Due to some recent unkind comments I will now be moderating comments on this blog. The offending comments have been deleted. I ask in charity that you post comments. Being unkind towards other of differing opinions is not Christian and will not be tolerated.
Iraq Five Years Latter
Tonight will mark the fifth anniversary of the United States invasion of Iraq. Regardless of how you feel politically about the situation, please pray for those who have given their lives on both sides and be thankful for their honorable service. Let us also pray that it will end soon.
Stichera for Presanctified Liturgy Tonight
Keeping a spiritual fast, O brethren, let us speak no lies with out tongue nor give our brothers and sisters cause for scandal. But through repentance, let us make the lamp of our soul burn brightly, and let us cry with tears to Christ: “Forgive us our trespasses in Your love for all.”
Episcopal Row
As a rule I do not comment on inter-jurisdicitonal arguments on this blog and I defiantly do not comment on things in other churches, however I am going to break my policy on this one.
For those of you who do not follow all things Episcopal/Anglican, the House of Bishops met this past week in Texas and it was revealed at this time that Bishop Gene Robinson of New Hampshire is not invited to the Lambeth Conference this year. Lambeth is the once every 10 year gathering of all the Episcopal/Anglican bishops in the world. It seems that some bishops object to +Gene and his lifestyle. If you do not remember he is the bishops that is living in a open relationship with another man. Now I will say this, I don’t necessarily agree with his lifestyle but he was canonically elected, consecrated and rules a diocese. I am sorry but just because you disagree with someone stand on issues does not mean they should not be invited. It seems that small minded people in the Anglican world are running the table here.
At the meeting in Texas when it was announced they told this bishop of the church that he could not pray and meet with them but that he was invited to set up a boot in the exhibition area of the meeting, like he is on display of some kind. I find this repugnant that the church would treat one of her bishops this way. Regardless of how you feel about +Gene personally you have to feel his pain in this situation. I for one feel very bad for him and for the Church in New Hampshire. I hope that wisdom prevails here and he is in fact invited to the meeting.
In charity please pray for +Gene and the Episcopal Church in New Hampshire.
UPDATE: I was giving some thought to this posting and I have come to a slightly different conclusion. Although I do not agree with the lifestyle choice of the bishop, it is his lifestyle and not mine. I am not in any position to judge him or anyone for that matter that is not my job that is for the Lord alone to do. Sometimes I think this world would be a much better place if everyone just worries about how they are living their lives and not how others do!
Nasty comments are not welcome and will be deleted!
Sunday of Orthodoxy ~ 1st Sunday of Great Lent
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the First ToneThe stone had been secured with a seal by the Judeans, * and a guard of soldiers was watching Your immaculate body. * You rose on the third day, O Lord * and Savior, granting life unto the world. * For this reason were the powers of heaven crying out to You, O Life-giver: * Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ; * glory to Your eternal rule; * glory to Your dispensation, only One who loves mankind.
Resurrectional Kontakion in the First Tone
You arose from the sepulcher in glory as God, and with yourself resurrected the world. And mortal nature extolled You as God, and death was obliterated, and Adam is dancing, O Master; and Eve, now redeemed from the bonds, rejoices crying out: O Christ, You are He who grants resurrection to all.
Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone
To you, Theotokos, invincible Defender, having been delivered from peril, I, your city, dedicate the victory festival as a thank offering. In your irresistible might, keep me safe from all trials, that I may call out to you: “Hail, unwedded bride!”
Reading:
For more than one hundred years the Church of Christ was troubled by the persecution of the Iconoclasts of evil belief, beginning in the reign of Leo the Isaurian (717-741) and ending in the reign of Theophilus (829-842). After Theophilus’s death, his widow the Empress Theodora (celebrated Feb. 11), together with the Patriarch Methodius (June 14), established Orthodoxy anew. This ever-memorable Queen venerated the icon of the Mother of God in the presence of the Patriarch Methodius and the other confessors and righteous men, and openly cried out these holy words: “If anyone does not offer relative worship to the holy icons, not adoring them as though they were gods, but venerating them out of love as images of the archetype, let him be anathema.” Then with common prayer and fasting during the whole first week of the Forty-day Fast, she asked God’s forgiveness for her husband. After this, on the first Sunday of the Fast, she and her son, Michael the Emperor, made a procession with all the clergy and people and restored the holy icons, and again adorned the Church of Christ with them. This is the holy deed that all we the Orthodox commemorate today, and we call this radiant and venerable day the Sunday of Orthodoxy, that is, the triumph of true doctrine over heresy.
