Orthodox Action

Skellig Michael is more than just a Jedi Hang-Out

2017-12-26T16:02:00.001-05:00

Star Wars fans may recognize this scene, but it is a long-ago community for Celtic Monastics. Here is a piece I did on that place 10 years ago in my book CAIRN-SPACE:

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Skellig Michael (Michael’s rock) is an island on which a Celtic monastic community was founded in the seventh century, AD. The remoteness and barrenness of the island – seven miles out at sea - are a living physical definition of silence and stillness.
For six hundred years, Celtic monks lived in clochans (stone beehive shaped huts) nestled above the cliff walls of the island.

They were 714 feet above sea level. Like most Celtic monks, they endured the austere ruggedness required of island life. They saw it as an image of the true arena for the spiritual athlete. Battling the monstrous forces of the Norseman was one of the many hardships they faced. Weather was another. Obtaining food yet another. They always battled the stillness and the silence.

The spiritual journey is not easy. The Celtic monks did not shy away from difficulty. They knew it was a battle until the end.
There is some resonance here for the one who battles with the sacred cairns of silence and stillness. If you believe the spiritual life should be easy, you will probably not accept the connection of the pious life with the image of Skellig Michael. If you understand the call of the monks on Skellig Michael, you will probably be willing to give “hesychia” a go.

Perched in the open heat of the Atlantic Ocean, Irish monks – Saint Patrick himself – were said to have done battle with serpents and dragons. It is told that the Archangel Saint Michael joined up with Patrick on the island to aid in the struggle; putting an end to the enemy. Hence the name: Michael’s Rock.
The lore of snakes and demons are beyond commonplace in the lives of the early Christian monks both here and in the deserts.

The imaginations of the heart and mind that crawl out of the cairns of silence and stillness are no less snakes and demons than the ones the monks battled long ago. Anyone attempting to sit quietly knows this.

I often wonder if it is the Adversary we are battling within our lives; or, if we are battling against the call of opportunity from the Holy Spirit. Sure, the Adversary may be the one tempting us into following the mutant trail of arisings in our prayer life, but perhaps these arisings have been allowed by God to give us opportunities to grow. Maybe this is the meaning behind the story of Job. We always have a choice of how we respond to the things that arise in life. How we respond will surely change the neural hardwiring of how we receive life’s arisings in the future.

The image of desolation and isolation is the image of death, silence, stillness, the desert, the Skelligs, Mount Athos, and ultimately the image of the human heart. It is the great place of being alone with the Alone. This is why the spiritual journey is taken up in the desert and the remote places. It is in these places that we discover an energy that is most often left untapped – an energy that is below the surface. People have always known the desert and desolate places to be a cairn for the spiritual life.

The fear of unleashing the mighty powers from Pandora’s box is clearly at the root of why the desert energy is left untapped. We fear we may not be able to control whatever it is that emerges. This is an underlying fear of the spiritual life – we may lose everything. We may unleash a force that will overpower us and take everything from us. This fear becomes a reality in the spiritual journey. Entering the heart is entering the center of a mass confluence of forces. Entering the heart is entering the eye of the storm.

There is a quote from the Gnostic Gospel of Thomas that speaks to this fear. It tells us that if we bring forth that which is within us, what we bring forth will save us. But, if we do not bring forth that which is within us, that which we do not bring forth will destroy us (vs. 70).

We must give passage to the arisings in our hearts and minds. We give passage by acknowledging that they have come forth from within us. We return to our practice to align ourselves with health. The stuff that is coming out of us is coming out of us for a reason. Hiding it or hiding from it is not the answer.

We forget that behind the angels, and demons, and Adversary of the desert is the LORD of all. The Supreme God of life. No demon, or Adversary, or angel for that matter, gains access to us unless God allows this. The things that emerge are known to the Father of Lights. If they come forth, it is so we may be free of them.

We are ultimately asked to yield and surrender to the force from the desert. This force, which is in fact not the Adversary as had we expected, but God Himself, is using the Adversary to purify us. The angels and demons must be brought forth so we may attain to God.

The goal of the spiritual life is hidden in this power of yielding to God. Bonhoeffer alluded to this when he said, “When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die.” (Cost of Discipleship). We are to die to our preconceived notions of our self. We must die to the old self. We must die in the purification of the heart.

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In cold-war America, the deserts were turned into testing grounds for nuclear devices. Men ran into the sand to test their ability to destroy everything. They unleashed the Armageddon potentiality hidden in the atoms of life. Trampling down all life with death. Immense forces are unleashed in the desert. That means we were unleashing an awesome power toward destruction into our hearts. These were perilous times.

It would appear there is some archetypal acknowledgement that the solitude of the desert is charged with energy, filled with power. Thomas Merton pointed this out to us wonderfully in his book “Thoughts in Solitude”. There is a power in the wilderness of the heart that is greater than we can imagine. The heart is the eye of the storm.

The desert calls us into life on the edge – on the edge of living and dying. God, man, angels, the Adversary, and demons are all in the desert. A place God goes to meet man. A place man goes to meet God. It is a place for which most men have found no use. Except for the ascetics. Except for the “world-destroyers” (reference Oppenheimer’s quote: "Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds." – Bhagavad Gita). The desert is the heart. The heart is the eye of the storm.

Life in the desert is the ultimate grazing place for the ravenous spirit of man and the demons. One may not go into the desert with matted hair and a grizzled appearance. One surely finds them there.

The desert is the great equalizer. All mountains are brought down low, all valleys are filled-in. This is the experience of raw encounter and wrestling with the Divine. God changes us in the desert, even if the desert is a small place in the home and in the heart of the believer. Power, great power is in the desert of the human heart.

What is produced in the desert is a crystallized form of humanity. The surplus of life is boiled away in the encounter and wrestling of the monastic with God. When we analyze the literature that comes from the throngs at Sketis and Nitria we find a body of literature that resembles the haiku or koan. Their words are concise. What they teach us is the ability to reduce things to manageable sizes. Massive concepts and theories are reduced to truncated statements and actions.

The sayings attributed to the Mothers and Fathers of the desert – in the Apophthegmata Patrum - are small in size but mighty in stature. They reveal what is possible for humanity when it removes all barriers to thought-action. When we remove all of the extra words about God, we are left with powerful doses of Divine Meetings. These meetings change us deeply. These meetings are cairns in the desert.

These sayings contain an immense number of references to wrestling with God, angels, and demons. There is something about the desert, about the distillation of the process of the heart, that lends itself to wrestling. Jesus did the same when He was in the Desert. Whether God, or angels, or demons, or the Satan, the power we find in the desert is conflictual at best. It stimulates wrestling encounters. This is another reason it is hard to sit with silence and stillness – we start wrestling. We are battling for our lives, many times.

The desert experience is about the stripping away of everything that is not spiritual. Because of this barrenness, there is time and space for the angels and demons of our personalities to emerge and battle for our attention. When we live in the Empire, the consumerism and bureaucracy of the landscape repels the inner battle and numbs us from feeling the conflicts of being human.
We struggle to make a go of it in the arena of survival and exchange of goods and services. We can find many things to distract us from the battle to purify our souls. Without the distraction, the heart opens up and reveals what is really hidden within it.

We can expect nothing less when we enter the cave of our heart. We may find solace and unity as we begin the work. But, at some point the cell, prayer closet, and heart will become a refiners fire. We will long to flee it, run for the city, and hide from the processes of isolation: purification, enlightenment, and union. Many do not survive the power of the desert and leave it, or die in its heat.

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There is ample speculation about what the monks of Skellig Michael ate. Some say they tilled the rocky soil, some say they raised rabbits, others say they ate fish, seaweed, and bird eggs. I would venture a guess that the “pragmatic monk” (should there have been one on the island) ate whatever was available - whenever it was available. They ate whatever arose.

Look at our biblical narratives about feeding in the desert. Moses and the Israelites ate manna from heaven. Elijah the Tishbite at food dropped off by God’s ravens. Jesus was given the chance to eat stones, John ate locust and honey. Pragmatic.

The work of the heart produces food for the journey. It may not be a sumptuous feast. It may be food that spoils if it is kept in jars for more than a day. The heart produces food; something always arises. Pragmatic.

I remember a powerful story emerging from one of my days of sitting at the cairn of my heart. Memories of my childhood and being left alone in the upstairs to sleep without anyone else up there arose and littered my vista. I remembered the crying out I did for someone to come and sit with me. What a feast that was. My heart gave voice to the depths of my soul: we all long for companionship – even God. I learned to acknowledge the aloneness I had felt as a child.

It took me a while to come to see this experience as nourishing, but in the end it became the fuel that enabled me to live through experiences of isolation, hoping for the redemption of community. It gave me eyes to see and ears to hear the cry of the poor and abandoned. We all long for companionship.
This is the kind of grist that is milled in the heart. This is what we walk away from the desert learning and knowing. These morsels are not always happy thoughts, but they are nourishment for the journey. These are the notions that enable us to understand the call of evangelism.

Evangelism is about helping people address the aloneness of human life. Evangelism exists somewhere between the notion that God is with us, and that when Jesus was alone and in prison we visited Him.

We have to learn to eat what arises.

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There are many practices we can engage in our cairn-space. As we first sit to settle and focus ourselves, we should look to do something that will point us into the silence and stillness with some direction.

I have already mentioned simple prayers, prayer services, or the Psalms. The words of these venues give our heart something to latch onto as we enter the stillness of “hesychia”. If we are reading a Psalm, it may say something about “hiding in the shadow of His wings”. This thought and feeling become a natural image to hold onto as we experience the stillness. We may sense ourselves hidden in God. We may long for the feeling of being held.

There are other practices as well. We can write in a journal and read back what we have written. Then we can sit with the residue of those words. We can read a scripture over and over; listening for the words that jump out at us and speak to us (lectio divina). We may try visualizations - reading a portion of the Gospel stories and inserting ourselves as one or all of the characters.

The key is that we do the practice and then sit with the residues left with us, trusting the Spirit to do a good work in us. Ultimately, the Fathers felt that we should move from this form of imaging and imagination to the utter emptiness of meeting God without image and without word. But, this is a process on a continuum. We must first be able to regulate our stillness through the use of images and imagination.

These radical experiences of emptiness and quiet stillness are experiences that defy the beginner and are surely not something we will encounter for some time. They are gifts that we will be given when we put ourselves to the regular task of wrestling. So at first, we should hold on to something we have taken from our practice.

We may imagine ourselves as the one who gathered all he had and sold it so he could buy a field that held a single pearl of great price. We may visualize ourselves as the woman with an issue of blood that reached through the crowd to touch the hem of Christ’s garment. We may offer ourselves as Simon of Cyrene, shouldering the cross for our Jesus as he walked to Golgotha. Wrestling. Wrestling. Wrestling.

We should have some imagining to hold on to. When the arisings come we go back to the practice. The arisings may take the form of a thought that says, “You don’t need to buy the field, you can just visit it.” Return to the practice. The arisings may take the form of a thought that says, “You’re not as bad off as the woman with an issue of blood.” Return to the practice. Whatever comes forth to distract you from sitting in stillness with the residue of your practice, acknowledge it, and return to your practice.

What is happening in the process of practice and stillness is that we are using images to settle us. We notice an arising and we return to the simple prayer practice that we have begun. Regardless of the practice, the prayers we offer are filled with images that our mind and heart will connect to. This will help us refocus in order to settle down. It will rebuild a path into the stillness of the neural desert.

If we pray a Psalm, our mind will create snapshots of the things in the Psalm that we are reading – images – and we will settle into these. For example if we pray, “As the deer pants for water, so my soul longs for Thee” (Psalm, xlii, 1), we will make an interior image of a thirsty deer and visually connect it with ourselves. Then we approach the stillness with the residue of this image. An arising of thought or emotion may try to lead us off the trail, and so we acknowledge it and we return to our practice and create another focusing image.
In this way we move from imaging to imagelessness. It takes time, but this is the pattern. The heart and the mind work together in the process. The repetition of the process is actually hardwiring the practice into our neural pathways.

The mind often creates the interior image and the heart attaches feeling and impressions to that image. Eventually the heart and mind will cease needing images to settle into silent stillness.

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Most of the monks of the desert or island cairn-space tended to go the journey alone. They still submitted their hearts to an elder for correction. They spoke about what they discovered in their heart with another cairn-builder. This was purposeful.

The intention behind sharing our heart-stuff is having someone else preview the inner process with us. We may begin to feel proud because of our experiences. The fellow journeyman will tell us to be careful of pride. We may find despair or loneliness in the pilgrimage. The fellow journeyman will tell us to be strong and of good cheer. We would go mad if we did not submit our inner process to the community of cairn-builders.

It is a good idea to have a group to share experiences with. This is perhaps the greatest call before the modern Church. Can we produce small “gatherings” (“ekklesia”)– that can be therapeutic communities administering the medicine of the Spirit. Can we grow communities of vulnerable togetherness before God? Can the Church learn the lost art of therapy?

The stories from the “Sayings of the Fathers” remind us of the value of shared experience. In them, we find examples that the shared cairn-experience produces fruit in many, not just one.
The story was shared about Abba Isidore that one day he went to the market to sell the baskets he had made. As he approached the market, anger welled up inside him. He told the journey-folk that he dropped everything and fled because of the anger. He felt all his work had come undone. His distress got the better of him and the distraction of failure won out.

Without the sharing of these tales, the journey-folk would not have seen the value of the struggle. Abba Isidore was reminding them that all we work for could perish in an instant. We could lose all we have established in us; it is possible. He lost hope because of what arose, but he shared this openly so others could learn from his hopelessness. This is why we must collaborate on the journey. Go into the Alone, but bring that experience back to the community.

Abba Isidore is also reminding us that the experiences of the heart do not cinche things up for good. Having heart experiences does not mean we are perfect. Sanctification (or “theosis” in the Eastern Church) is a process, not an event.

We must approach the heart everyday and listen for that day’s wealth, for that day’s arisings. The manna in the wilderness molded if the Jews tried to hoard it for another day’s food. There was no stockpiling of manna. So too, there is no stockpiling of cairn-experience. We go it anew, each and everyday. We have the neural circuitry to enhance the travel, but we must start anew each day.

You would be mistaken to believe that the words here in this book will give you a solid platform on which to stand for the rest of your days. There is one thing that can do that, that is the One. We must approach Him afresh at every opportunity. Like the man who said that he would tear down his barns to build bigger ones to store more for the future; our lives may be required of us this night. Burn down your barns in your mind before you go to sleep.

Give us this day our daily manna. Pragmatic cairn-builders eat whatever is available, when it is available. This is the wisdom of insecurity for our current age of anxiety.

from CAIRN-SPACE: https://wipfandstock.com/cairn-space.html

Words about No Words

2017-07-03T14:52:00.003-04:00

Everyone gets the irony of words about silence. You see the title, and you chuckle.

The issues - like in any Zen Koan - lay deeper than that surface observation and are entwined and entangled with everything that is. This is precisely what make's Maggie Ross's book "Silence: A User's Guide" so very auspicious. Like the sword that cut the Gordian knot, she has taken us swiftly to the heart of the matter.

Not only does she help us see the vast landscape of inner processes and aggregates, she gives us new ways to hold onto previous knowledge we bring to the subject. Left brain and right brain are brought into our conversation early on. Self-consciousness and deep mind are added to the mix. Maggie paints for us - just this side of poetry - a vista of simple complexity that opens the mind to the wonder in a grain of sand. The one that is in the very far corner of this landscape she has given us. She focuses us again and again in a way that keeps us from plunging down any one rabbit hole for the answer and reminds us that answers are always beyond the beyond.

But, you get the sense from this work that you can really plunge into the stillness of silence and still define its edges while not stepping past them. You can hallow its precincts with words that are so very light they are transparent and do not block nor encumber the view.

If you will partner with her in the journey, she will give you space to figure out the vastness of the topic. For, is not silence as expansive as the universe is wide. While we may have a low-grade hum that is itself ever present in time and space as – I believe she says – a “b-flat”; is not the very constant presence of that thing itself a stillness and a platform upon which all silence is itself silent. And, there is the thing. Maggie walks us into riddles and lets us know that there is no one answer that defines “suchness”. Conundrum is closer to truth than matter.

