#2nd Prayer for John

[arinewman7]

2nd Prayer for John

Lynette Lombard

Oil on canvas, 2020

[doktorzephyr]

hi im fucking insane and ultrakill somehow got me into angelology. heres some stuff on the archangel gabriel in reference to the occult/abrahamic magick

edit; added the meanings of the tarot at the bottom have fun ;)

As the Divine Herald, he is an angel of guidance, prophecies and revelations. He is also the Patron Saint of Messengers; mail carriers, news outlets, radio stations or any outlet that messages can be delivered through, he’s the one that can aid the most. As the angel who will blow the first horn of the final judgment, he is seen to also represent judgment. He is sometimes even seen as an angel of motherhood due to his announcement of the birth of Christ and John the Baptist and from this he is sometimes given the titles of Patron Saint and guardian of children. He represents the spiritual power of God, His ideals and principles of spirituality. As a result, he is seen as an angel of spirituality, dreams, divination and even magick.

He can be invoked for:

Guidance

Faith

Hope

Strength

Spiritual aid

Dreaming/dream interpretation

Theology

Understanding scripture

Birth

Here’s symbols he is associated with:

Element; Water (Spirituality, change, emotions)

Planet; Moon (Spirituality, magick, guidance)

Day of the week; Monday

Colors; White, silver

Animal; White dove (Holy Spirit)

Tarot; House of Cups, The Star, The High Priestess, Temperance, The Moon, Judgment*

Cardinal direction; West

Season; Winter

Other symbols; White lilies, trumpet, banner, feathers

How to connect with him:

Devotional Activities

Praying

Meditation

Fasting

Reading the Bible

Studying theology

Educating yourself about religion/sprituality

Material Offerings

Flowers (White lilies, white roses, lavender)

Incense (Jasmine, frankincense, lavender, rose)

White wine

Feathers

Perfume

Candles (White or silver)

Prayer cards

Bible verses

Poems/art

Moon, water, magick or religion associated items (moonstone, holy water, tarot card, etc.)

Archangels prefer devotional activities as offerings over material ones, though they will not reject them.

He can help with;

Lucid dreaming

Receiving visions

Developing divination skills and spiritual awareness

Lack of belief

Communication issues

Magick workings

When you feel lost/don’t know how to continue/unsure of how to move forward

His Kabbalistic sigil

His seal from the Heptameron

All in all, Gabriel is a very firm but merciful angel. He can be a bit pushy when you are not doing the right thing, but he is less rough about it than, say, Michael. He has a better understanding of human emotions than most angels and will act a bit more accordingly. When you don’t know where to go in life or have no ideas on how to move on, he is the one that should be contacted. He is also sometimes associated with the divine feminine due to his associations withe the moon and motherhood. He is usually seen as 3rd to God, with Michael or Sandalphon being 2nd.

Some extras about the archangels in general;

Angels mostly see humans like how we see dogs and often have a lesser understanding of human egos. It should be noted that angels have a bit of a reputation of being more difficult to work with due to them expecting a lot of discipline. They will not give you what you want, they will make you work for what you need. If one wishes to work with the archangels, they expect constant self improvement.

bit of a p.s; despite Archangel being the 2nd lowest on the hierarchy, they are the most powerful angels. Archangel is a rank and it means “governing angel” or “ruling angel”, they rule over other parts of the hierarchy (i.e Michael rules over the seraphim, Gabriel rules over the cherubim). Archangels are often called “the great princes”, however, Michael is the only one in the Bible to actually receive that title. The only reason why they are so low on the hierarchy is because they are physically far from God, as they spend their time on Earth helping humanity.

* What each of the tarot cards mean

House of Cups- relates to emotions and matters of the heart. Associated with love, feeling and inner conflict, they ask us to consider what is deeply important to us

The Star- the embodiment of hope and healing brings a message of renewal, optimism, and inspiration. When pulled, remember that the universe is working in your favor, and is encouraging you to have faith in where you are being taken.

The High Priestess- listen to your inner voice and follow your instincts, your mind knows far more than you think. When pulled, stop looking for answers around you and start looking within yourself for the guidance you seek.

Temperance- encourages peace and patience, reminds you to go with the flow of life instead of trying to force a pace and direction. When pulled, it is a message to take things as they come, and remain flexible enough to change with the changes.

The Moon- represents hidden thoughts, feelings, doubts, and fears. When pulled, you may be letting fear overtake your faith in the future. Do not be fooled, you cannot believe everything that you see, hear, or think. Once you bring your feelings to the surface and face them, only then can you rid yourself of worry.

Judgment- your past and future come together. When pulled, reflect on your decisions and actions you have made up until now and make sure that they are bringing you in the direction you want. Remember, your future is not set in stone, and it's never too late to make a change for the better.

thanks for listening to my madman ramblings baiiiii

[elyseenmiel]

The Great War

John “Soap” McTavish x F!Reader

Synopsis: During the Battle of Somme in France, a Sister Nurse aids in the war tending to the wounded soldiers, especially a handsome and strong-willed Sergeant MacTavish.

Word count: 1.3k

Tags: One-Shot, Historical AU, World War I, 2nd POV, Reader-Insert, Y/N is not used, Reader uses a patron-saint name, Reader is addressed as Sister Maria once, mentions of death, medical procedures, mentions of death, religious and war backdrop, theme, flirting, forbidden love, light angst

Ignoring the cacophony of machinery, grief, and pained screams, as well as the relentless rain and unforgiving wind, France was beautiful both day and night. You had never been to France, or Somme, before. France had a salty, iron odor that lingered in the air. As you attended to the wounded soldiers lying on the drenched and bloody beds, the nights were longer than the days passing by. Time was dedicated to writing in the small sacrament of penance book, no longer used to confess mistakes but rather to write the name and address of the wounded loved ones to send off a letter on their behalf.

As a Nurse, you were sent to France for the first time, to Somme, to assist on the frontlines, in a hospital close to the battle of English countrymen assisting the French allies against the Germans. Last Spring, the war office had decided to employ VADS in military hospitals in the mainland and abroad during the summer. A summer late in 1919, You were sent overseas by the Red Cross; it was your first time in France working in a hospital. You had only stayed back home, working in the local auxiliary hospitals throughout Britain. You were already thinking about assisting the war effort abroad while working in a small hospital, Princess Christian Hospital, so you worked hard to receive a favorable report as the standard to work overseas. Working in the hospital was your only and very first source of income. Before dedicating myself to the faith, office administration did very little to sustain and survive off the rations they received. You could only hope your father was fine back in England; he was not serving the war effort due to his ailing leg, which prevented him from doing heavy activities. Each break of day and break of dawn, the small shared rooms were filled with whispers of prayer for your father and the men teetering on the collapse in and out of the field.

One of the male orderlies went to Etaples to bring more food. During his break, he made a list of what we needed and asked a few of the wounded what they wanted him to bring back. He addressed you as Sister Maria. "Do you want me to bring you tea?" You nodded and thanked him; he said he'd try to bring back English tea; You only smiled. The wounded walked around the small hospital grounds. The patients lay on the pale grass outside on hospital grounds, some would eat a light snack, while others would beg the nursing sisters to play chess with them to distract them from the heavy artillery sounds that could be heard. A few wounded patients would request that their letters to their families be delivered to the local post office on their behalf. Collecting their letters, putting them in envelopes, and getting them stamped was not the issue. Mailing them in and seeing that they were sent and reached their loved ones was the issue, knowing that some had taken every bit of breath to say their goodbyes and their strength to hand you their letter was the issue.

John MacTavish was the only man who had every strength to write letters and even wildly request to send them himself.

The Scotsman perched over the small desk, crushing the cigarette against the bottom of the ashtray. He turns to look at you, his eyes flickering at the new dressings and clean nightshirt bundled in your arms. The corners of his eyes curved up with a smile adorning his rugged appearance.

“The hour is late,” he remarks already unbuttoning his nightshirt. He moves to the edge of the bed patting the space next to him. “Have ye missed me yet again?”

You settle on the edge of the bed instead much to the man’s persistent pleas of sitting side by side. “Oh, I wouldn't say so Sergeant MacTavish,” You say placing the supplies on your lap and the small makeshift bed cot. You handed him the nightshirt concealing your grin. “Did ye aye?” he chuckles, the corners of his eyes crinkling with amusement. “This must be the millionth time ye come into the night.”

“It’s a good thing I’m not the reaper then,” You say unwrapping the old and marred dressing and pouring saline into a syringe. “I might not have a scythe, but I do have this,” you smirked with a slight wave of the syringe. “Consider yourself lucky.”

The Sergeant whistled, with a nod. “Yer much scarier than the Grim Reaper bonnie.” You felt his baby blue eyes on you, his intense gaze fixed on every move of your hands and head, making all heat rush to the apples of your cheeks. He was searching for your eyes, You knew that. He needed approval. You nodded to him, meeting his piercing eyes, so bright despite the dimly lit room. You gave it to him, just as when you first did.

His hand carefully and slowly trailed on your lap, gently resting his hand on your thigh and caressing it. You carefully flushed the wound, directing the stream of saline to wash away any visible contaminants. MacTavish gritted his teeth against the discomfort but remained still, continuing to rub circles gentler than before. His other arm wrapped around your hips, fingertips dancing on the black fabric of the tunic dress almost as if he was not only soothing himself but myself too. Using a cotton swab, you applied iodine to the wound and the surrounding skin, to prevent infection. His fingers pinched your waist with a grip. “Almost there,” You whisper, leaning closer to him, His strong jawline relaxing. “Keep your eyes open, keep them on me, Johnny.” His baby blue eyes widened slightly as he locked his eyes on your face. You glanced at him, his forehead coated with sweat and his lips parted with every breath he exhaled.

“Bonnie–”

“You’re doing so good.” You carefully applied a sterile dressing to the wound, securing it in place with bandages. He squeezed your thigh not with the feeling of pain, not in that moment. You grabbed the dress shirt as his hands stroked your lower back pulling you closer to him, careful to not rest your hands against his wounded chest. You rest your forehead against his. We let the silence envelop us, tranquility overcomes us for now. You shut all of the noise of the outside world except for his words of praise and lingering touch.

MacTavish will recover. His fingers cupped your chin with his thumb grazing on your lips. You know it. “Em’ not afraid.” He says, with a soft smile. Outside, the rumble of tanks and distant explosions punctuate the night air. your fingers brush lightly against MacTavish's cheek, tracing the rough outline of his jaw. His eyes flutter closed for a moment, a brief respite from the pain. You reach for a glass of water, carefully lifting it to his lips. He drinks eagerly, the cool liquid providing some relief from the throbbing ache in his chest. “The hour is late,” You say, “but it is far from over.”

“We can hold em’ off,” he mummers, “and we’ll be home Bonnie,” Johnny says offering a faint smile. “Together.”

You could feel a lump in your throat. The notion had never crossed your mind, let alone be entertained as a possibility. Dwelling possibilities are dangerous. You couldn’t bear imagining him anywhere else other than the bed cot where he was safe for now. The sea was no longer a comforting sanctuary and instead served as a patron for war. His breathing has become shallow, his eyelids drooping with tiredness. “We’ll go back home together.” You say, “For now, you should rest.” You wrapped the blanket around each other, shifting around for comfort. You sink down onto the makeshift cot beside him, your still entwined with his as we both drift into an uneasy sleep.

