FEASTDAYS IN THE ORTHODOX YEAR

*(I.) CANONICAL ORDER *1. The period of the Nativity Fast begins on November 15 (the day after the Feast of St. Philip, 14 November) and ends on 24 December.[1] *2. During this period, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, we eat food without oil, but fish is permitted on the other days.[2] *3. By Tradition, the period during which we are …

Our Most Holy Lady, the Ever-Virgin Mary is a wonder and mystery which not even the angels can understand: “Heaven was astonished and the ends of the earth amazed, for God appeared bodily to mankind, and your bosom became broader than the heavens. Therefore, Mother of God, the leaders of the orders of angels and of men magnify you”, writes …

We shall now say something about the present feast. Many celebrate the feastdays and know their designations, but the cause for which they were established they know not. Thus concerning this, that the present feast is called Theophany — everyone knows; but what this is — Theophany, and whether it be one thing or another, they know not. And this …

HOMILY ONE – BY SAINT GREGORY OF NYSSA How lovely is the inspiration exhibited by those who are good, and how sweet is the joy which they disclose! See, we acquire a feast from a feast and grace from grace. Yesterday the Lord of the universe welcomed us whereas today it is the imitator [Stephen] of the Lord. How are …

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvjiVam2HO4] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOMvLRCHkTA] *1. This is the day that gladdened them, the Prophets, Kings, and Priests, for in it were their words fulfilled, and thus were the whole of them indeed performed! *2. For the Virgin this day brought forth Immanuel in Bethlehem. The voice that of old Isaiah spoke, today became reality. *3. He was born there who in writing …

Festal Prologue The official title of this solemn feastday is “The Universal Elevation of the Holy and Life-Giving Cross” (Η Παγκόσμιος  Ύψωσης του Τιμιού & Ζωοποιού Σταυρού); but is better known by its abbreviated titles as the “Elevation” or “Exaltation of the Holy Cross”. It is one of four solemn feasts dedicated to the event of the Crucifixion and the …

Introductory Remarks Within our present-day globalised societies whereby nations and peoples are all closely interlinked it has become common practice to accept the 1st of January as the beginning of a New Year, often ignoring local, cultural, religious or national customs.  However, the origins of this practice, is drawn specifically from the tradition of those who worshipped the sun at …

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS The Feast of the Transfiguration (Metamorphosis) of Our Lord Saviour, Jesus Christ, is one of the major events that took place within the travelling ministry of Christ, and is recorded within the gospels of Matthew (17:1-18), Mark (9:2-8), and Luke (9:28-36). Within the Scriptural narratives of all three cited gospels, the Transfiguration takes place immediately after the recognition …

What is greater than to be called – and to be – the Mother of God – the source of life whom Christ took the humanity that He made divine? St Paul said: ‘if the root is holy, then the branches are also’ (Rom. 11:16). Her body is the bridal-chamber of virginity, the heaven above us, the earth that brings …

“We have seen the True Light; we have received the Heavenly Spirit; we have found the true Faith, in worshipping the indivisible Trinity; for He has saved us”. (Sticheron at Saturday Great Vespers for Pentecost Sunday)  Introductory Remarks The feastday of Pentecost (Greek: Πεντηκοστή, “the Fiftieth [day]”) is one of the prominent feasts within the Orthodox Christian liturgical year which …