"When the Creator saw the one whom He had created with his own hands perishing, He lowered the heavens and came down; He took upon himself human nature from the most holy and pure Virgin, truly becoming flesh; for this reason, we glorify Him" (Matins for the Feast of the Nativity, Canon, Ode 1).
Have a blessed feast of the Nativity of Our Lord!
With love,
The nuns of Christ the Bridegroom Monastery
 |
| The Apostle & Evangelist Matthew |
This Sunday of the Ancestors of the Lord is given us to remind us that God deigns--nay, delights--to work through His creatures: so much so, that He chose to become a Man, complete with a lineage of flawed human forebearers. We should pay particular attention to the genealogy St. Matthew presents to us: it includes people with far-from-pristine pasts, stories riddled with suffering and sin. Tamar, wronged by her father-in-law Judah, connived to ensnare him in incest. Rahab (the mother of Boaz) was a harlot before she hid the Israelite spies who came to her city. Ruth was a Moabitess, a foreigner from an idolatrous people, yet she was the grandmother of Jesse and the great-grandmother of King David. Solomon, of course, was a fruit of the relationship between David and Bathsheba, which began in adultery and murder. In fact, some of these ancestors were so wicked that their names were blotted out of the Hebrew genealogies. Thus, Joram was not actually the father of Uzziah as Matthew writes in verse 8, but his great, great grandfather. Because Joram had married one of the idolatrous daughters of Jezebel, his family was under a curse! But the reality is that God chose to come from just such as these--and He still chooses to enter the world through our feeble humanity. Undaunted and undeterred by our sins and failures, He mercifully gathers them into His loving hands and works our good, and the salvation of the world. My spiritual father told me recently, "God loves, loves, LOVES to work through secondary causes. He would rather work through you than alone." This is the wonder of the Incarnation. This is the startling truth of our Faith: Despites our falls and failings, The Trinity works through us to open the way to the Father's House.
Tamar: Felix Culpa (Genesis 38)
[Felix Culpa means "Happy (or blessed) Fault"]
Wedded to one wicked
who was slain by the Lord,
given to his brother
who denied what was yours,
you returned a widow
to your father’s house.
You waited for the third
son of Judah to come
fulfill your desire
by giving you a son.
But the years stole your hope
in your father’s house.
Since you were forsaken
by your father-in-law,
you laid aside mourning,
his lustful seed to draw.
Draped in a harlot’s veil,
you left your father’s house.
By the road at Enaim
you sat and you waited.
He paid to come to you,
his urge to be sated.
By deceit you became
your father-in-law’s house.
After three months had passed,
it was told: Judah learned
that you were with child.
He judged, “Let her be burned.”
Pregnant, you were led out
of your father’s house.
You sent him the tokens
he’d given you as pledge
of pay for using you
as you lay on the edge
of the road to Timnah,
beyond your father’s house.
Then Judah acknowledged
his sinful deeds with shame.
The life that you carried
would indeed share his name.
At last, you bore two sons
in their father’s house.
Tamar, woman bereft,
you stretched forth grasping hands
to seize your rightful fruit
and establish your land.
Yet through you came the way
to the Father’s House.
All Times Eastern Standard Time
Sunday, December 20
6:30 a.m. The Jesus Prayer in silence
6:45-8:30 a.m. Matins
Monday, December 21
9:00-9:30 p.m. Compline
Tuesday, December 22
6:30 a.m. The Jesus Prayer in silence
6:45-8:00 a.m. Matins
Wednesday, December 23
4:45 p.m. The Jesus Prayer in silence
5:00-5:45 p.m. Vespers
Thursday, December 24
6:30 a.m. The Jesus Prayer in silence
6:45-8:00 a.m. Matins
9:30-10:30 a.m. 1st & 3rd Royal Hours
Noon-1:00 p.m. 6th & 9th Royal Hours
8:30-9:30 p.m. Great Compline (Here is the link for the propers)
Friday, December 25
7:00-8:30 a.m. Matins (Here is the link for the propers)
A children's book recommendation by Mother Cecilia:
Why Christmas Trees Aren't Perfect
St. Barlaam of Antioch (d. 304): Feast day – November 19
My first year in the monastery, when I heard the story of St. Barlaam of Antioch read in our chapel before Vespers, I was captivated—tears came to my eyes, and a sense of exultation lifted my heart. I re-read his story after the service, and began asking for his prayers from that day. Every year since then, I’m more deeply moved by this martyr and father in the Faith. And I’m realizing that, like me, most people have never heard of him.
