A Variety of Topics: Saints, Seasons, Society, the Moral Life, plus Travels mostly to Greece, and more, by Father Bill Olnhausen
I meant to have this published last night before the Liturgy. Forgive me for being late. Gospel Reading: Matthew 28:1-20 Brothers and sisters, there is a whole lot going on this morning. Follow closely. This Liturgy begins as a celebration of Christ’s victory over Satan and death “down below”, and by the end we’re proclaiming the Resurrection […]
Read More »Please find yourself a place to worship live-stream tonight. This is much too beautiful to miss – my favorite service of the year. Is this a funeral service? Is this a resurrection service? The answers are: Yes! We stand before the bier on which Christ is laid out before us. On the Epitaphion see His […]
Read More »In many Orthodox churches * the Crucifix stands behind the Altar. But from the middle of the Twelve Gospels Service on Holy Thursday night until Holy Friday afternoon – less than 24 hours – it is placed out in front of the icon screen for veneration. Then it returns to its usual place often half hidden from […]
Read More »Gospel Readings: 1 John 13:31-18:1, 2 John 18:1-29, 3 Matthew 26:57-75, 4 John 18:28 -19:16, 5 Matthew 27:3-32, 6 Mark 15:16-32, 7 Matthew 27:33-54, 8 Luke 23:32-49, 9 John 19:25-37, 10 Mark 15:43-47, 11 John 19:38-42, 12 Matthew 27:62-66 I will not (believe me!) comment on each of these readings, which carry the story from Holy Thursday evening through Holy Saturday evening. Please try to worship live-stream tonight. Be prepared for well over two hours. I […]
Read More »In the Orthodox tradition, the full Divine Liturgy is not celebrated on fasting, penitential days, including all the ordinary weekdays of Great Lent. That is why on Lenten weekdays we serve the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, omitting the consecration of the Holy Bread and Wine. But Great and Holy Thursday is a feast […]
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