Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!

Христос воскрес! Воистину воскрес!

Hristos a înviat! Adevărat a înviat!

Χριστός ἀνέστη! Ἀληθῶς ἀνέστη!

Click on the above links to listen to Paschal chanting.

Apolytikion in the Plagal of the First Tone

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death by death, and bestowing life on those in the graves.

Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone

Though You went down into the tomb, You destroyed Hades' power, and You rose the victor, Christ God, saying to the myrrh-bearing women, "Hail!" and granting peace to Your disciples, You who raise up the fallen.

St. Diadochos of Photiki -- Gnostic Chapters (with commentary)

In August of 2008 I was pleased to post some links to a translation of the Gnostic Chapters by St. Diadochos of Photiki undertaken by Orthodox Monk. Orthodox Monk is now graciously providing the same translated material, but with commentary. I will be updating this post as more material becomes available.

Chapters 1-9 (of 100) are here.

Chapters 10-15 (of 100) are here.

Chapters 16-29 (of 100) are here.

Chapters 30-36 (of 100) are here.

Chapters 37-55 (of 100) are here.

Chapters 56-62 (of 100) are here.

Chapters 63-64 (of 100) are here.

Chapters 65-67 (of 100) are here.

Chapters 68-75 (of 100) are here.

Chapters 76-78 (of 100) are here.

Chapters 79-87 (of 100) are here.

Chapters 88-100 (of 100) are here.

Annunciation

Earlier this week we celebrated the feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary. Here is an excerpt from Mattins:

Today is revealed the mystery that is from all eternity. The Son of God becomes the Son of man, that, sharing in what is worse, He may make me share in what is better. In times of old Adam was once deceived, he sought to become God, but received not his desire. Now God becomes man, that He may make Adam God. Let creation rejoice, let nature exult: for the Archangel stands in fear before the Virgin and, saying to her 'Hail', he brings the joyful greeting whereby our sorrow is assuaged. O Thou who in Thy merciful compassion wast made man, our God, glory to Thee.

The Festal Menaion, p. 460

Great Lent -- Week 1

From Monday through Thursday in the first week of Great Lent, the Great Canon of Repentance by St. Andrew of Crete is read during Great Compline. Here are some excerpts:

Monday -- Ode 2 Troparia:

Having formed by my pleasure-loving desires the deformity of my passions, I have marred the beauty of my mind. A storm of passions besets me, O compassionate Lord. But stretch out Thy hand to me too, as to Peter. (Matthew 14:31)

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

I have stained the coat of my flesh, and soiled what is in Thy image and likeness, O Saviour. I have darkened the beauty of my soul with passionate pleasures, and my whole mind I have reduced wholly to mud.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

I have torn my first garment which the Creator wove for me in the beginning, and therefore I am lying naked. (Genesis 3:21)

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Tuesday -- Ode 4 Troparia:

Watch, my soul! Be courageous like the great Patriarchs, that you may acquire activity and awareness, and be a mind that sees God, and may reach in contemplation the innermost darkness, and be a great trader. (Genesis 32:28; Luke 19:13-15)

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

The great Patriarch, by begetting the twelve Patriarchs, mystically set up for you, my soul, a ladder of active ascent, having wisely offered his children as rungs, and his steps as ascents.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

You have emulated the hated Esau, my soul, and have given up your birthright of pristine beauty to your supplanter, and you have lost your father's blessing, and have been tripped up twice in action and knowledge. Therefore, O wretch, repent now. (Genesis 25:31; 27:37)

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Wednesday -- Ode 6 Troparia:

Rise and make war against the passions of the flesh, as Joshua did against Amalek, and ever conquer the Gibeonites - illusive thoughts. (Exodus 17:8; Josh. 8:21)

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Pass through the flowing nature of time, like the Ark of old, and take possession of the Land of Promise, my soul: It is God's command. (Josh. 3:17; Deuteronomy 1:8)

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

As Thou savedst Peter when he cried, "Save me!", forestall and deliver me from the beast, O Saviour; stretch out Thy hand and raise me from the depths of sin. (Matthew 14:25-31)

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Thursday -- Ode 9 Troparia:

Have compassion and save me, have mercy on me, O Son of David, Who didst heal with a word the demoniac. And let Thy voice of tender compassion speak to me as to the robber, 'Truly I tell you, you will be with Me in Paradise when I rise in My glory.' (Luke 9:38-42; 23:43)

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

A robber accused Thee, and a robber confessed Thee to be God, for both were hanging on a cross with Thee. But open even to me, O most compassionate Saviour, the door of Thy glorious Kingdom as to Thy faithful robber who acknowledged Thee to be God. (Luke 23:32-42)

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Creation was in anguish, seeing Thee crucified; mountains and rocks were split with fear, the earth quaked, hell was emptied, and the light grew dark in the daytime, beholding Thee, Jesus, nailed to the Cross in Thy flesh. (Matthew 27:51-53; Luke 23:44-45)

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

Troparia courtesy of monachos.net.

Forgiveness Sunday

Today is Forgiveness Sunday.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal of the Second Tone

O Master, Prudence, Guide of Wisdom, Instruction to the foolish and Defender of the poor, strengthen my heart and grant it discernment. Give me words, Word of the Father, for behold, I shall not keep my lips from crying out to You, "O Merciful One, have mercy on me who has fallen."

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Alexander Schmemann on Forgiveness Sunday:

What is the meaning of this rite? Why is it that the Church wants us to begin Lenten season with forgiveness and reconciliation? These questions are in order because for too many people Lent means primarily, and almost exclusively, a change of diet, the compliance with ecclesiastical regulations concerning fasting. They understand fasting as an end in itself, as a "good deed" required by God and carrying in itself its merit and its reward. But, the Church spares no effort in revealing to us that fasting is but a means, one among many, towards a higher goal: the spiritual renewal of man, his return to God, true repentance and, therefore, true reconciliation. The Church spares no effort in warning us against a hypocritical and pharisaic fasting, against the reduction of religion to mere external obligations. As a Lenten hymn says:

In vain do you rejoice in no eating, O soul!

For you abstain from food,

But from passions you are not purified.

If you persevere in sin, you will perform a useless fast.