[thisisyourdriverspeaking]

Another day calls for another edition of US motorsport number twos posts. Featuring some absolute classic tunes 👌. Enjoy 😊😊

Sebastien Loeb (26th February 1974) - Terry Jacks - Seasons In The Sun

Tony Kanaan (31st December 1974) - Elton John - Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds

Juan Pablo Montoya (20th September 1975) - Glen Campbell - Rhinestone Cowboy

Mark Webber (27th August 1976) - Bee Gees - You Should Be Dancing

Kimi Raikkonen (17th October 1979) - Herb Alpert - Rise

Jenson Button (19th January 1980) - Captain & Tennille - Do That To Me One More Time

Felipe Massa (25th April 1981) - Sheena Easton - Morning Train (Nine To Five)

Heikki Kovalainen (19th October 1981) - Diana Ross & Lionel Richie - Endless Love

Andre Lotterer (19th November 1981) - The Rolling Stones - Start Me Up

Pippa Mann (11th August 1983) - Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)

Simon Pagenaud (18th May 1984) - Phil Collins - Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)

Robert Kubica (7th December 1984) - Daryl Hall & John Oates - Out Of Touch

Nico Rosberg (27th June 1985) - Phil Collins - Sussudio

Jerome D'Ambrosio (27th December 1985) - Mr Mister - Broken Wings

Rahel Frey (23rd February 1986) - Mr Mister - Kyrie

Kamui Kobayashi (13th September 1986) - Lionel Richie - Dancing On The Ceiling

Rene Rast (26th October 1986) - Tina Turner - Typical Male

James Hinchcliffe (5th December 1986) - The Human League - Human

Oliver Turvey (1st April 1987) - Starship - Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now

Sebastian Vettel (3rd July 1987) - Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam - Head To Toe

Alexander Sims (15th March 1988) - George Michael - Father Figure

Molly Taylor (6th May 1988) - Terrence Trent D'Arby - Wishing Well

Simona De Silvestro (1st September 1988) - Elton John - I Don't Wanna Go On With You Like That

Sarah Bovy (15th May 1989) - Madonna - Like A Prayer

James Calado (13th June 1989) - New Kids On The Block - I'll Be Loving You (Forever)

Brendon Hartley (10th November 1989) - New Kids On The Block - Cover Girl

Earl Bamber (9th July 1990) - Roxette - It Must Have Been Love

Cristina Gutierrez (24th July 1991) - Paula Abdul - Rush Rush

Abbie Eaton (2nd January 1992) - Boyz II Men - It's So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday

Timmy Hansen (21st May 1992) - En Vogue - My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)

Daniel Abt (3rd December 1992) - The Heights - How Do You Talk To An Angel

Alice Powell (26th January 1993) - Shai - If I Ever Fall In Love

Tatiana Calderon (10th March 1993) - Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You

Christine GZ (22nd July 1993) & Alex Lynn (17th September 1993) - UB40 - Can't Help Falling In Love

Bubba Wallace (8th October 1993) - SWV - Right Here (Human Nature)

Michelle Gatting (31st December 1993) - Janet Jackson - Again

Naomi Schiff (18th May 1994) - Prince - The Most Beautiful Girl In The World

Jessica Hawkins (16th February 1995) - Boyz II Men - On Bended Knee

Luca Ghiotto (24th February 1995) - Madonna - Take A Bow

Beitske Visser (10th March 1995) - TLC - Creep

Nicholas Latifi (29th June 1995) - Nicki French - Total Eclipse Of The Heart

Jack Aitken (23rd September 1995) - Michael Jackson - You Are Not Alone

Oliver Askew (12th December 1996) - BlackStreet ft Dr Dre - No Diggity

Louis Deletraz (22nd April 1997) - Jewel - Foolish Games

Catie Munnings (15th November 1997) - Usher - You Make Me Wanna...

Cem Bolukbasi (9th February 1998) - Usher - Nice & Slow

Jamie Chadwick (20th May 1998) - Mariah Carey - My All

Kevin Hansen (28th May 1998) - Next - Too Close

Mick Schumacher (22nd March 1999) - Whitney Houston ft Faith Evans & Kelly Price - Heartbreak Hotel

Toni Breidinger (14th July 1999) & Max Fewtrell (29th July 1999) - Destiny's Child - Bills Bills Bills

Robert Shwartzman (16th September 1999) - TLC - Unpretty

Bent Viscaal (18th September 1999) - Enrique Iglesias - Bailamos

Felipe Drugovich (23rd May 2000) - Faith Hill - Breathe

Marta Garcia (9th August 2000) - Sisqo - Incomplete

Arthur Leclerc (14th October 2000) - Madonna - Music

Sophia Florsch (1st December 2000) - Creed - With Arms Wide Open

Clement Novalak (23rd December 2000) - Shaggy ft Rikrok - It Wasn't Me

Frederik Vesti (13th January 2002) - Usher - U Got It Bad

Luke Browning (31st January 2002) - Ja Rule ft Ashanti - Always On Time

Liam Lawson (11th February 2002) - Nickelback - How You Remind Me

Olli Caldwell (11th June 2002) - Fat Joe ft Ashanti - What's Luv?

Jack Doohan (20th January 2003) - Missy Elliott - Work It

All added to this playlist 😊

[houppellande]

Read till end for Byron's memoirs 👀​👀​👀​

Wedding attire of Lady Annabella Byron (nee Milbanke) aka Lord Byron's wife. Yes. THAT Byron. From this simple but tasteful ensemble one can somewhat understand her character (and the fate of the marriage) a bit better.

J. C. Hobhouse, Byron's best man, describes her as such on that day:

[...] Miss Milbanke came in attended by her governess, the respectable Miss Clermont. She was dressed in a muslin gown trimmed with lace at the bottom, with a white muslin curricle jacket, very plain indeed, with nothing on her head. [...]

Miss Milbanke was as firm as a rock, and during the whole ceremony looked steadily at Byron – she repeated the words audibly and well. Byron hitched at first when he said “I, George Gordon”, and when he came to “with all my worldly goods I thee endow”, looked at me with a half-smile – they were married at eleven.

And this Lord Byron's wedding waistcoat, who is said to have belonged to King George the 2nd of England (it was re-taylored for regency fashion), and which Byron wore often.

And now for something completely different! An excerpt from the lost Memoirs of Lord Byron. While the manuscript itself was destroyed, many people read (and copied!) some parts. The editor of The John Bull Magazine (1824, on which the following excerpt was published) has of course made some "mutilations" (aka censorship), but the text seems genuine, and Byron's cheeky prose style manages to shine through. Some (including the Magazine's Author) say that THIS EXACT CHAPTER was the main reason for the burning of the Memoirs.

TW: dubious consent . . .

It was now near two o’clock in the morning, and I was jaded to the soul by the delay. I had left the company, and retired to a private apartment. Will those, who think that a bridegroom on his bridal night should be so thoroughly saturated with love, as to render it impossible for him to yield to any other feeling, pardon me when I say, that I had almost fallen asleep on a sofa, when a giggling, tittering, half-blushing face popped itself into the door, and popped as fast back again, after having whispered as audibly as a suivante whispers upon the stage, that Anne was in bed? It was one of her bridemaids. Yet such is the case. I was actually dozing. Matrimony begins very soon to operate narcotically—had it been a mistress—had it been an assignation with any animal, covered with a petticoat—any thing but a wife—why, perhaps, the case would have been different.

I found my way, however, at once into the bed-room, and tore off my garments. Your pious zeal will, I am sure, be quite shocked, when I tell you I did not say my prayers that evening—morning I mean. It was, I own, wrong in me, who had been educated in the pious and praying kingdom of Scotland, and must confess myself—you need not smile—at least half a Presbyterian. Miss N—l—should I yet say Lady Byron?—had turned herself away to the most remote verge, and tightly enwrapped herself in the bed-clothes. I called her by her name—her Christian name—her pet name—every name of endearment—I spoke in the softest under tones—in the most melodious upper tones of which my voice is master. She made no answer, but lay still, and I stole my arm under her neck, which exerted all the rigidity of all its muscles to prevent the (till then undreamt of) invasion. I turned up her head—but still not a word. With gentle force I removed the close-pressed folds of the sheet from her fine form—you must let me say that of her, unfashionable as it is, and unused as I have been to paying her compliments—she resisting all the while. After all, there is nothing like a coup de main in love or war. I conquered by means of one, with the other arm, for I had got it round her waist, and using all my strength, (and what is that of a woman, particularly a woman acting the modeste, to that of a vigorous fellow, who had cleft the Hellespont,) drew her to my arms, which now clasped her to my bosom with all the warmth of glowing, boiling passion, and all the pride of victory. I pressed my lips warmly to hers. There was no return of the pressure. I pressed them again and again—slightly at last was I answered, but still that slightly was sufficient. Ce n’est que la premiere pas qui coute. She had not, however, opened her lips. I put my hand upon her heart, and it palpitated with a strong and audible beating under my touch. Heaven help it! it little knew how much more reason it would, ere long, have for more serious and more lasting throbbings.As yet she had not uttered a word, and I was becoming tired of her obstinancy. I made, therefore, a last appeal. ‘Are you afraid of me, dearest?’—I uttered, in a half-fond, half-querulous, tone. It broke the ice. She answered in a low, timid, and subdued voice—‘I am not,’—and turned to me, for the first time, with that coy and gentle pressure which is, perhaps, the dearest and most delightful of all sensations ever to be enjoyed by man. I knew by it that I had conquered. 

(Please keep in mind that, while I consider myself a Byron enthusiast, I almost never agree with his choiches/courses of action. If you want my personal opinion, i'll be happy to exchange insights!)

[orthodoxadventure]

2nd Saturday of Great Lent: Memorial Saturday

Commemorated on March 30

Only Creator, with wisdom profound, You mercifully order all things, and give that which is needed to all men: Give rest, O Lord, to the souls of Your servants who have fallen asleep, for they have placed their trust in You, our Maker and Fashioner, and our God.

Saturday is the day which the Church has set aside for the commemoration of faithful Orthodox Christians departed this life in the hope of resurrection to eternal life. Since the Divine Liturgy cannot be served on weekdays during Great Lent, the second, third, and fourth Saturdays of the Fast are appointed as Soul Saturdays when the departed are remembered at Liturgy.

In addition to the Liturgy, kollyva (wheat or rice cooked with honey and mixed with raisins, figs, nuts, sesame, etc.) is blessed in church on these Saturdays. The kollyva reminds us of the Lord’s words, “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” (John 12:24).The kollyva symbolizes the future resurrection of all the dead. As Saint Simeon of Thessalonica (September 15) says, man is also a seed which is planted in the ground after death, and will be raised up again by God’s power. Saint Paul also speaks of this (I Cor. 15:35-49).

It is customary to give alms in memory of the dead in addition to the prayers we offer for their souls. The angel who spoke to Cornelius testifies to the efficacy of almsgiving, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God” (Acts 10:4).

Memorial services for the dead may be traced back to ancient times. Chapter 8 of the Apostolic Constitutions recommends memorial services with Psalms for the dead. It also contains a beautiful prayer for the departed, asking that their voluntary and involuntary sins be pardoned, that they be given rest with the Patriarchs, Prophets, and Apostles in a place where sorrow, suffering, and sighing have fled away (Isaiah 35:10). Saint John Chrysostom mentions the service for the dead in one of his homilies on Philippians, and says that it was established by the Apostles. Saint Cyprian of Carthage (Letter 37) also speaks of our duty to remember the martyrs.

The holy Fathers also testify to the benefit of offering prayers, memorial services, Liturgies, and alms for the dead (Saint John Chrysostom, Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, Saint John of Damascus, etc.). Although both the righteous and those who have not repented and corrected themselves may receive benefit and consolation from the Church’s prayer, it has not been revealed to what extent the unrighteous can receive this solace. It is not possible, however, for the Church’s prayer to transfer a soul from a state of evil and condemnation to a state of holiness and blessedness. Saint Basil the Great points out that the time for repentance and forgiveness of sins is during the present life, while the future life is a time for righteous judgment and retribution (Moralia 1). Saint John Chrysostom, Saint Gregory the Theologian, and other patristic writers concur with Saint Basil’s statement.

By praying for others, we bring benefit to them, and also to ourselves, because “God is not so unjust as to forget your work and the love which you showed for His sake in serving the saints...” (Heb. 6:10).

[Text from OCA]

With the saints give rest, O Christ, to the souls of Your servants, where there is neither sickness nor sorrow, and no more sighing, but life everlasting.

