19 April 2016. This Sunday is Orthodox Palm Sunday…

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This Sunday is Orthodox Palm Sunday… that means that Holy Week and Easter are upon us, the most solemn and joyous time of the Christian Year. Every year, one hears the same bleat from the over-pious “religious”… “We only see these people once a year… the Church shouldn’t give them communion”. Nothing is further from the truth and nothing is more demonic and un-Christlike. Such people are keeping up some sort of tie with the Church… you may not like it, but they’re keeping up some sort of tie with the Church. I don’t think that we should be subjecting people to an inquisition… they’re coming of their own free will and they’re showing by this participation that they haven’t totally given up on Christ and His Church. I say, “Let them be. They’re not heathens. They’re not atheists. They’re just not living up to your fancies. STFU”. God smiles when such people come to the services, and so do I. If you don’t like that, so be it… I refuse to argue with the “pure and perfect”… they’re always right and you’re always wrong, so, why waste your time.

I say, “Happy Easter and a Joyous Holiday to all of us”. ALL OF US. Christ didn’t just rise from the dead for a limited coterie and set, after all.

BMD

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11 April 2015. A Thought from St John Chrysostom on this Holy Saturday

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Christ is risen… but the empty tomb isn’t known yet. Christ is “loosing the bonds of the captives” in Hades… leading out all those who chose to follow Him. Let all mortal flesh keep silence, and with fear and trembling stand; set your minds on things eternal, ponder nothing earthly minded, for with blessing in his hand Christ our God to earth descended, come our homage to command. The Feast of Feasts is tonight at midnight…

BMD

10 April 2015. It’s Holy Friday… Our Lord Christ Hangs On The Cross

Golgotha

from the triptych “The Legend of the Grand Inquisitor”

Ilya Glazunov

1983

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This is probably the most solemn day of the Church Year. Our Lord Christ hangs on the Cross. The wise thief didst Thou make worthy of Paradise, in a single moment, O Lord. By the wood of Thy Cross, illumine me as well and save me. What more need I say? Nothing frivolous today…

Please, do note the date of the painting. The religious revival was well under-way long before 1991. The Soviet state, in the end, wasn’t a barrier to Christ and His Church…

BMD

9 April 2015. Today Is Holy Thursday…

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Today, we are buried with Him… need I say more? We’re coming on up to the Holiest part of Holy Week. ‘Nuff said…

BMD