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The Holy Orthodox Church of Christ is living and vital. The breath of the Holy Spirit blows through the Church, through her faithful children, the Divine Services, her daily morning and evening prayers, her iconography, through every facet of her worship and praxis. Just as the cycle of daily life sees us through the days, weeks, months and years, so the Church leads us through the liturgical seasons with an edifying cycle of fasts and feasts to help us grow into the fullness of faith in Christ Jesus.
And that Faith is living and active—we do not merely celebrate or commemorate the feasts of Christ, His Most Pure Mother, the Apostles and the Saints. Rather, we mystically enter into the timeless, eternal Day of the Lord in which all these saving events are continually present...
We hope with this page to provide festal resources for the right-believing Orthodox faithful, and for sincere seekers and catechumens, to grow in our most holy faith by ever more deeply immersing ourselves in the Life of Christ and His Church.
May it be blessed! |  Meeting of the Lord in the Temple ~ Feb 2 | Meeting of the Lord in the Temple ~ Feb 2 |
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- Feasts of the Church
- Orthodox Worship
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 Updated January 1, 2010
The Fast of the Nativity is a time of preparation of the soul, an ascetical journey — not as rigorous as Great Lent perhaps, but ascetical still — one that is joyously opposed to the frivolous spirit of the world. From a superb article on Monachos.net:
ARTICLES FROM MONACHOS.NET
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 THE WINTER PASCHA - Fr. Thomas Hopko's classic book of forty meditations for the season of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany, ending with the feast of the Meeting of the Lord in the Temple on the fortieth day after Christ's birth. In the style of his popular book for the paschal fasting season, The Lenten Spring, the author again draws on the biblical readings and liturgical hymns and verses of the season to illumine the way for believers to follow the Church's days of preparation and celebration for the Coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, in human flesh.
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 DAILY MEDITATIONS for the Christmas/Advent Fast and Epiphany Season, by Presvytera Emily Harakas and Fr. Anthony Coniaris. Scripture readings for each day along with select hymns from the Matins, Vespers, the Hours of the Nativity, etc. with a brief Scripture verse and a prayer—all selected by Presbytera Emily Harakas. An inspiring meditation by Fr. Anthony Coniaris for each day is included. This book will help make Advent and Epiphany come alive with meaning. Just one of the many book selections for the Nativity Fast offered by ArchangelsBooks.com.
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 ST HERMAN of ALASKA: His Life and Service - This new, large format publication from St Herman Press (Platina CA) features new information about the life of St Herman (celebrated December 13), and includes the complete Vigil Service for the Saint. 48 pages, with Full-color cover - Only $9.00 from St Herman Press.
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 PREPARE O BETHLEHEM (hardcover), illustrated by Niko Chocheli - The Orthodox Church's hymns of the prefeast and feast of the Nativity of our Lord celebrate and proclaim in word and song the celestial joy of the incarnation. These beloved texts, so wonderfully illustrated by Niko Chocheli, are filled with beauty and power. They tell in a touching way of the all-embracing participation of creatures in the Creator's coming. Only $18 from SVS Press. Nativity Greeting Cards also available.
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- Feasts of the Church
- Orthodox Dogma and Doctrine
- Orthodox Icons
- Orthodox Scripture
- Orthodox Worship
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The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple (Nov 21)Soon after the beginning of the Nativity Fast, the Holy Church celebrates the Feast of the Entrance of the Most-Holy Theotokos into the Temple. Here we encounter the holiness of Mary a small child separated from the world, brought to live in the Temple a life set apart, consecrated, and in a state of intimacy with God, something that all of us are called to be. We also see in this Feast a comparison between the Temple of stone and Mary, the Living Temple the Temple of the Savior, for she will bear God the Word the God-Man in her womb, thus showing herself to be a holier Temple than that at Jerusalem. It is the Living Temple the instrument of the Incarnation which sanctifies the Temple built of stone. Continue reading (Section 3 of the article 'The 12 Great Feasts') . . .
Troparion of the Feast (Tone 4). Today is the prelude of the good will of God, of the preaching of the
salvation of mankind. The Virgin appears in the Temple of Cod, in
anticipation proclaiming Christ to all. Let us rejoice and sing to her:
Rejoice, O divine Fulfillment of the Creator's dispensation! Kontakion of the Feast (Tone 4). The most pure Temple of the Savior; the precious Chamber and Virgin; the
sacred Treasure of the glory of God, is presented today to the house of
the Lord. She brings with her the grace of the Spirit, which the angels
of God do praise. Truly this woman is the Abode of Heaven!
Reading List for the Feasts of the Theotokos:
(Links provided for quick selection and ordering.)
Mary, the Mother of God, Sermons by St. Gregory PalamasCelebration of Faith vol. III: The Virgin Mary by Fr. Alexander SchemmannThe Orthodox Veneration of Mary, the Birthgiver of God, by St. John MaximovichMary - The Untrodden Portal of God by George GabrielOn the Dormition of Mary - Various Patristic Homilies on the Feast, ed. by DaleyOn the Mother of God by Jacob of SerugWider Than Heaven - Eighth Century Homilies on the Mother of God, ed. and translated by Mary Cunningham
|  Manual of Prayer and Praise to the Theotokos, Holy Myrrhbearers Monastery | |
|  The Life of the Virgin Mary, The Theotokos, Holy Apostles Convent | |
|  The Orthodox Veneration of Mary, the Mother of God, by St John Maximovitch | |
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 Kursk-Root Icon of the Theotokos, Sept 8 | Kursk-Root Icon of the Theotokos, Sept 8 |
|  Nativity of the Theotokos, Sept 8 | Nativity of the Theotokos, Sept 8 |
|  Righteous Anna, Sept 9 | Righteous Anna, Sept 9 |
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Added August 31, 2009
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 The Orthodox Veneration of Mary, the Birthgiver of God, by St John Maximovitch | |
|  Icons of the Dormition, from Uncut Mountain Supply | |
|  Mary the Mother of God, Sermons by St Gregory Palamas | |
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Updated July 27, 2009
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