glory of the godhead and to make known to them that he is the redeemer of Israel, as he had shown through the Prophets, and they should not be scandalized in him when they saw his voluntary sufferings, which as man he was about to suffer for us. For they knew him as a man, but did not know that he was God. They knew him as son of Mary, going about with them in the world, and he made known to them on the mountain that he was Son of God and God. They saw that he ate and drank, toiled and rested, dozed and slept, things which did not accord with his divine nature, but only with his humanity, and so he took them to the mountain that the Father might call him Son and show that he is truly his Son and that he is God.

He led them up the mountain and showed them his kingship before his passion, and his power before his death, and his glory before his disgrace, and his honour before his dishonor, so that, when he was arrested and crucified by the Jews, they might know that he was not crucified through weakness, but willingly by his good pleasure for the salvation of the world.

He led them up the mountain and showed the glory of his divinity before the resurrection, so that when he rose from the dead in the glory of his divine nature, they might know that it was not because of his harsh toil that he accepted glory, as if he lacked it, but it was his before the ages with the Father and together with the Father, as he said as he was coming to his voluntary passion, ‘Father, glorify me with the glory which I had with you before the world existed’. And so on the mountain he showed his Apostles the glory of his divinity, concealed and hidden by his humanity. For they saw his face bright as lightning and his garments white as light. 

They saw two suns; one in the sky, as usual, and one unusually; one visible in the firmament and lighting the world, and one, his face, visible to them alone. His garments white as light showed that the glory of his divinity flooded from his whole body, and his light shone from all his members. For his flesh did not shine with splendor from without, like Moses, but the glory of his divinity flooded from him. His light dawned and was drawn together in him. Nor did depart somewhere else and leave him, because it did come from another place and adorn him, nor was it for his use. And he did not display the whole depth of his glory, but only as much as the limits of their eyes could encompass. 

‘And there appeared to them Moses and Elias talking with him’.  And the words that they said to him were such as these: they were thanking him that their words and those of all their fellow Prophets had been fulfilled by his coming. They offered him worship for the salvation which he had wrought for the world for the human race; and that he had fulfilled in reality the mystery they had only sketched. There was joy for the Prophets and the Apostles by this ascent of the mountain. The Prophets rejoiced when they saw his humanity, which they had not known. 

The Apostles also rejoiced when they saw the glory of his divinity, which they had not known, and heard the voice of the Father bearing witness to his Son; and through this they recognized his incarnation, which was concealed from them. And the witness of the three was sealed by the Father’s voice and by Moses and Elias, who stood by him like servants, and they looked to one another: the Prophets to the Apostles and the Apostles to the Prophets. There the authors of the old covenant saw the authors of the new. Holy Moses saw Simon the sanctified; the steward of the Father saw the administrator of the Son. The former divided the sea for the people to walk in the middle of the waves; the latter raised a tent for the building of the Church. The virgin of the old covenant saw the virgin of the new: [Elias and John;] the one who mounted on the chariot of fire and the one who leaned on the breast of the flame. And the mountain became a type of the Church, and on it Jesus united the two covenants, which the Church received, and made known to us that he is the giver of the two. The one received his mysteries; the other revealed the glory of his works. 

Simon said, “It is good for us to be here, Lord”. “Simon, what are you saying? If we remain here, who fulfils the word of the Prophets? Who seals the sayings of the heralds? Who brings to perfection the mysteries of the just? If we remain here, in whom are the words, ‘They dug my hands and my feet’ fulfilled? To whom do the words, ‘They parted my garments among them, and cast lots for my clothing’ apply? To whom does, ‘They gave me gall as my food, and with vinegar they quenched my thirst’ relate? Who confirms, ‘Free among the dead?’ If we remain here, who will tear up the record of Adam’s debt? And who will pay his debt in full? And who will restore to him the garment of glory?