I have seen the reviews that others have given Maggie's piece and I believe their words speak outside of the framework from within which Maggie is herself speaking. The richness of her understanding of the philosophical underpinnings of the conversations concerning silence, and the patristic pronouncements of formation and direction that she eschews from the desert fathers and mothers, start in medias res and move forward at a rather fair clip. While anyone can grab hold of the book and join the conversation about silence, you better be prepared to do your homework on areas she inclines to point you toward going in her fast paced conversation.

I love that she spends a whole section of the book talking about the language or words we use in our conversations about silence. While she does grab hold of a whole lexicon worth our review, there are a few terms I wish she would add. Theoria and perhaps diakrisis and nepsis could be added. She leans into the deep headwaters of the Eastern Christian Tradition on silence and I think these words could help sustain some hunger in people for obtaining more in days ahead. But, all in all, this is a masterful guidebook on the issues.

The true work of silence is really the eternal recreation of creation; the becoming new of the person (and of course the cosmos as well). Transformation and transfiguration reveal the presence of the depth work that silence avails. And, clearly this is where silence is apt to take us when we have encountered it as either neophyte or awakened-one; to the path of wholeness.

Pushing silence out of our lives has fragmented human existence, experience, and rent our being asunder. Some find Maggie’s conversation about the damaging influences of the modern age upon our psyche and our soul to be harsh. For me, it sits quite nicely where it belongs – a truth hard to hear.

Maggie's conversation about deep-mind is an extension of - for me - the conversation about deep-imagery in poetry. It resonates with thinkers used to integrating the presence of the neo-cortex into the life of humanity. In this instance it is the value of the neo-cortex in humans to help us integrate the nature, and process of silence into all our life. It is a higher function of human beings – an executive function. Higher than reptilian "reaction" to life and threats; higher also than mammalian "nurturing" of intimacy and bonding.

Silence is the ground upon which we stand to gain a vantage point on existence; and from within which we move and have our being. But, that being said, it is not just an organ of discrimination and healing, it is the very place where our highest functioning as humans with a neo-cortex let go into the world of the spirit. The place of taking a leap – the place of pure AWARENESS.

This is why Maggie's conversation draws reference on many occasions to Jane Hirshfield's Nine Gates: Entering the Mind of Poetry. It is about mind. It is about heart. It is about spirit. And, it is about the place where these all converge and conjoin.

Get the book and read it. You will not be disappointed.

Straight Talk About Death

2017-05-04T19:28:00.003-04:00

What we need are more books about death that are conversational. This one is just that. You will not find any jargon or catch phrases or medical-gobbledygook here. This is straight forward conversations about what goes on in and around the dying. J.I. Willett has given us plain talk about death.

The book begins and ends with a poem - which as a poet, I love. But the meat of the book concerns our options for who we are, and become while we are going through the dying process. What kind of character do we want to become? Will we focus on the present? Will we be patient with the process? Will we act the martyr? All of this is a part of the dialogue our author brings to us - as if sitting across a table in a Parisian cafe and just chatting about our art.

It is something we should read if we have been given a terminal diagnosis - or someone we love has. But, it is also a good book for helping us to integrate the idea that we will someday die into our current life.

Don't wait. Read this today.

GIVE to EOTC and help Individuals/Families GROW

2016-12-17T08:16:00.001-05:00

EOTC has my vote this holiday season for PLANNED GIVING. As a recently appointed board member for EOTC I would like to raise some funds for our program. The supports offered to individuals/families and their growth is broad. (CLICK on the DONATE Button to the right of this post).

Won't you join me? A brief description of services is below. A more thorough look at the details of service is below that.

Workforce Development
Parent-Child Services
Court-Related Programs
Reentry Initiatives
Community Collaboration

The services provided through the dedicate teams at EOTC reach deep into the need of the community for stability, independence, and growth. Helping individuals and families land on their feet and stay there are in the backdrop of all our serving.

You can reach out and donate to our work by CLICKING HERE and you can add EOTC to your Amazon Smile by CLICKING HERE

ABOUT EOTC From the Executive Director

EOTC is a welcoming place, a gathering place, a safe place … A center for Advancing Families.

EOTC offers strengths-based support, respect, acceptance, perseverance,excellence, inter-dependence … With a focus on Advancing Families.

EOTC is looking toward the future of our community … And, Advancing Families. Our life experiences shape who we are and what we become. Where do individuals and families go to learn and experience life differently when they did not have the best of circumstances or support?

EOTC’s mission is driven toward enhancing the lives of those in our community through evidenced-based programs and services that encourage family stability and economic self-sufficiency. We believe that there is value and potential in every person. We believe in building trusting relationships in any stage of our lives that carry us through the journey that lies ahead. We believe through Advancing Families, our community can enjoy a better, brighter tomorrow!

EOTC welcomes YOU to join us in our mission in promoting family stability and economic self-sufficiency! (from www.eotc.org)

- Linda A. Ciampi, M.C.Ed. / Executive Director

A DETAIL of the programs made available through EOTC:

1. Workforce Development

EOTC introduced the community’s first employment program for single parent/displaced homemakers and the region’s first open-entry career center for dislocated workers. Recognized as a top performer by Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, EOTC was also selected by the National League of Cities to pilot a Transitional Jobs model. Today, EOTC assists unemployed and under-employed individuals of all backgrounds,particularly those with multiple barriers to employment.

Job Search Support

EOTC offers life skills and personal development for individuals seeking to obtain or upgrade employment. Job Search Group meets Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. and serves as a weekly, open-entry access point to assist any job seeker. Examples of services: Customized resumes and interview preparation Career advising and coaching for job success Computer lab to support job readiness and job search

Fatherhood Initiative

EOTC‘s Responsible Fatherhood programming includes group and individual services to promote job readiness, responsible parenting, and healthy child/family relationships.

2. Parent-Child Services

EOTC promotes child development and strengthens families through early child screenings, pre-kindergarten activities, parenting classes and intervention for families with critical needs. For information, contact the EOTC Scranton Area Family Center at 348-6484.

Parents as Teachers/Early Head Start

Parents as Teachers is the flagship curriculum for Pennsylvania Family Centers. Certified specialists work with parents during the early critical years of their children’s lives, from conception to kindergarten. Parents as Teachers home visits emphasize positive parenting, school readiness, and overall family well-being. Activities include guided parent-child interaction, healthy development screenings, and information/referral. Through a grant from Pennsylvania Children’s Trust Fund, EOTC offers intensive case management services to assist Parents as Teachers participants exhibiting critical needs. Click to learn more about Home Visitation.

Play & Learn Group

This weekly early learning program for young children and their parents encourages socialization and experiential learning through play. Group sessions focus on early literacy and child development, and address relevant parenting topics. The program is funded entirely by local donors.

Incredible Years®

One of the biggest challenges facing parents is to help their children handle strong emotions, particularly negative ones like frustration and anger. The research-based Incredible Years® curriculum helps parents foster their child’s confidence, problem solving abilities and learning skills. Three distinct programs are available to address typical child behavior concerns as well as specialized needs such as autism and hyperactivity. Parents/caretakers of children ages 3-12 are invited to register by calling 348-6484. EOTC offers meals, transportation and childcare to participants.

Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance

EOTC/Scranton Area Family Center is affiliated with Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance, the state’s leading provider of training on how to recognize and report child abuse and neglect.

EOTC works with other state, national and local organizations to promote the safety and well-being of children through research-based prevention and education models. Cost-benefit analyses by the Penn State Prevention Research Center and other researchers reflect that, for every $1.00 spent on high-quality programs, taxpayers receive savings related to child health, education, substance abuse and crime. Penn State researchers found an estimated average return of up to $12 million per community for a single program funded by Pennsylvania taxpayers – from $54 to nearly $80,000 per youth over time.

3. Court-Related Programs

Examples of EOTC programs that help individuals or families affected by court-ordered directives:

Access and Visitation

For parents with child custody issues, EOTC offers supervised visitation for non-custodial parents at the Scranton Area Family Center. Parents and children can meet regularly in a safe, welcoming environment. Adults improve parenting skills and receive help with child support questions.Parent-child bonds are maintained and strengthened.Currently, over 30 families participate in EOTC’s supervised visitation services — benefitting about 90 children. Because of the program, more than 90% of participants reach co-parenting agreements, and child support payments are maintained or increased. Based on EOTC outcomes compared to national supervised visitation expectations, the taxpayer benefit is $3.00 of increased child support for every $1.00 spent for the program.

Time Limited Family Reunification

The Family Reunification program is offered in partnership with Lackawanna County Children and Youth Services, with the goal of finding stable, permanent placement for certain children in the foster care system. EOTC provides intensive case management to assist 34 families each year, benefitting approximately 65 children. EOTC reunification specialists work with the children and their foster families in order to reduce the number of placement moves during foster care. During this period, our specialists also work with parents to help stabilize the family situation, with the hope of reuniting children with their families within 15 months or less. EOTC helps families to address parenting and substance abuse issues, medical and mental health needs, housing and employment, and other concerns that detract from a safe, stable home environment.

Specialized Case Management – Support for Women and Veterans

Each year, EOTC provides life skills and employment services for more than 70 men and women involved in Lackawanna County diversion programs. Working in collaboration with County Treatment Court, the Probation/Parole system and other partners, EOTC provides family-focused assessments, individual case management, job coaching and a safety net of resources. Last year, over half of these former offenders made strides through sobriety and other positive life changes. Over 75 children benefited from their parents’ involvement in these EOTC services.

4. Reentry Initiatives

Life Skills and Job Readiness Training at Lackawanna County Prison

For over 15 years, EOTC has helped prepare former offenders for successful return to the community. The family members of prisoners are encouraged to participate in EOTC’scommunity-based programs. EOTC provides a variety of services inside Lackawanna County Prison including:

Criminogenic Risk Assessments

EOTC provides assessments and recommendations for approximately 1,900 County prisoners annually. Based on assessment, each individual is provided with information on resources for productive return to the community.

Life Skills/Reintegration Classes

Each year more than 600 incarcerated men and women participate in EOTC‘s pre-release program. Classes are voluntary. Programming includes education in drug/alcohol recovery, anger management, employment readiness, healthy relationships and other life-work skills.

Reentry Improvement Initiative is an intensive 45 day pre-release program serving more than 120 men annually. Drawing from evidence-based strategies, the cognitive behavioral course addresses addictions recovery, personal responsibility, parenting, workplace literacy, budgeting and other practical skills for positive transition.

Women-in-Transition Mentoring

EOTC facilitates pre- and post-release programming for more than 150 women annually. In addition to classes in life and work skills, the program includes innovative strategies such as artistic expressions and mentoring. Volunteer community mentors provide supportive relationships to help participants set positive goals and acclimate to the local community.

Post-Release Reintegration

Returning citizens are encouraged to follow-up with program instructors upon release and to participate in services offered at the EOTC Seventh Avenue Center.

Women’s Support Groups meet twice weekly to provide an integrated support system of caring relationships and transitional services that guide and support women returning to the community.

Job Search Support Group meets weekly on Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m.– noon. Our specialists can provide resume assistance, job leads, and other resources to address the complicated issues that arise for men and women during community reentry.

GED Preparation/Educational Tutoring is offered to returning citizens. Individual instruction and practice tests are provided in preparation for the GED exam.

5. Community Collaboration

In its mission to provide vital services to the community, EOTC actively collaborates with other agencies and partners. These cooperative efforts assess community needs, seek consumer input, identify appropriate models, and steer programs and fund development efforts. In addition to serving as managing partner for the collaborative Scranton Area Family Center, EOTC is active on several community boards such as the Lackawanna County Criminal Justice Advisory Board and the Center for Family Engagement (child welfare planning).

Communities That Care

For more than a decade, EOTC has promoted the nationally recognized Communities That Care model for positive youth development. Examples of our work include: facilitation of the PA Youth Survey to help identify community needs; involvement in the County’s anti-truancy initiative; leadership of an interagency consortium to increase the availability of mentoring for at-risk youth; and the replication of research-based violence prevention programs, such as the Incredible Years model.

Child Welfare and Education Initiatives

EOTC is a member of Lackawanna County’s Success by Six coalition, the Drug and Alcohol Commission’s service improvement team, the Interagency Council and similar strategic efforts. The agency spearheads efforts to proliferate effective programs. For example, EOTC facilitated training for area case workers to learn Family-Group

Decision Making, a strategy that helps families overcome challenging issues such as reunification after a child’s foster care placement.

Special Court Case Management Teams

EOTC works collaboratively with cross-agency teams supporting Lackawanna County Court initiatives, including Treatment Court, Mental Health Court and Intensive Reunification Court (dependency cases). In addition to providing case management services for individuals and families referred by the Court, EOTC responds with innovative group programs such as a new Women’s Transition program offered in collaboration with the County Treatment Court.

from www.eotcworks.org

New Book on Saint Tikhon of Moscow

2016-07-25T17:47:00.001-04:00

As a student of history and an author, I know the deep value of having access to primary sources in order to piece together timelines, articles, essays, content, and chapters for biographies, articles, treatises, and other secondary sources. This current volume begins there and is a sensational repository of vital primary source material of the life of Saint Tikhon of Moscow, but also of the early days of Orthodoxy in America. Both history and spirit. To have it set free from its original tongue into English has long been awaited, but is now complete and in an exemplary fashion. One to be expected from the fine array of scholars put to the task and labors of such a project. Thank you all.

But, even more finely arrayed all along the reading of this genuine tapestry of patristic love and devotion are vignette after vignette of paternal tenderness and counsel. The use of scripture in these Arch Pastoral homilies and renderings for the flock is so rich and full of Old and New Testament and Apostolic urgings for the people of God, that it should put to rest all Protestant complaints that Orthodoxy is weak in its application of scripture. Reading these words one gets the genuine sense that Saint Tikhon of Moscow is not only familiar with the scriptures, but that the shepherd like tenderness that he uses to keep the flock moving ahead and safe is genuinely a part of his depths and not just tacked on in the sermons. His use of the Canon only amplifies his love for his flock - a genuine proof to his sanctity. That we are able to read it, contemplate it, meditate on it and do so in the very sacred precincts and on the holy soil upon which he stood here in America is only cream on the surface - on the surface of such wonder.

Of sweet joy to all who have stood on the ground of the monastery and church will be the address to those gathered at the Consecration of Saint Tikhon's Monastery and Church on 17/30 May 1906. Pure honey.

For all students of history, all theologians of the American Orthodox scene, and all people with a genuine heart for the gentle firmness of a pastoral saint - this book is a must.

Order at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/St-Tikhon-Moscow-Instructions-Teachings-ebook/dp/B01IQFTO0W

Dreaming Pop-pop - A storybook helping children through GRIEF

2015-09-26T20:56:00.004-04:00

Johnson-Medland & Sons Booksellers releases "DREAMING POP-POP", today. Our first book published by Johnson-Medland & Sons Booksellers.

The book was written through the process of healing with our boys after the loss of my dad 14 years ago. The storybook leads kids through their dreams and feelings of loss; helping them to use journaling and transference objects to make sense of the feelings of being lost in our loss.

From the Site:

Losing loved ones is a difficult part of being human. We spend our days lauding the many acts of love that enable us to grow closer to each other - we value community and growing in intimacy.

When we lose someone we love we feel the subtle tearing away of the countless bonds between our hearts. It is not easy to interpret what is going on - even as adults. Helping children to know what is going on amid grief can feel that much harder.

This simple book talks about a child's dreams, drawings, pictures, memory box and a process of healing that is aided by his parents, a Social Worker, and his school Guidance Counselor. It reveals a concrete way of looking at the feelings that emerge amid grief and loss by implementing the tools of journaling, gathering of transference objects, and talking things through with those around us.

This book challenges us to remember those we love and integrate our losses with our memories, our feelings, our hopes and our dreams. Join this child as he implements some rudimentary methods for processing grief.

ORDER HERE: https://payhip.com/b/AKbz

A Kenyan Orphanage Could Use Your Help

2015-07-04T12:59:00.004-04:00

Dear Friends,

There is an Orthodox Church in Kenya led by Father Mark Mwangi Kibui and his wife Presvytera Alice Mwangi that are housing orphans on site and they are looking for some church sponsors here in the US and abroad to help them with these children. If your church, your organization, or you yourself are looking for a sister organization to partner with to relieve suffering, I would reach out to this couple.

