discoveringorthodoxy

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Thirst for Jesus, that He may make you drunk with His love. Close your eyes to the delights of this life, that God may deem you worthy to have His peace reigning in your heart. Abstain from what your eyes behold, that you may be accounted worthy of spiritual joy. If your works are displeasing to God, seek not from Him glorious things, lest you become a man who tempts God. As your manner of life, so must your prayer be. For it is impossible for someone bound up in earthly matters to seek what is heavenly, and the man who is occupied with worldly affairs cannot ask for what is divine. Each man's desire is revealed by his works, and in whatever matters he shows his zeal, it is for those that he strives in prayer. The man who desires the greatest things does not concern himself with the lesser.

St. Isaac the Syrian

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Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!

Albanian: Krishti U Ngjall! Vertet U Ngjall!

Anglo-Saxon: Crist aras! Crist sodhlice aras!

Arabic: El Messieh kahm! Hakken kahm!

Armenian: Kristos haryav ee merelotz! Orhnial eh harootyunuh kristosee!

Bulgarian: Hristos voskrese! Vo istina voskrese!

Chinese: Helistuosi fuhole! Queshi fuhuole!

Coptic: Pchristos aftooun! Alethos aftooun!

Czech: Vstal z mrtvých Kristus! Vpravdě vstal z mrtvých!

Danish: Kristus er opstanden! Ja, sandelig opstanden!

Dutch: Christus is opgestaan! Ja, hij is waarlijk opgestaan!

Ethiopian: Christos t'ensah em' muhtan! Exai' ab-her eokala!

Finnish: Kristus nousi kuolleista! Totisesti nousi!

French: Le Christ est réssuscité! En verite il est réssuscité!

Gaelic: Taw creest ereen! Taw shay ereen guhdyne!

German: Christus ist auferstanden! Wahrlich Er ist auferstanden!

Greek: Christos anesti! Alithos anesti!

Hawaiian: Ua ala hou 'o Kristo! Ua ala 'I 'o no 'oia!

Hebrew: Ha Masheeha houh quam! Be emet quam!

Ibo (Nigeria): Jesu Kristi ebiliwo! Ezia o' biliwo!

Indian (Malayalam): Christu uyirthezhunnettu! Theerchayayum uyirthezhunnettu!

Indonesian: Kristus telah bangkit! Benar dia telah bangkit!

Italian: Cristo e' risorto! Veramente e' risorto!

Japanese: Harisutos Fukkatsu! Jitsu ni Fukkatsu!

Korean: Kristo gesso! Buhar ha sho nay!

Latin: Christus resurrexit! Vere resurrexit!

Norwegian: Christus er oppstanden! Christus er oppstanden!

Polish: Khristus zmartwyckwstal! Zaprawde zmartwyckwstal!

Portuguese: Cristo ressuscitou! Em verdade ressuscitou!

Romanian: Hristos a inviat! Adevărat a înviat!

Russian: Khristos voskrese! Voistinu voskrese!

Serbian: Hristos vaskrse! Vaistunu vaskrse!

Spanish: Cristo ha resucitado! En verdad ha resucitado!

Swedish: Kristus är uppstånden! Han är sannerligen uppstånden!

Syriac: M'shee ho dkom! Ha koo qam!

Tagalog: Si Kristo ay Nabuhay! Tunay na Siya ay Nabuhay na Mag-uli!

Turkish: Hristos diril - di! Hakikaten diril - di!

Ugandan: Kristo ajukkide! Kweli ajukkide!

Ukrainian: Khristos voskres! Voistinu voskres!

Welsh: Atgyfododd Crist! Atgyfododd yn wir!

Zulu: U Kristu uvukile! Ngempela uvukile!

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Life cannot continue without food, and it must be customary food at that. Such food is the Body and Blood of the Lord. He himself said: My flesh is meat indeed, and My blood is drink indeed (Jn. 6:55). One who is beginning a new life should begin with this. It is especially necessary to taste this Food at the outset, at the first, so to say, movements of his new life. They say that the first food an infant eats has an effect on the character of his physical life, and from then on comprises his continual bodily requirements. What should be the character of the life of a penitent? A life in Christ Jesus our Lord. What should be his constant requirement? The need for communing with the Lord. Let him hasten in the first movement of this life to taste the Body and Blood of Christ, so that he might lay the foundation of a Christ-like life and generate a true need for constant communion with Him by means of this partaking. The partaker, after tasting the sweetness of this heavenly Manna, will ever more hunger and thirst to partake again.

-- Saint Theophan the Recluse: Path to Salvation; A Manual of Spiritual Transformation

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Call to him with fervor: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me the sinner.” Do this constantly in church and at home, traveling, working, at table, and in bed: in a word from the time you open your eyes till the time you shut them. This will be exactly like holding an object in the sun, because this is to hold yourself before the face of the Lord, who is the Sun of the spiritual world. —Abba Philemon

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If you ask anyone who knew Archbishop John (Saint John Maximovitch) what it was that drew people to him - and still draws people who never knew him -- the answer is always the same: he was overflowing with love; he sacrificed himself for his fellow men out of absolute love for God and for them. This is why things were revealed to him which could not get through to other people and which he never could have known by natural means. he himself taught that, for all the mysticism' of our Orthodox Church that is found in the Lives of Saints and the writings of the Holy Fathers, the truly Orthodox person always has both feet firmly on the ground, facing whatever situation is right in front of him. It is in accepting given situations, which requires a loving heart, that one encounters god. This loving heart is why anyone comes to a knowledge of the truth, even though God sometimes has to break down and humble a heart to make it receptive -- as in the case of the Apostle Paul, who at one time was breathing fire against and persecuting Christians. but to God, the past, present and future of the human heart are all present, and He sees where He can break through and communicate.

-- God's Revelation to the Human Heart by Father Seraphim Rose

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Happy name day to all Xenias. May St Xenia intercede for all of us!

St. Xenia of St. Petersburg

My joy, Christ is Risen!

Hello my brothers and sisters in Christ! I pray that you all have a blessed Triodion! Today I would like to look into the life of St. Xenia of St. Petersburg.

A few months ago, I had briefly read over this saint when looking at patron saints for dating. However, I ended up forgetting about her story. A few weeks later, I was talking with my boyfriend at the time about my concerns on getting a job after I graduate from college. We were also going through some conflicts in our relationship and I felt like I didn't know what I was going to do. That night, I had a beautiful dream. While I don't remember the exact details of the dream, I do remember one thing. On my kitchen counter sat an icon covered in silver of a saint. And despite not recognizing who this saint was, I was able to call out her name: St. Xenia.

Ever since then, I've felt like St. Xenia has been watching over me and has been interceding for me. So, I want to look more in depth about her story today.

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While not much is known about St. Xenia (Feast Day: January 24th)'s early life, we do know that she lived during the reigns of the Empresses Elizabeth Petrovna (reigned 1741 -1762) and Catherine II (reigned 1762 to 1796). She was also the wife of an imperial chorister, Col. Andrei Theodorovich Petrov, which hints to the fact that she may have been of the lesser nobility (Blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg).

After her wedding to Col. Andrei, the two of them lived in Saint Petersburg. However, one night, despite being young and in good health, Andrei suddenly passed while at a drinking party. This caused St. Xenia to become a widow at the age of 26. She was especially distraught because he had died without partaking in the Holy Mysteries of Confession or Holy Communion (Blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg). This incident caused her to examine herself and she began to lose interest in all earthly joys. This caused her to begin to follow a difficult path of foolishness for the sake of Christ.

St. Xenia began to wear her husband's clothing, insisting that she be addressed as "Andrei Theodorovich". She would tell people that it was she, not her husband, who had died that night. While she didn't experience a physical death, she had abandoned her former way of life and underwent a spiritual rebirth (Blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg).

St. Xenia then began to give away all of her possessions, including her house, money, and personal belongings. After St. Xenia gave her house to her friend Paraskeva Antonova, her relatives had concluded that the saint had gone insane. So, they petitioned to the trustees of her husband's estate so that Xenia would be unable to dispose of her wealth. However, after speaking to her, the trustees decided that Xenia was in a right and sound mind and had the right to dispose of her property. After leaving nothing for herself, the Saint began to walk through the poor section of Petersburg and lived on the streets. She refused any assistance from her relatives and was happy to be free from worldly attachments. Eventually, when her husband's red and green uniform wore out, she wore rags of the same colors (Blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg).