THE SCOURGE OF LOVE by Saint Isaac the Syrian

 THE SCOURGE OF LOVE 

by Saint Isaac the Syrian

I also maintain that those who are punished in Gehenna are scourged by the scourge of love. Nay, what is so bitter and vehement as the torment of love? I mean that those who have become conscious that they have sinned against love suffer greater torment from this than from any fear of punishment. For the sorrow caused in the heart by sin against love is more poignant than any torment. It would be improper for a man to think that sinners in Gehenna are deprived of the love of God. Love is the offspring of knowledge of the truth which, as is commonly confessed, is given to all. The power of love works in two ways. It torments sinners, even as happens here when a friend suffers from a friend. But it becomes a source of joy for those who have observed its duties. Thus I say that this is the torment of Gehenna: bitter regret. But love inebriates the souls of the sons of Heaven by its delectability.

On the Transfiguration of our Lord by Saint Ephraem the Syrian

 

In Anticipation

As a preparation for the Great Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord, 
Aug. 6/19 ns, 

before attending read

A portion from

On the Transfiguration of our Lord

by Saint Ephraem the Syrian

{Pub.} The Great Transfiguration of our Lord was a gift to
the Holy Apostles Peter, James and John
and to all the apostles and to you!
Just as our Lord revealed only a portion
of His Divinity on Mt. Tabor,
which sent them to the ground on their faces,
its fullness will be revealed to each of us
one day, when we meet Him face to face.
We should be afraid. Why?

As St. John the Wonderworker
of San Francisco and Shanghai
warns, if we have not loved Him
with all, yes all, our being, while in this life -
when we meet him we will
be filled with indignation with ourselves and it will
prevent us from approaching Him
and receiving the fullness of
His Love that is Eternal!

From the land comes the joy of harvest, from the vineyard fruits that give food, and from the Scriptures teaching that gives life. The land has one season for the harvest, and the vineyard has one season for the vintage, but the Scripture when read always overflows with teaching that gives life. The land when it has been harvested lies fallow and the vineyard when the grapes have been picked is unproductive, but when Scripture is harvested the grapes of those who expound it are not lacking in it. It is picked every day and the grape clusters of the hope in it are never exhausted.

Let us then draw near to this land and enjoy its life-giving furrows; and let us harvest from it grapes of life, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, who said to his Disciples, ‘There are some of those standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of man coming in his glory’. ‘And after six days He took Simon Peter and James and John his brother to a very high mountain and he was transfigured before them, and His face shone like the sun, and his garments became white like light’. Men whom He said would not taste death until they saw the image of his coming, are those whom He took and led up the mountain and showed them how he was going to come on the last day in the glory of his divinity and in the body of His humanity.

He led them up the mountain to show them who the Son is and whose He is.  Because when He asked them, ‘Whom do men say the Son of man is?’ They said to him, some Elias, others Jeremias, or one of the Prophets. This is why he leads them up the mountain and shows them that He is not Elias, but the God of Elias; again, that He is not Jeremias, but the one who sanctified Jeremias in His mother’s womb; not one of the Prophets, but the Lord of the Prophets, who also sent them.

And he shows them that He is the maker of heaven and earth, and that he is Lord of living and dead. For He gave orders to heaven and brought down Elias, and made a sign to the earth and raised up Moses.

He led them up the mountain to show them that He is the Son of God, born from the Father before the ages and in the last times incarnate from the Virgin, born ineffably and without seed, preserving her virginity incorrupt; for wherever God wills it, the order of nature is overcome. For God the Word dwelt in the Virgin’s womb, and the fire of his divinity did not consume the members of the Virgin’s body, but protected them carefully by its nine month presence. He dwelt in the Virgin’s womb, not abhorring the unpleasant smell of nature, and God incarnate came forth from her to save us.

He led them up the mountain to show them the glory of the godhead and to make known to them that He is the redeemer of Israel (def. "those who see God"), as He had shown through the Prophets, and they should not be scandalized in Him when they saw His voluntary sufferings, which as man He was about to suffer for us. For they knew Him as a man, but did not know that He was God. They knew Him as son of Mary, going about with them in the world, and He made known to them on the mountain that He was Son of God and God. They saw that He ate and drank, toiled and rested, dozed and slept, things which did not accord with his divine nature, but only with His humanity, and so He took them to the mountain that the Father might call him Son and show that He is truly his Son and that He is God.

He led them up the mountain and showed them His kingship before his passion, and His power before His death, and His glory before His disgrace, and His honour before His dishonor, so that, when He was arrested and crucified by the Jews, they might know that He was not crucified through weakness, but willingly by His good pleasure for the salvation of the world.

