Author James Joyce and Orthodox Holy Week
James Joyce was an Irish novelist and poet, considered to be one of the most influential writers in the modernist avant-garde of the early 20th century. In a 1922 New York Times profile of Joyce, the following was told of him: “Mr. Joyce has no reverence for organized religion, for conventional morality, for literary style or form. He has no conception of the word obedience, and he bends the knee neither to God nor man.” Yet what we find evident from his own [Read more...]
Ten Tips for Holy Week and Pascha
I saw these last year on Fr. Peter Preble’s blog, and thought they were excellent to bring into focus what is really important during this sacred season. 1. Make participation at the Services a priority. This is especially crucial for those families with children. They must experience as much of Holy Week and Pascha as possible with their parents. 2. In our homes we should strive to “keep out the world” and enter into the peace, solemnity, and theology of the events of [Read more...]
The Days of Holy Week
Each day in Holy Week is devoted to a particular theme, and since they pass quickly, here they are for your meditation in advance. PALM SUNDAY: The Entrance of our Lord into Jerusalem is one of the Twelve Great Feasts of the Christian Faith, and celebrated with great honor. We commemorate his entrance into His saving Passion for us, and like the Apostle Thomas, prepare ourselves to “go and die with Him,” following the services of Holy Week which follow. A grand procession [Read more...]
The Days Before Us
Each Day in Holy Week is devoted to a particular theme, all designed for us to draw closer to Christ, His Resurrection, and His Awesome and Dread Second Coming. Entering into the spirit of these parables and reminders from the Holy Scriptures makes Holy Week the most spiritually and liturgically intense period of the Christian year. Palm Sunday The Entrance of our Lord into Jerusalem is one of the Twelve Great Feasts of the Christian Faith, and celebrated with great honor. We commemorate [Read more...]
Holy Week Arrives
With the arrival of Lazarus Saturday and Palm Sunday, we now enter into Christ’s Holy Passion – Holy Week. Holy Week and Pascha are the most liturgically intense seasons of the Orthodox year. During this time, involvement in liturgical services is both more expectant and participatory. This is Holy Week. It is not for sissies. It is an intense journey through of the Passion, Suffering, Death and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Come expecting to give, not take. Come expecting to serve, [Read more...]