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 11.13

Holidays

Actor’s Day

Advocacy Action Day

Blame Someone Else Day

Brassiere Day

Canterbury Day (New Zealand)

Caregiver Appreciation Day

Day of Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defense Troops (Russia)

Geographic Information Systems Day

International Day of Huntington’s Disease

International Schinzel-Giedion Syndrome Awareness Day

Lhabab Duechen (Bhutan)

Madder Day (French Republic)

Mister Rogers Cardigan Day

National Community Education Day

National Dream Destination Day

National Hug a Musician Day

National Japanese Culture Day

National Mom’s and Dad’s Day

National Reread Old Letters and Magazines Day

National Saddle Hunting Day

National Sunflower Day (South Africa)

Njegos Day (Montenegro)

Odd Couple Day

Odd Socks Day (UK)

Quasihomosexual Pride Day

Sadie Hawkins Day [also 11.15 & 1st Saturday]

Start a Rumor Day

Swiftie Day

Symphonic Metal Day

Tree Festival Day (Tunisia)

Tree Day (Macedonia)

World Kindness Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Frankfurter Day

Indian Pudding Day

National Bread Pudding Day

National Chicken Nugget Day

National Roast Dinner Day (UK)

National Sea Salt Caramel Day

World Mediterranean Diet Day

Independence & Related Days

Politzania Independence Day (Klaatu)

2nd Wednesday in November

Blue Wednesday [2nd Wednesday]

Buß- und Bettag (Day of Repentance and Prayer; Bavaria, Saxony) [2nd Wednesday before 1st Sunday in Advent]

Hump Day [Every Wednesday]

International Pathology Day [2nd Wednesday]

National CTEPH Awareness Day [2nd Wednesday]

Wacky Wednesday [Every Wednesday]

Watermelon Wednesday [2nd Wednesday of Each Month]

Website Wednesday [Every Wednesday]

Workout Wednesday [2nd Wednesday of Each Month]

Weekly Holidays beginning November 13 (2nd Full Week of November)

Geography Awareness Week (thru 11.17)

World Kindness Week (thru 11.19) [Week Starting 11.13]

Festivals Beginning November 13, 2024

Cairo International Film Festival (Cairo, Egypt) [thru 11.22]

Country Living Christmas Fair (London, United Kingdom) [thru 11.16]

Rock the Bells Cruise (Miami, Florida) [thru 11.17]

Feast Days

Abbo of Fleury (Christian; Saint)

Agostina Livia Pietrantoni (Christian; Saint)

Arcadius and His Companions (Christian; Martyrs)

Barneveldt (Positivist; Saint)

Benny Andrews (Artology)

Bertel Thorvaldsen (Artology)

Brice of Tours (Christian; Saint)

Charles Simeon (Church of England)

Chillen (a.k.a. Killian; Christian; Saint)

Chuang Tzu’s Day

Constant (Christian; Saint)

Cranberry Sparkle Cake Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

The Dangerous Dragon (Muppetism)

Death-Watch (Celtic Book of Days)

Didacus (Diego) of Alcalá (Christian; Saint) [Cooks]

Epulum Iovis (Festival of Feronia, Juno, Minerva and Jupiter; Ancient Rome)

Eugenius II of Toledo (Christian; Saint)

Feast of Feronia (a.k.a. Epulum Iovis; Old Etruscan and Roman Fertility Goddess)

Feast of Hundred Thousand Martyrs of Tbilisi (Georgia)

Feast of the Saints of the Premonstratensian Order (Roman Catholic)

Festival of Feronia (Ancient Roman Goddess of Wildlife, Fertility, Health & Abundance)

Festival of Jupiter (Ancient Rome)

Fontinalia (Festival to Fons, Spirit of Springs; Pagan)

Fortuna Primigenia (Fortune of the Firstborn; Ancient Rome)

Frances Xavier Cabrini (Christian; Saint)

George V. Higgins (Writerism)

Homobonus (Christian; Saint)

The Hundred Thousand Martyrs of Tbilisi (Georgian Orthodox Church)

Ides of November (Ancient Rome)

John Chrysostom (Eastern Orthodox, Repose)

Kilian (Christian; Saint)

Leandro (Christian; Saint) [Spain]

Maxellendis (Christian; Virgin & Martyr)

Mitrius (Christian; Saint)

Nicholas I, Pope (Christian; Saint)

Otis Campbell Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Quintian of Rodez (Christian; Saint)

Rivkah (Artology)

Robert Louis Stevenson (Writerism)

Saints of the Benedictine family (Christian; Saints)

Saints of the Premonstratensian Order (Christian; Saints)

Stanislaus Kostka (Christian; Saint)

Stephen Baxter (Writerism)

Talk to Birds Day (Pastafarian)

Tooth Collection Days begin (Fairies; Shamanism)

William Gibson (Writerism)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Butsumetsu (仏滅 Japan) [Unlucky all day.]

Day of Darkness, Evil & Misfortune (Medieval Europe) [13th Day after Halloween)

Prime Number Day: 317 [66 of 72]

Premieres

Aladdin (Animated Disney Film; 1992)

An Arrow Escape (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1936)

Beauty Shoppe (Ub Iwerks Cartoon; 1940)

Bram Stoker’s Dracula (Film; 1992)

The Bush Pusher or Beri Beri Who’s Got the Berry? (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S4, Ep. 178; 1962)

Caroline Lamb (Writerism)

Double Danger (Animated TV Show;Jonny Quest #9; 1964)

Downhearted Duckling (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1954)

Enough Stupidity in Every Wise Man, by Aleksandr Ostrovsky (Play; 1868)

Fantasia (Animated Disney Film; 1940)

Fantastic Mr. Fox (Stop Motion Film; 2009)

The Forty Thieves (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1932)

Hairied and Hurried (WB MM Cartoon; 1965)

Heart of Darkness, by Joseph Conrad (Novel; 1902)

Laundry Service, by Shakira (Album; 2001)

Laura, by Vera Caspary (Novel; 1942)

The Lightning Bugs or Nuts and Volts (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S4, Ep. 177; 1962)

The Line, The Cross & The Curve, by Kate Bush (Short Film; 1993)

Lionheart, by Kate Bush (Album; 1978)

Lose Yourself, by Eminem (Song; 2002)

Mountain Mover or Boris Sneaks a Peak (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S2, Ep. 72; 1960)

An Old-Fashioned Love Song, by Three Dog Night (Song; 1971)

1, by The Beatles (Compilation Album; 2000)

Out of the Past (Film; 1947)

Out of This Whirl (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1959)

Porky’s Double Trouble (WB LT Cartoon; 1937)

Rocky and the Rock or Braver and Boulder (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S2, Ep. 71; 1960)

The Saint in Pursuit, by Fleming Lee (Short Stories; 1970) [Saint #43]

Scooby-Doo and the Reluctant Werewolf (Hanna-Barbera Animated TV Movie; 1988)

A Short History of Decay, by Emil M. Cioran (Science Book; 1949)

Silent Night, recorded by Bing Crosby (Song; 1935)

Ski for Two (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1944)

2012 (Film; 2009)

War and Remembrance (TV Mini-Series; 1988)

Where the Wild Things Are, by Maurice Sendak (Children’s Book; 1963)

Whistler’s Father, Parts 1 & 2 (Underdog Cartoon, S2, Eps. 33 & 34; 1965)

Yellow Submarine (Animated Film; 1968)

Today’s Name Days

Eugen, Livia, Stanislaus (Austria)

Brcko, Brickije, Didak, Dobroslav, Homobonus, Ivan, Mitar, Stanislav, Stanko (Croatia)

Tibor (Czech Republic)

Arcadius (Denmark)

Krister, Kristjan, Kristo, Risto (Estonia)

Ano, Kristian (Finland)

Brice (France)

Eugen, Livia, Stanislaus, Rene (Germany)

Chrysostomos, Damaskinos, Hrysostomos (Greece)

Szilvia (Hungary)

Brizio, Diego, Omobono, Paterniano (Italy)

Eižens, Jevgēņija, Jevgēņijs, Taida (Latvia)

Arkadijus, Eirima, Norvydas (Lithuania)

Kirsten, Kirsti (Norway)

Arkadiusz, Arkady, Brykcjusz, Eugeniusz, Jan, Mikołaj, Stanisław, Walentyn (Poland)

Ioan (România)

Stanislav (Slovakia)

Diego, Leandro (Spain)

Krister, Kristian (Sweden)

Brice, Bruce, Bryce, Bryson, Stan, Stanford, Stanley (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 318 of 2024; 48 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 3 of Week 46 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Hagal (Hailstone) [Day 18 of 28]

Chinese: Month 10 (Yi-Hai), Day 13 (Xin-Si)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 12 Heshvan 5785

Islamic: 11 Jumada I 1446

J Cal: 18 Wood; Threesday [18 of 30]

Julian: 31 October 2024

Moon: 93%: Waxing Crescent

Positivist: 10 Frederic (12th Month) [Gustavus Adolphus]

Runic Half Month: Nyd (Necessity) [Day 7 of 15]

Season: Autumn or Fall (Day 52 of 90)

Week: 2nd Full Week of November

Zodiac: Scorpio (Day 21 of 30)

[frmartinshomiliesandreflections]

2nd November >> Fr. Martin's Reflections/Homilies on Today's Mass Readings for Commemoration of all the faithful departed (Inc. Mark 15:33-39; 16:1-6): ‘He has risen’.

Commemoration of all the faithful departed

Gospel (Except USA) John 5:24-29 The dead will hear the voice of the Son of God.

Jesus said to the Jews:

I tell you most solemnly, whoever listens to my words, and believes in the one who sent me, has eternal life; without being brought to judgement he has passed from death to life. I tell you most solemnly, the hour will come – in fact it is here already – when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and all who hear it will live. For the Father, who is the source of life, has made the Son the source of life; and, because he is the Son of Man, has appointed him supreme judge. Do not be surprised at this, for the hour is coming when the dead will leave their graves at the sound of his voice: those who did good will rise again to life; and those who did evil, to condemnation.

Gospel (USA) John 5:24-29 The dead will hear the voice of the Son of God.

Jesus said to the Jews:

I tell you most solemnly, whoever listens to my words, and believes in the one who sent me, has eternal life; without being brought to judgement he has passed from death to life. I tell you most solemnly, the hour will come – in fact it is here already – when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and all who hear it will live. For the Father, who is the source of life, has made the Son the source of life; and, because he is the Son of Man, has appointed him supreme judge. Do not be surprised at this, for the hour is coming when the dead will leave their graves at the sound of his voice: those who did good will rise again to life; and those who did evil, to condemnation.

Reflections (8)

(i) Commemoration of all the faithful departed.

The opening prayer of today’s Mass sets the tone for this commemoration, ‘God… may all your people who have gone before us in faith share Christ’s victory and enjoy the vision of your glory for ever’. The Prayer after Communion likewise prays for ‘our brothers and sisters who have died’, asking, ‘Bring the new life given to them in baptism to the fullness of eternal joy’. Enjoying the vision of God’s glory forever and attaining the fullness of eternal joy is what we are praying for as we remember our deceased loved ones on this day. The suggested gospel reading for this year of Mark is a combination of the account of the crucifixion of Jesus and the finding of the empty tomb. It is said of Jesus in the gospel reading that he ‘gave a loud cry and breathed his last’. Many of us will have been present when a loved one breathed their last breath. No matter how much we have been expecting it, that moment remains a traumatic one. There is a sense of finality about it which no amount of anticipation can fully prepare us for. The dark sadness of death engulfs us, just as it must have engulfed the disciples of Jesus, including the women who stood at a distance watching Jesus die, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome. On the third day, these women went to the tomb of Jesus to dignify his body with aromatic oils. Yet, to their amazement, where death was to be expected, life reigned, ‘You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified: he is risen, he is not here’. It is as if the young man was saying to the women, ‘if you want to meet Jesus, don’t come to his tomb’. God had brought Jesus through death into a new and more powerful life over which death has no power. The risen Jesus would meet his disciples in Galilee, where he first called them, and, thereafter, ‘the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that accompanied it’ (Mk 16:20). The life that Jesus now enjoys is the ultimate destiny of all who believe in him. Earlier in Mark’s gospel, Jesus declared that those who follow him ‘will receive a hundredfold now in this age… and in the age to come eternal life’ (Mk 10:30). This is the hope that the gospel gives us and, as Saint Paul says in our second reading, ‘Hope is not deceptive, because the love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit which has been given to us’. The Holy Spirit gives us the assurance of God’s love, a love that, in the words of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, ‘never ends’, a love that remains faithful to us beyond death. Although ‘now we see in a mirror dimly… then we will see face to face’ (1 Cor 13:8, 12).