He led them up the mountain and showed the glory of His divinity before the resurrection, so that when He rose from the dead in the glory of His divine nature, they might know that it was not because of His harsh toil that He accepted glory, as if He lacked it, but it was His before the ages with the Father and together with the Father, as He said as He was coming to His voluntary passion, ‘Father, glorify me with the glory which I had with you before the world existed’.

And so on the mountain He showed His Apostles the glory of His divinity, concealed and hidden by His humanity. For they saw His face bright as lightning and his garments white as light. They saw two suns; one in the sky, as usual, and one unusually; one visible in the firmament and lighting the world, and one, His face, visible to them alone. His garments white as light showed that the glory of his divinity flooded from His whole body, and his light shone from all his members. For His flesh did not shine with splendor from without, like Moses, but the glory of His divinity flooded from him.

His light dawned and was drawn together in Him. Nor did depart somewhere else and leave Him, because it didn't come from another place and adorn Him, nor was it for His use. And He did not display the whole depth of his glory, but only as much as the limits of their eyes could encompass. ‘And there appeared to them Moses and Elias talking with Him’. And the words that they said to him were such as these: they were thanking him that their words and those of all their fellow Prophets had been fulfilled by His coming. They offered Him worship for the salvation which He had wrought for the world for the human race; and that He had fulfilled in reality the mystery they had only sketched. There was joy for the Prophets and the Apostles by this ascent of the mountain. The Prophets rejoiced when they saw his humanity, which they had not known. The Apostles also rejoiced when they saw the glory of His divinity, which they had not known, and heard the voice of the Father bearing witness to his Son; and through this they recognized His incarnation, which was concealed from them. And the witness of the three was sealed by the Father’s voice and by Moses and Elias, who stood by Him like servants, and they looked to one another: the Prophets to the Apostles and the Apostles to the Prophets. There the authors of the old covenant saw the authors of the new. Righteous Moses saw Simon the sanctified; the steward of the Father saw the administrator of the Son. The former divided the sea for the people to walk in the middle of the waves; the latter raised a tent for the building of the Church. The virgin of the old covenant saw the virgin of the new: [Elias and John;] the one who mounted on the chariot of fire and the one who leaned on the breast of the flame.

And the mountain became a type of the Church, and on it Jesus united the two covenants, which the Church received, and made known to us that he is the giver of the two. The one received his mysteries; the other revealed the glory of his works. Simon said, “It is good for us to be here, Lord”. “Simon, what are you saying? If we remain here, who fulfils the word of the Prophets? Who seals the sayings of the heralds? Who brings to perfection the mysteries of the just? If we remain here, in whom are the words, ‘They dug my hands and my feet’ fulfilled?

To whom do the words, ‘They parted my garments among them, and cast lots for my clothing’ apply? To whom does, ‘They gave me gall as my food, and with vinegar they quenched my thirst’ relate? Who confirms, ‘Free among the dead?’ If we remain here, who will tear up the record of Adam’s debt? And who will pay his debt in full? And who will restore to him the garment of glory?

AKATHIST TO THE THEOTOKOS

 

AKATHIST TO THE THEOTOKOS

AKATHIST TO THE MOST HOLY
THEOTOKOS

AND EVER-VIRGIN MARY

 

Apolytikion. Plagal of the Fourth Tone.

Priest:  Blessed is our God always, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

If a priest isn’t present:  In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

Glory to Thee O Our God, glory to Thee.

From Pascha through the Apodosis of Pascha, "Heavenly King..."and the "Trisagion" are NOT read but rather Christ is risen from the dead...3x

O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things, the Treasury of good gifts and the Giver of life: come and abide in us, and cleanse us of all impurity, and save our souls, O Good One.  Amen. 

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (x 3)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages  Amen.

All-Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, be gracious unto our sins; Master, forgive our iniquities; Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy Name’s sake.

Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy

Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto the ages of ages  Amen.

Our Father, which art in the heavens, hallowed be Thy Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

For thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen

Lord have mercy 12x

Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto the ages of ages Amen.

