My Dad told me those little white spots sometimes found under finger nails represented the number of girlfriends you had, and my Mom said those occasional little tongue bumps came from telling lies … But, a story by Petya Sabinova — HERE — is chock full of similar stuff that (I would guess) many Orthodox, not to mention Southern Baptist parents, ain’t never heard tell of. It’s really, really far from the mark. So bad, in fact, it’s kinda humourous;... Read more

A Liturgical Explanation Saturday of Lazarus – “Having fulfilled Forty Days… we ask to see the Holy Week of Thy Passion.” With these words sung at Vespers of Friday, Lent comes to its end and we enter into the annual commemoration of Christ’s suffering, death and Resurrection. It begins on the Saturday of Lazarus. The double feast of Lazarus’ resurrection and the Entrance of the Lord to Jerusalem (Palm Sunday) is described in liturgical texts as the “beginning of the... Read more

An Interview With A Russian Orthodox Composer: Bishop Hilarion Alfeyev on Music as Prayer ROME, MARCH 5, 2007 – Music in church should be an avenue to deeper prayer, not a distraction, says a Russian Orthodox bishop and composer. His Grace Hilarion Alfeyev, Bishop of Vienna and Austria, is the representative of the Russian Orthodox Church to the European Community. His latest composition, “The Passion According to Matthew,” will be premiered in Moscow on March 27 and then performed in... Read more

The Passion According to Matthew, a symphonic and choral meditation on the Passion of Christ composed by BISHOP HILARION (Alfeyev) of Vienna and Austria will be performed at and broadcast live worldwide from the Auditorium Conciliazione in Rome [today], THURSDAY MARCH 29th . In the U.S. it will be televised on EWTN (Mother Angelica’s “Eternal Word Television Network”) THURSDAY at 2:00PM Central/1:00PM Mountain with an encore performance scheduled for 9:30PM Central/8:30PM Mountain. Check your local listings for the channel number... Read more

Here is one of St. John Chrysostom’s prescriptions for overcoming anxiety and depression. “Our very meeting together daily as we do, and having the benefit of hearing the divine scriptures; and beholding each other; and weeping with each other; and praying, and receiving benedictions, and so departing home, takes off the chief part of our distress.” — On the Statues Image Source Thanks to FWD from Fr Josiah Trenham. Read more

Which do I use, my standards or God’s? What in me is resisting God’s teaching, His guidance, or His correction? What do I believe pleases God in my fasting: limiting food, added prayers, or using these means to grow in love and obedience to Him for keeping His ways? How does my fasting serve my ego, my goals, my needs rather than the Lord’s desires and goals? What of God’s graces do I miss in my self-serving? Do I justify... Read more

‘Ell I’ll be … Click the above link to listen to a piece on the Theotokos that aired recently on National Public Radio. Thanks to FWD from Kasper. Read more

Pastfast, ME – Plans are currently underway for this year’s Lenten Superlative Awards Banquet at St Kismet, Gethsemane Falls. Last year’s gala saw a total of 13 awards being presented to the best and worst participants in the Great Fast. “I think it’s a wonderful way to show our appreciation to those who lead the way,” said long-time member and infrequent faster, Billy Gullible. “Before coming to St Kismet’s, no one recognized my spiritual feats, perfect service attendance, swift prostrations,... Read more

Alice Linsley, now an Orthodox Christian (mentioned HERE), is asked: “What would be your advice to a woman who wants to enter the ministry?” Her answer: H E R E. Read more

Today is celebrated the Great Feast of the Annunciation of the Archangel Gabriel to the Maiden in Nazareth — the beginning of our salvation! Click the above link for the Annunciation podcast on Ancient Faith Radio. Happy Feast & Many Years to the clergy & faithful of Annunciation Cathedral, Houston. Meanwhile … “As we begin with eagerness, O ye faithful, the sixth week of the holy Fast, let is sing a hymn in preparation for the Feast of Palms, to... Read more