I know in this day and age the internet scams coming out of Africa are many, so I have reached out to the Patriarchate of Alexandria (under the Greek Orthodox Church) and have established a process where the funds can be sent to the Greek Orthodox Church via Athens and then dispersed to the orphanage in Kenya from there.

This level of legitimacy should help you feel secure in your donations. I have the accounts of the Patriarchate of Alexandria on file and would be glad to furnish them to you or your organization to help Father Mark and Presvytera Alice.

Ideally they would like to have people sponsor the orphans schooling at the local private school. This can be arranged directly by contacting them on facebook and then getting an email to them for private conversations.

These folks are genuinely compassionate and loving people and the children are in great need. Information on them can also be found at this website. It gives a little fuller view of these servants of God.

http://orthodox.fund/2014/12/11/orthodox-africa-father-mwangis-orphanage/

Contribute here https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/7122l0?utm_campaign=story-update&utm_medium=email&utm_source=09-2015 at this reputable Organization or at the Alexandrian Patriarchate below.

Patriarchate of Alexandria's Accounts for donations:

Saint Mary of Egypt

2014-04-12T20:02:00.001-04:00

St. Mary, who is known as Mary of Egypt, lived in the middle of the fifth century and at the beginning of the sixth century. Her youth did not presage anything good. Mary was twelve years old when she left her home for the city of Alexandria. Being free of parental oversight, young and inexperienced, Mary was allured by a life of depravity. There was no one to stop her on the way to perdition, and there were not a few temptations. Thus, for seventeen years Mary lived in sin, until the merciful Lord turned her to repentance.

It happened thus. By coincidence, Mary joined a group of pilgrims bound for the Holy Land. While sailing with the pilgrims on the ship, Mary did not cease from seducing men and sinning. On getting to Jerusalem, she joined the pilgrims who were heading for the Church of Christ's Resurrection.

People were entering the church in an large throng, but Mary was stopped at the entrance by an invisible hand and could not by any efforts enter it. Here she understood that the Lord was not permitting her to enter into the holy place because of her impurity.

Seized by horror and a feeling of profound repentance, she began to entreat God to forgive her sins, promising to radically correct her life. Seeing an icon of the Mother of God at the entrance of the church, Mary began to beg the Divine Mother to plead for her before God. After this, she immediately felt a clearing up in her soul and entered the church unhindered. Having poured out abundant tears at the Lord's Tomb, she went out of the church a completely different person.

Mary fulfilled her promise to change her life. From Jerusalem, she withdrew into the harsh and barren Jordanian Desert, and there spent almost half a century in complete solitude, in fasting and prayer. Thus, by severe ascetic feats, Mary of Egypt completely eradicated in herself all sinful desires and made her heart a pure temple of the Holy Spirit.

The Elder Zosima, who lived in the Jordanian Monastery of the Prophet John the Forerunner, was deemed worthy, by God's providence, to meet Venerable Mary in the desert, when she was already an extremely old woman. He was struck by her holiness and gift of clairvoyance. He saw her once during prayer as if raised up above the earth, and another time walking over the river Jordan, as if on dry land.

In parting with Zosima, Venerable Mary asked him to come again to the desert in a year to give her Communion. The Elder returned at the appointed time and gave Venerable Mary Communion of the Holy Mysteries. Then, when he went into the desert after another year in the hope of seeing the Saint, he did not find her among the living.

The Elder buried the remains of Venerable Mary there in the desert. In this a lion helped him, who dug a hole with his claws for burying the body of the righteous one. She died in the year 521.

Thus, from a great sinner, Venerable Mary became, with God's help, a very great saint and left such a striking example of repentance. Her memory is marked on the 1st of April (according to the Church calendar) and on the Fifth Sunday of Great Lent.

from: glory2godforallthings.com

Akathist for the Departed

2014-04-10T20:55:00.000-04:00

Akathist for the Repose of Those Who have Fallen Asleep

Kontakion 1

O Thou Who by Thine inscrutable providence didst prepare the world for eternal blessedness and Who appointest times and seasons and the manner of our end: Forgive, O Lord, those who have died in past ages all their sins, receive them into the realms of light and joy, hasten to open Thy fatherly arms to them, and hear us who celebrate their memory and sing:

O Lord of unutterable Love, remember Thy servants who have fallen asleep.

Ikos 1

O Thou Who savest Adam and the whole human race from eternal perdition, Thou didst send Thy Son into the world, O good God, and by His Cross and Resurrection Thou hast granted us also eternal life. Trusting to Thine infinite mercy, we look for the deathless Kingdom of Thy glory, we implore Thee to grant it to those who have fallen asleep, and we pray: Gladden, O Lord, souls wearied by the storms of life, that earth’s sorrows and sighings may not bury them in oblivion. Hear them, O Lord, in Thy bosom, as a mother responds to her children, and say to them: Your sins are forgiven you. Receive them, O Lord, into Thy calm and blessed haven that they may rejoice in Thy divine glory.

O Lord of unutterable Love, remember Thy servants who have fallen asleep.

Kontakion 2

Enlightened by the illumination of the Most High, Saint Macarius heard a voice from a pagan skull: “When you pray for those suffering in hades, there is relief for the heathen.” O wonderful power of Christian prayer, by which even the infernal regions are illumined! Both believers and unbelievers receive comfort when we cry for the whole world: ALLELUIA.

Ikos 2

Saint Isaac the Syrian once said: “A merciful heart is one that burns with love for men and animals and for the whole of creation, and at all times offers prayers with tears that they may be purified and kept.” Likewise we all boldly ask the Lord for help for all the dead from the beginning of time and cry: Send down to us, O Lord, the gift of fervent prayer for the dead. Remember, O Lord, all who have charged us, unworthy as we are, to pray for them, and pardon the sins they have forgotten. Remember, O Lord, all who have been buried without prayer. Receive, O Lord, into Thy dwellings all who have died of sorrow or joy by a sudden or untimely death.

O Lord of unutterable Love, remember Thy servants who have fallen asleep.

Kontakion 3

We are to blame for the calamities in the world, for the sufferings of dumb creatures, and for the diseases and torments of innocent children, for through the fall of man the beatitude and beauty of all creation has been marred. O Christ our God, greatest of innocent sufferers! Thou alone canst forgive all. Forgive, then, all and everything, and grant to the world its primordial prosperity, that the living and the dead may rejoice and cry: ALLELUIA.

Ikos 3

O joyful Light, Redeemer of the world, embracing the whole universe with Thy love: behold, Thy cry from the Cross for Thine enemies is heard: “Father, forgive them ” In the name of Thy all-forgiving love we make bold to pray to our Heavenly Father for the eternal repose of Thy enemies and ours. Forgive, O Lord, those who have shed innocent blood, those who have sown the path of our life with sorrows, those who have waded to prosperity through the tears of their neighbors. Condemn not, O Lord, those who persecute us with slander and malice. Repay with mercy those whom we have wronged or offended through ignorance, and grant that our prayer for them may be holy through the sacrament of reconciliation.

O Lord of unutterable Love, remember Thy servants who have fallen asleep.

Kontakion 4

Save, O Lord, those who have died in grievous sufferings, those who were murdered, those buried alive, those who were drowned or burned, those who were torn by wild beasts, those who died of hunger or cold, from exposure in storms, or by falling from heights, and grant them all eternal joy for the sorrow of their death.. May the time of their suffering be blessed as a day of redemption, for which they sing: ALLELUIA.

Ikos 4

Recompense with the compassion of Thy infinite love, O Lord, all who have died in the full flush of their youth, who received on earth the thorny crown of suffering, who never experienced earthly joy. Grant recompense to those who died from overwork, through exploitation or sweated labor. Receive, O Lord, into the bridal halls of Paradise boys and girls, and grant them joy at the marriage supper of Thy Son. Comfort and console the grief of parents over their dead children. Give rest, O Lord, to all who have no one to offer prayer for them to Thee, their Creator, that their sins may vanish in the dazzling light of Thy forgiveness.

O Lord of unutterable Love, remember Thy servants who have fallen asleep.

Kontakion 5

Thou hast given us death as a last prodigy to bring us to our senses and to repentance, O Lord. In its threatening light, earthly vanity is exposed, carnal passions and sufferings become subdued, insubmissive reason is humbled. Eternal justice and righteousness opens to our gaze, and then the godless and those burdened with sins confess on their deathbed Thy real and eternal existence and cry to Thy mercy: ALLELUIA.

Ikos 5

O Father of all consolation and comfort, Thou brightenest with the sun, delightest with fruits, and gladdenest with the beauty of the world both Thy friends and enemies. And we believe that even beyond the grave Thy loving kindness, which is merciful even to all rejected sinners, does not fail. We grieve for hardened and wicked blasphemers of Thy holiness. May Thy saving and gracious will be over them. Forgive, O Lord, those who have died without repentance. Save those who have committed suicide in the darkness of their mind, that the flame of their sinfulness may be extinguished in the ocean of Thy grace.

O Lord of unutterable Love, remember Thy servants who have fallen asleep.

Kontakion 6

Terrible is the darkness of a soul separated from God, the torments of conscience, the gnashing of teeth, the unquenchable fire and the undying worm. I tremble at the thought of such a fate, and I pray for those suffering in hades as for myself. May our song descend upon them as refreshing dew as we sing: ALLELUIA.

Ikos 6

Thy light, O Christ our God, has shone upon those sitting in the darkness and shadow of death and those in hades who cannot cry to Thee. Descend into the infernal regions of the earth, O Lord, and bring out into the joy of grace Thy children who have been separated from Thee by sin but who have not rejected Thee. For they suffer cruelly. Have mercy on them. For they sinned against Heaven and before Thee, and their sins are infinitely grievous, and Thy mercy is infinite. Visit the bitter misery of souls separated from Thee. Have mercy, O Lord, on those who hated the truth out of ignorance. May Thy love be to them not a consuming fire but the coolness of Paradise:

O Lord of unutterable Love, remember Thy servants who have fallen asleep.

Kontakion 7

Endeavoring to give help by Thy might power to Thy servants who have fallen asleep, Thou hast appeared to their loved ones, O Lord, in mysterious visions clearly inspiring them to pray, that they may remember the departed, and do good works and labors of faith and love for them, crying: ALLELUIA.

Ikos 7

The universal Church of Christ unceasingly offers prayers every hour for the departed throughout the world, for the sins of the world are washed away by the most pure Blood of Thy divine crown, and the souls of those who have fallen asleep are translated from death to life and from earth to Heaven by the power of the prayers offered for them at God’s altars. May the intercession of the Church for the dead, O Lord, be a ladder to Heaven. Have mercy on them, O Lord, through the intercession of the most holy Mother of God and all the Saints. Forgive them their sins for the sake of Thy faithful who cry day and night to Thee. For the sake of innocent children, O Lord, have mercy on their parents, and by the tears of their mothers, forgive the sins of their children. For the sake of the prayers of innocent sufferers and the blood of martyrs, spare and have mercy on sinners. Receive, O Lord, our prayers and alms as a memorial of their virtues.

O Lord of unutterable Love, remember Thy servants who have fallen asleep.

Kontakion 8

The whole world is a sacred and common graveyard, for in every place is the dust of our fathers and brothers. O Christ our God, Who alone unchangeably lovest us, forgive all who have died from the beginning till now, that they may sing with infinite love: ALLELUIA.

Ikos 8

The day is coming, as a burning furnace, the great and terrible day of the Last Judgment, when the secrets of men will be revealed and the books of conscience will be torn apart. “Be reconciled with God!’ cries the Apostle Paul. “Be reconciled before that terrible day ” Help us, O Lord, to fill up with the tears of the living what was lacking in the dead. May the sound of the Angel’s trumpet, O Lord, be to them the glad announcement of their salvation and the joyful manumission of their freedom at the hour of Thy judgment. Crown with glory those who have suffered for Thee, O Lord, and cover the sins of the weak with Thy goodness. O Lord, Who knowest all by name, remember those who have sought salvation in the monastic life. Remember the blessed pastors with their spiritual children.

O Lord of unutterable Love, remember Thy servants who have fallen asleep.

Kontakion 9

Bless swiftly passing time. For every hour, every moment brings eternity nearer. A new sorrow, a new gray hair are heralds of the coming world, witnesses of earthly corruption, for all is passing (they tell us) and the Eternal kingdom draws near, where there is no sorrow, no sighing, no tears, but joyful singing: ALLELUIA.

Ikos 9

Just as a tree loses its leaves after a time, so our days after a certain number of years come to an end. The festival of youth fades, the lamp of joy goes out, the alienation and dispossession of old age approaches. Friends and relations die. Where are you, young merrymakers? Their tombs are silent, but their souls are in Thy hand. Let us think how they watch us from the spiritual world. O Lord, Who art the brightest Sun, illumine and warm the abodes of those who have fallen asleep. May the time of our bitter separation pass for ever. Grant us a joyful meeting in Heaven. Grant that all may be one with Thee, O Lord. Restore to the departed, O Lord, the purity of childhood and the genial spirit of youth, and may eternal life be to them a Paschal festival.

O Lord of unutterable Love, remember Thy servants who have fallen asleep.

Kontakion 10

Shedding silent tears at the graves of our relatives, we pray with hope, and cry expectantly: Tell us, O Lord, that their sins are forgiven. Give our spirit a secret assurance of it, that we may sing: ALLELUIA.

Ikos 10

Looking back, I see the whole of our past life. What a vast multitude of people have departed from the first day until now! And many of them have done me good. In gratitude for what I owe them, with love I cry to Thee: Grant heavenly glory, O Lord, to my parents and those near and dear to me who watched over my cradle in childhood, and reared and educated me. Glorify, O Lord, in the presence of the Holy Angels all who have told me the glad tidings of salvation and have taught me what is right and good, just and true by the holy example of their lives. Fill with delight, O Lord, those who fed me on hidden manna in the days of my sorrow and affliction. Recompense and save all benefactors and all who have helped others personally and by prayer.

O Lord of unutterable Love, remember Thy servants who have fallen asleep.

Kontakion 11

O death, where is thy sting? Where is the gloom and terror that held sway in the past? From now on thou art the longed for means of inseparable union with God. Oh, the great peace of the mystical Sabbath! We long to die and to be with Christ, cries the Apostle. Therefore, we too look upon death as the gateway to eternal life, and cry: ALLELUIA.

Ikos 11

The dead will rise and those who are in the graves will stand up, and those who are alive on earth will exult when they stand with their spiritual bodies, radiantly glorious and incorrupt. Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord: “I will bring upon you a spirit of life, and will lay sinews upon you; and I will bring flesh upon you, and cover you with skin ” Rise out of the ancient past, you who are redeemed by the Blood of the Son of God, restored to life by His death, for the light of the Resurrection has dawned upon you. Open to them now, O Lord, the whole abyss of Thy perfections. Thou hast shone upon them with the light of the sun and moon, that they may see the glory of the radiant choirs of Angels, Thou hast delighted them with the magnificence of the heavenly lights of East and West, that they may also see the never-setting light of Thy Divinity.

O Lord of unutterable Love, remember Thy servants who have fallen asleep.

Kontakion 12

Flesh and blood will not inherit the Kingdom of God. While we live in the flesh, we are separated from Christ. And if we die, we live for eternity. For our corruptible body must put on incorruption, and this mortal nature must shine with immortality, that in the light of the eternal day we may sing: ALLELUIA.

Ikos 12

We expect to meet the Lord, we expect the clear dawn of the Resurrection, we expect the rousing from their tombs of our dead relatives and acquaintances and their restoration to the most holy beauty of life. And we rejoice in the coming transfiguration of all creation, and cry to our Creator: O Lord, Who didst create the world for the triumph of joy and goodness, Who hast restored us to holiness from the depths of sin, grant that the dead may reign in the new creation, and may shine as heavenly lights in the day of their glory. May the Divine Lamb be their perpetual light. Grant, O Lord, that we too may celebrate with them a deathless Passover. Unite the dead and the living in unending joy.

O Lord of unutterable Love, remember Thy servants who have fallen asleep.