O come and let us worship and fall down before Christ our God

O come and let us worship and fall down before Christ our King and our God

O come and let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself our King and our God

Coming to the knowledge of that which was commanded in secret, the bodiless Angel hastened to stand before the dwelling of Joseph, saying to her who knew not wedlock: He Who bowed down the Heavens by His descent is contained wholly in thee without change. Beholding Him in thy womb, taking the form of a servant, I marvel, crying unto thee: Rejoice, unwedded Bride.

Kontakion. Plagal of the Fourth Tone.

To thee, O Guardian Leader, do I, thy City, ascribe hymns of victory and thanksgiving, having been delivered from perils, O Theotokos; but as thou hast dominion invincible, do thou free me from dangers of every kind, that I might cry to thee: Rejoice, unwedded Bride.

Rejoice, unwedded Bride.

 An Angel, first in rank, was sent from Heaven to say to the Theotokos: Rejoice (3x).

Most Holy Theotokos Save Us (3x) 

And beholding Thee, O Lord, assuming bodily form, he stood marveling, and with his bodiless voice cried unto her such things as these:

Rejoice, thou through whom joy shall shine forth; rejoice, thou through whom the curse shall vanish.

Rejoice, Restoration of fallen Adam; rejoice, Redemption of the tears of Eve.

Rejoice, Height hard to scale for human thoughts; rejoice, Depth hard to fathom, even for the eyes of Angels.

Rejoice, thou that art the Throne of the King; rejoice, thou who holdest the Upholder of all.

Rejoice, Star showing forth the Sun; rejoice, Womb of the Divine Incarnation.

Rejoice, thou through whom the created world is made new; rejoice, thou through whom the Creator was born a babe.

Rejoice, unwedded Bride.

Being aware of her own innocence, the Holy one said boldly to Gabriel: The strangeness of thine utterance striketh my soul as hard to accept; indeed, how speakest thou of birth from a seedless conception? And she cried:

Alleluia.

Craving to know knowledge unknown, the Virgin cried to the ministering Angel: From chaste loins, how is it possible for a Son to be born? Tell thou me. Then he spake to her in fear, nonetheless crying thus:

Rejoice, Initiate of the inexpressible counsel; rejoice, surety of things that beg silence.

Rejoice, Prelude to the miracles of Christ; rejoice, Summation of His teachings.

Rejoice, heavenly Ladder by which God came down; rejoice, Bridge conveying those of earth unto Heaven.

Rejoice, much-proclaimed Marvel of Angels; rejoice, much-bewailed Wound of demons.

Rejoice, thou who ineffably gavest birth to the Light; rejoice, thou who didst disclose to none the mode thereof.

Rejoice, thou who surpassest the knowledge of the wise; rejoice, thou who makest light to dawn upon the minds of the Faithful.

Rejoice, unwedded Bride.

Divine power of the Most High then overshadowed unto conception her who knew not wedlock and showed her fruitful womb as a pleasing field to all those who desire to reap salvation, whilst chanting:

Alleluia.

Enfolding God in her womb, the Virgin ran to Elizabeth, and her unborn babe, at once recognising the embrace of the Mother of God, rejoiced and with leaps of joy as songs, cried to the Theotokos:

Rejoice, Vine bearing the unfading Shoot; rejoice, Land yielding the unspoiled Fruit.

Rejoice, thou who tendest the Yeoman Who loveth mankind; rejoice, thou who engenderest the Tender of our life.

Rejoice, Tilled land sprouting forth a rich harvest of tender mercies; rejoice, Table laden with an abundance of lenities.

Rejoice, for thou causest the Meadow of Delight to blossom anew; rejoice, for thou preparest a Harbor for souls.

Rejoice, acceptable Incense of intercession; rejoice, Reconciliation for the whole world.

Rejoice, Goodwill of God to mortals; rejoice, Bold Access of mortals to God.

Rejoice, unwedded Bride.

Feeling within himself a tempest of doubtful thoughts, the prudent Joseph was troubled, seeing thee unwed, and he suspected an illicit union, O Blameless one; but learning of thy conception from the Holy Spirit, he said:

Alleluia.