From www.goarch.org
Catch Up
It has been a while since I wrote anything here so I thought I would jot a few words down before Liturgy this morning. I have been sick for about a month and I think I am finally coming out of it. My voice has returned and I am starting to feel better. I think part of it is because the weather is getting better here in New England as well. Yesterday Onchu and I spent sometime outside, it was wonderful. I was also able to get the rectory cleaned and do some laundry. I am taking the next few days off and going to my parents house, they are still in Florida until Wednesday, so I will have the place to myself. I like to get away every once in a while to read and write and get ahead on some homilies for the coming weeks. Although I usually end up laying on the sofa and watch TV. This time I am going to try and get something done.
What has been going on around here? Friday we had our Annual Ham Party and we did not have a great crowd. I am not sure what to do about this event. However those who came had a good time. We also served Corned Beef and Cabbage, prepared by your host, and everyone said they liked it. Maybe they were just saying that who knows, but there was not much left over. Yesterday, as I noted above was a good day and Vespers last night brought in more people than we have had in the past. It is nice to have more than three people at vespers. Today I get sort of a day off. Sunday of Orthodoxy here in Worcester County is a big deal. All 12 Orthodox Churches gather together in once place, with one of our Bishops, for a combined Liturgy. I have mixed feelings about this Liturgy. Most of my parishioners will not attend so they will not attend Church on this important first Sunday of Lent. So what to do? Anyway His Grace Bishop Nikon of the OCA and a very good friend of mine, will preside. I understand he is a little under the weather as well and will not serve the Liturgy. So there will be more priests than you can shake a stick at, and big procession at the end with all the Icons. Its fun, holy, peaceful, and I don’t have to preach!
This week will start off slow then get busy. Like I said I am off for a few days but a working break. On Tuesday I have a Chaplains meeting at Harvard University and Wednesday one of my spiritual children will be here to see me. Wednesday night is Presanctified Liturgy here at St. Michael’s and the rest will have to wait for another post.
Palm Sunday
To all of my Western Christian readers I wish you a joyous Palm Sunday and a blessed Holy Week. I will remember you in my prayers at the altar today, and if you think of it say a little prayer for me as well.
Collect for Friday
Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Prayer Book Office
14 March ~ Benedict the Righteous of Nusia
Today on the Eastern Calendar is the feast of Benedict the Rigtheous of Nursia. I have a special place in my heart for Benedict as 10 years ago next Friday I took my first vows as a Benedictine at Glastonbury Abbey in Hingham, Massachusetts. I spent some of the best years of my life in the community and I often say if I knew then what I know now I would still be there. Benedict is known as the father of Western Monasticism as most of the monks in the Western World followed his rule of life. Benedict quoted St. Basil in many places in his rule and loved the early saints of the undivided church.
Here is his information from http://www.goarch.org/
Apolytikion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone
The image of God, was faithfully preserved in you, O Father. For you took up the Cross and followed Christ. By Your actions you taught us to look beyond the flesh for it passes, rather to be concerned about the soul which is immortal. Wherefore, O Holy Benedict, your soul rejoices with the angels.
Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
O sun that shinest with the Mystic Dayspring’s radiance, who didst enlighten the monastics of the western lands, thou art worthily the namesake of benediction; do thou purge us of the filth of passions thoroughly by the sweat of thine illustrious accomplishments, for we cry to thee: Rejoice, O thrice-blessed Benedict.
Reading:
This Saint, whose name means “blessed,” was born in 480 in Nursia, a small town about seventy miles northeast of Rome. He struggled in asceticism from his youth in deserted regions, where his example drew many who desired to emulate him. Hence, he ascended Mount Cassino in Campania and built a monastery there. The Rule that he gave his monks, which was inspired by the writings of Saint John Cassian, Saint Basil the Great, and other Fathers, became a pattern for monasticism in the West; because of this, he is often called the first teacher of monks in the West. He reposed in 547.
Thursday Morning Prayer
As the light of dawn awakens earth’s creatures
and stirs into song the birds of the morning
so may I be brought t life this day.
Rising to see the light
to hear the wind
to smell the fragrance of what grows from the ground
to taste its fruit
and touch its textures
so may my inner senses be awakened to you
so may my sense be awakened to you, O God.
Celtic Benediction, Morning and Night Prayer, J Philip Newell