And/Or

(ii) Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed

Today we remember all our ‘faithful departed’. Most of us will be remembering people we have known and loved, such as family members and good friends. Indeed, the whole month of November is a time when we remember our dead in a special way. In most parish churches this month, there will be a special Mass for all those in the parish community who have lost loved ones over the year. As Christians, our remembering of those who have died is always a prayerful remembering. We remember them before the Lord. Remembering our departed loved ones before the Lord, praying for them, is one of the ways that we give expression to our continuing communion with them in the Lord. We believe that our loved ones who have died are with the Lord, who is with us in this life until the end of time. As one of the saints expressed it, our loved ones who have died have gone no further than the Lord and the Lord is always near to us. It is that shared relationship with the Lord which keeps us in communion with our loved ones who have died. In praying for our loved ones today, we are asking the Lord to bring them to the fullness of his risen life, as he brought the widow’s son to life in today’s gospel reading. As well as praying in petition, we also pray in thanksgiving for them, thanking God for the gift of their lives and for all the ways the Lord blessed us through them. Today, we entrust our loved ones who have died to God. In today’s’ first reading, Saint Paul tells us that ‘God’s love has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit which has been given to us’. The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God’s love, is the first fruit of eternal life. We pray that our loved ones would experience that life-giving love of God to the full.

And/Or

(iii) Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed

The feast of all souls is a day when we remember all our loved ones who have died. We all have people we want to remember and pray for today. Our praying for the dead is one of the ways that we give expression to our continuing communion with our loved ones who have died. We believe in the communion of saints, that deep spiritual bond between those who have reached the end of their earthly pilgrimage and those, like ourselves, who are still on that pilgrimage. The group of women who had followed Jesus in Galilee and had come up to Jerusalem from Galilee with him, were in communion with Jesus as he was dying. They were looking on from a distance as he was dying. Once he died, they must have thought that their communion with him was broken forever. Yet, when they went to the tomb to anoint his body on that first Easter morning, they heard the wonderful news that Jesus who had been crucified was now risen and that he would soon meet his followers again in Galilee. Their communion with Jesus and his with them had not been broken by death after all. He would continue to relate to them, and they could continue to relate to him, even if in a new and different way. Beyond death, our loved ones continue to relate to us and we to them, in a new and different way. Every year, the church gives us this day, the 2nd of November, to express our relationship with those we were close to in this life who have died. We pause this day to give thanks for their lives, to pray for them, and to ask them to pray for us.

And/Or

(iv) Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed

Today is a day when we remember all our loved ones who have died. We all have people we want to remember and pray for today. Our praying for the dead is one of the ways that we give expression to our communion with our loved ones who have died. We believe in the communion of saints, that deep spiritual bond between those who have reached the end of their earthly pilgrimage and ourselves who are still on that pilgrimage. In the gospel reading this morning, a group of women who had followed Jesus in Galilee and had come up to Jerusalem from Galilee with him, were in communion with Jesus as he was dying. They were looking on from a distance as he hung from the cross. Once he died, they must have thought that their communion with him was broken forever. Yet, when they went to the tomb to anoint his body on that first Easter morning, they heard the wonderful news that Jesus who had been crucified was now risen. Their communion with Jesus and his with them had not been broken by death after all. He would continue to relate to them, and they could continue to relate to him, in a new and different way. Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection we believe that beyond death, our loved ones are being drawn into the risen life of Jesus; for them, life has changed not ended, and our relationship with them has changed not ended. Because of our communion with the Lord in this life, and their new communion with the Lord in the next life, we and they remain in communion, in an even deeper communion, even though it is not visible. Every year, the church gives us this day, the 2nd of November, to express in a prayerful way our communion with those we were close to in this life who have died. We pause this day to give thanks for their lives, to pray for them, and to ask them to pray for us.

And/Or

(v) Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed

Today is the day when we give expression to what we refer to in the creed as ‘the communion of saints’. We believe that there is a deep, spiritual, communion between those of us who are still on our pilgrim way and those who have come to the end of their earthly pilgrimage. As the funeral liturgy of the church states, ‘all the ties of love and affection that knit us together in this life do not unravel with death’. Saint Paul puts it more simply in his first letter to the Corinthians, ‘love never ends’. In the gospel reading, when Jesus raised the young man to new life he gave him to his mother. Jesus renewed the communion between mother and son. Similarly, in bringing people to new life beyond this earthly life, the risen Lord renews their communion with their loved ones who continue their earthly pilgrimage. One of the ways we express our communion with our loved ones in this life is by praying for them. If we are people of faith, we will pray for those who are significant for us. Just as our love for our loved ones does not cease when they die, neither does our praying for them cease. Our prayer is one expression of our enduring love for them. Today is a special day of prayerful remembrance for our loved ones who have died. A traditional prayer we often pray for those who have died is ‘eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them’. We can sometimes think of rest as somewhat passive, the absence of activity. However, we could also think of rest in a way suggested by that lovely psalm that is often prayed at a funeral, ‘The Lord is my Shepherd’. Towards the end of the psalm we read, ‘near restful waters he leads me to revive my drooping spirits’. Rest is associated there with a revival of our spirits. We believe that eternal rest is an eternal revival of our deepest self, a full flowering of our true self. One of the early saints of the church, Saint Ephrem, wrote, ‘in the kingdom our departed ones achieve their full stature’. When we are praying that God would give our departed loved ones eternal rest, we are praying that they would reach their full stature.

And/Or

(vi) Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed

I always find November a somewhat sombre and difficult month. The golden colours of Autumn are quickly giving way to the barrenness of winter. As the month progresses, the days will get gradually shorter and darkness increasingly makes its presence felt. We lose the colours of nature and the life-giving quality of our light. It is a month I associate with loss. It is perhaps fitting then that November is the month when we reflect upon more personal experiences of loss, the loss of significant people in our lives, people who have journeyed with us, who gave us love and whom we loved in return. The Commemoration of All Souls is a day when we do that in a special way.

On this day, we feel a sense of communion with our faithful departed. As followers of a risen Lord, we believe that our faithful have not just departed from us but have also returned to God, from whom they came. We understand death as a door through which we pass back to the source of our being, the Creator of all life. We also believe that our loved ones, in passing over into God, do not break their communion with us. Even though they have departed from us, they remain in communion with us and we remain in communion with them. A vital stream of life continues to flow between our deceased loved ones and ourselves. The faith and love that bound us together in this life still binds us to them when they pass over into the next life. In the gospel reading, Jesus gives her son back to the grieving widow. One of the ways we expressed our love for our loved ones in this life was by praying for them. Our loved ones who have died can still be touched by the love that finds its voice in prayer. Prayerful remembrance is one of the ways we continue to give expression to our loving communion with them. Such prayer helps them and can also help us. None of us will have had a perfect relationship even with those we have loved the most. When someone close to us dies, there is always some unfinished business. Praying for our loved ones can help to heal whatever may need healing in our relationship with them. As a result, our communion with them can deepen after their death until it comes to fullness at the moment when we too pass over from this life and are united with them in God’s love at that great banquet of life portrayed in today’s first reading.

Although nothing is more painful than the loss of a loved one in death, our faith gives us this hope-filled vision in the face of death. In today’s second reading, Paul says that ‘hope is not deceptive, because the love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit which has been given to us’. Our hope is grounded in God’s love for us now, a very personal love that is poured into the hearts of each one of us through the Holy Spirit. God’s love, revealed in Jesus and poured into our hearts through the Spirit, continues to hold onto us when we pass through the door of death. As all authentic human love is always life-giving for the one loved, God’s love is supremely life-giving for us even in the face of our bodily death. What God’s love has already done for us through his Son and the Spirit in this life is the assurance of what God’s love will do for us in eternity. As Paul says in that our second reading, ‘Now that we have been reconciled (to God), surely we may count on being saved by the life of his Son’.

And/Or

(vii) Commemoration of all the faithful departed            

Today is the day when we give expression to what we refer to in the creed as ‘the communion of saints’. We believe that there is a deep, spiritual, communion between those of us who are still on our pilgrim way and those who have come to the end of their pilgrim journey. As the funeral liturgy of the church states, ‘all the ties of love and affection that knit us together in this life do not unravel with death’. Saint Paul puts it more simply in his first letter to the Corinthians, ‘love never ends’. One of the ways we expressed our communion with our loved ones before they died was by praying for them. If we are people of faith, we will always pray for those who are significant for us; we might light a candle for them. Just as our love for our loved ones does not cease when they die, neither does our praying for them cease, because it is one expression of our enduring love for them. Today is a special day of prayerful remembrance for our loved ones who have died. A traditional prayer we often pray for those who have died is ‘eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them’. We can often think of rest as something passive, the absence of activity. In the Scriptures, ‘rest’ has a much more vibrant meaning, as is suggested by that lovely psalm that is often prayed at a funeral, ‘The Lord is my Shepherd’. Towards the end of that psalm we read, ‘near restful waters he leads me to revive my drooping spirits’. Restful waters or rest is associated with a revival of our spirits. Eternal rest is an eternal revival of our deepest spirit, our deepest self. One of the early saints of the church, Saint Ephrem, wrote, ‘in the kingdom our departed ones achieve their full stature’. When we are praying that God would give our departed loved ones eternal rest, we are praying that their best self would be fully revived, that they would attain their full stature as people made in God’s image. The invitation of Jesus, ‘Come to me’, and his promise, ‘I will give you rest’, suggests that already in this earthly life we can begin to enter into this rest, this revival of our drooping spirit. We are in need of the Lord’s gift of rest in these days when our spirits can easily droop. We have the Lord’s assurance there in the gospel reading that if we come to him, if we turn to him, we will indeed experience a foretaste of that eternal rest or revival that awaits us beyond death.

And/Or

(viii) Commemoration of all the faithful departed

Today we remember that the love we have for one another in this life is stronger than death. One of the ways we express our love for our loved ones in this life is by praying for them. We pray for our loved ones, we light candles for them, we get Masses offered for them. Such prayer of intercession is central to our faith. When our loved ones die, we continue our prayer of intercession for them. At every Mass, during the Eucharistic Prayer, we pray for our loved ones who have died. The tradition of having Mass said for those who have died on the anniversary of their death is still very strong in many parts of the world, including here in Ireland. We somehow sense that just as our loved ones can benefit from our prayers while living in this life, they can continue to benefit from our prayers when they have moved on from this earthly life to the next life. We may not be able to articulate clearly how our loved ones who have died can benefit from our prayers. When it comes to the afterlife, so much remains in the realm of mystery. Yet, we believe in what the Creed calls the communion of saints, that deep spiritual bond between those of us who are still on our earthly pilgrimage and those who have come to the end of that pilgrimage and are now with the Lord. One of the ways we give expression to that bond is through prayer. We pray for our loved ones who have died and, we believe, they can pray for us. In Mark’s gospel, from which we have just been reading, a group of women followed Jesus in Galilee and then from Galilee to Jerusalem. They were present when Jesus was dying on the cross, although at a distance. They saw where he was buried. On the first day of the week they came to anoint his body with spices. They wanted to preserve their communion with him in some way, even after his death. To their amazement, they discovered that he would remain in communion with them in a way they could never have imagined. Having been raised from the dead, he would meet them in Galilee, and would be present to them for the rest of their lives. Death did not break the Lord’s communion with his followers, and death does not break the communion between our loved ones and us. Today we give special expression to that communion with our loved ones by our prayerful remembrance of them.

Fr. Martin Hogan.

[wilsonthemoose]

The Answer Lies in the Silence

Written for week 1 of the Dark!Dean Event, for the prompt: Altered State | Under Supernatural Influence

They grow up strange.

Or, Dean stopped talking after the night of the fire. He'd be 25 when he finally speaks for the first time again.

Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Pre-Season/Series 01, POV John Winchester

On the 2nd of November 1983, John Winchester heard his wife scream and ran into his son's nursery to find Sammy cooing and Mary pinned to the ceiling, dripping blood.

As he looked up at her, fire caught around the edges of her nightgown and a tongue of fire leapt out at him.

Out of a night filled with vivid images that would haunt him for the rest of his life, that stood out: the tongue of fire shooting toward him, almost a pyromancer's trick in the way it behaved.

That image, and what he saw as he scooped Sammy in his arms and turned around one last time at the door: the sight of Dean standing on top of the dresser in the burning room.

He'd suppose later that Dean had been trying to climb up to the ceiling and rescue his mother, stupid boy. He'd looked at John in the doorway, fire reflected in his watery eyes. John had a heartbeat's hesitation, then a window had blown up bringing fresh air into the room and blowing the fire outwards.

Sam had shrieked in his arms, and John could not remember running down the hallway, the stairs, and out the door, but he remembered falling to his knees a few paces from his front door and sobbing into Sam's blanket.