Gladly did the Angels hymn Christ’s Advent in the flesh; hearing this, the shepherds, running as to a Shepherd, beheld Him Who grazed in Mary’s womb as a blameless Lamb, and her they hymned, saying:

Rejoice, Mother of the Lamb and Shepherd; rejoice, Fold of the rational sheep.

Rejoice, Defense against invisible foes; rejoice, thou Who openest the portals of Paradise.

Rejoice, for the things of Heaven rejoice with the earth; rejoice, for the things of earth join chorus with the Heavens.

Rejoice, never-silent Mouth of the Apostles; rejoice, invincible Courage of victorious Athletes.

Rejoice, steadfast Bulwark of the Faith; rejoice, radiant Emblem of Grace.

Rejoice, thou through whom Hades was laid bare; rejoice, thou through whom we have been clad with glory.

Rejoice, unwedded Bride.

Having gazed upon the Star that showed the way to God, the Wise Men followed its radiance, holding it as a lantern before them; therewith they went in search of a powerful King, and reaching the Unreachable, they rejoiced and cried to Him: 

Alleluia.

In the Virgin’s hands, the sons of the Chaldees saw Him Who with His Hand fashioned man; and recognizing Him as Master, even though He had assumed the form of a servant, they hastened with gifts to do homage and to cry unto her who is blessed:

Rejoice, Mother of the never-setting Star; rejoice, Dawn of the mystic Day.

Rejoice, thou who hast quenched the fiery furnace of deception; rejoice, thou who enlightenest the initiates of the Trinity.

Rejoice, thou who didst expel from power the inhuman tyrant; rejoice, thou who hast shown forth Christ, the Lord Who loveth mankind.

Rejoice, thou who redeemest from heathen religion; rejoice, thou who deliverest from the mire of evil deeds.

Rejoice, thou who hast brought to an end the worship of fire; rejoice, thou who freest us from the flame of passions.

Rejoice, Guide of Prudence for the Faithful; rejoice, Gladness of all generations.

Rejoice, unwedded Bride.

Kingly and God-bearing messengers did the Wise Men become, returning to Babylon; they fulfilled Thy Divine revelation and preached Thee, the Christ, unto all, leaving Herod as a prattler who knew not how to chant: 

Alleluia.

 Lightening in Egypt the luminosity of truth, Thou didst cast out the darkness of deception; for, the idols thereof, O Savior, unable to stand up to Thy strength, fell down; and those delivered therefrom cried to the Theotokos:

Rejoice, lifting-up of men; rejoice, downfall of demons.

Rejoice, thou who didst trample upon the delusion of fraud; rejoice, thou who didst check the craft of idols.

Rejoice, Sea which covered with water the spiritual Pharaoh; rejoice, Rock which gave water to those thirsting for Life.

Rejoice, fiery Pillar, guiding those in darkness; rejoice, Protection of the world, more spacious than a cloud.

Rejoice, Sustenance, Heir to Manna; rejoice, Minister of holy delight.

Rejoice, Promised Land; rejoice, thou from whom flow milk and honey.

Rejoice, unwedded Bride.

Marveling at Thine ineffable wisdom when Thou wast presented to him as a Babe, Symeon, who was about to pass from the present age of deception, recognized Thee also as perfect God, and he cried: 

Alleluia.

New was the Creation which the Creator showed to those created by Him, when He appeared; springing from a seedless womb, He preserved it incorrupt, as it was, in order that, seeing the miracle, we might cry to her in hymns:

Rejoice, Flower of incorruption; rejoice, Crown of continence.

Rejoice, thou who makest the Type of the Resurrection to shine forth; rejoice, thou who makest manifest the life of the Angels.

Rejoice, Tree of splendid Fruit by which the Faithful are nourished; rejoice, Bough of well-shading leaves by which many are covered.

Rejoice, thou who carriest the Guide of those who have lost their way; rejoice, thou who engenderest the Redeemer of captives.

Rejoice, Adjuration before the Just Judge; rejoice, Forgiveness for the many who err.

Rejoice, Vesture of boldness for the naked; rejoice, Fondness vanquishing every desire.

Rejoice, unwedded Bride.

On beholding the strange childbirth, let us be estranged from the world, diverting our minds to Heaven; indeed, to this end God on High appeared on earth as a lowly man, wishing to draw aloft those who cry to Him: 

Alleluia.