His story begins in a fashion typical of the early martyrs; he stands out only for his age: Barlaam an old man, in his 90s. During the persecution of the Emperor Diocletian in 304, he was dragged before the governor and urged to cast incense before the pagan gods of the empire. Of course, he refused, so his captors devised a way to mock the elder: They placed burning coals and grains of incense in his hand, certain he would drop the embers, thereby allowing them to deride him by saying that he did, after all, cast incense before the gods. Instead, Barlaam responded with the stillness of faith: holding the burning coals in his hand, he stood unyielding as his hand burned away. Some accounts say he then rendered his spirit to the Lord, others that the governor, enraged, killed him. Either way, this martyr’s love was tried by fire and proved worthy.
St. Barlaam has a special significance for me in my vocation. He is an emblem of the faith and trust required to remain in the purifying fire of monastic life. He offers me an image of celibate love: to hold the fire in your hand in faithfulness, and to refuse to drop the fire under the pressure of our society. But, most of all, a line from a homily of St. John Chrysostom pierces my heart with the meaning of this saint’s sacrifice: He “was both the altar and the priest and the sacrifice.” We—all of us, not only monastics—are called to offer as priests the sacrifice of our very selves on the altar of our bodies.
Telling my spiritual father about this saint one day last year, I burst out, “It’s impossible—impossible! Nobody could do that! Nobody! Yet—he did!!!” By the power of the Holy Spirit burning in him, St. Barlaam scorned the enemy’s fire and entrusted himself, body and soul, to the Lover of Mankind. May each of us allow the same Spirit to consume us, that we, too, may be radiant torches testifying to the luminous reality of Divine Love.
Note on this icon: This past summer, my friend Mother Pelahia worked with me on this icon of St. Barlaam of Antioch.
We are thrilled to announce that a total of $96,018 was donated for our Virtual Bridegroom's Banquet! We are incredibly grateful, and amazed that such an amount was raised even though we were not able to hold an in-person event!
Other than a couple of brief drops in the internet during the live-streaming of Vespers, all the technology worked well on the night of the event. The pre-recorded event video, which premiered after Vespers, is still available for viewing. You can also watch the video "Bethany: Supporting Spiritual Fatherhood" separately.
We are really close to reaching the maximum $100,000 matching funds! There are still a few mail-in ballots (oops, we mean donations) coming in, but we're not sure how much the total of those will be. The matching donor has extended the match until the end of the year, so if you missed the chance to make a matching donation by the day of the banquet, you can still send one in or donate online (choose "Bridegroom's Banquet 2020" as the fund in step 4). Thank you so much!
We are deeply grateful for your financial and spiritual support, which makes it possible for us to live our life of prayer and hospitality. We are praying for you and your intentions, and we hope that our life here is a gift and help to you in your life.
God bless you all!
Event Schedule
Event Program Booklet: includes the text and music for Vespers, as well as all needed links for the event
All times Eastern Standard Time
4:45 p.m. Live-streamed Jesus Prayer in silence from our chapel
5:00 p.m. Live-streamed Vespers (Evening Prayer) from our chapel,
followed by a live greeting from the nuns
Location: Our Facebook Page (click on the live video)
(You do not need a Facebook account to view)
6:00 p.m. Pre-Recorded Program
Location: Video on our YouTube Channel (or click on video below)
Introduction by Mother Gabriella
Invocation by Fr. Michael McCandless, Vocation Director for the Diocese of Cleveland
Premier of the video “Bethany: Supporting Spiritual Fatherhood”
Remarks by Fr. Michael McCandless
Opportunity to donate
Thank you from Mother Theodora, Hegumena
The Virtual Bridegroom's Banquet is our online benefit event that includes live-streamed Vespers, the premier of our new video: "Bethany: Supporting Spiritual Fatherhood," and a chance for your donation to be doubled! Please visit the event page for more information.
#1
We support Christ the Bridegroom Monastery because we all need this community of faithful prayer to continue and grow. The world needs to see that not all nuns are stern and forbidding, or solemn and sorrowful. These brides of Christ are joyful, loving and full of fun. They make it clear that, like Christ, they love you with all your faults and failings. You know this for sure when they hug you. Their poustinias provide a refuge for people to be alone and encounter God. Their hospitality is unbounded. They have nothing but what they are given, but they take that gift, bless it, and multiply it for a starving world.
