Hermitess Photini Reading Assignment {part 1}

Yay!  I'm so excited for our book club to officially begin!  We're going to read up to page 73 and then come back here on March 26 to discuss what we've read so far.  Since this is a short read, I'm hoping we can finish and begin The Purple Mantle on April 1.

The first batch of bookmarks went out today and the rest should be in the mail by the end of the week, so you should all be receiving them soon.  So far, we have almost 60 people reading along.  Yahoo!

Again, I'm asking for your patience with me, I've never organized a book club and so I'm hoping I can generate some discussion worthy questions and I am really counting on everyone's participation!  I can't wait to hear your thoughts on our first title! 

Any thoughts or questions?

{Why I love the} Christ Pantocrator of Mt. Sinai Icon

I wanted to introduce the icon I chose for the bookmark I recently had designed for the Orthodox Book Club.

It is called Christ Pantocrator of Mt. Sinai and is the oldest surviving Pantocrator icon in existence.

It's been one of my favorite icons of Christ since I began really trying to learn more about the Orthodox Church, fourteen years ago. I was instantly drawn to it, though I wasn't sure why exactly.

One day, after I told my spiritual father about my fascination with it, he showed me something very interesting:

When you cover the right side of His face, the left side appears the way He will be seen by those condemned on Judgement Day.

When you cover the left side of His face,the right side appears the way He will be seen by those who will be found righteous on that day.

When my husband visited St. Katherine's monastery on Mt. Sinai, one of the monks there told him the same story.

We have this icon hanging in our bedroom and it's the first thing I see when I awake in the morning. No matter how many times a day I pass by it, I shudder with fear and utter the Jesus prayer. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me, a sinner.

Orthodox Book Club {reminder}

Just a reminder that next Monday, March 12, I will be posting the chapter assignments for our first book, The Hermitess Photini. If you are planning on being a member of the book club, please email your name and address to Sylvia{at}OrthodoxMom{dot}com.

I'll be sending everyone one of these handy dandy bookmarks, that my awesome sister-in-law designed for us!

If you don't have the book and would like to order it, members receive a 20% discount from orthodoxchristianchildren.com. Be sure to write a note letting them know you are ordering it for the Orthodox Mom Book Club. Which, from now on, will just be called the Orthodox Book Club since so many of you are not moms. Sorry guys. And single folks. :)

For more details, including the next two titles, click here.

I will not be sending very many e-mails out, so if you ever want to know the latest news, please check back here. You can access all book club posts by clicking on the Orthodox Book Club link in the left sidebar.

Hope you're all as excited as I am!

Being an Orthodox Writer Mama

Melinda Johnson, author of Letters to St. Lydia, has been running a terrific series entitled Orthodox Writers, Illustrators and Readers and she asked me to write a post about my writing life.

The series has recently moved to The Sounding.  You can read my post here.

Lucky from General Hospital discovers Orthodoxy

It is always so amazing to see people from so many different backgrounds and lifestyles find common grounds in Orthodoxy. How Christ truly came and established His church, our church, for every single person ever created. And when people truly seek Him, with open hearts and humility, He leads them to the Truth. Glory to God for all things!

So, what am I ranting about?

My aunt in Ohio just tuned in to Ancient Faith Radio and saw this interview on the Roads to Emmaus podcast with Emmy award-winning actor, Jonathan Jackson, best known for his role as Lucky from General Hospital. He and his family are now Catechumens in the Orthodox Church! How cool is that? Yes, as a former General Hospital junkie, this makes me very excited. Celebrities have the opportunity to really make a difference, just look at Troy Polamalu. Perhaps, that is the path God will set before Jonathan too. His will be done! :)

They are planning on being baptized on Pascha, so maybe you could remember to light an extra candle and whisper a little prayer for them that night. 



If I had to pick my favorite part, and that's a difficult thing to do because I really love this, but if I had to choose one thing he said, it would be what he said when Fr. Andrew asked him,  "What message would you give to your fans about Orthodox Christianity?" 

And he responded,

"Wow.  Well, I would have to err on the side of less words and more reliance on prayer and encountering that person I was talking to.  I would say it is the most beautiful thing that you could ever experience.  That, for God so loved the world that He gave, that's what it is to me.  And it's available for the whole world, for all of creation.  If someone is drawn towards Christ, then this is the perfect home. If you come from a different background or tradition, it will be most likely a little awkward at times but there is a blessing and a transcendence on the other side of awkward that is worth it."

Wow. 


This interview is absolutely spectacular.  He speaks with a very humble and zealous heart and I pray God continues to strengthen him and his family in the Faith.  It is truly beautiful and I encourage all of you to listen...


Also, keep an eye out for his upcoming book, Acting in the Spirit, which focuses on having an acting career within the boundaries of a Christian faith.  

Psalter Group Reading Assignments {Lent 2012}

Listed below are the assigned readings for the Psalter Prayer group for Great Lent 2o12.   I know this post is a bit lengthy but here is a lot of important information here, so please read through the entire post.  Thank you so much for  your patience. 

Names are numbered in order of where you begin, i.e. which Kathisma.  If you're following along in your Bible, the Psalms included in each kathisma are written directly next to each number.