Present wholly among those below, and in no wise absent from those above, was the Indescribable Word; for this was a Divine condescension, and not a change of place, and the birth was from a Virgin Divinely-inspired, who heard words like these:

Rejoice, Confine for the unconfinable God; rejoice, Portal of the venerable mystery.

Rejoice, doubtful Tiding for the faithless; rejoice, undoubted Boast of the Faithful.

Rejoice, all-holy Chariot of Him Who rideth upon the Cherubim; rejoice, all-excellent Habitation of Him Who is above the Seraphim.

Rejoice, thou who makest contrary things to agree; rejoice, thou who yokest together Virginity and Childbirth.

Rejoice, thou through whom transgression is brought to naught; rejoice, thou through whom Paradise is opened.

Rejoice, Key to the Kingdom of Christ; rejoice, Hope of eternal good things.

Rejoice, unwedded Bride.

Quandary beset all Angel-kind at the great work of Thine Incarnation; for they beheld as Man, approachable to all, Him Who is, as God, unapproachable, not only living His life together with us, but hearing from all: 

Alleluia.

Rhetors of many words do we see mute as fish before thee, O Theotokos; for they are at a loss to say how thou both remainest a Virgin and art able to give birth; but we, marveling at the mystery, cry with faith:

Rejoice, Receptacle of the wisdom of God; rejoice, Repository of His Providence.

Rejoice, thou who showest philosophers unlearned; rejoice, thou who provest logicians illogical.

Rejoice, for the clever disputants have been stupefied; rejoice, for the composers of myths have faded away.

Rejoice, thou who tearest asunder the webs of the Athenians; rejoice, thou who fillest the nets of the Fishermen.

Rejoice, thou who drawest forth from the depth of ignorance; rejoice, thou who enlightenest many with knowledge.

Rejoice, Raft for those wishing to be saved; rejoice, Harbor for those sailing on the sea of life.

Rejoice, unwedded Bride.

Salvation did He Who directeth all things wish to grant unto the world, and He came thereunto as He Himself had promised; and being, as God, a Shepherd, for our sake He appeared like unto us, as a Man; indeed, calling like unto like, as God He heareth:

Alleluia.

Thou, O Virgin Theotokos art a wall for virgins and for all those who run to thee; for the Maker of Heaven and earth formed thee, O Immaculate One, and dwelt in thy womb, and taught all to address thee:

Rejoice, Pillar of virginity; rejoice, Gate of salvation.

Rejoice, Initiator of spiritual reformation; rejoice, Endower of Divine goodness.

Rejoice, for thou didst regenerate those ignobly conceived; rejoice, for thou didst bring back to their senses those dispossessed of their spiritual minds.

Rejoice, thou who dost bring to naught the corrupter of minds; rejoice, thou who didst give birth to the Sower of innocence.

Rejoice, Bridal Chamber of a seedless wedlock; rejoice, thou who renderest the Faithful suitable to the Lord.

Rejoice, good Nursing-Mother of virgins; rejoice, Bridal Escort of holy souls.

Rejoice, unwedded Bride.

Unable to prevail is every hymn that striveth to comprehend the multitude of Thy many tender mercies; for if we were to offer unto Thee, O Holy King, odes equal in number to the sands, we will have done nothing worthy of that which Thou hast given unto us, who cry to Thee: 

Alleluia.

Verily, as a Light-Bearing Lantern which hath appeared to those in darkness do we behold the Holy Virgin; for she kindleth the Immaterial Light and guideth all to Divine knowledge; and illuminating our minds with the light of dawn, she is honored by these our cries:

Rejoice, Beam of the Spiritual Sun; rejoice, Ray of unwaning brilliance.

Rejoice, Lightning that lighteth up our souls; rejoice, thou who dost, as Thunder, stun our foes.

Rejoice, for thou dost make the refulgent Luminescence to dawn; rejoice, for thou dost cause the superfluent River to gush forth.

Rejoice, thou who portrayest the type of the Font; rejoice, thou who dost wash away the filth of sin.

Rejoice, Laver that washeth the conscience clean; rejoice, Bowl for mixing the wine of rejoicing.

Rejoice, Sweet Scent of the fragrance of Christ; rejoice, Life of mystic feast.

Rejoice, unwedded Bride.

Wishing to bestow Grace, He Who releaseth all men from their ancient debts, came of His own to dwell with those who had gone away from His Grace; and rending asunder the handwriting against them, He thus heareth from all: 

Alleluia.

Yea, singing of thy childbirth, we all hymn thee, O Theotokos, as a living temple; for in thy womb dwelt the Lord, Who holdeth all things in His hand, and sanctifying and glorifying it, He taught all to cry to thee:

Rejoice, Tabernacle of God the Word; rejoice, Saint loftier than the Saints.

Rejoice, Ark made golden by the Spirit; rejoice, inexhaustible Treasury of Life.

Rejoice, precious Diadem of pious kings; rejoice, venerable Boast of devout priests.

Rejoice, unshakeable Tower of the Church; rejoice, unassailable Rampart of the Kingdom.

Rejoice, thou through whom trophies are raised on high; rejoice, thou through whom our foes are cast down.

Rejoice, healing of my flesh; rejoice, salvation of my soul.

Rejoice, unwedded Bride.

Zealously-hymned Mother, O thou who didst bear the Word, Holiest of all Holies (3x), 

Most Holy Theotokos Save Us (3x) 

receiving the offering that we now make, deliver us from all calamity and redeem from future chastisement those who cry to thee: 

Alleluia.

To thee, O Guardian Leader, do I, thy City, ascribe hymns of victory and thanksgiving, having been delivered from perils, O Theotokos; but as thou hast dominion invincible, do thou free me from dangers of every kind, that I might cry to thee: Rejoice, unwedded Bride.

Rejoice, unwedded Bride.

THROUGH THE PRAYERS OF OUR HOLY FATHERS,
LORD JESUS CHRIST HAVE MERCY ON US AND SAVE US

E MERCY ON US AND SAVE US

PARADISE NOW ARCHIVE

 

Featured Quote

 from Friday July 27/August 9 ns 2024

From Adam until Christ: 5508 years?

A disciple once asked an elder,

“From the time of Adam until Christ

have there been exactly 5508 years?"

There are plenty of difficult questions and mysteries in the Holy Bible (and in other spiritual works) that would be interesting to research. While this kind of study is not forbidden, the highest Christian endeavor has always focused on what is most important: our deification (Theosis) through God’s grace. This requires great labor in order to cleanse our sin-laden souls, thus purifying our spiritual intellect and vision. Only after this are we able to tackle such mysteries. 

READ THE FOLLOWING PARAGRAPH CAREFULLY

Moreover, if a humble person reaches, by God’s grace, a state of illumination, then Grace itself reveals the key to such mysteries to him, though he is unable to express in words what he is experiencing.

What cannot be uttered, can be revealed! (Pub.)

Groveling in Matter

Carnal man, spiritually blind and deaf, grovels in transitory matter (materialism, money property, attachments, etc.) and thereby remains a stranger to the Self that dwells within; the true Self, who is not only capable of moving mountains but inhaling galaxies and exhaling universes.

A most pertinent quote from our holy father Basil, wouldn't you say?

Can anyone know the hour when

he or she is called from this life?

We are in the realm of "time"

so lets make good use of it.

Consider:
The more time we spend, in obedience to Christ's Commandments, attending services and preparation for the reception of the Precious Body and Blood of our Creator, the more time we spend with Him in prayer, in reading the holy scriptures, in reading the lives and writings of the holy fathers and mothers, etc., a surprising thing happens.
Everyone knows the gifts and grace that come with  with obedience but there is something else: the distance we find ourselves away from our Lord by entertaining temptation, by attachments to and chasing after transitory things, become more and more apparent and as a result, if we love God, increases our desire to spend more "time" with Him.

A test: 

You may rise, say your morning prayers, eat breakfast and go to work. At some point, ask yourself, did you forget Christ, or, how often did you remember Him since your morning prayers? Having noted the possible number of hours, ask yourself if your God, Who is love, forgot you.  Did He keep you breathing? Did He keep your heart beating? Did He close access sight, sound, smell, touch or taste? Did He stop loving you?  After reflection on it, shamefully ask: How could I forget His love?  Practice this and soon, your time away will grow shorter, you will be smitten with longing until you never thirst again because His love and joy will then be felt ceaselessly.