#2
There are very few places in this busy world where we can go find silence. And even in those places of silence, fewer still are those that are specifically created to bring the silence of listening to the voice of God. Christ the Bridegroom Monastery is one of those places. I suspect that each person who has had the wonderful opportunity of spending time at the Monastery will have a story of meeting God in silence. And finding that same peace in some way reflected in the nuns of Christ the Bridegroom Monastery. My story is simply one of many.
I believe that God is working here, at the monastery, in ways that are distinct. And powerful. I believe that God has created this place of silence as a refuge from the world of distractions that we have created around us. This monastery is not a “nice to have” – it is critically imperative for the sustainment of the Christianity that has been passed down to us by our Holy Fathers. I believe that it was for this reason the Desert Fathers left the comforts of the cities to enter the desert. To secure the Christianity that flourishes in quiet and sacrifice. To experience God’s grace rather than just our personal comfort.
It is a privilege for me to support Christ the Bridegroom Monastery. I am thankful to God for the role that the nuns play in my life. I am hopeful that we will have a long and Christ-filled relationship for many years to come!
#3
It is no coincidence that God has given us a beautiful gift to increase and enrich our spirituality, but one that is also dependent on us to sustain it. Christ the Bridegroom Monastery has had an enormous impact on the spiritual development of many parishioners, priests, seminarians and religious, both in the Roman Catholic Church as well as the Byzantine Church, throughout the United States and Canada. To sustain themselves they are totally dependent on the gracious financial contributions of those around them.
There is another reason we support the Monastery. It is impossible not to fall in love with these nuns. There is something about them, their pure hearts, their kindness, their joy, their selflessness, and their love for God and His people. We can’t get them to say an unkind remark about anyone, even a politician, even after drinking a bit of scotch (and the Lord knows I’ve tried). They see the goodness in people, that part of us that is made in the image and likeness of God. They are patient with our failings and faults, like a mother with her child.
Finally, there is one more thing we should notice about this Monastery. Haven’t you wondered how someone could pray for 5 or 6 hours a day or more. Recently a missionary priest explained to me that prayer is a grace we receive from God. We need to pray for this, and God will give us the grace to pray as we should. Christ the Bridegroom Monastery is a powerful witness to that spirituality and the impact it can have on a world in desperate need of the graces extending from it. Bishop Robert Barron in his Catholicism series, points out how Hur and Aaron supporting Moses’ arms as he prays over the battle between the Israelites and Amalekites, is a beautiful depiction of the Church. Like Hur and Aaron, we laity play an essential part in God’s plan by supporting these nuns so they are able to pray for our salvation.
Enjoy this week of fun activities on our Facebook page leading up to our Virtual Bridegroom's Banquet this Sat. Nov. 7! Today's posts for "Meet-the-Nuns Monday" are compiled below. The Virtual Bridegroom's Banquet is our online benefit event that includes live-streamed Vespers, the premier of our new video: "Bethany: Supporting Spiritual Fatherhood," and a chance for your donation to be doubled! Please visit the event page for more information.
Patron saint: Blessed Theodore Romzha
Feast day: October 31
A few of my saint friends: St. John Paul II, St. Mary Magdalene, St. Augustine, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Elizabeth the New Martyr, St. Martha of Bethany, St. Mary of Egypt, St. Symeon the New Theologian
Interests: Sacred Scripture, Iconography, Gardening, Canning, Painting, Cooking, Sewing
One of my favorite quotes: "I belong to my Lover, and for me He yearns." Song of Songs 7:11
An Interesting fact: I used to teach ballroom dancing.
Where I grew up: Niles, Ohio
Patron saint: St. Cecilia, virgin-martyr of Rome
Feast day: Nov. 22
A few of my saint friends: St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, St. John the Baptist, St. John of the Cross, St. Anthony of the Desert, St. Porphyrios of Kafsokalivia, St. Mary of Bethany, St. John Paul II
Interests: Prayer, silence, nature, taking walks with Jesus, writing poetry, painting icons, watercolors, camping, skiing, photography, saints, spiritual motherhood, adventures.