Kontakion 13

O most merciful and eternal Father, Whose will it is that all should be saved, Who didst send Thy Son to the lost and didst pour out Thy Life-giving Spirit: Have mercy on our relatives and those who are near and dear to us who have fallen asleep, and on all who have died throughout the ages; forgive and save them, and by their intercession visit us, that with them we may shout to Thee, our God and Saviour, the song of victory: ALLELUIA. (3 times)

Then the First Ikos and Kontakion.

Prayer for those who have fallen asleep

O God of spirits and all flesh, Who hast trampled down death, overthrown the devil, and given life to Thy world: Give rest, O Lord, to the souls of Thy servants who have fallen asleep, Patriarchs, Metropolitans, Archbishops, Bishops, Priests and Deacons, Monks and Nuns, and all who have served Thee in Thy Church; the founders of all Churches and Monasteries, and all Orthodox forefathers, fathers, brothers and sisters who lie here and everywhere; officers and men of the armies and navies who have laid down their lives for their Faith and country, all the faithful killed in civil wars, all who were drowned, burned, frozen to death, torn by wild beasts, all who died suddenly without repentance and had no time to be reconciled with the Church and with their enemies; all who took their own lives in a moment of mental unbalance; all who have asked us to pray for them, and those who have no one to pray for them, and all who died without a Christian burial, (NAMES), in a place of light, in a place of refreshment, in a place of repose, whence all suffering, sorrow, and sighing have fled away. Forgive every sin committed by them in thought, word and deed, for Thou art the good God and Lover of men. For there is no one who lives without sinning. Thou alone art without sin, and Thy righteousness in eternal righteousness, and Thy Word is Truth.

For Thou art the Resurrection, the Life, and the Repose of Thy servants who have fallen asleep (NAMES), O Christ our God, and to Thee we send up glory, with Thy Eternal Father, and Thy Holy and Good and Lifegiving Spirit, both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

from: http://saintsilouan.org/

The Prayer of Saint Ephrem the Syrian

2014-04-05T15:30:00.001-04:00

Κύριε καὶ Δέσποτα τῆς ζωῆς μου, πνεῦμα ἀργίας, περιεργίας, φιλαρχίας, καὶ ἀργολογίας μή μοι δῷς.,

Πνεῦμα δὲ σωφροσύνης, ταπεινοφροσύνης, ὑπομονῆς, καὶ ἀγάπης χάρισαί μοι τῷ σῷ δούλῳ.

Ναί, Κύριε Βασιλεῦ, δώρησαι μοι τοῦ ὁρᾶν τὰ ἐμὰ πταίσματα, καὶ μὴ κατακρίνειν τὸν ἀδελφόν μου, ὅτι εὐλογητὸς εἶ, εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.

Ἀμήν.

In English, this is:

O Lord and Master of my life, give me not the spirit of sloth, meddling, lust for power and idle talk.

But grant unto me, Thy servant, a spirit of chastity (integrity), humility, patience and love.

Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see mine own faults and not to judge my brother. For blessed art Thou unto the ages of ages.

Amen.

Fracking Dangers and Our Environment

2014-04-03T07:48:00.002-04:00

One of the things that Mother Maria was known for was her steady and forceful presence toward the good and the right. In this day and age the chance to stand strong and firm around issues that matter is not only possible, but it can be viral. We are able to access broader contextual communities because of digital structures and platforms.

One of the causes that we stand strong against in our house is Fracking. The danger that exists from the well document fissures and breaks in well-linings is enough to scare anyone. We know that there is a considerable issues with cracks in wells and therefore escaping gas leeching into earth and water. The number of available and documented tests from well sights is limited due to the gag orders that energy companies place on individuals. The gag orders are signed when the company brings in water tanks and or bottled water for the families affected by leaks on their property.

Take a look at our petition and sign on: http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/save-the-delaware-river

Celebrating the Spring Religious Holidays while Greiving

2014-04-02T08:29:00.001-04:00

The Spring Religious Holidays are approaching. Along with them comes the need for individuals to process recent losses into the holidays and how they will be changed as a result of these losses. Check out my article:

Great Canon of Saint Andrew of Crete

2014-03-31T17:53:00.000-04:00

Canon of St. Andrew of Crete

Monday of the First Week

Ode 1

A Helper and a Protector has become salvation to me.
This is my God, Whom I will glorify.
God of my fathers
I will exalt Him for in glory was He glorified.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

How shall I begin to mourn the deeds of my wretched life? What can I offer as first fruits of repentance? In Your compassion, O Christ, forgive my sins.

Come, my wretched soul, and confess your sins in the flesh to the Creator of all. From this moment forsake your former foolishness and offer to God tears of repentance.

My transgressions rival those of first created Adam, and because of my sins I find myself naked of God and of His everlasting kingdom.

Alas, my wretched soul, why are you so like Eve/ You see evil and are grievously wounded by it; you touch the tree and tasted heedlessly of its deceiving fruit.

Instead of the person Eve, I have within my inward being an "Eve" of passionate thoughts which though seemingly sweet never lose their bitter taste.

For failing to observe just one of Your commandments, O Savour, Adam was justly exiled from Eden. What then shall I suffer for continually ignoring Your words of life?

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

O Trinity above all essence and worshiped as One God, take from me the heavy burden of sin, and since You are compassionate grant me tears of repentance.

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

O Theotokos, Hope and Protection of those who sing to you, take from me the heavy burden of sin and as one pure Lady accept me as I repent.

Ode 2

Attend O heaven and I will speak,
I will sing of Christ,
Who from the Virgin took flesh to dwell with us.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Listen, O heaven, and I will speak. O earth, hear the cry of one returning to God and singing His praises.

Look down on me in Your mercy, O compassionate God and Saviour, and accept my fervent confession.

More than all have I sinned; I alone have sinned against You, O God my Saviour, but have compassion on me, Your creature.

Through love of pleasure has my form become deformed and the beauty of my inward being has been ruined.

O compassionate One, as You saved Peter when he was about to sink, so reach out now to me, for a storm of evil surges around me.

O Saviour, I have defiled the garment of my flesh and polluted that which You fashioned within me according to Your own image and likeness.

With passions have I darkened the beauty of my soul and permitted my whole inward being to become mire.

I like naked, having torn up the garment which my Creator fashioned for me in the beginning.

I am ashamed, for the serpent deceived me and my garment is in tatters.

O compassionate One, like the prostitute who anointed Your feet so now do I offer You tears. Have mercy on me, O Saviour.

I like naked and ashamed, for the beauty of the tree, which I saw in the middle of the garden, deceived me.

The demons have cut deep wounds of passion into my back; their lawlessness has made it like a plowed field.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

O God of all, I sing of You as One yet Three in Person, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

O Most holy Theotokos, Virgin alone praised everywhere, pray fervently that we may be saved.

Ode 3

Establish Your Church, O Christ, on the unshakeable rock of Your commandments.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

The Lord once caused fire to rain down from heaven, O my soul, and the land of Sodom was consumed.

Save yourself from sin, O my soul! Like lot on the mountain, take timely refuge in the town of Zoar.

Run from the flames, O my soul! Run from the burning of Sodom! Run from the destruction caused by fire sent from God!

O Christ my Saviour, I have sinned more than anyone; I alone have sinned against you, yet do not forsake me!

As a Good Shepherd search for me, Your sheep who has gone astray, and do not forsake me.

I confess, O Saviour, that I have sinned against You, but since You are compassionate, absolve and forgive me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

O God, Trinity yet One, save us from delusion, temptations and misfortune!

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Hail, O Womb which received God! Hail, O Throne of the Lord! Hail, O Mother of our Life!

Ode 4

The prophet heard of Your coming, O Lord, and was afraid that You were to be born of a virgin
and appear to men,
and he said
"I have heard the report of You and am afraid";
Glory to Your power, O Lord.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Do not forget Your saving acts, O righteous Judge, or turn away form Your creatures, but in Your compassion forgive me, though I have sinned more than all. For Yours is the power to remit the sins of all.

The end is approaching, O my soul, it is approaching! So why do you not care or prepare yourself for it? Arise! The time is short! The Judge already stands at the door. Life is vanishing like a dream, so why do you continue living in vanity?

Arise, O my soul, and reveal the evil things you have done. Ponder them well and allow your tears to flow. Then confess your deeds and thoughts openly to Christ, and He will make you righteous.

There never has been a sin, a deed, an evil act that I have not cherished, O Saviour. I have sinned in my thoughts, my words, and my deeds, and no one has sinned more than I.

Despair condemns me in the tribunal of my conscience where judgment is harsher than by any law on earth. O my Judge, Who created and redeemed me, spare, deliver and save me, Your servant.

The ladder which long ago Jacob the great patriarch saw is for you, O my soul, an image to consider. The bottom most rung is a first step towards doing the will of God, while those that follow lead to a true knowledge of Him. Therefore, renew your Life if you wish to do God's work, to receive knowledge and insight.

Wishing to marry Rachel, Jacob tended her father's sheep for seven years through the scorching heat of day and the frost of night. When given Leah by deceit he struggled and slaved yet another seven finally to win his chosen bride.

Now consider these two wives as images of diligence and wisdom Leah, who bore many children, is untiring labor, while Rachel is that wisdom which one acquires only through diligence. Neither, however, is possible, O my soul, without your effort.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

I confess You as one God in Trinity, a single essence unconfused in persons, co-enthroned and co-ruling, and I sing to You, "Holy! Holy! Holy!" Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

As a virgin you gave birth, and a virgin you remained by nature, your womb giving birth painlessly for He Who was born of you renewed the laws of nature, since when God wills its order is overthrown.

Ode 5

Out of the night watching early for You,
enlighten me I pray, O Lover of man,
and guide me in Your commandments,
and teach me, O Saviour, to do Your will.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

In the darkness of night has my whole Life passed, amidst shadowy delusions I cannot escape But, O Saviour, make me now a child of the day.

My soul is in despair, for like Reuben who defiled his father's bed, I have disobeyed the will of God my Father by defiling His image within me.

I confess my sins to You, O Christ my King, like Joseph's brothers have I sold into slavery him who was chaste and pure.

As an image of our Lord was that righteous soul cast out by his brothers and sold into slavery, while you, my soul, have sold yourself into your own evil hands.

O suffering and hopeless soul, imitate the purity of mind in righteous Joseph, and do not sin by being led astray by irrational desires.

Joseph's being placed in a pit formed an image of Your burial and resurrection, O Lord and Master. Will I ever be able to endure such things for Your sake?

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

We glorify You, O Trinity, One in essence, and we praise and adore You forever, singing, "Holy! Holy! Holy!" Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

God, the Creator of all things, became incarnate through you, O pure Virgin Mother, uniting our human nature to Himself.

Ode 6

With my whole heart, I cried unto the compassionate God,
and He heard me;
and He lifted up my soul from the depths of hell
and from corruption.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

I offer you, O Saviour, sincere tears and the deepest groans of my soul, crying from the heart, "O God, I have sinned against You, be merciful to me".

When Datham and Abiram defied Moses and turned from the Lord, the earth opened to swallow them. Now you, my soul, having turned from the Lord as well, must cry with your whole heart from the depths of hell to be spared, lest you share their lot.

Having lived as a stubborn mule, O my soul, like that idol worshipper Ephraim, now as an agile deer flee the hunters and save your Life, strengthening it with good deeds, wisdom, and prayer.

Be assured, O my soul, that as God was able to turn Moses' hand white with disease and cleanse it once again, so can He also cleanse and purify a diseased Life. Therefore, do not despair of yourself even though infected with many sins.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

"I AM the Trinity, simple and undivided in essence yet divided in Persons. I AM also the Unity united in nature," says God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Your womb, O Theotokos, held God Who for our sakes took human form. Implore Him, the Creator of all, that through your prayers we may be justified.

Kontakion (Tone 6)

My soul, my soul, Arise!
Why are you sleeping?
The end is drawing near,
and you will be confounded,
awake then and be watchful
that Christ our God may spare you,
Who is everywhere, and fills all things.

Ode 7

We have sinned, transgressed, done wrong before You.
We have not watched or done as You have commanded us,
but do not give us up utterly, O God of our fathers.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

I have sinned, I have erred, I have rejected Your commandments. I have increased in sin and added to the wounds of my soul. But in Your compassion, be merciful to me, O God of our fathers.

I have confessed to You, my Judge, the secrets of my heart. See my humility, my distress, and give me now Your judgment, in Your compassion being merciful to me, O God of our fathers.

Saul lost his father's flock and found himself suddenly proclaimed King of Israel. Watch, O my soul, lest your animal instincts now block you from the kingdom of Christ.

David was a forefather of the Lord, O my soul, yet sinned doubly by committing both murder and adultery. Your sickness, however, is even worse than his deeds because of your impulsive will.

David, though once compounding his sins by first murdering a man and then stealing his wife was quick to repent of both. You, however, O my soul, have done worse things than he, yet never repented of them before the Lord.

David once showed us the image of true repentance in a psalm he wrote exposing all he had done. "Be merciful to me and cleanse me!" he wrote, "for against You only have I sinned, the God of our fathers".

Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

Simple and undivided, One in essence and nature, Light and Lights, One Holy and three Holies, Gd is praised as Trinity. So sing praises to Him, O my soul, and glorify the Life and Lives, the God of all.

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

We praise you, we bless and venerate you, O Mother of God, for from the undivided Trinity you brought forth the only Son of God and restored to us on earth the heavenly realms.

Ode 8

Him Whom the hosts of heaven glorify, Whom the Cherubim and Seraphim dread,
let every breath and creature praise, bless and magnify
throughout all ages.
Have mercy on us, O God, have mercy on us.

O Saviour, I have sinned! Now convert my soul and receive me in repentance as I cry, "Against You only have I sinned and lived lawlessly. Have mercy on me!"

Remember, O my soul, how Elijah once drove the fiery chariot into heaven, abandoning all earthly cares by perfection in every virtue.

Elisha inherited a double portion of prophetic spirit when Elijah's mantle fell from heaven upon him. But how can you, O my soul, hope to share in such graces, not yet having learned to control your love of worldly pleasures?

Once the river Jordan was divided when Elisha struck its waters with Elijah's mantle. But how can you hope to share in such wonders, not yet having learned to control your love of worldly pleasures?

The wealthy woman of Shuynem showed her good will by entertaining the righteous Elisha, but you, my soul, receive neither strangers nor travellers, and will find yourself an alien cast out of the bridal chamber of Christ.

When Elisha cured Naaman of a dread disease he asked no price in return. But you, my soul, have imitated his wicked servant Gehazai, who sought money in his master's name. Abandon such greed before the end, lest you be cast into eternal fire.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

O Eternal Father, co-eternal Son, and gracious Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, O Father of the Divine Word, Word of the eternal Father, and Life-creating Spirit, Trinity in unity, have mercy on us.

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

O pure Virgin, the flesh of Emmanuel was formed within your womb as a robe of royal crimson is spun from scarlet silk. We proclaim you to be truly the Mother of our God.

Ode 9

Ineffable is the child bearing of a seedless conception,
a mother remaining pure.
For the birth of God renews nature,
so in all ages we magnify you as mother and bride of God.
Have mercy on us, O God, have mercy on us.

My inward being is wounded, my body is weak; my spirit is ill, and the word is powerless. Life is giving way to death and the end is near. What shall I do when the Judge comes and I must stand before Him?

I have reminded you, O my soul, from the books of Moses how the world was created, and from accounts throughout the Old Testament have shown examples of both the righteous and the unrighteous. But of these you have imitated the latter rather than the former and thereby have sinned against your God.

The law has no power over you, O my soul. You have made the Gospel fruitless, scorned the Scriptures, and reaped yourself no value from the prophets or the writings of the just. Your wounds have increased and you have no physician to heal you.

Therefore, O my soul, I will remind you of examples from the New Testament to lead you to contrition. Imitate the righteous and shun the ways of sinners that through prayer, fasting, purity, and reverence you may obtain the mercy of Christ.

Christ became a man, taking our flesh and of His own free will enduring everything which pertains to human nature (except sin). He has shown you an image of His own condescension.

Christ became a man and called both robbers and prostitutes to repentance. Return, therefore, O my soul, to Him. For the doors of the kingdom now stand open and the Pharisees, tax collectors and adulterers who have changed their ways are entering ahead of you!

