616. The Feast of the Transfiguration: Glory!

But first: Ukraine This is an Orthodox issue: one Orthodox nation making war against another Orthodox nation, bringing shame on the Orthodox world. I dislike preceding the glorious topic of the Transfiguration with such a dreadful subject as this. However, the US war on Iran has captured the headlines. Ukraine and its 25 million Orthodox […]

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605. Idolatry? Polytheism? Irrational nonsense?

 Please pray for the innocent suffering people of Ukraine, the Palestinians of Gaza and the West Bank, and of Iran and Sudan.   Holy Pentecost The Descent of the Holy Spirit upon Christ’s Apostles On Penteost, the Holy Spirit came with power, sending the Apostles out to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the […]

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596. Holy Saturday Morning: First Divine Liturgy of the Resurrection

Brothers and sisters, there is a whole lot going on this morning, so pay attention. This Liturgy begins as a celebration of Christ’s victory over Satan and death “down below”, and by the middle we’re celebrating the Resurrection here on earth, even though it hasn’t happened yet, although of course it has. In the two […]

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597. Holy Saturday Midnight: The Great Paschal Service: Paschal Matins and Divine Liturgy

GREAT AND HOLY PASCHA!   Christ is risen! Truly he is risen! Father Alexander Schmemann called our Orthodox Paschal celebration “an explosion of joy”. I’ll say little: words are inadequate to describe the services. They speak for themselves – if you can stay awake! It’s ok to bring children and let them sleep in church. […]

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594. Holy Friday afternoon: Vespers of Holy Saturday: “Taking down from the Cross”

At last! a Holy Week service that is “in sync” with the time of day and doesn’t go on forever! Beginning with last night’s Procession of the Cross of Christ and continuing through Pascha, the ceremonies are intended to draw us more fully in these wonderful closing events of Holy Week. The Cross of Christ […]

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