One of my favorite quotes: (A story from the desert fathers) Abba Lot came to Abba Joseph and said: “Father, according as I am able, I keep my little rule, and my little fast, my prayer, meditation and contemplative silence; and, according as I am able, I strive to cleanse my heart of thoughts: now what more should I do?” The elder rose up in reply and stretched out his hands to heaven, and his fingers became like ten lamps of fire. He said: “Why not become fire?”
An interesting fact: So far, I am the only nun in the monastery named after a female saint!
Where I grew up: North Royalton, Ohio (near Cleveland)
Patron saint: St. Gabriel the Archangel
Feast day: July 13 - Synaxis of St. Gabriel
A few of my saint friends: St. Dorotheos of Gaza, St. Francis de Sales, St. Jane Frances de Chantal, St. Teresa of Avila, Servant of God Catherine Doherty, Servant of God Walter Ciszek, Servant of God Fulton Sheen
Interests: Hiking, kayaking, reading, painting icons, The Awkward Yeti, Calvin and Hobbes, hugs, watching sports, people!
One of my favorite quotes: Relying on God has to begin again everyday as if nothing had yet been done. -C.S. Lewis
An interesting fact: I was at St. John Paul II's beatification AND canonization!
Where I grew up: New Franklin, Ohio (near Akron, Ohio)
Patron saint: St. Elias (aka the prophet Elijah...you can read about him in lots of places in the Bible)
Feast day: July 20
A few of my saint friends: St. Thérèse of Lisieux, St. Teresa of Calcutta, St. Pio of Pietrelcina, St. Philip Neri, St. John the Beloved, St. Peter the Apostle, Hosea the Prophet, St. Michael the Archangel, because each of these saints has touched my life in a very particular way and drawn me to receive the Father's love.
Interests: Ask any of the nuns and they'll tell you, I have a lot of "favorites!" That means, I also have a lot of interests (which are my favorites). I'm interested in all things beautiful and have loved art since before I can remember. I love drawing, watercolor, and painting icons, or going to the art museum to see everything (with a soft spot for French Impressionism). Baby faces, fall leaves, and sunsets cause me physical pain (because they are beautiful). I'm also always interested in eating ice cream and talking about prayer, saints’ lives, and funny stories. I love swimming, braiding hair, and watching movies or documentaries. I love to be outside whenever possible, especially hiking in the woods, and to laugh. I also love reading lots of books especially ones by Michael D.O'Brien and Elizabeth Goudge)! I should probably stop now, as I've only listed about the first 0.005% of my favorite things.
One of my favorite quotes: Some monks came to see Abba Poemen and said to him: "Tell us, when we see brothers dozing during the sacred office, should we pinch them so they will stay awake?" The old man said to them: "Actually, if I saw a brother sleeping, I would put his head on my knees and let him rest."
An interesting fact: When I was a kid I would watch a Mother Teresa of Calcutta documentary (the 1986 one narrated by Sir Richard Attenborough) religiously (pun intended), probably hundreds of times. I'm not sure, I just remember being obsessed. I was drawn to her love for God in a powerful way and I remember aching for His love when I watched. In 1996, when I was just a teen, I had the chance to meet Mother Teresa. I happened to be at the right place and right time and she held my hands and spoke with me. I'm completely convinced that she's praying for me in my vocation today.
Where I grew up: Silver Spring, MD
Patron saint: St. Nathanael (Bartholomew) the apostle
Feast day: June 11 in the east, August 24 in the west
A few of my saint friends: St. Photina, St. Mary of Egypt, Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassatti, Bl. Bishop Theodore Romzha, St. Mary Magdalene, St. Ephraim, St. Nicholas
Interests: Reading, Hiking (especially 14ers), Climbing trees (or anything, really), Watching Star Trek
One of my favorite quotes: "God is not a deceiver, that he should offer to support us, and then, when we lean upon him, should slip away from us." -St. Augustine
An interesting fact: I lived in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for two years!
Where I grew up: I've moved over twenty times, but my last (and favorite) residence before entering the monastery was Colorado.
Patron saint: St. Peter the Apostle
Feast day: St. Peter in Chains (January 16)
A few of my saint friends: St. John Henry Newman, St. Thomas More, Julian of Norwich, St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, St. Joseph, St. Barlaam of Antioch.
