An Arabic Byzantine chant of the Hymn of the Nativity. I didn't realize until I listened to this that it is exactly the same melody as Today He who hanged the Earth upon the Waters (from Holy week). And the words are almost the same as well. Gave me goosebumps.
Blessed Nativity. Christ is born! Glorify Him!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Memory Eternal
I also wanted to post a few links about His Eminence Archbishop JOB, Bishop of Chicago and Diocese of the Midwest, who reposed yesterday morning. From what I've read of him, he was a wonderful man who was loved by many.
May his memory be eternal.
Wonderful write up about Archbishop JOB
Biography of his life
Tribute to Archbishop JOB
May his memory be eternal.
Wonderful write up about Archbishop JOB
Biography of his life
Tribute to Archbishop JOB
Sts. Boniface and Aglaida
I found the story of these saints from a Bishop I am friends with on facebook. I thought I'd share it here, as they are some of the saints commemorated today (the 19th) as well as because their story is just very interesting.
Saint Aglaida (Aglae) was a rich Roman woman and carried on an immoral relationship with her slave St Boniface. But they both felt the sting of conscience and they wanted somehow to be cleansed of their sin. And the Lord granted them the possibility to wash away their sin with their blood and to finish their life in repentance.
Aglaida learned that whoever keeps relics of the holy martyrs in the home and venerates them receives great help in gaining salvation. Under their influence, sin is diminished and virtue prevails. She arranged for Boniface to go to the East, where there was a fierce persecution against Christians, and she asked him to bring back the relics of some martyr, who would become a guide and protector for them.
As he was leaving, Boniface laughed and asked, "My lady, if I do not find any relics, and if I myself suffer for Christ, will you accept my body with reverence?" Aglaida scolded him, saying that he was setting off on a sacred mission, but he was not taking it seriously. Boniface pondered her words, and during the whole journey he thought that he was unworthy of touching the bodies of the martyrs.
Arriving in Tarsus, Boniface witnessed the sufferings of the martyrs and his heart was changed. He cried out, "I am also a Christian." He was arrested, tortured, and put to death, then slaves took his body back to Aglaida in Rome.
On the eve of their arrival an angel appeared to Aglaida in her sleep and told her to prepare herself to receive her former slave, now the brother and fellow-servant of the angels. Aglaida summoned the clergy, and she received the holy relics with great reverence. Then she built a church on the site of his grave and dedicated it to the holy martyr. There she enshrined his relics, glorified by numerous miracles. After distributing all her wealth to the poor, she withdrew to a monastery, where she spent fifteen years in repentance, then fell asleep in the Lord. She was buried beside St Boniface. The sins of the one were washed away by his blood, the other was purified by her tears and asceticism. Both were found worthy to appear unsullied before our Lord Jesus Christ, Who desires not the death of a sinner, but that he should turn from his wickedness and live (Ezek. 33:11).
(From http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=103584)
Sts. Boniface and Aglaida pray for us!
Saint Aglaida (Aglae) was a rich Roman woman and carried on an immoral relationship with her slave St Boniface. But they both felt the sting of conscience and they wanted somehow to be cleansed of their sin. And the Lord granted them the possibility to wash away their sin with their blood and to finish their life in repentance.
Aglaida learned that whoever keeps relics of the holy martyrs in the home and venerates them receives great help in gaining salvation. Under their influence, sin is diminished and virtue prevails. She arranged for Boniface to go to the East, where there was a fierce persecution against Christians, and she asked him to bring back the relics of some martyr, who would become a guide and protector for them.
As he was leaving, Boniface laughed and asked, "My lady, if I do not find any relics, and if I myself suffer for Christ, will you accept my body with reverence?" Aglaida scolded him, saying that he was setting off on a sacred mission, but he was not taking it seriously. Boniface pondered her words, and during the whole journey he thought that he was unworthy of touching the bodies of the martyrs.
Arriving in Tarsus, Boniface witnessed the sufferings of the martyrs and his heart was changed. He cried out, "I am also a Christian." He was arrested, tortured, and put to death, then slaves took his body back to Aglaida in Rome.
On the eve of their arrival an angel appeared to Aglaida in her sleep and told her to prepare herself to receive her former slave, now the brother and fellow-servant of the angels. Aglaida summoned the clergy, and she received the holy relics with great reverence. Then she built a church on the site of his grave and dedicated it to the holy martyr. There she enshrined his relics, glorified by numerous miracles. After distributing all her wealth to the poor, she withdrew to a monastery, where she spent fifteen years in repentance, then fell asleep in the Lord. She was buried beside St Boniface. The sins of the one were washed away by his blood, the other was purified by her tears and asceticism. Both were found worthy to appear unsullied before our Lord Jesus Christ, Who desires not the death of a sinner, but that he should turn from his wickedness and live (Ezek. 33:11).
(From http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=103584)
Sts. Boniface and Aglaida pray for us!
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Saying from Elder Epiphanios of Athens
Speak more to God about your children than to your children about God….The soul of the teenager is in a state of an explosion of freedom. This is why it is hard for them to accept counsel. Rather than counseling them continuously and reproaching them again and again, leave the situation to Christ, to the Panagia [Mother of God], and to the Saints, asking that they bring them to reason. (Elder Epiphanios of Athens 1930-1989)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)