Years later, he'd reflect that he need not have rushed. The fire would have waited patiently until Sam was out of harm's way.

As it was, Dean had stumbled out himself a few minutes after John, soot-blackened, coughing, but otherwise unharmed.

John had breathed a sigh of relief and said a prayer of gratitude each night through the believing and disbelieving years.

Dean stopped talking. Watchful as a fox in a forest, always at arm's length. John would pull him closer, tucking him under his arm or picking him up but he'd remain impassive, reciprocating as a matter of form but never with any warmth.

He hadn't even cried.

The social workers shook their heads, the doctors offered sympathetic, guarded reassurances of possibly favourable outcomes with time.

"How much time?"

Tilted heads, sorry expressions, "There's really no timeframe to these things," shakes of the head.

Blurry weeks and months later, Sammy babbled and Dean only listened. In many ways, John had lost them all that night, not just Mary.

When Sam learnt to talk, normally if somewhat morosely, John breathed a sigh of relief.

He tested Sam every way he could think of, learn, or just plain makeup, silver knives and holy water, mirrors and iron and salt. And he tried to pretend he didn't see the almost hateful, sneering glances Dean shot him, like the echo of that orange glow still lingering in Dean's eyes from the fire all these years later.

Storms followed them out of every state and down every country road. Cattle turned up mutilated. And always, inevitably, a corpse with a cut throat in every town they left.

They lived an isolated, cut-off existence.

People around them didn't have very long lives and John learnt early not to leave the kids with anyone. He'd get a call from Sam in the middle of the night, drop everything and haul ass back to wherever he'd left them, and find gory murder when he arrived.

Missouri, Bobby, Caleb. He didn't let the list get too much longer.

Sam dropped out of school after the fourth grade.

They were sullen, the two of them. Gaunt faced in their tattered second-hand flannels and patched denim, mistrusting and secretive.

Sam was often sick. Fevered and delirious through the nights, weak and exhausted during the days.

Dean was single-minded, devoted, and sleepless with a seemingly endless reserve of patience and strength that kept John from losing his mind even as it cut at him.

What if— what if someday they had to—

He'd watch Dean taking care of Sam like some silent angel and knew that Dean would follow Sam to hell, would break John's neck for suggesting otherwise.

It was paltry comfort.

He felt out of step. An intruder in his own family when what he'd wanted most of all, all his life, was a family by the fireside and a home where he belonged.

He tried to bond and tired of trying. Parks and museums, roadside sparring, shooting spare cans, fishing.

At 12, Dean could shoot a gun better than most adults, at 16 he was better than John.

At 18, he still hadn't spoken a word to him but John could have sworn he'd seen him talking to Sam. They got on well enough without words it was true, and he shook his head, it wasn't possible. He was being paranoid.

Sometimes, sometimes, sometimes, he could hear a soft rough voice quite unlike Sam's through doors and at night when he was asleep, seeping into his dreams.

He poured salt at every doorstep and window sill, saw with relief that his sons were content to stay inside.

Lank-haired and sullen, gaunt and hollow-eyed but with a live-wire undertow of efficiency that John's own practiced eye would have missed had he not known better.

He didn't bat an eye when one shot up from the bed and crossed to the window, panther-silent and swift, but he thought of changelings and demon spawn and sometimes, when he left, he thought of never going back.

Sometimes, he wondered if he'd get another call from Sam and go back to find Dean the way he'd found Bobby all those years ago.

Dean was 25 when he finally spoke to John.

He was missing for days and when John finally found him, covered in blood, at least half his own, dirty and scraped, he stumbled and collapsed into John's arms, breathed, "Dad," and passed out.

John cradled his head, repeated "I've got you, I've got you, son," and took him back to the motel.

He woke up terrified, tried to tell John about a demon, tried to tell him something about Sam, but his voice was hoarse, breathing laboured, eyes wild, and forehead burning up. John hushed him, said, "I know," and soothed him until he passed out again slipping uneasily in and out of consciousness through the night and late into the next morning.

He sat vigil, watched Dean toss and turn, speak in his sleep, try to stay awake long enough to tell him something.

Three days later, John left the motel for the first time to get them all something to eat and when he came back, Dean was on his feet. Weak and exhausted, but his old self again.

John tried to get him to talk, but he would only stare, jaw clenched and something like a sick glint in his eyes.

John got up, went to the bathroom, and punched the mirror into fragments. It wasn't until a few days later, that he realized.

If he'd known earlier (and he should have), John might have stood half a chance. As it is he can only hate himself for not knowing his own son.

But he walked in and out of Pastor Jim's church a hundred times, he didn't flinch at holy water.

John recalls the glow of his eyes, fire-orange, he always thought, flashing at him like a challenge— really, it was sulfur yellow. He thinks of Sam, sick so often, fevered and delirious, shaking, writhing in agony. Passing fevers, John would try to pass them off as, occasional illnesses. Textbook withdrawals, he never let himself think.

He thinks of the games, the signs halfway across the country that took them packing. The little whispers, the gun that could kill anything, the Kurd knife he traded for two pints of his own blood. It's in his jacket pocket, one flick of the wrist out of his grasp but he never reaches for it.

It would be futile anyway.

[tonysolomon4jc]

Satanic Illuminati royalty dies at 87. The Bible says lose your soul. You can't sell it. Satan worshippers can repent of their sins & worship Jesus Christ & get forgiveness from God. The satanic Illuminati is anti-Christ & they love the numbers 13 & 33. Revelation 13 is the chapter that talks about the 1st & 2nd Beast (the Antichrist & the False Prophet) demanding the Mark of the Beast. Mark 13:13 says that we will be hated  for the name of Jesus, but if we endure as followers of Jesus Christ until the end then we will be saved from damnation in Hell. They love the number 33, because Jesus possibly died at 33 & 33% of the angels were kicked out of heaven with satan & turned into fallen angels/demons that are condemned to the eternal Lake of Fire. We'll get the crown of eternal life if we keep our faith in Jesus Christ until we die. Pay attention to how many news or movie statistics have 13 or 33 in them. The Antichrist & rapture are close. Go to Messiah2030 on YouTube to see how 53 Bible prophecies point to 2030 being the return of Jesus Christ. Watch Pope Francis and His Lies: The False Prophet Exposed, on YouTube. Fasting & praying to get closer to God, studying scripture daily, praising Jesus, sharing scripture, obeying Jesus, praying for everyone, loving God more than everything, loving everyone sincerely, remembering that it's people versus demons influencing people praying about everything in Jesus' name & trusting God's perfect will, word & timing are essential in these last days. The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Matt. 18:7 Temptations are inevitable, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting. Watch Died Suddenly on Rumble. The vaccines are killing people. Research it. Pray for everyone that got a vaccine. Look up Dr. Peter A. McCulloughThe Image of the Beast technology from Revelation 13 is live & always active & against people. Microsoft patented #060606 from Rev.13 The Mark of the Beast/Antichrist. Guard your eyes, ears & heart. It's like the Eagle Eye movie. Father, I pray for everybody to know the gospel of Jesus Christ, to know that they are loved by you, & can be forgiven. In Jesus' name. Amen. Movies & secular music promote pride, lust, blasphemy, violence, greed, gluttony, witchcraft, hate, drugs & alcohol. Guard your heart. People that die without Jesus Christ as their Lord, God & Savior get judged & then get thrown into the Lake of Fire Revelation 20:15. Watch John MacArthur sermons on YouTube, the gotquestions app & a Bible app that reads to you. Put the New Testament on repeat. God warns Christians to not associate with Christians that have sex outside of marriage or are drunkards 1 Cor 5:9-11. 1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. W.W.J.D? Be holy, humble, pure, sober, loving & meek. Glorify God & please God with your thoughts & behavior. GOD WARNS US TO FLEE LUST & PRIDE. Friends should draw you closer to holiness & Jesus Christ. If they pull you towards sin more than holiness then you should walk away. Obey Jesus Christ. Fellow Christians, please share this. 🙏

[noloveforned]

putting together stuff for tonight's no love for ned on wlur at 8pm. you can catch a repeat of last week's show immediately after at 10pm to give you four solid hours of whatever it is i do on the radio. as is the new norm, last week's show is below and streaming on mixcloud for those of you with more exciting friday night plans!

no love for ned on wlur – july 21st, 2023 from 8-10pm

artist // track // album // label the certain someones // sad salvation // murderecords 7" singles 1993-1998 compilation // murderecords the edsel auctioneer // slouch // simmer // decoy cheerbleederz // cute as hell // even in jest // alcopop! guardian singles // pit viper // feed me to the doves // trouble in mind the ape-ettes // hearing protection // simply the ape-ettes // snappy little numbers the dad // 2nd best friends // 7 a.m. 7" // unread snooper // pod // super snõõper // third man dr. sure's unusual practice // carol // remember the future? live from the future // marthouse keel her // boner hit // with me tonight 7" // o genesis uppendix // desire's not the one // bliss is solipsis // discontinuous innovation famous mammals // comets for poets // instant pop expressionism now! // siltbreeze private lives // hit record // hit record // feel it andrew savage // thanksgiving prayer // several songs about fire // rough trade prairiewolf // sage thrasher // prairiewolf // centripetal force matthew sage // tilth dawn rustles // paradise crick // rvng intl. laraaji and kramer // ascension // baptismal // shimmy-disc anton lukoszevieze, alexander hawkins and heather roche // variations vii and ix (excerpt) // jack cooper 'arrival' // astral spirits carlos niño // brooklyn zoom, brooklyn zoom // international anthem at public records volume four, december 10th, 2022 // international anthem mike reed featuring marvin tate // call off tomorrow // flesh and bone // 482 music john coltrane // impressions // evenings at the village gate // impulse! napoleon da legend and giallo point // game plan // coup d'etat // fxck rxp billy woods and kenny segal featuring quelle chris // soundcheck // maps // backwoodz studioz kenny g featuring barry johnson // hi, how ya doin'? // g force // arista wendell harrison // the glamorous life // the carnivorous lady // rebirth snoh aalegra // be my summer // be my summer digital single // atrium bernice // underneath my toe // cruisin' ep // telephone explosion ivy // get out of the city // apartment life demos // bar/none bonne idée // it will be back // a dream of you 7" // cloudberry lily konigsberg // at best a #3 // the best of lily konigsberg right now // wharf cat u.s. highball // see you in hell // no thievery, just cool // lame-o the particles // driving me // 1980s bubblegum // chapter music

[orthodoxydaily]

Saints&Reading: Sunday, March 31, 2024

march 18_march 31

SAINT GREGORY PALAMAS, ARCHBISHOP OF THESSALONIKA (1359)

(movable holiday on the 2nd Sunday of the Great Lent).

Saint Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessalonica, was born in the year 1296 in Constantinople. Saint Gregory’s father became a prominent dignitary at the court of Andronicus II Paleologos (1282-1328), but he soon died, and Andronicus himself took part in the raising and education of the fatherless boy. Endowed with fine abilities and great diligence, Gregory mastered all the subjects which then comprised the full course of medieval higher education. The emperor hoped that the youth would devote himself to government work. But Gregory, barely twenty years old, withdrew to Mount Athos in the year 1316 (other sources say 1318) and became a novice in the Vatopedi monastery under the guidance of the monastic Elder Saint Νikόdēmos of Vatopedi (July 11). There he was tonsured and began on the path of asceticism. A year later, the holy Evangelist John the Theologian appeared to him in a vision and promised him his spiritual protection. Gregory’s mother and sisters also became monastics.

After the demise of the Elder Νikόdēmos, Saint Gregory spent eight years of spiritual struggle under the guidance of the Elder Nikēphóros, and after the latter’s death, Gregory transferred to the Lavra of Saint Athanasius (July 5). Here he served in the trapeza, and then became a church singer. But after three years, he resettled in the small skete of Glossia, striving for a greater degree of spiritual perfection. The head of this monastery began to teach the young man the method of unceasing prayer and mental activity, which had been cultivated by monastics, beginning with the great desert ascetics of the fourth century: Evagrius Pontikos and Saint Macarius of Egypt (January 19).

Later on, in the eleventh century, Saint Simeon the New Theologian (March 12) had provided detailed instruction in mental activity for those praying in an outward manner, and the ascetics of Athos put it into practice. The experienced use of mental prayer (or prayer of the heart), requiring solitude and quiet, is called “Hesychasm” (from the Greek “hesychia” meaning calm, silence), and those practicing it were called “hesychasts.”