Interests: Reading, Gospel Nonviolence, the Inklings, England, hiking and biking
One of my favorite quotes: "Therefore I will trust Him. Whatever, wherever I am, I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him; in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him; if I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him. My sickness, or perplexity, or sorrow may be necessary causes of some great end, which is quite beyond us. He does nothing in vain; He may prolong my life, He may shorten it; He knows what He is about. He may take away my friends, He may throw me among strangers, He may make me feel desolate, make my spirits sink, hide the future from me--still He knows what He is about." (St. John Henry Newman)
An interesting fact: Raised Wesleyan, I was received into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil in 2009. Since then, I have made four pilgrimages: an Inklings pilgrimage to Oxford, England; a Flannery O'Connor pilgrimage to Milledgeville, Georgia; a St. Joseph pilgrimage to L'Oratoire de Saint-Joseph du Mont Royal in Montreal; and a Holy Land pilgrimage with all the nuns. Before I die, I hope to make pilgrimages to see the tilma of the Virgin of Guadalupe, pray at the shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham in England, and walk the Camino de Santiago.
Where I grew up: Indiana
Next week is banquet week! We encourage you to register for our Virtual Bridegroom's Banquet, Saturday, November 7. In thanksgiving, everyone who registers will be remembered in the Divine Liturgy at the monastery once each month during the coming year. Donations given the day of the event, or before, will be doubled!
We also invite you to join us for our pre-event activities on our Facebook page. Enjoy!
Mother Gabriella is one of several people from the Cleveland area who take turns hosting a new podcast sponsored by the Diocese of Cleveland Vocation Office, called "Created & Called." The podcast seeks to encourage a culture of vocations through the sharing of stories. Learn more about the joys and struggles of the journey to priesthood, consecrated religious life, marriage, diaconate, and single life from those who have lived it!
We have also been sending every 20th registrant an additional gift in the mail. We've been having fun sending different gifts, such as chotki or a pack of notecards. Here are the recipients so far:
Suzette from Colorado
Katherine Marie from Ohio
Hope from Florida
Matt, Alyssa & family from Ohio
Angela from Manitoba, Canada
In gratitude for the gift of the priesthood and for all the suffering that priests endure for us, let's increase our prayer and fasting for them! The Evil One launches frequent, powerful attacks upon our priests because they are the visible witnesses and leaders for us, called to draw us to God and to provide for us with the Holy Mysteries (Sacraments). The Devil knows that if they are led away from God's will, the rest of the Body of Christ will fall more easily too. We need to pray and fast for them, supporting them in their struggles to resist these attacks of the Evil One and to grow in holiness.
Friday, October 23
Chapel open all day for prayer
Noon: Roman Catholic Mass followed by our prayer for priests (we pray this prayer and read aloud the names of hundreds of clergy and seminarians every Wed. & Fri.)
4:45 p.m.: The Jesus Prayer in silence
5:00 p.m.: Vespers (Evening Prayer)
9:00 p.m.: Compline (Night Prayer)
The project was largely funded by donations from last year's Bridegroom's Banquet, our annual benefit event. Please help us to make our next project (the interior renovations) a reality by participating in our Virtual Bridegroom's Banquet, Nov. 7! This is a great opportunity for your donation to be doubled! Thank you so much for all of your prayers and support. May everything glorify God!
Also, Mother Gabriella was recently interviewed by Brooke Taylor for her podcast, "The Brooke Taylor Show." The interview aired last week on AM 1260 The Rock in the Cleveland area. Anyone can listen to the interview here!
Last week, Fr. David Stavarz, parochial vicar at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Concord Township, Ohio, made a 52-mile round trip pilgrimage to the monastery with his bicycle to pick up and bring home the icon he commissioned. The icon he requested was Padre Pio, the name he chose as his "priesthood name" which he added on to his name at his ordination to the priesthood last year in June.
Fr. David joined us for 6th Hour in the chapel at noon, lunch, and some conversation before wrapping up his icon carefully in a towel and heading back to his church, carrying the icon in his backpack. Fr. David said he looks forward to growing in his relationship with Padre Pio through this icon. May God bless him and his ministry!
Correction from original post: The original post said that the icon was by the hand of Mother Iliana, but the icon was actually by the hand of Mother Pelahia, a nun from Ukraine who was living with us for several months. Please forgive me (Mother Cecilia)--I wasn't here when it was painted and I got confused!