Christ granted salvation to the Magi who worshiped Him; He summoned shepherds to His crib; He manifested as martyrs the infants whom Herod slew, glorified Simeon the Elder and the widow Anna, but you, my soul, have not imitated the lives and works of any such as these. Therefore, how terrible it will be for you when you are judged!

After He had fasted forty days in the wilderness, hunger revealed the Lord's human nature. Therefore, O my soul, do not despair if the enemy attacks you, for it is only through prayer and fasting that he shall be defeated.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

We glorify the Father, we exalt the Son, and we worship the Holy Spirit, the indivisible Trinity Who exists as One, the Light and Lights, the Life and Lives Who grants light and Life to the ends of the world.

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

O purest Mother of God, preserve your people, for through you are we kept faithful, strengthened, and made able to overcome every temptation, trial, and tribulation.

O holy Father Andrew, pray to God for us.

O honourable Andrew, thrice-blessed Father and pastor of Crete, never cease praying to God for those who sing your praises, that He may deliver from anger, sorrow, corruption, and countless sins all of us who faithfully honour your memory.

And the rest of Compline

Tuesday of the First Week

Ode 1

A Helper and a Protector has become salvation to me.
This is my God, I will glorify Him.
God of my fathers
I will exalt Him for in glory was He glorified.
Have mercy on us, O God, have mercy on us.

Deliberately have I imitated blood thirsty Cain, O Lord, enlivening my flesh while murdering my soul by striking it with my evil deeds.

I have not resembled Abel in his righteousness, O Jesus, never having offered to You actions worthy of God, pure gifts, an appropriate sacrifice, an unblemished Life.

Like Cain, O my wretched soul, my offering to the Creator of all has been filthy deeds, a polluted sacrifice, and a worthless Life, and like him I now stand condemned.

You formed my flesh and bones as a Potter, O my Creator, my Redeemer and my Judge, by moulding clay into flesh and infusing in it the breath of Life. Accept me now as I return to You.

O my Saviour, I confess the sins which I have committed, the wounds which murderous thoughts, like thieves within me, have inflicted on my soul and body.

Thought I have sinned, O Saviour, I know that in Your love for mankind Your punishment is merciful and Your compassion profound. Seeing my tears You will run to me as the Father calling His lost son.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

O Trinity above all essence and worshiped as One God, take from me the heavy burden of sin, and since You are compassionate grant me tears of repentance.

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

O Theotokos, Hope and Protection of those who sing to you, take from me the heavy burden of sin and as one pure Lady accept me as I repent.

Ode 2

Attend O heaven and I will speak,
I will sing of Christ,
Who from the Virgin took flesh to dwell with us.
Have mercy on us, O God, have mercy on us.

Sin stripped me of the garment created for me by God, leaving me in a coat of skin.

Sensing his shame, Adam dressed himself in fig leaves, and like him I now wear a garment of shame which reveals my many passions.

A soiled garment clothes me, one shamefully stained with blood flowing from a Life of passion and love of fleshly things.

I fell beneath the weight of the passions and the corruption of my flesh, and from that moment has the Enemy had power over me.

Instead of seeking poverty of spirit I prefer a Life of greed and self gratification. Therefore, O Saviour, a heavy weight hangs from my neck.

Joseph's was a splendid coat of many colours, but mine is one of shameful thoughts, which condemns me even as it covers my flesh.

I persist in caring only for my outer garment, while neglecting the temple within me, one made in the image of God.

The woman searched her house for the lost coin until she found it. Now the beauty of my original image is lost, O Saviour, buried in passion. Come and as she did, search to recover it.

Like the prostitute I cry to You, O Saviour, that I have sinned. I alone have sinned against You! But accept my tears as You did hers when she came to anoint Your feet.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

O God of all, I sing of You as One yet Three in Person, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

O Most holy Theotokos, Virgin alone praised everywhere, pray fervently that we may be saved.

Ode 3

Establish, O Lord, my unstable heart
on the rock of Your commandments for only You are holy and the Lord.
Have mercy on us, O God, have mercy on us.

In You, the Destroyer of death, have I found the Fountain of Life, and now from the heart cry out before my death, "I have sinned. Be merciful and save me!"

I have sinned, Lord, I have sinned against You, but be merciful to me, though there is no one whose sins I have not surpassed.

I have imitated those who in the days of Noah indulged themselves, and like them I deserve to perish in a flood.

Noah's son Ham failed to conceal his father's nakedness, and even dared to look at him in his shame. And you, my soul, in your treatment of your neighbour have imitated him.

Run my soul! Run from sin, as Lot ran from the fire! Run from Sodom and Gomorrah! Run from the flame of every deceiving desire!

"Have mercy, O Lord, have mercy on me," so shall I cry to You when You come with Your angels to render to us all our deeds deserve.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

One simple and uncreated nature without beginning Whom we praise as God in Trinity, save us who in faith worship Your power.

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Without seed you gave birth in time to the timeless Son of the Father, O Theotokos, and, O strange wonder, you nourished Him at your breast while remaining a virgin!

Ode 4

The prophet heard of Your coming, O Lord, and was afraid that You was to be born of a virgin
and appear to men,
and he said
"I have heard the report of You and am afraid";
Glory to Your power, O Lord.
Have mercy on us, O God, have mercy on us.

Prepare yourself, my soul! Be courageous like Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, that acquiring diligence and wisdom you too may meet your God. Through contemplation may you reach the awesome depths in which He dwells and in so doing become a good steward of the Lord.

Jacob and his sons, the patriarchs, established for you, O my soul, an example in the ladder of active ascent. By his way of Life Jacob took the first step, fathering twelve sons and offering them as further rungs, which step-by-step ascend to God.

But you, my hopeless soul, have rather imitated Esau, surrendering to the crafty evil the beauty you inherited from God. In two ways, works and wisdom, have you been deceived and now is the time for you to change your ways.

Esau's consuming lust for women, his turning passion, and his soul marred by senseless pleasures, earned for him the Hebrew name "Edom" (meaning "red"), for his soul was like a flame burning with love for sin.

My soul, have you not heard of Job, who even while sitting on a dunghill was justified? Why then in times of temptation have you never imitated his courage or firmness of purpose, or endured with patience?

Once Job sat on this throne surrounded by children and greatly admired, but now lies naked on a dunghill, childless, homeless, and covered with sores. Even so, he considers his dunghill a palace and his sores precious pearls.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

I confess You as one God in Trinity, a single essence unconfused in Persons, co-enthroned and co-ruling. And I sing to You, "Holy! Holy! Holy!" Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

As a virgin you gave birth, and a virgin you remained by nature, your womb giving birth painlessly, for He Who was born of you renewed the laws of nature, since when God wills its order is overthrown.

Ode 5

Out of the night watching early for You,
enlighten me I pray, O Lover of man,
and guide me in Your commandments,
and teach me, O Saviour, to do Your will.
Have mercy on us, O God, have mercy on us.

You have heard, O my soul, how the waves and waters of the river formed a protective chamber for the baby Moses, allowing his basket of reeds to escape the cruel edict of the Pharaoh.

The midwives, though instructed by Pharaoh to kill the male infants of the Hebrews, obeyed their God instead. Now that you, my hopeless soul, have been spared death like Moses, like him also be nourished on the wisdom of the Lord.

By killing the oppressive Egyptian, Moses severed his bond to Pharaoh. But you, O my hopeless soul, have not even begun to attack the wickedness of your mind. If you have not accomplished even this much, how can you expect to pass through the time of repentance, which alone can drive away our sinful passions?

Go, my soul, and imitate the great Moses in the wilderness, that like him you may behold God present in the burning bush.

Think of the staff that Moses stretched over the waters to divide them. It is an image of the Cross of Christ whereby you, my soul, can also accomplish great things.

Aaron's faithfulness was shown by his offering an acceptable sacrifice to God. But you, my soul, like the priests Hophni and Phineas have offered only your deceitful and selfish life.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

We glorify You, O Trinity, One in essence, and we praise and adore You forever, singing, "Holy! Holy! Holy!" Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

God, the Creator of all things, became incarnate through you, O pure Virgin Mother, uniting our human nature to Himself.

Ode 6

With my whole heart, I cried unto the compassionate God,
and He heard me;
and He lifted up my soul from the depths of hell
and from corruption.
Have mercy on us, O God, have mercy on us.

The waves of my transgressions have turned back on me, O Saviour, just as once the Red Sea turned back to engulf the Egyptian forces.

Like Israel of old you have an arrogant will, O my soul, preferring gluttony and self gratification to the manna from heaven.

The Canaanites' wells can be likened to worldly philosophies, from which you, my soul, have preferred to drink rather than from the rock from which when struck by Moses there poured out a river of wisdom, the knowledge of God.

Like the arrogant Israelites in the wilderness, you prefer the comforts of Egypt and unclean food to manna, the food sent from heaven.

Water pouring from the rock when struck by Your servant Moses, prefigured Your life giving side, O Saviour, from which we saw the Water of Life.

Find the Promised Land and explore it secretly as Joshua, son of Nun, once did. See what kind of land it is and settle there, obeying the Law of God.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

"I AM the Trinity, simple and undivided in essence, yet divided in Persons. I AM also the Unity united in nature", says God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Your womb, O Theotokos, held God Who for our sakes took human form. Implore Him, the Creator of all, that through your prayers we may be justified.

Kontakion (Tone 6)

Ode 7

We have sinned, transgressed, done wrong before You.
We have not watched or done as You have commanded us,
but do not give us up utterly, O God of our fathers.
Have mercy on us, O God, have mercy on us.

Merely for touching the Covenant Box to prevent its falling to the ground, Uzzah was struck dead by God. Avoid His anger at such presumption, O my soul, by showing true honour to holy things.

You have heard of Absalom and how he rebelled against his father David, and know how he defiled his father's bed. So why do you still imitate his wild impulses and his love of pleasures?

By following Satan your freedom has become enslaved to your body, O my soul, as when on Ahitophel's advice Absalom revolted against his father. But Christ has scattered the enemy's counsel that you might at all costs be saved.

Solomon was mighty and full of wisdom, but did wrong before the Lord when he turned to idols. And you, my soul, resembled him in your evil life.

Solomon was carried away by gratification of his lust. Alas, he who loved Wisdom now makes love to prostitutes and finds himself estranged from God. But in your misery though you have imitated him, O my soul, through your disgraceful love of luxury.

Your sin rivals Rehoboam's, who ignored the wise advisers of his father Solomon; and you have imitated Jeroboam who divided the Kingdom and turned Israel to idols. Flee such likeness and cry out to God, "I have sinned, have pity on me!"

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Simple and undivided, One in essence and nature, Light and Lights, One Holy and three Holies, God is praised as Trinity. So sing praises to Him, O my soul, and glorify the Life and Lives, the God of all.

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

We praise you, we bless and venerate you, O Mother of God, for from the undivided Trinity you brought forth the only Son of God and restored to us on earth the heavenly realms.

Ode 8

Him Whom the hosts of heaven glorify, Whom the Cherubim and Seraphim dread,
let every breath and creature praise, bless and magnify
throughout all ages.
Have mercy on us, O God, have mercy on us.

King Uzziah, though mighty in battle and faithful in his own observance of the Law, tolerated idolatry among the people, and for this was he struck with a dread disease. Now you, my soul, are twice as sick as he, for your life is polluted with evil thoughts and wicked deeds.

Have you not heard how the Ninevites, moved by Jonah's preaching, repented in sackcloth and ashes? Why then have you not followed their example? For in its pride your heart is harder than all that have sinned both before and after the Law.

Thrown into a well, Jeremiah lamented bitterly the fall of Zion. Only by such a life of mourning and weeping, O my soul, will you find the way to salvation.

Jonah the prophet fled to Tarshish, for he was well aware of how merciful our God is. And foreseeing the conversion of the Ninevites he feared their repentance would prove false his threat of destruction.

You have heard, O my soul, how by faith Daniel shut the mouths of the roaring lions in the den, and the three Holy Children extinguished the flames in the furnace.

I have reviewed as examples for you, O my soul, all the figures of the Old Testament. Learn to imitate the deeds of those who in righteousness loved their God, and flee from the sins of the wicked!

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

O Eternal Father, co-eternal Son, and gracious Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, O Father of the Divine Word, Word of the eternal Father, and life creating Spirit, Trinity in unity, have mercy on us.

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

O pure Virgin, the flesh of Emmanuel was formed within your womb as a robe of royal crimson is spun from scarlet silk. We proclaim you to be truly the Mother of our God.

Ode 9

Ineffable is the child bearing of a seedless conception,
a mother remaining pure.
For the birth of God renews nature,
so in all ages we magnify you as mother and bride of God
Have mercy on us, O God, have mercy on us.

The Devil showed stones to Christ, which he could turn into bread, then led Him to the top of a mountain to show Him at a glance all the kingdoms of this world. O my soul, fear the Devil's craftiness, watch and pray to God at every hour!

John the Baptist, that "Dove who loved the desert," the "Light which went before Christ," the "Voice crying in the wilderness", heralded the preaching of repentance. But Herod, unwilling to listen to him, sinned with Herodias. By embracing repentance, O my soul, beware yourself of falling into the snares of the Wicked One.

When John the Forerunner of grace was living in the wilderness, all the people of Judea and Samaria came out to hear him. O my soul, why have you not imitated them by confessing your sins and receiving the washing of repentance?

Marriage is honourable and the marriage bed undefiled, for Christ blessed both by His presence at the marriage in Cana. He ate and transformed water into wine, thus performing His first miracle, that you, my soul, might be transformed.

Christ strengthened a paralytic, enabling him to rise and walk. He raised from death a widow's son, and healed the servant of a Roman officer. By revealing Himself to the woman in Samaria, he made clear to you, O my soul, how to worship God in Spirit.

When a woman suffering from severe bleeding touched the hem of the Lord's garment, she received healing from Him. Just as by His words He healed lepers, gave sight to the blind, strength to cripples and hearing to the deaf and dumb, and straightened the crippled woman, all in order that you, my miserable soul, might believe and find salvation!

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

We glorify the Father, we exalt the Son, and we worship the Holy Spirit, the indivisible Trinity Who exists as One, the Light and Lights, the Life and Lives Who grants light and life to the ends of the world.

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

O purest Mother of God, preserve your people, for through you are we kept faithful, strengthened, and made able to overcome every temptation, trial, and tribulation.

O holy Father Andrew, pray to God for us.

And the rest of Compline

Wednesday of the First Week

Ode 1

A Helper and a Protector has become salvation to me.
This is my God, I will glorify Him.
God of my fathers
I will exalt Him for in glory was He glorified.
Have mercy on us, O God, have mercy on us.

From my youth, O Saviour, I have disregarded Your commandments and passed my life in passions and laziness. but now I cry to You, "Even at the end, save me!"

O Saviour, do not cast me down to hell, even though in old age I lie at Your gate empty of virtue. But in Your love for mankind forgive my sins before I die.

My soul has been wasted in evil habits, and now empty of the fruits of virtue I am in great hunger. Therefore, I cry to You, O merciful Father, "Watch over me and have mercy on me".

My own thoughts like thieves have attacked me, wounding me and covering me with sores. Come now, O Christ my Saviour, to heal me.

A priest was the first to see me naked and in dreadful condition, but he passed by on the opposite side of the road. Then a Levite came but he too ignored me. O Jesus, Who dawned on the world from Mary, come now Yourself and have pity on me.

O venerable Mary of Egypt, pray to God for us.

Grant me the brightness of grace from Divine Providence, O Mary, that escaping the darkness of passions I may eagerly sing of your blessed conversion.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

O Trinity above all essence and worshiped as One God, take from me the heavy burden of sin, and since You are compassionate, grant me tears of repentance.

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

O Theotokos, hope and protection of those who sing to you, take from me the heavy burden of sin and as our pure Lady accept me as I repent.

Ode 2

Attend O heaven and I will speak,
I will sing of Christ,
Who from the Virgin took flesh to dwell with us.
Have mercy on us, O God, have mercy on us.

Like David stealing Bathsheba, I have fallen and become polluted through passions. O Saviour, cleanse me in my tears.

I have no tears, no repentance, and no compunction, O my God and Saviour, grant these to me!

I lie naked, having torn the garment, which my Creator fashioned for me in the beginning.