During his stay at Glossia the future hierarch Gregory became fully imbued with the spirit of hesychasm and adopted it as an essential part of his life. In the year 1326, because of the threat of Turkish invasions, he and the brethren retreated to Thessalonica, where he was then ordained to the holy priesthood.

Saint Gregory combined his priestly duties with the life of a hermit. Five days of the week he spent in silence and prayer, and only on Saturday and Sunday did he come out to his people. He celebrated divine services and preached sermons. For those present in church, his teaching often evoked both tenderness and tears. Sometimes he visited theological gatherings of the city’s educated youth, headed by the future patriarch, Isidore. After he returned from a visit to Constantinople, he found a place suitable for solitary life near Thessalonica the region of Bereia. Soon he gathered here a small community of solitary monks and guided it for five years.

In 1331 the saint withdrew to Mount Athos and lived in solitude at the skete of Saint Savva, near the Lavra of Saint Athanasius. In 1333 he was appointed Igumen of the Esphigmenou monastery in the northern part of the Holy Mountain. In 1336 the saint returned to the skete of Saint Savva, where he devoted himself to theological works, continuing with this until the end of his life.

In the 1330s events took place in the life of the Eastern Church which put Saint Gregory among the most significant universal apologists of Orthodoxy, and brought him great renown as a teacher of hesychasm.

About the year 1330 the learned monk Barlaam had arrived in Constantinople from Calabria, in Italy. He was the author of treatises on logic and astronomy, a skilled and sharp-witted orator, and he received a university chair in the capital city and began to expound on the works of Saint Dionysius the Areopagite (October 3), whose “apophatic” (“negative”, in contrast to “kataphatic” or “positive”) theology was acclaimed in equal measure in both the Eastern and the Western Churches. Soon Barlaam journeyed to Mt Athos, where he became acquainted with the spiritual life of the hesychasts. Saying that it was impossible to know the essence of God, he declared mental prayer a heretical error. Journeying from Mount Athos to Thessalonica, and from there to Constantinople, and later again to Thessalonica, Barlaam entered into disputes with the monks and attempted to demonstrate the created, material nature of the light of Tabor (i.e. at the Transfiguration). He ridiculed the teachings of the monks about the methods of prayer and about the uncreated light seen by the hesychasts.

Saint Gregory, at the request of the Athonite monks, replied with verbal admonitions at first. But seeing the futility of such efforts, he put his theological arguments in writing. Thus appeared the “Triads in Defense of the Holy Hesychasts” (1338). Towards the year 1340 the Athonite ascetics, with the assistance of the saint, compiled a general response to the attacks of Barlaam, the so-called “Hagiorite Tome.” At the Constantinople Council of 1341 in the church of Hagia Sophia Saint Gregory Palamas debated with Barlaam, focusing upon the nature of the light of Mount Tabor. On May 27, 1341 the Council accepted the position of Saint Gregory Palamas, that God, unapproachable in His Essence, reveals Himself through His energies, which are directed towards the world and are able to be perceived, like the light of Tabor, but which are neither material nor created. The teachings of Barlaam were condemned as heresy, and he himself was anathemized and fled to Calabria.

But the dispute between the Palamites and the Barlaamites was far from over. To these latter belonged Barlaam’s disciple, the Bulgarian monk Akyndinos, and also Patriarch John XIV Kalekos (1341-1347); the emperor Andronicus III Paleologos (1328-1341) was also inclined toward their opinion. Akyndinos, whose name means “one who inflicts no harm,” actually caused great harm by his heretical teaching. Akyndinos wrote a series of tracts in which he declared Saint Gregory and the Athonite monks guilty of causing church disorders. The saint, in turn, wrote a detailed refutation of Akyndinos’ errors. The patriarch supported Akyndinos and called Saint Gregory the cause of all disorders and disturbances in the Church (1344) and had him locked up in prison for four years. In 1347, when John the XIV was replaced on the patriarchal throne by Isidore (1347-1349), Saint Gregory Palamas was set free and was made Archbishop of Thessalonica.

In 1351 the Council of Blachernae solemnly upheld the Orthodoxy of his teachings. But the people of Thessalonica did not immediately accept Saint Gregory, and he was compelled to live in various places. On one of his travels to Constantinople the Byzantine ship fell into the hands of the Turks. Even in captivity, Saint Gregory preached to Christian prisoners and even to his Moslem captors. The Hagarenes were astonished by the wisdom of his words. Some of the Moslems were unable to endure this, so they beat him and would have killed him if they had not expected to obtain a large ransom for him. A year later, Saint Gregory was ransomed and returned to Thessalonica.

Saint Gregory performed many miracles in the three years before his death, healing those afflicted with illness. On the eve of his repose, Saint John Chrysostom appeared to him in a vision. With the words “To the heights! To the heights!” Saint Gregory Palamas fell asleep in the Lord on November 14, 1359. In 1368 he was canonized at a Constantinople Council under Patriarch Philotheus (1354-1355, 1364-1376), who compiled the Life and Services to the saint.

SAINT CYRIL, ARCHBISHOP OF JERUSALEM (386)

Saint Cyril, Archbishop of Jerusalem, was born in Jerusalem in 315 and raised in strict Christian piety. Upon reaching maturity, he became a monk, and in 346, he became a presbyter. In 350, upon the death of Archbishop Maximus, he succeeded him on the episcopal throne of Jerusalem.

As Patriarch of Jerusalem, Saint Cyril zealously fought against the heresies of Arius and Macedonius. In so doing, he aroused the animosity of the Arian bishops, who sought to have him deposed and banished from Jerusalem.

There was a miraculous portent in 351 at Jerusalem: at the third hour of the day on the Feast of Pentecost, the Holy Cross appeared in the heavens, shining with a radiant light. It stretched from Golgotha above the Mount of Olives. Saint Cyril reported this portent to the Arian emperor Constantius (351-363), hoping to convert him to Orthodoxy.

The heretic Acacius, deposed by the Council of Sardica, was formerly the Metropolitan of Caesarea, and he collaborated with the emperor to have Saint Cyril removed. An intense famine struck Jerusalem, and Saint Cyril expended all his wealth in charity. But since the famine did not abate, the saint pawned church utensils, and used the money to buy wheat for the starving. The saint’s enemies spread a scandalous rumor that they had seen a woman in the city dancing around in clerical garb. Taking advantage of this rumor, the heretics forcibly expelled the saint.

The saint found shelter with Bishop Silvanus in Tarsus. After this, a local Council was held at Seleucia, at which there were about 150 bishops, and among them Saint Cyril. The heretical Metropolitan Acacius did not want to allow him to take a seat, but the Council would not consent to this. Acacius stormed out of the Council, and before the emperor and the Arian patriarch Eudoxius, he denounced both the Council and Saint Cyril. The emperor had the saint imprisoned.

When the emperor Julian the Apostate (361-363) ascended the throne he repealed all the anti-Orthodox decrees of Constantius, seemingly out of piety. Saint Cyril returned to his own flock. But after a certain while, when Julian had become secure upon the throne, he openly apostasized and renounced Christ. He permitted the Jews to start rebuilding the Temple of Jerusalem that had been destroyed by the Romans, and he even provided them part of the funds for the building from the state treasury.

Saint Cyril predicted that the words of the Savior about the destruction of the Temple down to its very stones (Luke. 21:6) would undoubtedly transpire, and the blasphemous intent of Julian would come to naught. Soon there was such a powerful earthquake, that even the solidly set foundation of the ancient Temple of Solomon shifted in its place, and what had been rebuilt fell down and shattered into dust. When the Jews resumed construction, a fire came down from the heavens and destroyed the tools of the workmen. Great terror seized everyone. On the following night, the Sign of the Cross appeared on the clothing of the Jews, which they could not remove by any means.

After this heavenly confirmation of Saint Cyril’s prediction, they banished him again, and the bishop’s throne was occupied by Saint Cyriacus. But Saint Cyriacus soon suffered a martyr’s death (October 28).

After the emperor Julian perished in 363, Saint Cyril returned to his See, but during the reign of the emperor Valens (364-378) he was exiled for a third time. It was only under the holy emperor Saint Theodosius the Great (379-395) that he finally returned to his archpastoral activity. In 381 Saint Cyril participated in the Second Ecumenical Council, which condemned the heresy of Macedonius and affirmed the Nicea-Constantinople Symbol of Faith (Creed).

Saint Cyril’s works include twenty-three Instructions (Eighteen are Catechetical, intended for those preparing for Baptism, and five are for the newly-baptized) and two discourses on Gospel themes: “On the Paralytic,” and “Concerning the Transformation of Water into Wine at Cana.”

At the heart of the Catechetical Instructions is a detailed explanation of the Symbol of Faith. The saint suggests that a Christian should inscribe the Symbol of Faith upon “the tablets of the heart.”

“The articles of the Faith,” Saint Cyril teaches, “were not written through human cleverness, but they contain everything that is most important in all the Scriptures, in a single teaching of faith. Just as the mustard seed contains all its plethora of branches within its small kernel, so also does the Faith in its several declarations combine all the pious teachings of the Old and the New Testaments.”

Saint Cyril, a great ascetic and a champion of Orthodoxy, died in the year 386.

HEBREWS 1:10-2:3

10 And:"You, LORD, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. 11 They will perish, but You remain; And they will all grow old like a garment; 12 Like a cloak You will fold them up, And they will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not fail." 13 But to which of the angels has He ever said:"Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool"? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?

1 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3

how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him,

JOHN 21:1-14

1 After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We are going with you also." They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. 4 But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Then Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any food?" They answered Him, "No." 6 And He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish. 7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish. 9 Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish which you have just caught." 11 Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken. 12 Jesus said to them, "Come and eat breakfast." Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, "Who are You?"-knowing that it was the Lord. 13 Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish. 14 This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.

[scotianostra]

On May 29th 1679 Covenanters under Sir Robert Hamilton take Rutherglen before evading government troops.

This was another of those declarations that Covenanters liked to do every now and then, in this one they announced that it was a lawful act to kill King Charles II.

Around seventy to eighty armed and mounted Covenanters rode into Rutherglen and read out a declaration, originally known as the Rutherglen Testimony which condemned the acts which made conventicles and support for the Covenant illegal. It had been planned to affix it to the cross in Glasgow, but the presence of Claverhouse and his soldiers made them change their mind and Rutherglen was chosen instead. The day was supposedly identified as one on which to celebrate the restoration of Charles II, but the Covenanters at Rutherglen extinguished the bonfires which had been lit to mark the event. A copy of the declaration was then affixed to the marked cross and the Covenanters rode off towards the moors for protection.

They were led by Sir Robert Hamilton of Preston, 2nd Baronet, John ‘Burleigh’ Balfour, and James Russell. and local outed minister, Rev John Dickson. Rev Thomas Douglas led the crowd in prayer and Hamilton read out the seven parts of the declaration which denounced episcopacy and the royal supremacy. The King’s statutes, including the Act of Supremacy, was taken from the market cross and burned in a fire lit by the Covenanters. Within a short period of time, the Covenanters were met at Drumclog, by the soldiers under John Graham of Claverhouse.

I will cover the Battle of Drumclog on its anniversary later this week.

Here is an extract from the declaration......