"The depth of the human heart can't be measured. Its very nature is infinite, as it is rooted in the infinity of God. Your life has full meaning only if you try to discover the depth of your heart, the center of your being.Happy Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God! The Divine Liturgy propers from the Metropolitan Cantor Institute share the following tradition about this feast:
"Tradition relates that the Mother of God died in Jerusalem, after a visit with all of Christ’s apostles. They carried her coffin to the Garden of Gethsemane where it was placed into a tomb. The apostle Thomas came late, and asked that the tomb might be opened so that he could reverence her body. When opened, the tomb was found empty except for the winding sheet."
Mother Cecilia wrote the following poem on her recent 30-day retreat, and would like to share it with you for this feast. Enjoy!
Thomas
July 3, 2020 – Roman Catholic feast of the
Apostle Thomas
Thomas,
perhaps
it wasn’t your fault
that
Jesus came that evening you were away,
stepping
through the locked door,
making
tremble the hearts of the apostles
as
He pierced them with His Holy Spirit
and
peace.
Thomas,
you
traveled the farthest
of
any of these apostles,
having
been expanded by doubt and longing,
seeing
and touching fire;
your
humiliation compelled you
to
love.
Thomas,
what
grief did you feel
when
you arrived late for our Mother’s Dormition?
The
angels flew each apostle to her side,
yet
you alone they carried slowly.
It
was your tears that opened for us her empty tomb
and
our hope.
Sometimes in the Byzantine Tradition we celebrate many things at once. It makes setting up for the services rather complicated, because the liturgical typikon (instruction manual for the daily liturgical services) prescribes that we pray particular sections of the texts for each of the things we are celebrating, but it is a joy to celebrate them all! Today is the 10th Sunday after Pentecost, so we celebrate the Resurrection with joy as we do every Sunday, and it falls during the post-festive period of the Transfiguration, so we continue to celebrate this great feast, and it is the feast of the Apostle Matthias! In honor of St. Matthias, here is a poem written by Sr. Natalia. Enjoy!
Fear of Being Chosen
O Matthias, what did you think,
what did you feel,
when you were beckoned forward?
Did your heart race at the idea
of joining ranks with those eleven?
Eleven different types of broken,
all seeking to be whole.
Did you fear the possibility
of secret brokenness revealed?
And did you also feel
the thrill of sure adventure,
after having seen the ups and downs
of the men whose eyes were now on you?
You’d seen their pain, their dying,
and in your heart felt a pull.
One thing you must have known,
known without a doubt:
being witness to the resurrection
would mean a life of miracles.
And when you heard your name called out,
and reality sunk in,
did you feel that joyful pain of knowing
that all now know that you are His?
Did your thoughts bounce back and forth
between death and resurrection?
And did you steal one more glance
at Joseph Barsabbas
and wonder, “Why not him?”
We hope you enjoy the new issue of our newsletter, Pomegranate Blossoms. This issue shares the fruits of our reflection on the current pandemic situation, in the ways that it has affected the Church and as it has personally affected some of the nuns. We share photos that we received from families who benefited from our "Holy Week and Pascha in the Domestic Church" guide, ideas and resources for praying at home, book recommendations and personal reflections.
Sadly, we need to let you know that the Eparchy of Parma Boys and Girls Camps for the summer of 2020 have been canceled due to the pandemic. An online talk and discussion for teen girls may be scheduled for later in the summer. Check back here or visit www.parma.org for updates. Our hearts go out to all of the teens who had hoped to participate. We love you and we're praying for you! God is with you!
In the spirit of our "Holy Week & Pascha for the Domestic Church" guide, here are some ideas for celebrating the great feast of Pentecost in your domestic church! Even though many of you may now be able to return to celebrating the Divine Liturgy and other services at your parish, there are still plenty of things that you can also do at home to incorporate the celebration of the feast into your daily life and therefore to enjoy a richer experience that permeates your whole being! Isn't that the gift of the Holy Spirit?--to be "everywhere present and filling all things!" May the Holy Spirit fill you with joy!
See our Holy Week & Pascha guide for more information and tips about praying at home."Jesus anointed the eyes of the Man Born Blind, and he was enlightened, professing Jesus to be his Lord. He is an image of our baptisms, when we are enlightened out of darkness by the anointing of the chrism of the Holy Spirit. We remember the salvation of the Man Born Blind and our own enlightenment as we close the Feast of the glorious Resurrection of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ."
A letter by Bishop Aiello of Avellino:
