May 17th
11:32 AM
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On reading the Bible simply as a set of instructions

The Scripture is nothing other than instruction on how to receive Heavenly Grace. But if we simply read a set of instructions and do not try to, let us say, put a bookcase together or use a computer program, the set of instructions will remain unmastered and will be soon forgotten… And vice versa, those who attend the Sunday Divine Liturgy and then read the Scripture at home will comprehend meaning in it that they would never have comprehended otherwise.

- Priest-Martyr Daniel Sysoyev

#Orthodox      #Christianity      #Bible      #Gospel      #faith     
May 1st
3:18 PM
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On the afternoon or evening of Great and Holy Wednesday, the Sacrament or Mystery of Holy Unction is conducted in Orthodox parishes. The Sacrament of Holy Unction is offered for the healing of soul and body and for forgiveness of sins. At the conclusion of the service of the Sacrament, the body is anointed with oil, and the grace of God, which heals infirmities of soul and body, is called down upon each person. The Sacrament is performed by a gathering of priests, ideally seven in number, however, it can be performed by a lesser number and even by a single priest.

Order of the Service

  1. Introductory Prayers and Psalms 143 & 51
    In these Psalms we confess our sinfulness before God and ask Him to cleanse us and make a “new and right spirit within us” (Psalm 51:10).
  2. Canon
    In this series of verses that are read or sung, we ask God to show mercy upon us and cleanse our souls, to drive away all evil powers, to grant salvation to those who are sick or suffering, and to grant us the healing of our souls and bodies. At the end of several sets of verses, we ask God to renew our lives so that we may bless, thank and glorify Him forever.
  3. Short Prayers or Troparia to the Saints
    We pray to the saints - especially those who have helped the sick and suffering, and to those who have been martyred for the glory of God - and to the Mother of God to intercede for us for the salvation of our souls.
  4. Epistle and Gospel Lessons and Prayers
    There are seven sets of Epistle and Gospel readings and prayers.
    a. James 5:10-16; Luke: 10:25-37
    b. Romans 15:1-7; Luke 19:1-10
    c. I Corinthians 12:27-31;13:1-8; Matthew 10:1,5-8
    d. II Corinthians 6:16-18, 7:1; Matthew 8:14-23
    e. II Corinthians 1:8-11; Matthew 25:1-13
    f. Galatians 5:22-6:2; Matthew 15:21-28
    g. I Thessalonians 5:14-23; Matthew 9:9-13
    • Each of the seven prayers asks for the remission of the our sins, for the healing of our souls and bodies and for life everlasting.
#orthodoxy      #eastern Orthodoxy      #holy week      #Christianity      #Bible     
April 26th
5:54 AM
13 notes
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On reading the Gospel

Do not undertake to explain the Gospels or the other books of Holy Scripture yourself. The Scriptures were not expressed arbitrarily by the prophets and apostles, but by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. How mindless then is it to explain them arbitrarily? The Holy Spirit, having expressed the Word of God through the prophets and apostles, explained it through the Holy Fathers. Both the Word of God and its explanation are a gift of the Holy Spirit. The holy Orthodox Church and its true children accept only this patristic interpretation!

- St. Ignatius Brianchaninov, On Reading the Gospel

#Orthodoxy      #Christianity      #Bible      #Gospel      #Christians     
March 12th
3:07 PM
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“Do not worry about your life…”

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Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?

- Matthew 6:24-25

#Orthodoxy      #Christian      #Jesus      #Bible      #bible verses     
February 24th
6:57 AM
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A prayer before reading the Bible

O Lord Jesus Christ, open Thou the eyes of my heart, that I may hear Thy word and understand and do Thy will, for I am a sojourner upon the earth. Hide not Thy commandments from me, but open my eyes, that I may perceive the wonders of Thy law. Speak unto me the hidden and secret things of Thy wisdom. On Thee do I set my hope, O my God, that Thou shalt enlighten my mind and understanding with the light of Thy knowledge, not only to cherish those things which are written, but to do them; that in reading the lives and sayings of the saints I may not sin, but that such may serve for my restoration, enlightenment and sanctification, for the salvation of my soul, and the inheritance of life everlasting. For Thou art the enlightenment of those who lie in darkness, and from Thee cometh every good deed and every gift. Amen.

- St. John Chrysostom

#orthodoxy      #Christian      #Jesus      #Bible      #prayer     
February 2nd
1:52 PM
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Today, the Orthodox Church remembers the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple! According to the law of Moses, every firstborn male was to be brought into the temple to be dedicated to God on the fortieth day after birth. At that time a sacrifice of thanksgiving was also to be brought. The Holy Mother of God followed this law, even though she knew that the Child was the Son of God. Thus, Joseph and Mary brought the Child Jesus into the temple on the fortieth day along with a humble sacrifice of two young pigeons. In Jerusalem at that time there lived a man, Simeon, who was just and devout and was awaiting the consolation of Israel. According to tradition, Simeon was in Alexandria 270 years prior to this date, translating that passage in the Scriptures where Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah was to be born of a Virgin. He wanted to change the word ‘virgin’ to another meaning ‘young woman’, but an angel of the Lord stopped his hand and foretold Simeon that he would not see death before seeing the Messiah born of the Virgin. Led by the Holy Spirit into the temple on the day that the holy family brought the Child Jesus to fulfill the law, Simeon took the Child into his arms and blessed God by saying: “Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word; for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared in Hebrew before the face of all people, a light to lighten the gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel” (Luke 2:29-32). “And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. And Simeon blessed them and said unto Mary His mother, ‘Behold, this Child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be spoken against (yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2:33-35). Anna the prophetess, who was a widow of 84 years and did not depart from the temple, but served God by fasting and praying, was also there. “And she, coming in that instant, gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spoke of Him to all they that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee to their own city, Nazareth” (Luke 2: 38-39).