‘As the Lord hath been pleased to keep and preserve his interest in this land, by the testimony of faithful witnesses from the beginning, so some in our days have not been wanting, who, upon great hazards, have added their testimony to the testimony of those who have gone before them, and who have suffered imprisonments, finings, forfeitures, banishment, torture, and death from an evil and perfidious adversary to the church and kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ in the land. Now we being pursued by the same adversary for our lives, while owning the interest of Christ, according to his word, and in the national and solemn league and covenants, judge it our duty (though unworthy, yet hoping we are true members of the church of Scotland) to add our testimony to those of the worthies who have gone before us, in witnessing against all things that have been done publicly in prejudice of his interest, from the beginning of the work of reformation, especially from the year 1648 downward to the year 1660. But more particularly those since, as 1. Against the act recissory, for over turning the whole covenanted reformation. 2. Against the acts for erecting and establishing of abjured prelacy. [66] 3. Against that declaration imposed upon, and subscribed by all persons in public trust, where the covenants are renounced and condemned. 4. Against the act and declaration published at Glasgow, for outing of the faithful ministers who could not comply with prelacy, whereby 300 and upwards of them were illegally ejected. 5. Against that presumptuous act for imposing an holy anniversary day, as they call it, to be kept yearly upon the 29th of May, as a day of rejoicing and thanksgiving for the king’s birth and restoration; whereby the appointers have intruded upon the Lord’s prerogative, and the observers have given glory to the creature that is due to our Lord Redeemer, and rejoiced over the setting up an usurping power to the destroying the interest of Christ in the land. 6. Against the explicatory act, 1669, and sacrilegious supremacy enacted and established thereby. 7. Lastly. Against the acts of council, their warrants and instructions for indulgence, and all other their sinful and unlawful acts, made and executed by them, for promoting their usurped supremacy. And, for confirmation of this our testimony, we do this day, being the 29th of May 1679, publicly at the cross of Rutherglen, most justly burn and above mentioned acts, to evidence our dislike and testimony against the same, as they have unjustly, perfidiously, and presumptuously burned our sacred covenants. And, we hope, none will take exception against our not subscribing this our testimony, being so solemnly published; since we are always ready to do in this as shall be judged necessary, by consent of the rest of our suffering brethren in Scotland.

The pic is of a memorial plaque at Rutherglen Mercat Cross.

[eldritchboop]

37 Lost Books on Ancient Mesopotamia

The Lost Book Project is charging $12 for this collection. If you found this roundup useful, please consider donating to the Internet Archive instead.

The Epic of Gilgamesh by A. George (1999)

Enuma Elish: The Seven Tablets of Creation by L. W. King (1900)

Ancient Iraq by G. Roux (1964)

History Begins at Sumer: Thirty-Nine Firsts by S. Kramer (1956)

The Code of Hammurabi by Hammurabi (1905)

The Sumerians: Their History, Culture, and Character by S. Kramer (1963)

Ancient Mesopotamia: Portrait of a Dead Civilization by L. Oppenheim (1964)

The Ancient Near East - An Anthology of Texts and Pictures by J. Pritchard (1958) Babylonian Magic and Sorcery by L. W. King (1896)

The Sumerians by C. Leonard Woolley (1920)

The Religions of Ancient Egypt and Babylonia by A.H Sayce (1901)

Babylonian and Assyrian laws, Contracts and Letters by C. H. W. Johns (1904)

The Richest Man in Babylon by G.S Clayson (1926)

A history of the Babylonians and Assyrians (2nd Edition) - G. S. Goodspeed (1902)

Assyria, its Princes, Priests, and People - A. Sayce (1885)

The teachings of Zoroaster, and the philosophy of the Parsi religion by S. A. Kapadia (1913)

An old Babylonian Version of the Gilgamesh Epic by M. Jastrow (1920)

Assyrian and Babylonian Religious Texts;  Prayers, Oracles, Hymns. Copied from the original tablets by J. A. Craig (1895)

Babylonian and Assyrian literature - comprising the epic of Izdubar, hymns, tablets, and cuneiform inscriptions - E. Wilson (1901)

Babylonian Boundary Stones and Memorial Tablets in the British Museum Vol. 1 by L. W. King (1912) Babylonian Boundary Stones and Memorial Tablets in the British Museum Vol. 2 by L. W. King (1912)

Chaldean Account of Genesis - Containing the Description of the Creation, the fall of man, the deluge, the tower of Babel, the times of the patriarchs, and Nimrod - G. Smith (1876)

Cuneiform Parallels to the Old Testament by R. W. Rogers (1912)

Discoveries Among the Ruins of Nineveh and Babylon - A. Layard (1853)

Myths & Legends of Babylonia & Assyria - L. Spence (1916)

Myths of Babylonia and Assyria by D. A. Mackenzie (1915)

The Babylonian Legends Of Creation by E. A. Wallis-Budge (1921)

The Chaldean Account Of The Deluge by G. Smith (1873)

The Code of Hammurabi by P. Handcock (1920) The Code of Hammurabi, King of Babylon about 2250 B.C. by R. F. Harper (1904)

The Devils and Evil Spirits of Babylonia Vol. 1/2 (1903)

The Law of Hammurabi and Moses; a sketch by H. Grimme (1907) The Religions of ancient Egypt and Babylonia - A. Sayce (1902)

Reports of Magicians and Astrologers of Nineveh and Babylon in the British Museum - Vol 1 - R. Thompson (1902) Reports of Magicians and Astrologers of Nineveh and Babylon in the British Museum - Vol 2 - R. Thompson (1902)

[orthodoxadventure]

2nd Sunday of Great Lent: St Gregory Palamas

Commemorated on March 31

O luminary of Orthodoxy, support and teacher of the Church, ideal of monks and invincible champion of theologians, O wonderworker Gregory, boast of Thessalonika and herald of grace, always intercede for all of us that our souls may be saved.

This Sunday was originally dedicated to Saint Polycarp of Smyrna (February 23). After his glorification in 1368, a second commemoration of Saint Gregory Palamas (November 14) was appointed for the Second Sunday of Great Lent as a second “Triumph of Orthodoxy.”

Saint Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessalonica, was born in the year 1296 in Constantinople. Saint Gregory’s father became a prominent dignitiary at the court of Andronicus II Paleologos (1282-1328), but he soon died, and Andronicus himself took part in the raising and education of the fatherless boy. Endowed with fine abilities and great diligence, Gregory mastered all the subjects which then comprised the full course of medieval higher education. The emperor hoped that the youth would devote himself to government work. But Gregory, barely twenty years old, withdrew to Mount Athos in the year 1316 (other sources say 1318) and became a novice in the Vatopedi monastery under the guidance of the monastic Elder Saint Νikόdēmos of Vatopedi (July 11). There he was tonsured and began on the path of asceticism. A year later, the holy Evangelist John the Theologian appeared to him in a vision and promised him his spiritual protection. Gregory’s mother and sisters also became monastics.

After the demise of the Elder Νikόdēmos, Saint Gregory spent eight years of spiritual struggle under the guidance of the Elder Nikēphóros, and after the latter’s death, Gregory transferred to the Lavra of Saint Athanasius (July 5). Here he served in the trapeza, and then became a church singer. But after three years, he resettled in the small skete of Glossia, striving for a greater degree of spiritual perfection. The head of this monastery began to teach the young man the method of unceasing prayer and mental activity, which had been cultivated by monastics, beginning with the great desert ascetics of the fourth century: Evagrius Pontikos and Saint Macarius of Egypt (January 19).

Later on, in the eleventh century Saint Simeon the New Theologian (March 12) provided detailed instruction in mental activity for those praying in an outward manner, and the ascetics of Athos put it into practice. The experienced use of mental prayer (or prayer of the heart), requiring solitude and quiet, is called “Hesychasm” (from the Greek “hesychia” meaning calm, silence), and those practicing it were called “hesychasts.”

During his stay at Glossia the future hierarch Gregory became fully embued with the spirit of hesychasm and adopted it as an essential part of his life. In the year 1326, because of the threat of Turkish invasions, he and the brethren retreated to Thessalonica, where he was then ordained to the holy priesthood.

Saint Gregory combined his priestly duties with the life of a hermit. Five days of the week he spent in silence and prayer, and only on Saturday and Sunday did he come out to his people. He celebrated divine services and preached sermons. For those present in church, his teaching often evoked both tenderness and tears. Sometimes he visited theological gatherings of the city’s educated youth, headed by the future patriarch, Isidore. After he returned from a visit to Constantinople, he found a place suitable for solitary life near Thessalonica the region of Bereia. Soon he gathered here a small community of solitary monks and guided it for five years.

In 1331 the saint withdrew to Mt. Athos and lived in solitude at the skete of Saint Savva, near the Lavra of Saint Athanasius. In 1333 he was appointed Igumen of the Esphigmenou monastery in the northern part of the Holy Mountain. In 1336 the saint returned to the skete of Saint Savva, where he devoted himself to theological works, continuing with this until the end of his life.

In the 1330s events took place in the life of the Eastern Church which put Saint Gregory among the most significant universal apologists of Orthodoxy, and brought him great renown as a teacher of hesychasm.

About the year 1330 the learned monk Barlaam had arrived in Constantinople from Calabria, in Italy. He was the author of treatises on logic and astronomy, a skilled and sharp-witted orator, and he received a university chair in the capital city and began to expound on the works of Saint Dionysius the Areopagite (October 3), whose “apophatic” (“negative”, in contrast to “kataphatic” or “positive”) theology was acclaimed in equal measure in both the Eastern and the Western Churches. Soon Barlaam journeyed to Mt. Athos, where he became acquainted with the spiritual life of the hesychasts. Saying that it was impossible to know the essence of God, he declared mental prayer a heretical error. Journeying from Mount Athos to Thessalonica, and from there to Constantinople, and later again to Thessalonica, Barlaam entered into disputes with the monks and attempted to demonstrate the created, material nature of the light of Tabor (i.e. at the Transfiguration). He ridiculed the teachings of the monks about the methods of prayer and about the uncreated light seen by the hesychasts.

Saint Gregory, at the request of the Athonite monks, replied with verbal admonitions at first. But seeing the futility of such efforts, he put his theological arguments in writing. Thus appeared the “Triads in Defense of the Holy Hesychasts” (1338). Towards the year 1340 the Athonite ascetics, with the assistance of the saint, compiled a general response to the attacks of Barlaam, the so-called “Hagiorite Tome.” At the Constantinople Council of 1341 in the church of Hagia Sophia Saint Gregory Palamas debated with Barlaam, focusing upon the nature of the light of Mount Tabor. On May 27, 1341 the Council accepted the position of Saint Gregory Palamas, that God, unapproachable in His Essence, reveals Himself through His energies, which are directed towards the world and are able to be perceived, like the light of Tabor, but which are neither material nor created. The teachings of Barlaam were condemned as heresy, and he himself was anathemized and fled to Calabria.

But the dispute between the Palamites and the Barlaamites was far from over. To these latter belonged Barlaam’s disciple, the Bulgarian monk Akyndinos, and also Patriarch John XIV Kalekos (1341-1347); the emperor Andronicus III Paleologos (1328-1341) was also inclined toward their opinion. Akyndinos, whose name means “one who inflicts no harm,” actually caused great harm by his heretical teaching. Akyndinos wrote a series of tracts in which he declared Saint Gregory and the Athonite monks guilty of causing church disorders. The saint, in turn, wrote a detailed refutation of Akyndinos’ errors. The patriarch supported Akyndinos and called Saint Gregory the cause of all disorders and disturbances in the Church (1344) and had him locked up in prison for four years. In 1347, when John the XIV was replaced on the patriarchal throne by Isidore (1347-1349), Saint Gregory Palamas was set free and was made Archbishop of Thessalonica.

In 1351 the Council of Blachernae solemnly upheld the Orthodoxy of his teachings. But the people of Thessalonica did not immediately accept Saint Gregory, and he was compelled to live in various places. On one of his travels to Constantinople the Byzantine ship fell into the hands of the Turks. Even in captivity, Saint Gregory preached to Christian prisoners and even to his Moslem captors. The Hagarenes were astonished by the wisdom of his words. Some of the Moslems were unable to endure this, so they beat him and would have killed him if they had not expected to obtain a large ransom for him. A year later, Saint Gregory was ransomed and returned to Thessalonica.

Saint Gregory performed many miracles in the three years before his death, healing those afflicted with illness. On the eve of his repose, Saint John Chrysostom appeared to him in a vision. With the words “To the heights! To the heights!” Saint Gregory Palamas fell asleep in the Lord on November 14, 1359. In 1368 he was canonized at a Constantinople Council under Patriarch Philotheus (1354-1355, 1364-1376), who compiled the Life and Services to the saint.

[Text from OCA]

Now is the time for action! Judgment is at the doors! So let us rise and fast, offering alms with tears of compunction and crying: “Our sins are more numerous than the sands of the sea; but forgive us, O Master of All, so that we may receive the incorruptible crowns.”

Holy and divine instrument of wisdom, radiant and harmonious trumpet of theology, we praise you in song, O divinely-speaking Gregory. As a mind standing before the Primal Mind, guide our minds to Him, Father, so that we may cry aloud to you: “Rejoice, herald of grace.”

