The Jesse Tree

The Jesse Tree

 Consider putting up a Root of Jesse Tree this year for the Nativity Fast.  It represents the family tree of Jesus Christ, from creation, through the Old Testament, to the coming of the Messiah. The tree is named after Jesse, and it very similar to the icon “The Root of Jesse”.  It often is either…

Forgiveness Sunday
|

Forgiveness Sunday

 Father Alexander Shmemann In the Orthodox Church, the last Sunday before Great Lent, the day on which – at Vespers, Lent is liturgically announced and inaugurated – is called Forgiveness Sunday. On the morning of that Sunday, at the Divine Liturgy, we hear the words of Christ: “If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly…

Akathist for the Repose of Those Who Have Fallen Asleep
| |

Akathist for the Repose of Those Who Have Fallen Asleep

 AKATHIST for the REPOSE of Those Who have FALLEN ASLEEP   KONTAKION 1 O Thou Who by Thy inscrutable Providence didst prepare the world for eternal beatitude and Who appointest times and seasons and the manner of our end: Forgive, O Lord, those who have died in past ages all their sins, receive them into…