Readings

 http://www.orthodox.net/greatlent/of-ephraim-the-syrian.pdf   The Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian O Lord and Master of my life, a spirit of idleness, despondency, ambition, and idle talking give me not. Prostration.   But rather a spirit of chastity, humble-mindedness, patience, and love bestow upon me Thy servant. Prostration.   Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to…

 From the Good Shepherd Australian Orthodox Mission Lent, as it exists today in the Orthodox Church, is the result of a long historical development. We can basically divide Eastern Orthodox Lent into 3 periods: (1)The Pre-Lenten Period: three preparatory Sundays (the Publican and the Pharisee; the Prodigal Son; the Last Judgment), followed by a preliminary…

 Various sources   Prosomia of the Stichera – Tone 5 – Hail of ascetics Shine, Cross of the Lord, with the bright darting rays of your grace on the hearts of those who honour you, and with love inspired by God, embrace you, O desire of all the world. Through you our tears of sorrow…

 Compiled by Maryann Mawhinney Presented here are three summaries of the history and tradition of Orthodox Holy Supper. This information was compiled from several sources and it serves to illustrate the variation in traditions and foods which reflects the different cultural and nationality backgrounds. The food lists may not be inclusive as present day American…

 St. John Chrysostom – “The Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church,” Volume 9. I speak not, indeed, of such a fast as most persons keep, but of real fasting; not merely an abstinence from meats; but from sins too. For the nature of a fast is such, that it does not suffice to…

 By Fr. Bassam A. Nassif (Again Magazine, Volume 27, No. 1) On the second Sunday of Great Lent, there is a great feast in the blessed city of Thessalonika, Greece. It is the feast of St. Gregory Palamas. On this day, the holy relics of the saint are taken from the Church of St. Gregory…

 St. Cyril of Alexandria, Sermon 120 18:9-14. And He spoke also this parable unto certain who trust in themselves that they are righteous, and despise others. Two men went up unto the temple to pray, the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. And the Pharisee stood and prayed thus to himself: God, I…

 To Love Is To Remember. Father Alexander Schmemann Endowment – Chair of Liturgical Theology. NY, St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, March 1985. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Rejoicing today in the triumph of Orthodoxy on this first Sunday of Lent, we joyfully commemorate three…