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 9.13

Holidays

Bald is Beautiful Day

Barbershop Day

Battle of Fort McHenry Anniversary Day

Be Different Day

Blame Someone Else Day

Boy Heroes Day (Mexico)

Breakaway (Space 1999)

Clymene Asteroid Day

Corn Day (French Republic)

Day of the Children Heroes (Mexico)

Day of the Programmer

Defender’s Day (everywhere except Maryland)

Defy Superstition Day

Día de los Niños Héroes (Mexico)

Eleven Days of Global Unity, Day 3: Environment

Engineer’s Day (Mauritius)

European Heritage Day (EU)

International Legacy Giving Day

International Mountain Chicken Frog Day

International Slow Loris Day

Jimi Hendrix Day (San Francisco)

John Barry Day (Pennsylvania)

Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day

Land Development Specialist’s Day (Tajikistan)

National Celiac Awareness Day

National EV Charging Day

National Hug Your Boss Day

National Jose Day

National Juan Day

National Odd Sock Day of Adventure

National Twilighters Day

National Urban Eden Day

9 x 13 Day

913 Day

Pet Birth Defect Awareness Day

Positive Thinking Day

Programmers' Day (a.k.a. Day of the Programmer) [256th day]

Roald Dahl Day

Scooby Doo Day

Soap Day

Supernatural Day

Swiftie Day

Thimphu Tshechu (Bhutan)

Uncle Sam Day

Victoria Asteroid Day

World Indigenous Rights Day

World Sepsis Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Fortune Cookie Day

Gluten Free Beer Day

International Chocolate Day

National Cachaca Day (Brazil)

National Peanut Day

Snack-A-Pickle Day

Independence & Related Days

Republic of Drew Star Line (Declared; 2005) [unrecognized]

Venda (from South Africa, 1979) [unrecognized]

2nd Friday in September

Carry Nation Festival begins (Holly, Michigan) [Friday after 1st Monday thru Sunday]

Comfort Food Friday [Every Friday]

Farmer-Consumer Awareness Day (Washington) [2nd Friday]

Fiesta de Santa Fe begins (New Mexico) [1st Friday after Labor Day]

Fish & Chips Friday [2nd Friday of Each Month]

Fisherman’s Walk Day (Scotland) [2nd Friday]

Five For Friday [Every Friday]

Flashback Friday [Every Friday]

Follow Friday [2nd Friday of Each Month]

Friday Finds [Every Friday]

Friday the Firkenteenth (Grey Lodge, Pennsylvania) [Every Friday the 13th]

Frugal Friday [2nd Friday of Each Month]

Fry Day (Pastafarian; Fritism) [Every Friday]

Great Canadian Beer Festival (Victoria, BC) [2nd Friday & Saturday]

International Skeptics Day [1st Friday the 13th of the Year]

King Turkey Race (Minnesota) [2nd Friday]

Knabenschiessen begins (Switzerland) [2nd Friday thru Sunday]

Nae Nae Day [2nd Friday]

National Dog Walker Appreciation Day [1st Friday after Labor Day]

National Folk Festival begins [2nd Friday thru Sunday]

National 401(k) Day [Friday after 1st Monday]

Popeye Picnic begins (Chester, Illinois) [2nd Friday thru Sunday]

Stand Up to Cancer Day [2nd Friday]

TGIF (Thank God It's Friday) [Every Friday]

Weekly Holidays beginning September 13 (2nd Full Week of September)

National Days of Prayer and Remembrance (thru 9.15) [Friday to Sunday closest to 9.11]

National Eczema Week 9thru 9.21)

Festivals Beginning September 13, 2024

Apple Days & Market To Go (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania) [thru 9.15]

The Big E (West Springfield, Massachusetts) [thru 9.29]

Bloody Scotland (Stirling, Scotland, UK) [thru 9.15]

Brewfest at the Beach (New London, Connecticut)

Cajun Food Fest (Lydia, Louisiana) [thru 9.14]

Cordova Fungus Festival 2024 (Cordova, Alaska) [thru 9.15]

Devine's Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch (Harrodsburg, Kentucky) [thru 11.3]

Downtown Boulder's Fall Fest (Boulder, Colorado) [thru 9.15]

Grape Stomp Festival (Alexandria, Minnesota) [thru 9.15]

Harvest Moon Festival (Clearwater, Manitoba, Canada) [thru 9.15]

Hinkelfest (Fredericksburg, Pennsylvania) [thru 9.15]

Irish Festival (Milford, Connecticut) [thru 9.14]

Kentucky Bourbon Festival (Bardstown, Kentucky) [thru 9.15]

King Turkey Day Festival (Worthington, Minnesota) [thru 9.14]

Long Island Fair (Old Bethpage, New York) [thru 9.15]

Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival (Natchitoches, Louisiana) [thru 9.14]

National Barrow Show (Austin, Minnesota) [thru 9.16]

Neptune's Fall Wine Festival (Virginia Beach, Virginia) [thru 9.14] [thru 9.15]

Newport Oktoberfest (Newport, Kentucky) [thru 9.15]

Ohio Pawpaw Festival (Albany, Ohio) [thru 9.15]

Okawville Wheat Festival (Okawville, Illinois) [thru 9.15]

Pacific Meridian Film Festival (Vladivostok, Russia) [thru 9.19]

Rising Sun Navy Bean Fall Festival (Rising Sun, Indiana) [thru 9.14]

Slunce ve Skle Beer Festival (Plzen, Czech Republic) [thru 9.14]

Snowmass Wine Festival (Snowmass Village, Colorado) [thru 9.14]

Telluride Blues & Brews Festival (Telluride, Colorado) [thru 9.15]

Wine Harvest Festival in the Czech Republic (Znojmo, Czech Republic) [thru 9.15]

Feast Days

Aimé (a.k.a. Amatus; Christian; Saint)

Ame (Christian; Saint)

Arnold Schoenberg (Artology; Humanism)

Aristides the Athenian (Christian; Saint)

Barry Fell Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Basil of Iberia (Christian; Saint)

Bob Eggleton (Artology)

Ceremony of Lighting the Fire (Ancient Egypt)

Cornelius of Baden-Olonets, Dionysius, and Misail (Christian; Saints)

Cornelius the Centiurion (Christian; Martyr)

Cronides and Serapion in Alexandria (Christian; Martyrs)

Daniel Defoe (Writerism)

Dave the Human (Muppetism)

Day of Anubis (All Souls’ Day; Ancient Egypt)

Egyptian All Souls’ Day (Everyday Wicca)

Elias, Zoticus, Valerian, Macrobius, and Gordian at Tomi in Romania (Christian; Martyrs)

Emain Abhlach (Celtic Book of Days)

Epulum Jovis (Feast of Jove; Ancient Rome) [Ides of September]

Eulogius of Alexandria (Christian; Saint)

Feast of the Cross (Assyrian Church of the East)

Ketevan, Queen of Georgia (Christian; Martyr)

Hierotheus of Iveron Monastery on Mount Athos (Christian; Saint)

Hierotheus of Kalamata (Christian; Saint)

Ides of September (Ancient Rome)

John Chrysostom (Christian; Saint)

Lictisternia (Old Roman festival to Jupiter, Juno & Minerva)

Livia Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Make a Corn Dolly Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Marcellinus of Carthage (Christian; Saint)

Maurilius of Angers (a.k.a. Maurille) of Angers (Christian; Saint)

Molly Crabapple (Artology)

Mosquito Avoidance Day (Pastafarian)

Nectarius of Autun (Christian; Saint)

Otway (Positivist; Saint)

Peter of Atroe (Christian; Saint)

Robert Indiana (Artology)

Roald Dahl (Writerism)

Seleucus in Scythia (Christian; Martyr)

Sherwood Anderson (Writerism)

Venerius the Hermit (Christian; Saint)

Wulfthryth (a.k.a. Wilfrida) of Wilton (Christian; Saint)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Shakku (赤口 Japan) [Bad luck all day, except at noon.]

Unlucky Day (EU, US) [Friday the 13th] (1 of 2 for 2024)

Unlucky Day (Canada, Germany, Ireland, UK, US) [Friday the 13th]

Premieres

After Hours (Film; 1985)

Agnes of God (Film; 1985)

Almost Famous (Film; 2000)

The Amityville Horror, by Jay Anson (Novel; 1977)

Audrey the Rainmaker (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1957)

The Awful Tooth (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1957)

Barbershop (Film; 2002)

Batman Unlimited: Mchs vs. Mutants (WB Animated Film; 2016)

Benson (TV Series; 1979)

Bones (TV Series; 2005)

By Leaps and Hounds (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1957)

Candle in the Wind, Diana Version, by Elton John (Song; 1997)

Cat Carson Rides Again (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1957)

Cat-Choo (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1957)

Cat Tamale (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1957)

Centerfold, by The Cars (Song; 1981)

Children of the World, by The Bee Gees (Album; 1976)

City Kitty (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1957)

Clerks III (Film; 2022)

Clown on the Farm (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1957)

Come Dancing (UK Musical Show; 2008)

Crime of the Century, by Supertramp (Album; 1974)

Dogfight (Film; 1991)

The Dreaming, by Kate Bush (Album; 1982)

The Drew Carey Show (TV Series; 1995)

Easy-Duz-It, by Easy-E (Album; 1988)

Everybody Loves Raymond (TV Series; 1996)

The Ginger Man, by J.P. Donleavy (Novel; 1955)

The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood (Novel; 1985)

Hard Rain, by Bob Dylan (Album; 1976)

Highway Star. Written by DeepPurple (Song; 1971)

In Utero, by Nirvana (Album; 1993)

Law and Audrey (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1957)

Law & Order (TV Series; 1990)

Mishima (Film; 1985)

The Muppet Show (TV Series; 1976)

The Nitty Gritty, recorded by Shirley Ellis (Song; 1963)

One More from the Road, by Lynyrd Skynyrd (Live Album; 1976)

The Other Wind, by Ursula Le Guin (Novel; 1968) [Earthsea #5]

Pee-Wee’s Playhouse (TV Series; 1986)

The Popeye Show (King Features Syndicate/Hanna-Barbera Animated TV Series; 1978)

Ready to Die, by The Notorious B.I.G. (Album; 1994)

Scooby-Doo Where Are You (Animated TV Series; 1969)

Scout Fellow (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1957)

Skinny Legs and All, recorded by Joe Tex (Song; 1967)

Soap (TV Series; 1977)

Solid Gold (TV Series; 1980)

The Spectacular Now (Film; 2013)

Star-Spangled Banner lyrics written, by Francis Scott Key (Lyrics; 1814)

Supernatural (TV Series; 2005)

Take Me to Church, by Hozier (Song; 2013)

Thud!, by Terry Pratchet (Novel; 2005) [Discworld #34]

Truth and Soul, by Fishbone (Album; 1988)

Undone (Animated TV Series; 2019)

Yesterday, by The Beatles (Song; 1965)

Yojimbo (Film; 1961)

Today’s Name Days

Tobias (Austria)

Ivan, Ljubo, Zlatko (Croatia)

Lubor (Czech Republic)

Cyprianus (Denmark)

Ervi, Ervin, Ervo (Estonia)

Orvo (Finland)

Aimé (France)

Johann, Notburga, Tobias (Germany)

Aristeides, Aristeidis, Cornelius, Kornelios (Greece)

Kornél (Hungary)

Crisostomo, Giovanni, Maurilio, Regina (Italy)

Iza, Izabella, Izanda, Izīda (Latvia)

Barmantas, Barvydė, Mangailis (Lithuania)

Stian, Stig (Norway)

Aleksander, Aureliusz, Eugenia, Filip, Lubor, Materna, Morzysław, Szeliga (Poland)

Ctibor (Slovakia)

Amado, Crisóstomo, Juan (Spain)

Ambjörn, Sture (Sweden)

Arlando, Milton, Orlando, Roland, Rolanda, Rolando, Stone, Stoney (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 257 of 2024; 109 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 5 of Week 37 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Muin (Vine) [Day 13 of 28]

Chinese: Month 8 (Guy-You), Day 11 (Geng-Chen)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 10 Elul 5784

Islamic: 9 Rabi I 1446

J Cal: 17 Gold; Threesday [17 of 30]

Julian: 31 August 2024

Moon: 75%: Waxing Gibbous

Positivist: 5 Shakespeare (10th Month) [Lessing]

Runic Half Month: Ken (Illumination) [Day 7 of 15]

Season: Summer (Day 86 of 94)

Week: 2nd Full Week of September

Zodiac: Virgo (Day 23 of 32)