EXAMPLE:

Day 1--1-8 (Kathisma 1).  Today, February 27, number 1's in each group will read Psalms 1-8, which is Kathisma 1 in The Psalter.

Please note:  If you're joining in later, you'll need to count the number of days from today and then count where you would be if you had started today.  For instance, if you're five days late, and were to begin on kathisma 10, you would begin on kathisma 15.  If you have any questions, feel free to let me know.  :)


The most beautiful thing about this group is that between all of us, the entire Psalter gets read 2 1/2 time every single day and we read it twice individually throughout Great Lent.   What a blessing!

Before beginning to read your assigned kathisma, please recite the Trisagion prayers:

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

O heavenly King, O Comforter, the Spirit of truth, who art in all places and fillest all things; Treasury of good things and Giver of life: Come and dwell in us and cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O gracious Lord.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. (Thrice)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy God, visit and heal our infirmities for thy Name's sake.

Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.   

At the end of each day's reading, please recite the following:

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to you, O God. (twice)

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Glory to you, O God our hope, O Lord, glory to You. Lord have mercy on (read the names of all the people in your group).


GROUP ONE

1. Olena
2. Anastasia
3. Melanie
4. Xenia (Diane)
5. Strategoula
6. Laura
7. Katherine H.
8. Sophia (Jessica)
9. Elias
10. Anam
11. Natalia
12. Olga (Kelly)
13. Milka
14. Katherine S.
15. Sevasti
16. Juliana
17. Amalia
18. Maria
19. Cara
20. Janelle

GROUP TWO

1. Oana
2. Sarah
3. Maria (romanianndn)
4. Elizabeth (Audora)
5. Brandon
6. Maria M.
7. Kalliope
8. Kyranna
9. Paraskevi
10. Anna
11. Katherine (Janice)
12. Nicole
13. Violeta
14. Mary (Rebecca)
15. Themelina
16. Sevasti (me)
17. Irina
18. Joanna
19. Silvia
20. Olga

GROUP THREE

1. Rebecca
2. Asemeni
3. Chrysovalantou 
4. Andonia 
5. Madalina 
6. Ashley
7. Cristina
8. Christina 
9. Grace

**Group Three NOTE: Please check back periodically to see if new names are added to your group! 

Readings

1. Day 1--1-8 (Kathisma 1)
2. Day 2-- 9-17 (Kathisma 2)
3. Day 3--18-24 (Kathisma 3)
4. Day 4--25-32 (Kathisma 4)
5. Day 5--33-37 (Kathisma 5)
6. Day 6--38-46 (Kathisma 6)
7. Day 7--47-55 (Kathisma 7)
8. Day 8--56-64 (Kathisma 8)
9. Day 9--65-70 (Kathisma 9)
10. Day 10--71-77 (Kathisma 10)
11. Day 11--78-85 (Kathisma 11)
12. Day 12--86-91 (Kathisma 12)
13. Day 13--92-101 (Kathisma 13)
14. Day 14--102-105 (Kathisma 14)
15. Day 15--106-109 (Kathisma 15)
16. Day 16--110-118 (Kathisma 16)
17. Day 17--119 (Kathisma 17)
18. Day 18--120-134 (Kathisma 18)
19. Day 19--135-143 (Kathisma 19)
20. Day 20--144-150 (Kathisma 20)
21. Day 21--start over

St. Arsenios of Cappadocia used the Psalter as a Book of Needs. For a list of "needs" the Psalms can be read for, click here.

*PLEASE NOTE: Even though we began our readings already, I will continue adding people to the list as they come. So if anyone is interested simply leave your baptismal name and email address and I will add you to the list.   Thank you.

Forgiveness Sunday

"The sun hid its rays, the moon and stars were turned to blood, the mountains were afraid, the hills trembled, when Paradise was shut. Adam departed, beating his hands upon his face and saying: 'I am fallen: merciful Lord, have mercy on me." -Vesper service of Forgiveness Sunday

Today, on Forgiveness Sunday, I humbly implore your forgiveness for anything I may have done through word or action to offend you.

Tomorrow, on Clean Monday, we mourn and remember Adam and Eve's expulsion from Paradise. In some customs, no food or drink are eaten until sundown and prayer rules are doubled. After Holy Friday, Kathadi Thevteda (Clean Monday) is considered the most sorrowful day in the Orthodox Church. It is when man was sentenced to death and the doors of Paradise were shut.

"Adam was cast out of Paradise through eating from the tree. Seated before the gates he wept, lamenting with a pitiful voice and saying: 'Woe is me, what have I suffered in my misery! I transgressed one commandment of the Master, and now I am deprived of every blessing. O most holy, Paradise, planted for my sake and shut because of Eve, pray to Him that made thee and fashioned me, that once more I may take pleasure in thy flowers.' Then the Savior said to him: 'I desire not the loss of the creature which I fashioned, but that he should be saved and come to knowledge of the truth; and when he comes to me I will not cast him out.'"

-The Lenten Triodion, Vespers of Forgiveness Sunday

Let us guard the doors of our soul with prayer and fasting during this Lenten journey. Let us remember that Adam was cast out by 'transgressing one commandment'. He, in a sense, broke his fast. During our fast, may we be strong where he was weak and let us find that strength in the promise He made us, for he will not cast out he who comes to Him.

Have a blessed Lent. Kali Dynami!!