About joy: 

Temporary, life can be pleasant, fun and joyful, but compared to what?  You may say compared to the opposites.  But, there is another joy - the inexpressible joy of Paradise and we know its opposite because we are experiencing it within "time". If you don't know it, then you haven't truly repented and felt the joy that God gives when He forgives. Because when it is given, the closest description we carnal people can comprehend is that it is like water from which we never thirst again, because it takes us into the realm infinitely beyond ecstasy - a realm that cannot be spoken of but can be given.

LOVE

Experienced but Undefined

Anyone who has fallen in love knows that once it happens, it needs no reminding, no prompting, no reasoning, no examination because it is unfathomably simple and constantly experienced/treasured and, without any doubt, inexplicable by anyone. You wake in it, you sleep in it, it never wavers. And in many cases, it is mutual.

Such it is with Christ. However, when we seek with all our heart to love Him, the mutual nature of love invites the ecstasy of worship.

T H E

P A R A G O N

What is the Paragon?  It is a Signpost

As a signpost, what direction does it give?  "This way to the Kingdom of Heaven".

How does one navigate the way?  Read the Paragon and find out.  Until then, navigation is through the Epistles, Prophecies and Gospels taken from the Holy Bible. It provides accounts of the lives and deeds of those, who through their renunciation of this temporal life for Christ, by breath or by blood, come to "know" the Father, who is revealed only by the Christ, and in turn become one with Him (Theosis).

I often don't understand the readings!  If you believe God, then you know He is omniscient and you therefore trust Him.  He knew we would disfigure His image in us before He created us, hence He instructs the soul directly according to its needs required for salvation. And when the soul responds with genuine love and sincere desire for healing, it is enlightened and brought out of the darkness of a disfigured mind.  Reflect, contemplate and pray to know more clearly who you are so when He makes the command:  "Physician, heal thyself", you can respond. After all, isn't the conscience the small Christ within us, directing our hearts?

Does the Paragon provide anything else?  Yes, encouragement to trust that one can transcend from "belief" to "knowing" {Theosis}. Again, if one forsakes all loves for the one love which is God, denies his or her very self, takes up the Cross and follows, Christ may be pleased to reveal the Father, Who is Everlasting Life.

Be Still

and Know that I am God

A cashier, puzzled by Atheism and the existence of God,

says to an Orthodox priest who is at the register:

I don't really believe in God but may I ask you a question? 

Priest: Certainly! responds the priest.

Why does God speak to you only ?

Priest: God speaks to everyone!

Aha! says the cashier!  Then why can't I hear him?

Priest: If you cannot hear Him it's because you have

3 voices in your head. Two are loud but our Lord's voice is like Him,

meek and lowly. 

St. Matthew 11:29 KJV Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me;

for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest

unto your souls.  

So listen to the psalmist that you may hear and obey Christ.

"Be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10

Ha! And what are the other two?

Your self-centered voice and Satan's tempting you relentlessly.

Two Questions

Beloved of God, why is the second of commandments so great? And, what words can describe the experience of having love for all? The answer is simple and answers both questions.

Saint Matthew 22:37-40 KJV
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

The response is simple and answers both questions. You may read it but to hear it, you must pray.
Answer: Because it is like the first.

BE CAREFUL WITH THE TONGUE

Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth;
and a door of enclosure round about my lips.

Saint Luke 6:44-46 KJV

44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.

45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

DUMB ANIMALS?
LET ME THINK ABOUT IT.

We should be ashamed to call them dumb animals.

Yes, the carnivores kill and eat but they don't make war.

All of creation fell along with man but not as far.

Isn't it obvious that they, even those who migrate across the entire planet,

like the stars and planets, are in order and show no chaos? 

Again, we should be ashamed to call them dumb animals.

They teach, protect and instruct their offspring all without speaking a word. 
Men, on the other hand, produce a tsunami of words, laws,
rules, orders, etc. none of which offer a reliable viable solution for the continued

disarray, mayhem and  madness, relentlessly abusing and

killing each other since Cain killed Abel.

Man should be ashamed!

signed Bob the Bab