Despite their calling to the Bridegroom, "Lord, Lord, let us in," the foolish virgins found the door to the feast still locked to them. Yet like them will I entreat You, O Lord, "Open Your door to me as I return".

O Saviour, hear the sighing of my soul. Accept the tears, which drop from my eyes and save me.

O Lover of mankind Whose wish it is that all be saved, in Your goodness receive me as I return to You.

"See, see that I AM God!", hear this cry of our Lord, O my soul, and turn from your past sins. Fear Him as the righteous Lord, your Judge and your God.

My soul, truly have you come to resemble those first two murderers, Cain and his descendent Lamech; for you have stoned your body with evil deeds and murdered your inward being with senseless passions.

Let us consider those who lived before the Law was given, Adam's son Seth and his son Enoch; Enoch, who pleasing God was carried up to heaven; and Noah, called "the only good man of his time". Have you imitated any of these, O my soul? Is there any righteousness to be found in you?

My soul, you alone have opened the flood-gates of God's wrath anew, and as the earth was covered with water long ago, so have your flesh, your deeds, your whole life become covered with sin, and you remain outside the ark of salvation.

O venerable Mary of Egypt, pray to God for us.

You overturned your life of sin, O Mary, and eagerly ran to Christ, following His path through a pathless wilderness. And in purity and love you fulfilled His commands.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

O God of all, I sing of You as One yet three in Person, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

O most holy Theotokos, Virgin alone praised everywhere, pray fervently that we may be saved.

Ode 3

Establish, O Lord, my unstable heart
on the rock of Your commandments for only You are holy and the Lord.
Have mercy on us, O God, have mercy on us.

You have neither inherited a blessing like Shem, O my wretched soul, nor like Japhet acquired vast possessions in the land of forgiveness.

Come out from sin, O my soul, as Abraham once came out of the land of Haran. Come to the land flowing with everlasting incorruption, which he inherited.

Having heard, O my soul, how Abraham left the land of his ancestors to become a wanderer, imitate his resolution.

At the Oak of Mamre the Patriarch Abraham offered hospitality to angels, and in his old age inherited the prize of God's promise.

O my wretched soul, knowing Isaac to be a new sacrifice mystically offered to the Lord, imitate also his resolution.

Having heard of Ishmael who as the child of a slave was driven out, watch carefully, O my soul, lest the same befall you because of your slavery to the passions.

O venerable Mary of Egypt, pray to God for us.

I am caught in a storm and tossed about by sin, O Mother, but guide me through and lead me to the safe harbour of repentance.

O venerable Mary of Egypt, pray to God for us.

As I now offer my supplications before the compassionate Theotokos, intercede with her before God for me, O venerable Mary of Egypt, that He may open to me the way to His Kingdom.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

One simple and uncreated nature without beginning Whom we praise as God in Trinity, save us who in faith worship Your power.

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Without seed you gave birth in time to the timeless Son of the Father, O Theotokos, and, O strange wonder, you nourished Him at your breast while remaining a virgin!

Ode 4

My body is defiled, and my spirit is impure. I am covered with sores. But as our Physician, O Christ, wash, heal and cleanse me in repentance to make me whiter than show.

You offered Your body and blood for all, O crucified Word, that I might be renewed and washed. You surrendered Your Spirit to the Father that I might be brought to Him.

Accepting voluntarily to be nailed to a Tree, You accomplished salvation in the centre of the earth, O Creator. Eden, which had been closed to us is open again, and all of creation, both in heaven and on earth, is saved and worships You.

Let the blood and water which flowed from Your side be a fountain of living water and deliverance from captivity to sin. May they cleanse, refresh and anoint me as do Your living words, O Word.

Cast out of the banquet for lack of clothes fitting to wear, I awoke with empty lamp like the foolish virgins to find the door to the bridal chamber also closed to me. The supper is eaten but I lay cast out, bound tightly hand and foot.

The Church has been given Your life creating side as a chalice, O Saviour, from which to drink both deliverance and wisdom, which we understand as images of the two Testaments, both Old and New.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

I confess You as One God in Trinity, a single essence unconfused in Persons, co-enthroned and co-ruling. And I sing to You, "Holy! Holy! Holy!" Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Ode 5

Out of the night watching early for You,
enlighten me I pray, O Lover of man,
and guide me in Your commandments,
and teach me, O Saviour, to do Your will.
Have mercy on us, O God, have mercy on us.

Like Jannes and Jambres, the magicians in service to Pharaoh who opposed Moses, I have opposed You, O Lord, and become burdened in body and soul. My mind has fallen into grief. Come now to help me.

I am in a hopeless state, O Lord, for my mind finds attraction in corruption. Cleanse me now in my tears to make the garment of my flesh whiter than snow.

In considering my deeds, O Saviour, I see that in sin I surpass all people, for the wrong I commit is done knowingly rather than in ignorance.

Spare me Your creature, O Lord, for I have sinned yet now seek forgiveness from you, for You alone are pure by nature; no one else is free from defilement.

Because of Your love for mankind, O Saviour, You became incarnate and worked miracles, healing lepers, freeing paralytics, and stopping a woman's severe bleeding at just the touch of your robe.

O venerable Mary of Egypt, pray to God for us.

You found peace, O Mother Mary, after crossing the Jordan River, for the soul-destroying pleasures enjoyed a deserted place to roam. Now by your prayers deliver us also from these evil pleasures.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

We glorify You, O Trinity, One in essence, and we praise and adore You forever, singing. "Holy! Holy! Holy!" Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

God, the Creator of all things, became incarnate through you, O Pure Virgin Mother, uniting our human nature to Himself.

Ode 6

With my whole heart, I cried unto the compassionate God,
and He heard me;
and He lifted up my soul from the depths of hell
and from corruption.
Have mercy on us, O God, have mercy on us.

As Joshua subdued Amalek and the lying Gibbeonites, arise, O my soul, and subdue the weakness of your flesh, conquering everything which leads your mind astray.

Pass through the River of Time as once the Covenant Box crossed the River Jordan, to take possession of the Promised Land in obedience to God's command.

As once You heard Peter's cry for help, so now protect me, O Saviour, and deliver me from Satan's power by pulling me from the depth of sin.

I know You as a clam haven from the storm of transgressions, O Christ my Saviour. Protect and deliver me from the depths of my innermost sin and despair.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

"I AM the Trinity, simple and undivided in essence, yet divided in Persons. I AM also the Unity, united in nature," says God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Your womb, O Theotokos, held God Who for our sakes took human form. Implore Him, the Creator of all, that through your prayers we may be justified.

Kontakion (Tone 6)

Ode 7

We have sinned, transgressed, done wrong before You. We have not watched or done as You have commanded us, but do not give us up utterly, O God of our fathers. Have mercy on us, O God, have mercy on us.

Manasseh sinned of his own choice, setting up his lust as idols and increasing the abomination of false gods in Israel. Later, however, he repented and humbled himself before the Lord. Emulate his return, O my soul, and acquire compunction.

Ahab did more to arouse God's anger than all the kings of Israel before him, yet you are his rival in sin, O my soul. Cry out now with your whole heart, confessing your sins to God.

Heaven is shut to you, O my soul; a famine sent from God has laid hold of you as it once did Ahab for disobeying Elijah the Tishbite. But imitate how the woman of Zarepath who by feeding the prophet alone received food by a miracle.

Elijah once called down fire on Jezebel's troops and killed her shameful prophets as a rebuke for Ahab's idolatry. Avoid al likeness to these two, O my soul, and strive to discipline yourself.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

We praise you, we bless and venerate you, O Mother of God, for from the undivided Trinity you brought forth the only Son of God and restored to us on earth the heavenly realms.

Ode 8

Him Whom the hosts of heaven glorify, Whom the Cherubim and Seraphim dread,
let every breath and creature praise, bless and magnify
throughout all ages.
Have mercy on us, O God, have mercy on us.

O my righteous Judge and Saviour, have mercy on me! Deliver me from eternal fire and the sentence of condemnation, which I so justly deserve. Grant that by repentance and increase of virtue I may obtain forgiveness before it is too late.

With the thief I cry to You, "Remember me!" Like Peter I weep bitterly, "Forgive me, O Lord!" Receive my broken spirit as once You accepted the tax-collector's prayer and the prostitute's tears. The ceaseless entreaty of the Canaanite woman moved You to compassion, so have mercy on me as well, O Lord.

Heal my corrupt life, my only Saviour and Physician. Pour out Your grace on my heart like the good Samaritan's ointments, that with Your help I may bear the fruits which will show that I have changed. Then all my wounds of sin shall be healed.

Like the Canaanite woman I cry to You, "Have mercy on me, O Son of David!" Like the woman with severe bleeding I touch the hem of Your robe, and like Mary and Martha over Lazarus, I weep before You.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

O eternal Father, co-eternal Son, and gracious Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, O Father of the Divine Word, Word of the eternal Father, and life creating Spirit, Trinity in unity, have mercy on us.

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

O pure Virgin, the flesh of Emmanuel was formed within your womb as a robe of royal crimson in spun from scarlet silk. We proclaim you to be truly the Mother of our God.

Ode 9

Christ the Word healed diseases, preached the Good News to the poor and cured cripples. He ate with tax collectors, spoke with outcasts, and by just the touch of His hand recalled Jairus' daughter from death.

By repenting the tax collector was saved and the prostitute purified, but the outwardly righteous Pharisee was condemned for his pride. For the first cried, "O God, be merciful to me!" The second entreated mercy. But the last in his foolish vanity simply sought to justify himself.

Zacchaeus was a tax-collector yet obtained salvation, while Simon the Pharisee was saddened by the kindness Christ showed a prostitute, for she received complete forgiveness of her sins from Him Who has power to grant this. Now my soul imitate her and receive the same yourself.

O my soul, you have not imitated the prostitute who having washed the Saviour's feet with her tears and anointed them with perfumed ointment from a costly jar. For this the Lord proclaimed to her, "Go in peace. Your sins are forgiven, for your faith has saved you".

O my soul, you know the curse upon the towns which hearing Christ's preaching of the Good News refused to accept it. Fear lest the same happen to you, for comparing them to Sodom, the Master condemned them to hell.

O my soul, do not despair, for have you not heard how the daughter of the Canaanite woman was healed by a word from God? Therefore, imitate her faith and cry out to Christ from the depths of your heart, "O Son of David save me!"

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

O purest Mother of God, preserve your people, for through you are we kept faithful, strengthened, and made able to overcome every temptation, trial and tribulation.

O holy Father Andrew, pray to God for us.

O Honourable Andrew, thrice-blessed Father and pastor of Crete, never cease praying to God for those who sing your praises, that He may deliver from anger, sorrow, corruption, and countless sins all of us who faithfully honour your memory.

Conception without seed, birth past understanding from a mother who never knew a man, child bearing undefiled, for nature is renewed by the birth of God. Therefore with true worship all generation magnify you as mother and bride of God.

And the rest of Compline

Thursday of the First Week

Ode 1

A Helper and a Protector has become salvation to me.
This is my God, I will glorify Him.
God of my fathers
I will exalt Him for in glory was He glorified.
Have mercy on us, O God, have mercy on us.

O Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of all, take from me the heavy burden of sin, and in Your compassion forgive me.

I fall down before You, O Jesus, imploring Your mercy, for I have sinned against You. Take now from me the heavy burden of sin, and in Your mercy grant me tears of repentance.

Now is the time for repentance and I come to You, my Creator. Take from me the heavy burden of sin, and in Your compassion forgive me.

Having wasted my soul in evil habits, I am empty of the fruits of virtue and in great hunger. Therefore, I cry to You, my merciful Father, "Watch over me and have mercy on me".

O venerable Mary of Egypt, pray to God for us.

In submitting to the laws of Christ, you renounced all uncontrollable lust and came to Him, piously adopting every virtue.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

O Trinity above all essence and worshiped as One God, take from me the heavy burden of sin, and since You are compassionate, grant me tears of repentance.

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

O Theotokos, hope and protection of those who sing to you, take from me the heavy burden of sin and as our pure Lady accept me as I repent.

Ode 2

See, see that I am God Who sent manna,
Who made water to spring from the rock in ancient times for my people in the wilderness,
by My right hand,
and by My strength alone.
Have mercy on us, O God, have mercy on us.

Lamech cried, "I have killed a man for wounding me, and a young man for hurting me!" How can you hear this, O my soul, and not tremble? For you too have polluted your flesh and defiled your inward being.

You, my soul, desire to build a tower as a fortress for your lusts, as the people of Babel erected a tower to increase their strength. But as He did with them, so will the Creator also overthrow your desires and shatter all your plans.

How well have I imitated those first murderers, Cain and Lamech! Through the desires of the flesh I have killed my soul as did Lamech a man, and my mind as once he did a young man. I have also murdered my body as did Cain his brother.

Long ago the Lord rained burning sulfur on the city of Sodom to consume its flagrant wickedness. But you, O my soul, have kindled within yourself the fires of hell which now are about to consume you!

I am wounded; I am pierced. See how the enemy's arrows have sunk into my soul and body! See the bruises, the sores, and the mutilations which cause me to cry out, the wounds resulting from my own passions.

O venerable Mary of Egypt, pray to God for us.

O Mary, as you sank into the depths of sin you reached out to our merciful God, and as He once saved Peter on the water, He caught you, desiring in His love for mankind your conversion.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

O God of all, I sing of You as one yet three in person, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

O most holy Theotokos, virgin alone praised everywhere, pray fervently that we may be saved.

Ode 3

Establish, O Lord, my unstable heart
on the rock of Your commandments for only You are holy and the Lord.
Have mercy on us, O God, have mercy on us.

Like Hagar the Egyptian long ago you, my soul, are by your own choice a slave and have given birth to a new Ishmael, your own stubbornness.

You know, my soul, of Jacob's ladder that appeared from earth to heaven. Why then have you not held fast to the secure rung of piety?

Imitate Melchizedek; that image of the royal and priestly life of Christ.

Do not become a pillar of salt, O my soul, by turning back to what you have left behind; let the destruction of Sodom fill you with fear, and save yourself in the town of Zoar.

O Master, do not reject the prayers of those who praise You, but in Your love for mankind be merciful and grant forgiveness to all who ask in faith.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

One simple and uncreated nature without beginning Whom we praise as God in Trinity, save us who in faith worship Your power.

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Without seed you gave birth in time to the timeless Son of the Father, O Theotokos, and, O strange wonder, you nourished Him at your breast while remaining a Virgin!

Ode 4

My fleeting life is full of pain and wickedness, but accept me, O Lord, in repentance and allow me to behold Your presence. May the enemy never possess me; may I never fall prey to him. O Saviour, have mercy on me.

Job, once crowned and regally attired, abounding in both wealth and virtue, found himself suddenly a beggar, cut off from all his riches and the glory of the kingdom.

Job, whom God deemed more righteous and blameless than anyone else alive, did not escape the traps of the deceiver, so what will you do, O my sin-loving soul, if something unexpected befalls you?

Like the Pharisee I am boastful and my heart is cold; my life I have passed in vanity. O my merciful and righteous Judge, do not condemn me with him, but grant me the tax-collector's humility and accept me.

I know, O merciful Lord, that I have sinned and corrupted the temple of my soul, but accept me in repentance and allow me to behold Your presence. May the enemy never possess me; may I never fall prey to him. O Saviour, have mercy on me.

I have become an idol to myself, and in passions have I injured my soul. But accept me now in repentance, O merciful Lord, and allow me to behold Your presence. May the enemy never possess me; may I never fall prey to him. O Saviour, have mercy on me.

I have never listened to Your words nor obeyed Your commands, O Lawgiver. But accept me in repentance and allow me to behold Your Presence. May the enemy never possess me; may I never fall prey to him. O Saviour, have mercy on me.

O venerable Mary of Egypt, pray to God for us.

The depths of sin to which you were dragged were unable to hold you captive. After careful reasoning you returned to safety in God through repentance, and in deeds you attained the heights of virtue beyond all expectation of the angels.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

I confess You as one God in Trinity, a single essence unconfused in persons, co-enthroned and co-ruling, and I sing to You, "Holy! Holy! Holy!" Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

As a virgin you gave birth, and a virgin you remained by nature, your womb giving birth painlessly for He Who was born of you renewed the laws of nature, since when God wills its order is overthrown.

