Saints, Seasons, Society, Sins, plus Travels mostly to Greece and who knows what next? by Father Bill Olnhausen
Holy Tuesday Evening Bridegroom Matins Before we get into the Gospel story… Tonight at the end of the Aposticha we hear the Hymn of Kassiane, a Ninth Century nun and hymnographer.* She was one of several young women interviewed by Emperor Theophilus as a prospective bride. The story says he was so flummoxed by Kassiane’s […]
Read More »Gospel Reading: Matthew 24:36-51; 25:1-46; 26:1-2 This music is from Valaam Monastery in far western Russia. Behold, the Bridegroom comes at midnight, And blessed is that servant whom He shall find watching, But unworthy is the servant whom He shall find heedless. Beware, therefore, O my soul, do not be weighed down with sleep, Lest you […]
Read More »The Exaposteilarion (here in Russian chant) is sung late in Bridegroom Matins. It will help if you read the Gospel passages before you read this Post. Gospel Reading: Matthew 22:15-46; 23:1-39 In tonight’s Gospel, the confrontation between Jesus and the authorities continues. They must stop this man. Killing Him was the last option. The better way, […]
Read More »Gospel Reading: Matthew 24:3-35 In the Gospels today and tomorrow we hear Jesus’ teachings about the Last Things. Matthew says on Monday the disciples (most of them “small town boys” from up north) were marveling at the great buildings in Jerusalem. Jesus said, “I tell you, the time is coming when not one stone will be […]
Read More »I’m posting short daily commentaries on the Holy Week services. I hope this will be of help to the many of us (including me) who can’t get to church this week. These Posts are based on Holy Week homilies I’ve given at Saint Nicholas, Cedarburg, over the last thirty years. First take out your Bible and read […]
Read More »