After a while, she vanished from St. Petersburg for 8 years. It is believed that during this time, she visited holy Elders and ascetics in Russia to seek instruction in the spiritual life. She may have also visited St. Theodore of Sanaxar (February 19), who was also formerly a military man. St. Theodore's life had changed when a young officer died at a drinking party. This officer could have potentially been St. Xenia's husband (Blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg).

Eventually, St. Xenia returned to the poor section of Saint Petersburg, where she was most often found in the vicinity of the parish of St. Matthias. This area is where the poorest people lived in shabby hats (Holy Blessed St. Xenia). Once she returned, she was mocked and insulted because of her behavior. At first, the people thought that this woman was a simple minded beggar and would often persecute and laugh at her. However, the saint remained meek. There was only once where the people of the Petersburg Borough saw her angry. The street boys, after seeing the ragged old woman, began to laugh at and torment her. While she normally took this without so much a murmur, this time was different. This time, the boys not only verbally abused her but physically abused her. They began to throw mud and rocks at her. So, she flew at them, waving her cane in the air at them. The residents in the area were so startled to see this that they took immediate steps to prevent any further offenses toward her (Holy Blessed St. Xenia).

Occasionally, the Saint would receive support from the community. People began to invite her into their homes and offer her warm clothes and money. However, she wouldn't accept the clothes and only took a small amount of money (small copper pennies that were also called "the king on horseback") from people, which she would immediately use to help the poor. One time when she was distributing her coins to the poor, she came across a devout woman on the street. After handing her a 5 kopeck coin, she told her, "Take this five piece, here is the king on horseback; it will be extinguished." After accepting the piece, the woman went back home. As soon as she arrived at her street, she realized that her house was on fire. The woman ran to her home and she arrived as the flames were being quenched (Holy Blessed St. Xenia). The woman then realized that this is what St. Xenia was prophesying.

When a new church was being built in the cemetery, St. Xenia would secretly bring bricks to the site.

Soon, everyone began to notice her great virtue and spiritual gifts. Despite not wanting to, she became known as someone pleasing to God. People would say, "Xenia does not belong to this world, she belongs to God." People thought of it as a blessing when she would come to their home or shops.

45 years after the death of her husband, St. Xenia reposed at the age of 71. She was buried in the Smolensk cemetery. By the 1820s, people would flock to her grave to pray for her, asking her to intercede for them. Because so many people would take earth from her grave, it had to be replaced every year. Eventually, a chapel was build over her.

Today, St. Xenia is known as an intercessor for finding a job, spouse, or home. She is also known as the patron saint of St. Petersburg.

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St. Xenia is a blessed woman and an inspiration. It must have been really hard living the life she did, especially if she came from a nobility background.

I love St. Xenia's story. She had everything and gave it all up for God. She indeed was "dead" but became alive in Christ. If I were to do what she did today, I know it would be a struggle, especially with how modern life is. I would be mocked and scorned for it, but St. Xenia took that mocking wit meekness. It's beautiful. Knowing me, my first response would be to take revenge on the people mocking me by saying something back, but instead I need to learn to follow St. Xenia's example.

I'm blessed that such a saint is looking out for me. Recently, I had been praying for her intercessions in regards to finding a spouse. And while I'm nowhere near getting married (and not yet dating), I know that she is interceding for me.

Until next time and may God bless all of you!

Your sister in Christ,

Joanna

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Works Cited:

“Blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg.” Orthodox Church in America, https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2011/01/24/100297-blessed-xenia-of-st-petersburg.

“Holy Blessed St. Xenia.” St Xenia Orthodox Church, https://www.stxenia.org/stxenia.

“Xenia of St. Petersburg, Fool-For-Christ .” Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, https://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints?contentid=402.

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The Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem. Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church, Butte, Montana, USA // OrthoChristian.com

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OrthoChristian.com

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"Our Lord Jesus Christ, became poor and humbled Himself, offering Himself as an example, so that we should humble ourselves in His name." -- Saint Theodosius (died 1074)

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Psalm 31 (NKJV)

In You, O Lord, I put my trust; Let me never be ashamed; Deliver me in Your righteousness. Bow down Your ear to me, Deliver me speedily; Be my rock of refuge, A fortress of defense to save me.

