Warm hands of children carried me today. My daughter’s fingers in mine, my son’s touch on my face, my students’ hugs. Sorrow is at my door. My grandmother passed away last night. Grandmother Julia married my grandfather eight years after my maternal grandmother passed away. I was eight years old at their wedding. She was …
Tag: Holidays
Advent Begins
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.” Orthodox Advent began yesterday. Just as we take 40 days to prepare for Christ’s death and resurrection at Pascha (Easter), we also take 40 days to prepare for Christ’s birth. So, November 15 is the day we put up our Christmas decorations. (All but our …
Christ is Risen!
And the Angel cried to the Lady full of grace Rejoice! Rejoice! O pure Virgin! Again, I say rejoice! Thy son is risen from His three days in the tomb! With Himself He has raised all the dead. Rejoice, rejoice, O ye people! Shine! Shine! Shine, O new Jerusalem! The glory of the Lord has …
Reflections on Holy Week: The Twelve Passion Gospels
Today He is suspended on a Tree who suspended the earth over the waters. A crown of thorns was placed on the head of the King of angels. He who wore a false purple robe, covered the heavens with clouds. He was smitten who, in the Jordan, delivered Adam. The Groom of the Church was …
Measuring Time
I’ve been thinking a lot about the way humans measure time. My four-year-old daughter, for example, keeps track of the year by the holidays. She knows that October brings Halloween and she’ll get to dress up, then that turkey day, then Christmas, when she’ll get gifts, then Valentine’s day, then her birthday, then Easter, etc. …