Ode 5

Out of the night watching early for You,
enlighten me I pray, O Lover of man,
and guide me in Your commandments,
and teach me, O Saviour, to do Your will.
Have mercy on us, O God, have mercy on us.

Imitate the desire of the crippled woman, O my powerless soul; come and fall down at Jesus' feet and allow Him to heal you that your path may lead toward God.

As a deep well of living water, O Lord, pour upon me the rivers of life which flow from Your wounds. Let me like the Samaritan woman drink of them that I may thirst no more.

Let my tears, O Lord and Master, be for me a pool of Siloam in which to wash my spiritual senses hat I may see You, the Light which existed before time began.

O venerable Mary of Egypt, pray to God for us.

O blessed Mary, with unmatched fervor you longed to venerate the Tree of Life until your desire was granted. Help us now to be made worthy of attaining the heavenly glory.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

We glorify You, O Trinity, One in essence, and we praise and adore You forever, singing, "Holy! Holy! Holy!" Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

God the Creator of all things became incarnate through you, O pure Virgin Mother, uniting our human nature to Himself.

Ode 6

With my whole heart, I cried unto the compassionate God,
and He heard me;
and He lifted up my soul from the depths of hell
and from corruption.
Have mercy on us, O God, have mercy on us.

I am the lost coin bearing Your royal likeness, O Word. Therefore, light the lamp (which is John, Your Forerunner and Baptizer) to find and renew that which was created in Your image.

As Joshua subdued Amalek and the lying Gibbeonites, arise, O my soul, and subdue the weakness of your flesh, subduing everything which leads your mind astray.

O venerable Mary of Egypt, pray to God for us.

O Mary, a constant stream of tears fell from your eyes, extinguishing the flames of lust while setting your soul afire with love of God. Grant me, your servant, this grace of tears.

O venerable Mary of Egypt, pray to God for us.

Because you lived a heavenly life on earth, you were able to ignore the temptations of this world. Therefore, help those who praise you, that we may also be freed from temptation.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

"I AM the Trinity, simple and undivided in essence, yet divided in Persons. I AM also the Unity, united in nature," says God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Your womb, O Theotokos, held God Who for our sakes took human form. Implore Him, the Creator of all, that through your prayers we may be justified.

Kontakion (Tone 6)

My soul, my soul, Arise!
Why are you sleeping?
The end is drawing near,
and you will be confounded,
awake then and be watchful
hat Christ our God may spare you,
Who is everywhere, and fillest all things.

Ode 7

We have sinned, transgressed, done wrong before You.
We have not watched or done as You hast commanded us,
but do not give us up utterly, O God of our fathers.
Have mercy on us, O God, have mercy on us.

My life is vanishing like a dream on waking. Therefore, like Hezekiah, I cry upon my bed, asking that years may be added to my life. But what Isaiah will help me, except the God of all?

I fall down before You, O Lord, offering my words as if they were tears, for no less than the prostitute have I sinned; I have transgressed as no one else on earth. But take pity on Your creature and restore to me Your mercy.

I have distorted Your image, O Saviour, and broken Your commands. The beauty of my soul has been spoiled and its light extinguished by my sins. But have pity on me and in David's words, "Give me again the joy that comes from Your salvation".

Return! Repent! Uncover what is hidden! Say to God Who knows all things, "You are my only Saviour and know my terrible secrets. Yet in David's words, 'Be merciful to me according to Your constant love.'"

O venerable Mary of Egypt, pray to God for us.

You cried to the pure Mother of God and were freed from the deadly grip of sin, putting Satan your tempter to shame. Grant also to me, your servant, aid in times of trouble.

O venerable Mary of Egypt, pray to God for us.

God Whom you loved and for Whom you longed, Whose path you followed, O Mother, found you and granted you repentance in His compassion. Pray, therefore, that we may be freed from sin and adversity.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

We praise you, we bless and venerate you, O Mother of God, for from the undivided Trinity you brought forth the only Son of God and restored to us on earth the heavenly realms.

Ode 8

Him Whom the hosts of heaven glorify, Whom the Cherubim and Seraphim dread,
let every breath and creature praise, bless and magnify
throughout all ages.
Have mercy on us, O God, have mercy on us.

As the prostitute broke her priceless jar of myrrh to anoint Your head, O Saviour, so do I weep before You with a broken and contrite heart. Hear my prayer; forgive and have mercy on me.

I am the first and greatest of sinners, O patient Saviour, but I cry to You in fear and love, "Though I have sinned against You alone, and done evil in Your sight, nevertheless have mercy on me!"

Spare me, O my Saviour, for I am the work of Your own hands. Seek me, Your lost sheep, O Good Shepherd, and deliver me from the jaws of the wolf including me as a lamb in Your royal fold.

O most-merciful Christ, when You ascend Your dread tribunal as judge, all of creation will be overcome with fear and tremble, for on that day Your glory will be revealed as a blazing fire.

O venerable Mary of Egypt, pray to God for us.

The mother of the never-ending Sun enlightened you and freed you from the darkness of your passions. Since now you rejoice in the grace of the Spirit, O Mary, illumine all who praise you in faith.

O venerable Mary of Egypt, pray to God for us.

Zosimas the Elder marveled meeting you, O Mother, for in you he saw an earthly angel. Filled with awe he praises Christ forever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

O eternal Father, co-eternal Son, and gracious Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, O Father of the Divine Word, Word of the eternal Father, and life-creating Spirit, Trinity in unity, have mercy on us.

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

O pure Virgin, the flesh of Emmanuel was formed within your womb as a robe of royal crimson in spun from scarlet silk. We proclaim you to be truly the Mother of our God.

Ode 9

Have pity on me, O Son of David, Who by Your word cured a man possessed by a demon. Let me also hear Your compassionate promise to the thief, "You will be with Me in Paradise when I return in My glory!"

Two thieves were crucified beside You, O Christ. The one abused You while the other confessed You to be God. O most merciful Lord open to me the doors of Your glorious kingdom as You did to the believing thief.

Creation shook beholding Your crucifixion, O Jesus. The mountains and rocks split in fear; the earth quaked and Hell surrendered its prisoners. The sky grew dark at midday seeing You nailed in the flesh to a cross.

O only Saviour, do not require of me in my weakness fruits which will show that I have changed my ways. Grant rather that finding contrition of heart and poverty in spirit, I may offer these to You as a pleasing sacrifice.

Since You know me, O my Judge, look on me in compassion when You come to judge the whole world. Spare and have mercy on me, though I have sinned more than any other.

O venerable Mary of Egypt, pray to God for us.

O Mary, you overcame the flesh and lived as though bodiless, crossing the River Jordan unhampered by your body. Your wondrous life is an amazement to the ranks both of angels and men.

O venerable Mary of Egypt, pray to God for us.

O venerable Mother, intercede with the Creator that we who sing your praises may be delivered from the afflictions and sorrows which surround us. That being delivered form temptations we may unceasingly glorify the Lord Who has glorified you.

O holy Father Andrew, pray to God for us.

O honourable Andrew, thrice blessed father and pastor of Crete, never cease praying to God for those who sing your praises, that He may deliver from anger, sorrow, corruption, and countless sins all of us who faithfully honour your memory.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

O purest Mother of God, preserve your people, for through you are we kept faithful, strengthened, and made able to overcome every temptation, trial and tribulation.

AMEN
translation posted by http://www.orthodoxchristian.info/pages/canon.htm

O Pure Virgin

2012-03-10T09:35:00.001-05:00

O Virgin Pure

by St. Nectarios
Plagal First Tone (Tone 5)
Refrain: Rejoice, O Bride Unwedded!

O Virgin pure, immaculate/ O Lady Theotokos
O Virgin Mother, Queen of all/ and fleece which is all dewy
More radiant than the rays of sun/ and higher than the heavens
Delight of virgin choruses/ superior to Angels.
Much brighter than the firmament/ and purer than the sun's light
More holy than the multitude/ of all the heav'nly armies.
Rejoice, O Bride Unwedded!

O Ever Virgin Mary/ of all the world, the Lady
O bride all pure, immaculate/ O Lady Panagia
O Mary bride and Queen of all/ our cause of jubilation
Majestic maiden, Queen of all/ O our most holy Mother
More hon'rable than Cherubim/ beyond compare more glorious
than immaterial Seraphim/ and greater than angelic thrones.
Rejoice, O Bride Unwedded!

Rejoice, O song of Cherubim/ Rejoice, O hymn of angels
Rejoice, O ode of Seraphim/ the joy of the archangels
Rejoice, O peace and happiness/ the harbor of salvation
O sacred chamber of the Word/ flow'r of incorruption
Rejoice, delightful paradise/ of blessed life eternal
Rejoice, O wood and tree of life/ the fount of immortality.
Rejoice, O Bride Unwedded!

I supplicate you, Lady/ now do I call upon you
And I beseech you, Queen of all/ I beg of you your favor
Majestic maiden, spotless one/ O Lady Panagia
I call upon you fervently/ O sacred, hallowed temple
Assist me and deliver me/ protect me from the enemy
And make me an inheritor/ of blessed life eternal.
Rejoice, O Bride Unwedded!

(Source and translation: Holy Nativity Convent, Saxonburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.)

CLICK BELOW to hear hymn

Finding Peace Despite the Suffering

2012-03-10T08:02:00.001-05:00

Finding Peace Despite the Suffering

by Father Lev Gillet

As we endure these difficult times and suffering, we experience a range of emotions, including despair, anger, and restlessness. The Lord has blessed us with His peace and promised us victory over all evil.

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you.” (Jn 14:27) Jesus gives His peace. He does not loan it; He does not take it back. The peace that is in Jesus – “My peace” – becomes the disciples’ final possession. At the beginning of each day, it is possible for me to be confirmed in the Saviour’s peace, no matter what anxieties the day brings.

The Saviour gives His disciples His peace at the moment when His Passion is about to begin. When He is confronted with the vision of immediate suffering and death, He proclaims and communicates His peace. If at such moments, Jesus is the Master of Peace, then the strength of this peace will not abandon the disciple in moments of lesser strife.

“But I say to you, do not resist evil.” (Matt 5:39). How scandalous and foolish is this statement in the eyes of men, and especially of unbelievers? How do we interpret this commandment – about turning the left cheek to the one who struck the right, giving our cloak to the one who took our tunic, walking two miles with the one who forced to go one mile already, giving a blessing to him who curses us? Have we explored the ways and means of loving our enemy – whether he be a personal or public enemy? “You do not know of what spirit you are…” (Lk 9:55)

No, it is a question of resisting the Gospel. The choice is not between fighting and not fighting, but between fighting and suffering. Fighting brings about only vain and illusory victories, because Jesus is the absolute reality. Suffering without resistance proclaims the absolute reality of Jesus. If we understand this point, we see that suffering is a real victory. Jesus said: “It is enough” (Lk 22:38) when His disciples presented Him with two swords. The disciples had not understood the meaning of Christ’s statement, “He who does not have a purse, let him sell his coat and buy a sword.” (Lk 22:36) What Christ meant was that there are times when we must sacrifice what seems the most ordinary thing, in order to concentrate our attention on the assaults of the evil one. But defense and attack are both spiritual.

Jesus goes out to the front of the soldiers, who with their torches and weapons, want to lay hands on Him. (Jn 18:4) He goes freely, spontaneously, to His passion and His suffering.

Jesus cures the servant whose right ear had been cut off by the sword of a disciple. (Matt 26:51) Not only is Jesus unwilling that His disciple defend Him by force, but He repairs the damage that the sword has caused. It is the only miracle that Jesus performed during His passion.

The example of non-resistance that Jesus gave does not mean that He consents to evil, or that He remains merely passive. It is a positive reaction. It is the reply of the love that Jesus incarnates - opposed to the enterprises of the wicked. The immediate result seems to be the victory of evil. In the long run, however, the power of this love is the strongest.

The Resurrection followed the Passion. The non-resistance of the martyrs wore out and inspired the persecutors themselves. It is the shedding of blood that has guaranteed the spread of the Gospel. Is this a weak and vague pacifism? NO – it is a burning and victorious flame. If Jesus, at Gethsemane, had asked His Father for the help of twelve legions of angels, there would have been no Easter or Pentecost – and no salvation for us.

Credits and Attribution
This article is an excerpt from a larger work entitled "A Dialogue with the Saviour". http://www.coptichymns.net/module-library-viewpub-tid-1-pid-412.html

Open Your Gates

2012-03-10T07:49:00.001-05:00

"Open your gates to homeless thieves, let the outside world sweep in to demolish your magnificent liturgical system, abase yourself, empty yourself, make yourself of no account. However much you do so, can your abasement and degradation ever compare to Christ's? Accept the vow of poverty in all it's devastating severity: destroy all comfort, even monastic comfort."

- Mother Maria of Ravensbruk

Concrete, Steel + Paint - a review

2011-06-08T21:28:00.004-04:00

"What would it mean to live in a city whose people were changing each other's despair into hope?—You yourself must change it." - Adrienne Rich

This movie takes up the work Rich sets out to disturb our lives with - to look at our own selves and our interactions and reactions with those around us and see that our presence impacts the outcomes of everything that is going on. When we choose to do something or not to do something it is wrapped around every other thing in our world. Our responses to life do impact our own meaning.

The movie's website describes the movie: "When men in prison join with victims of crime to create a mural about healing, their views on punishment, remorse, and forgiveness collide. Attempts to find consensus repeatedly stall. But as the participants move deeper into the creative process, the mistrust begins to give way to moments of common purpose and human contact. The film raises important questions about crime, justice and reconciliation and illustrates the role that art can play in facilitating dialogue about difficult issues. In a country with the highest incarceration rate in the world, there are no easy answers, but Concrete, Steel and Paint points to the need for fresh ideas and new approaches to criminal justice and corrections." from - http://www.newdaydigital.com/Concrete-Steel-Paint.html

This movie reveals a bold courage that lives inside a group of prisoners and victims in the city of Philadelphia. In what is nothing less than a miracle, a group of prisoners decides they want to make create art with and for the people of the surrounding neighborhoods. Their art is about letting people know that they are aware of their crimes and the horrible anguish those crimes have inflicted on the victims. They are trying to make contact with the world outside. The movie documents the struggle the victims have in coming to terms with the idea of even having to listen to the voice of the prisoners, let alone create some common work. It is like watching two creatures move slowly, blindly toward each other; two creatures that are relying on echolocation to find their bearings and gain access to each other.

It shows people leaning into something that seems beyond comprehension; beyond mere belief. These prisoners are wrestling with their desires for reaching out, through their bars with an offering of peace. They are extending an olive branch. These victims and advocates for victims are wrestling with whether they are able to reach out and receive. In the laying aside of their impulse (that we all share) to do absolutely nothing to bring about dialog, they have found engagement, expression, and emancipation. It was not easy.

Everything in us squirms at the idea of even bringing these two groups together. Our daily lack of hope prods us into believing that these things will never happen. Prisoners should not be in contact with victims. It keeps us frozen in a land where they never will. But here, against all odds, against all belief these people - no different from you and I - take an immeasurable risk and find restitution, restoration, and redemption.

Pain is not removed, but suffering is somehow turned to a tolerable grief at what it means to live among divergent feelings, complex structures of belief, and untold human weakness and agony. It feels like the same sullen ambiguity that brings an odd homeostasis while reading Anne Frank or Victor Frankl. Suffering is somehow different when it is opened to another. It is not necessarily removed, but showing your wound somehow does diminish the sting.

True art is able to move you from living in your head to living in your heart; helping you return there again and again. Perhaps to a different locale, but always to the heart.This movie is not only about art that moves you, it is itself art that takes you beyond the simple constructs of artistic expressionism and demands you feel for the complex strands in life that are not only contradictory, but needed. The strands that are opposed, but strands that will be woven into one fabric. That fabric is our precious human community. It is art within art; reminiscent of a "trompe l'oil" border.

The artful foray into engagement, expression, and emancipation that Cindy Burstein and Tony Heriza have taken has all the feel of an archetypal shift. Their trust that there is something deep, primal, and unsettling hidden in this story has caused a shudder in the rift between the "us and them" axis. They have proven again that we can trust the process; that art, dreams/desires, and the unconscious are equally apart of therapeutic catharsis and mending. What they have done here to capture something astounding is itself impressive.