Today, the Orthodox Church remembers the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple!

According to the law of Moses, every firstborn male was to be brought into the temple to be dedicated to God on the fortieth day after birth. At that time a sacrifice of thanksgiving was also to be brought. The Holy Mother of God followed this law, even though she knew that the Child was the Son of God. Thus, Joseph and Mary brought the Child Jesus into the temple on the fortieth day along with a humble sacrifice of two young pigeons.

In Jerusalem at that time there lived a man, Simeon, who was just and devout and was awaiting the consolation of Israel. According to tradition, Simeon was in Alexandria 270 years prior to this date, translating that passage in the Scriptures where Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah was to be born of a Virgin. He wanted to change the word ‘virgin’ to another meaning ‘young woman’, but an angel of the Lord stopped his hand and foretold Simeon that he would not see death before seeing the Messiah born of the Virgin.

Led by the Holy Spirit into the temple on the day that the holy family brought the Child Jesus to fulfill the law, Simeon took the Child into his arms and blessed God by saying: “Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word; for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared in Hebrew before the face of all people, a light to lighten the gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel” (Luke 2:29-32).

“And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. And Simeon blessed them and said unto Mary His mother, ‘Behold, this Child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be spoken against (yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2:33-35).

Anna the prophetess, who was a widow of 84 years and did not depart from the temple, but served God by fasting and praying, was also there. “And she, coming in that instant, gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spoke of Him to all they that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee to their own city, Nazareth” (Luke 2: 38-39).

#Orthodoxy      #Christianity      #Jesus Christ      #Jesus      #Bible     
January 13th
12:08 PM
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“Pray without ceasing…”

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Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.

See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

Rejoice always,

pray without ceasing,

in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Do not quench the Spirit.

Do not despise prophecies.

Test all things; hold fast what is good.

Abstain from every form of evil.

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

- 1 Thessalonians 5:14-23

#Orthodoxy      #Christianity      #nun      #Christian      #Bible     
January 12th
2:26 PM
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The kingdom of the heavens is taken by force

The work which you do is spiritual, but forces yourself to study one or two chapter of the Holy Scripture, the lives of the Saints, patristic writings, and writings of the Holy Prophets, Apostles, and Teachers of the church. Also do not neglect your obligation to prayer and fasting and continence according to your strength, and especially forcefulness, because the kingdom of the heavens is taken by force and the forceful grab it.

- Father Philotheos Zervakos

#Orthodoxy      #Christianity      #Christians      #heaven      #Bible     
January 11th
1:40 PM
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True knowledge of the Scriptures

If you wish to attain to true knowledge of the Scriptures, hasten to acquire first an unshakeable humility of heart. That alone will lead you, not to the knowledge that puffs up, but to that which enlightens, by the perfecting of love.

- St. John Cassian, Conferences, XIV, 10

#Orthodoxy      #Christianity      #scriptures      #bible      #Christian     
January 4th
1:50 PM
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On the Gospel

The Gospel not only teaches the faith, it is the school of morals, the mirror of conversation.

- St. Ambrose of Milan

#Orthodox      #Bible      #Christian      #Gospel      #Christianity     
1:36 PM
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Studying the holy and sacred Gospel…

Studying the holy and sacred Gospel, I found in it many and different teachings which are all pearls, diamonds, treasures, riches, joy, gladness-eternal life. Among the other things I also found this teaching in which Christ says to us: no Christian, man or woman, should be concerned only with himself, how he can be saved, but must be concerned also with his brethren so that they may not fall into sin.

- St. Cosmas Aitolos

#Orthodoxy      #Christianity      #Gospel      #Bible      #Christians     
December 23rd
12:54 PM
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A faithful servant…

He who relies on theoretical knowledge alone is not yet a faithful servant: a faithful servant is one who expresses his faith in Christ through obedience to His commandments.

- Saint Kosmas Aitolos

#Eastern Orthodoxy      #Christian      #faith      #Jesus      #Bible     
December 9th
5:23 AM
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On the Holy Bible

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The Bible is different from all other books; other books are written by man, but the Bible not only contains the sayings and commandments of God, but was also written entirely under divine inspiration. So we might say that it is God’s book, which he gave to man to lead him to everlasting life.

- Fr. Matthew the Poor

#Orthodoxy      #Bible      #Christianity      #Bible verse      #Jesus     
December 3rd
6:33 AM
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Has some good thought come to you?

Has some good thought come to you? Stop! Whatever you do, do not rush to implement it or carry it out over hastily, without thinking. Have you felt some good impulse or inclination in your heart? Stop! Do not dare to be drawn by it. Check it with the Gospel. See whether your good thought and your heart’s good impulse tally with the Lord’s holy teaching.

- St. Ignatius Brianchaninov

#Orthodoxy      #Christianity      #gospel      #bible      #Christian     
November 29th
3:28 PM
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When reading the Holy Scriptures…

When reading the Holy Scriptures, he who is humble and engaged in spiritual work will apply everything to himself and not to someone else.

- St. Mark the Ascetic

#Orthodox      #Christian      #Bible      #Jesus      #Christianity