For You are my rock and my fortress; Therefore, for Your name’s sake, Lead me and guide me. Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, For You are my strength. Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.

I have hated those who regard useless idols; But I trust in the Lord. I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy, For You have considered my trouble; You have known my soul in adversities, And have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy; You have set my feet in a wide place.

Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am in trouble; My eye wastes away with grief, Yes, my soul and my body! For my life is spent with grief, And my years with sighing; My strength fails because of my iniquity, And my bones waste away. I am a reproach among all my enemies, But especially among my neighbors, And am repulsive to my acquaintances; Those who see me outside flee from me. I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind; I am like a broken vessel. For I hear the slander of many; Fear is on every side; While they take counsel together against me, They scheme to take away my life.

But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, And from those who persecute me. Make Your face shine upon Your servant; Save me for Your mercies’ sake. Do not let me be ashamed, O Lord, for I have called upon You; Let the wicked be ashamed; Let them be silent in the grave. Let the lying lips be put to silence, Which speak insolent things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.

Oh, how great is Your goodness, Which You have laid up for those who fear You, Which You have prepared for those who trust in You In the presence of the sons of men! You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence From the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion From the strife of tongues.

Blessed be the Lord, For He has shown me His marvelous kindness in a strong city! For I said in my haste, “I am cut off from before Your eyes”; Nevertheless You heard the voice of my supplications When I cried out to You.

Oh, love the Lord, all you His saints! For the Lord preserves the faithful, And fully repays the proud person. Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the Lord.

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Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

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The Liturgy after the Liturgy: Sharing His presence with the World

What is the last thing that we do at the Divine Liturgy? It isn't coming forward to venerate the cross, nor is it to receive the antidoron or to sing a hymn. Then what is it? It is to leave the Church. We, as God's people, assemble to enter His Presence and even eat and drink with Him at the Mystical Supper that He has provided us. Then we disperse -- in order to take God's Presence into the world. In a very practical way, this means that we're supposed to be missionaries of God's Presence and Kingdom in the world. This is at the heart of being evangelical -- a Greek word meaning that we are a Gospel-centered and Gospel-sharing community. We have received His divine gifts -- and so we must share them freely with everyone. The Divine Liturgy sums up our entire Christian life. We are empowered to bring the gift of God's loving and compassionate Presence -- Christ in the Holy Spirit -- to a lost and hurting world torn apart by human cruelty, lust and greed. This is our mission in life: to serve others by sharing with them the gift of communion with the one, true and living God; and loving everyone whom God sends us as ourselves. Only then will we discover the true meaning and purpose of our lives. The final act of receiving is giving.

[Source of text: The Divine Liturgy of our Father among the Saints John Chrysostom (with Commentary and Notes)]

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HYMN OF PRAISE: The Venerable Paraskeva

By St. Nikolai Velimirovich

"The Lord desires a pure heart": Thus says the Gospel. A pure virgin you remained, And you gave your pure heart to God- O most wonderful saint, Saint Paraskeva, our ideal!

The Lord seeks a most pure mind, Without fancy and without falsehood; And you presented Him your most pure mind, Like that of an angel, of the same kind. O most wonderful saint, O Saint Paraskeva, hearken to our petitions!

The Lord seeks a pure soul, As a heavenly shrine; You perfected such a soul, And now shine in heaven. O most wonderful saint, Paraskeva, help us!

By your prayers, help us In the misfortunes of life. Through the clouds of earthly sorrow Bring us light, like a rainbow- O chaste virgin, most wonderful, Holy Mother Paraskeva!

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This is admittedly a very online take, because the vast majority of people in real life really don’t give much of a shit, but it’s so funny how Internet lactivists will sit there and blow their trumpets over how breast is best, fed is bare minimum, you’re denying your baby of crucial health benefits if you use formula, etc., then they’ll turn around and cry about how “It’s not that deep! I’m not shaming formula-feeding moms! I hate how I have to walk on eggshells around formula moms when I’m just trying to feed my baby!”

No one outside of a select few weirdos cares that you breastfeed, Susan. Other moms just think you’re insufferable for the weird superiority complex you have over the way you chose to feed your baby. I’m not sure what you expect to accomplish from shouting at FF moms that “BrEaSt Is BeSt!!!” besides actively trying to make them feel like crap, so people are calling your behavior out for what it is.

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