Troparion:
With the rivers of your tears,
you have made the barren desert fertile.
Through sighs of sorrow from deep within you,
your labours have borne fruit a hundredfold.
By your miracles you have become a light,
shining upon the world.
O John, our Holy Father,
pray to Christ our God, to save our souls.
Kontakion:
As ever-blooming fruits,
you offer the teachings of your God-given [...]
And it all falls apart.
A “simple” request to meet some people outside work sends me into anxiety central. In one sense I want to, as it is nice to be asked, but overwhemingly I do not — or at least I feel I do not. And my “No” is answered with, “See how [...]
Troparion (Tone 1):
O Lord, save Your people, and bless Your inheritance.
Grant victories to Your people over their adversaries.
And by virtue of Your Cross preserve Your habitation!
Kontakion (Tone 7):
No longer does the flaming sword guard the gate of Eden,
for a marvellous quenching is come upon it, even the Tree of the Cross.
The sting has been taken [...]
Troparion – Tone 8:
O light of Orthodoxy, teacher of the Church, its confirmation,
O ideal of monks and invincible champion of theologians,
O wonder-working Gregory, glory of Thessalonica and preacher of grace,
always intercede before the Lord that our souls may be saved.
Kontakion – Tone 4:
Now is the time for action!
Judgment is at the doors!
So let us rise [...]
Apolytikion:
We venerate Your most pure image, O Good One,
and ask forgiveness of our transgressions, O Christ God.
Of Your own will You were pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh
to deliver Your creatures from bondage to the enemy.
Therefore with thanksgiving we cry aloud to You:
You have filled all with joy, O our Saviour,
by coming to [...]
Thank you all for your comments and particularly your prayers on the death of my grandmother; they are greatly appreciated and are the source of much comfort.
I have also been comforted and encouraged by the services of my church this week. This very helpful section from Monachos.net gives all of the assigned services of [...]
Kontakion:
Master, Teacher of wisdom,
Bestower of virtue,
you teach the thoughtless and protect the poor:
Strengthen and enlighten my heart.
Word of the Father,
let me not restrain my mouth from crying to you:
Have mercy on me, a transgressor,
O merciful Lord!
Today is the Sunday of Forgiveness in the Orthodox Church, also known as Cheesefare Sunday as it is the last [...]
Kontakion:
When You, O God, shall come to earth with glory,
All things shall tremble
And the river of fire shall flow before Your judgement seat;
The books shall be opened and the hidden things disclosed!
Then deliver me from the unquenchable fire,
And make me worthy to stand at Your right hand, righteous Judge!
Today is the Sunday of the [...]
Troparion – Tone 1:
Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, full of grace!
From you shone the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God.
Enlightening those who sat in darkness!
Rejoice, and be glad, O righteous elder;
You accepted in your arms the Redeemer of our souls,
Who grants us the Resurrection.
Kontakion – Tone 1:
By Your nativity, You did sanctify the Virgin’s womb,
And did [...]
Christ is born; glorify Him!
Christ comes from heaven; go to meet Him!
Christ is on earth; be exalted!
Sing to the Lord, all the earth!
And praise Him in gladness, O people, for He has been glorified!
My warmest wishes and prayers to and for you all for a most wondrous Christmas. Thank you all for sticking with [...]