You have got to see this movie. You can stream it live, buy it or check out one of the showings at:

http://www.concretefilm.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5&Itemid=4

This movie should change the way we look at prison, reform, and reconciliation. It is a remarkable tale that religious and civic institutions should pay attention to. Societal groups that have held themselves to be "change agents" in the past could learn volumes about the nature of simplicity and risk in the process of bringing healing to the human spirit.

CLICK HERE for trailer and MORE INFO

Ancient Hebrew translation in Genesis has apparently been wrong .... ALL ALONG!!!

2011-05-25T08:19:00.008-04:00

NEWS FLASH:

New light has been cast on an ancient text. Apparently the Hebrew word for "be responsible" found in Genesis Chapter One (sometimes translated to subdue or tend) really means to:

"trash the place / stand on the backs of the oppressed and disenfranchised / and support unethical corporate greed and wanton pleasure"

WOW.

That makes so much more sense. It also explains a lot.

It explains why the three major Monotheistic Faiths have not screamed and hollered loudly about corporate greed, wealth-driven lobbyists, and have even denied that there is any truth to climate change, rather than establishing fasting and sackcloth and ashes as a way to go.

Most of the hyper-conservative organizations in those Faiths that allegedly love God so deeply, truly believe that it is ok to live the way we live in America - with no regard for the global picture, but only regard for ourselves. They teach that they know so much about God and Heaven (which no one can see) but these same people cannot add up the facts right in front of their noses and on the very ground upon which they stand. Really? All these tornadoes are meaningless? There is no climate change?

I challenge all of the American believers of ANY FAITH to collect their trash for one week and leave it on their front lawn. Then save it for a month and leave that on your front lawn. Does that seem like a reasonable amount of trash to you? Now multiply a week's worth by 52. What does that look like? How about for your whole neighborhood for 52 weeks? What does that look like to you? Does that look like a gift you would give to the Father of Creation?

Nice Gift!!!

That is just trash. We still have to look at emissions, toxic waste, overcrowding, disease...on and on.

It is sad that the military is responding before the church...it says a lot: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/may/20/climate-change-climate-change-scepticism

God blessed them: "Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge! Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air, for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth." Genesis i, 28.

What Actions Do You Take

2011-02-22T15:21:00.000-05:00

When I think of the connection that I have had over the years to the stories of people like Mother Maria, stories of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Thomas Merton, Mother Theresa, Catherine DeHueck, Dorothy Day, and the like, I ask myself what drives my actions. Will my actions ever read like tales from the deep that are meant to inspire other people - throughout time. Right now, I would have to say "I doubt it."

So often we see our lives as here, now, for this moment and for this act, but in the greater scheme of things our lives are a part of the cosmic drama of life. We are but small and integral pieces in the larger whole of life. Do we remember our acts are here to forge the words for the tales that will be told ages and ages hence. Our lives will meld with history and be the stories told by future folk.

I know I often forget that. Reading stories and sharing tales around the fire bolsters my spirits and my connection to the greater tale that life is really all about. Being a member of this human family throughout time is ennobling and deepening. Especially when we consider our place in the Kingdom of God that runs through, in, and around everything that is a part of human life.

Ciao!

TJM+

Sabbath Rest and Neural Ganglia

2010-12-21T08:23:00.000-05:00

Worship and Church need to be about Sabbath rest and wholeness. Church and worship are all about the seventh day of creation. They are rest from the work of life. We need to find ways to enter into the stillness God has called us into—out of the chaos of our worldly lives. The sacredness of Church and worship sets them apart as “Sabbath experiences.” Where is the rest in Church today? We cannot envelop wholeness without it.

Sabbath rest is also about telling tales. We reach into the ken of stories that emerge from our history as a people of God and we share them in a space rich in silence and stillness. The space provided by the silence and stillness enables us to hear how the tales interact with our own lives. We connect in a richer fashion when our tales our told out of rest, rather than constant movement. By removing these standard and routine practices from “Church”, “Sabbath”, and “religious” experiences, we have begun to dismantle structures in the neural ganglia of mankind. We are pruning out developmental culture and its place in our lives. This is dangerous.

Replicating our workplace environments in our Churches has proved empty. We really do not want to have executive meetings on Sunday, we just have forgotten that we are being called into something different. Making Churches into businesses has failed in the long run and we all feel that. Relegating growth to an “org chart” has left us hollow.

Eventually we are left with asking, “What happened to Jesus in all of this? Where has God gone in all of this?” Perhaps we have substituted our prayer practices with the distractions that keep us from stillness. As easy as it is to do this in our private lives, it is just as easy to do this in our corporate lives. We can eradicate healthy habits quite nicely in democratic cultures. I am afraid Church has become democratic—in ways that it has clearly not ruminated over long enough.

From Chapter 2 of Cairn-Space

click HERE to order

Talkable is Readable

2010-12-06T22:29:00.003-05:00

In the past I have not reviewed business books at this blog, but, because the author is a brother in Christ, and because his passion for branding has so much to offer churches and ministries as well as businesses, I find it a valuable read for anyone searching to align the core of their heart and passion with a fervor about getting the word out (is this not truly what evangelism is all about)!

Talkable is Readable

"Talkable" is a book on branding written by the progressive young founder and CEO of Abiah - an innovative brand development firm - Guy Richards. The book not only reveals Richard's broad sensibilities and deep reaching intuitions on matters of driving businesses and ministries into the future on the momentum of clearly aligned business structures and products, it does it in a down to earth and readable way.

Guy gives over information that only a strategist and guru would offer, but he does it in a humble and non-threatening landscape of pragmatic and actionable wording. He is the "pundit of the pragmatic". His self effacing humor does not set up any barriers to your building confidence in the task at hand. These laconic words bolster hope that people can brand and brand well on little or no money down.

Most people will never learn these simple truths about positioning yourself in the market based on the things you do that are talkable because most of the people that disseminate this info hide behind cryptic towers of profuse diversions - using language that would render branding as a science or a dead language. That is not Guy's approach. He makes it clear that anyone can get down and do the work if they will get down and do the work.

What he offers are 60 potent life lessons from the master. 60 times you get to sit at his feet and hear the words he has to offer. He'll reframe things that you already know with just enough newness and freshness so as to draw you in and stimulate your innovator within.

It becomes pretty clear that Guy is all about helping people find out what it is they are passionate about. Without this part of the oracle's message, there can be no push into success. He challenges us to begin to learn about what it is we do best and then make sure that we let people know that that is what sets us apart from all the other widget makers. If you don't know what it is that you do best then you need to take the time to review that.

So begins your dance with your brand promise. If you don't have that then you don't have a brand. You are just widget maker number six thousand. So get started.

There is info that you will want to add to your strategic planning analyses and to your over site narratives. There is material you will want to carry to deeper levels so you can orient and educate your staff. There are whole lists of actionable stuff in each chapter that you will want to jot down to help deepen and strengthen your constituents - adding value. So be sure to bring a legal pad to the reading.

Guy sort of reminds me of Tim Sanders (Love is a Killer App). He makes it clear that he is a Jesus lover and it informs all his work. This means that he is not only upholding a commitment to an ethical stance because he is hooked up to God, it means that he is learning to let love be the measure of how he does what he does. He has not burst out into saying "love-cats", like Sanders, but you get the sense that Guy is clearly revealing a glimpse into his own brand which is all about sharing the love. He is inviting us in to create a community. Community is a brand of brands.

I buzzed through the book pretty quickly - it is a quick read - and I would encourage you to do the same, making notes where you would like to make some particular adjustments in the way you are positioned in the market and how you do business. Then, I would go back through it with a more reflective and far reaching rumination. Take your time and make more detailed notes that involve specific interactions your heart and mind have with the material. It would be a great series of opening readings at staff and board meetings that could enable alignment throughout an agency.

Guy goes a step further and helps hook you up with Abiah's proprietary brand testing methodology BrandReturn. It is another way that he is sharing the love.

Anyone who wants to learn about the components of what Jim Collins (Good to Great) calls the hedgehog principle will find a readable roadmap in Richards book. Your business needs this book. Don't drop off the charts becaus you settled for the chaos of the ordinary - excel, innovate, and develop a core that people just can't stop talking about - for all of the best reasons!

Check out his link http://www.abiah.com/

From Chapter Three of My New Book - Cairn-Space

2010-11-09T05:51:00.001-05:00

A Quote from Chapter Three of my new book:

There is an peninsula in Greece known as Mount Athos. The “Holy Mountain” or “Garden of the Virgin”—as it is also known—is peppered with monastic houses, kelli (small groupings of individual monastic“cells”), and caves for hermits. Each gathering of monastics has its own “rule of life”; its own way of living together.

Some monks gather often for meals and prayer. Others only weekly. Still others only for major feasts or sporadically. Some monks live their rule alone; completely by themselves.However they are organized as communities the goal is the same.The monks seek to perform some sort of spiritual practice and also to enter “hesychia”—the stillness/silence of God. There are as many forms for this as there are monks. They truly live in cairn-space.

In the Western Church, Saint Benedict and other “Rule” writers, focused more directly on the pattern of living that monks shared with one another in their monastic enclosures. The “Rules” looked at the apostolic notions hidden in a common life together: how much should people eat, how many items of clothing should they have, how often should they pray, how should they treat guests. Although these “rules” inhabit the communities on the Holy Mountain, they are not the focus of Eastern monasticism. The focus of the Eastern Orthodox monk is tending the heart and making it a place for the Divine meeting. Spiritual practiceand stillness: prayer and hesychia. The writing of “Rules” and the living of rules does not predominate.

The work that the monastics perform in their spiritual struggle is seen as therapy. It is what restores them to full health in their lives in the Spirit of God. In Classical times, spirituality and religion were seen as daughters of medicine. The spiritual life was a journey in the healing of the soul. It was a medical science. Today we have all but lost that diagnostic approach to faith.

As you begin to unpack the writings found in the Philokalia—the monastic guidebook second only to the Holy Scriptures—you do get a sense that the writers were addressing illnesses within man. Their spiritual athletics in the arena of asceticism were directed at helping believers to find the antidote and cure for their spiritual illnesses. All of the writings approach spirituality with an eye toward removing the things that block us from becoming whole and healthy in the Spirit.

The writings speak a lot about getting back to a simple practice when we have lost sight of the silent stillness of God. Return to a simple method when you are distracted and start again. Fall and get up. Fall and get up. Fall and get up, again.

This was what they taught as a model for growth. This perpetual return to purification in the life of the ascetic moved them into a place where enlightenment and union could unfold without interruption.

Where much of the Church today has been at a lack for an organized schema or anthropology of man—one that permeates the denominational traditions—the Orthodox Monastic Tradition has maintained a consistent and growing body of knowledge of what it means to be human and how to bring human beings back into rightful homeostasis; centered in God. The path toward wholeness clearly requires spiritual practices and the stillness/silence of God—“hesychia.”

The Holy Mountain continues to be a place in space and time in which men still hear the cry of God, “Flee, hide from men, be silent.” The monastics believe it is this medicine that will heal the world.

This peninsula is cairn-space. These monks are cairn-space.

Ciao!

TJM+

Cairn-Space

2010-11-06T09:42:00.000-04:00

It is not uncommon to find stone cairns that have been set up as trail markers. These geologic GPS coordinates, piled on the ground, help us to find our way. We remember our way in life because of the piles all around us.

The photo albums that lay about our home are GPS co-ordinates to other places in time and space. Each picture, a cairn that marks whole chapters of life that have seemingly disappeared. The birth of our sons, the hiking of a trail, a trip to the Isle of Skye; they are not gone. The photos remind me of the place in my consciousness within which I have planted those days and ways of life. As I water the seeds of my past, I am informed with a whole new vigor that my life has led me to this moment.
This moment is built on so much more than I can see; but it is available within me.

We are called to pull the past into the present in order to shape our future—in our remembering. This is always the power of signs. They lead us to our future, by way of our past. We stand at a cairn and remember; we dream, we hope, we become.

This is not unlike the call of Jesus to “do this in memory of me”; to celebrate the Eucharist. The cairns in this Jesus-meeting are the species of bread and wine. They bring clarity to this moment and present us
with images and facts that may not be visible, but live deeply in us as realities we assent to. We learn that we are to be broken and poured out for the life of the world as these Jesus-meeting cairns suggest. The words
“in memory” or “in remembrance” of Jesus in this short passage come from the Greek word “anamnesis.” This word is all about the concept of bringing the past into the present and the present into the past. It is a
merging or confluence of time.

The cairns we speak of from this time forward will be cairns that may embody all of this. They may mark off God-space, heart-space, memories, or ideas. They may reveal hidden causes in the fabric of our
phenomenology, or hint for us to listen for the whispering wind; sacramental cairns on the landscape of our lives. They may point to interior dimensions we had no idea existed within our heart, and mind, and
soul. We will amble around the ideas of sacred-space, prayer-space, and sacramental living. We will encounter and wrestle with God all along the way. We will look for and stop at the cairns along the geography of our spiritual heritage.

...from the Introduction to Cairn-Space

click for details

Wipf and Stock Publishers

2010-09-28T17:38:00.001-04:00

Wipf and Stock Publishers: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

"There is something haunting about water. There is a power in her to lure and lull us. It is not just her power to drown or destroy. She holds silent things within. There is a lot of silence in her, and a lot of aged knowledge from seeing and passing all that has been. That is her wisdom. That silence is her power.

Rivers have seen passages of time that we can only guess at or imagine. Rivers wrap themselves over the planet in space, but have existed like this over time...."

The Empire Strikes Back

2010-09-14T14:41:00.000-04:00

The book JFK and the Unspeakable is a must read for any critically thinking Christian. I wanted to say intelligent Christian, but I realized it may be more accurate to say critically thinking Christian. What this book has to share is not something that most Christians would either be willing to believe or ever allow themselves to believe...especially those living in the suburban Utopian dream of comfortable anesthetization. If you take your government at its word, then don't read this.

But, if you - like me - looked at the Zapruder Film and saw it as a series of shots and not just one, it made you think. It made you wonder why JFK reaches for his throat and then we see another more lethal/fatal shot to his head. It makes you wonder if the theories of conspiracy were theories or realities.

James Douglass culls through all of the massive amounts of materials released since 1999 (and all of the usual stuff prior to that) and builds a rather extensive timeline of the changes in JFK's heart...changes that he identifies as that of "A Cold Warrior Turns". Kennedy moved the world away from the abyss of destruction because he himself had gone through that change within. He had a series of realizations of how the machine was handling the Cold War.

There is clear evidence of the contact between JFK and Khrushchev in his documentation. This evidence supports the fact that if it were not for these two men, the machines of our respective governments clearly would have chosen war over the course that prevailed.

I really think you should read the book and make your own decision, but I have got to tell you, reading this book has me weirded out. It is not that I am weirded out by the idea that elements of the US machine could have been involved in the JFK assassination. I have always believed that in my heart of hearts - this just gives me the grist for the mill. What really weirds me out is realizing how horribly close we came to destroying the entire world in the Cold War. And, how we live as if none of this ever really happened. We ourselves - at the hands of an out of control political machine hiding behind the US government - were just an instant away from perpetuating an evil that would have made Hitler look like Fred Rogers.

The term "The Unspeakable" comes from monk Thomas Merton. It is his description of the nuclear predicament we all lived in amid the 1960s. Merton figures prominently in Douglass's book as he uses him as a moral hitching post to tie all of the truly sane thinking people to in this day and age. Interesting that Merton, too, ends up dead by the end of the 1960s. Another death - along with Bobby Kennedy, and Martin Luther King - that I have my feelings about in my heart of hearts. "Hard to see the Dark Side is", said Master Yoda. He was right.

Do yourself a favor and get this book - TODAY. It will deepen your outrage at what we allow to occur in our lily white world of order and suburbia. It may even deepen your commitment to Jesus and His RADICAL call of discipleship: A calling that would have us turn the world upside down for justice and truth. A calling that requires us to attend to our own deep conversions of heart like JFK. You will not be the same.

Check out Twenty Conclusions after Nine Visits - and autopsy report: Click Here.

TJM+