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Friday 29th March 2024, 13:56
Dear brothers and sisters, last Sunday, it was a great joy - as always - to celebrate the Triumph of Orthodoxy and the Restoration of the Holy Icons, but even more so this year with the chanting of the Synodikon and the procession at the end of our long succession of services. Looking and seeing Kyril and Yury holding the menaion icon of the liturgical year and the synaxis of the saints of the Kiev Caves for everyone to kiss was a source of joy, as was James’s keenness in pointing out that he was carrying the icon of the Holy Face of the Saviour given to him for his nameday....
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The Triumph of Orthodoxy in Our Lives - Parish of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God
Dear brothers and sisters, last Sunday, it was a great joy – as always – to celebrate the Triumph of Orthodoxy and the Restoration of the Holy Icons, but even more so this year with the chanting o...
Thursday 28th March 2024, 21:17
“In spite of the promise of Patriarch Bartholomew to respect all Ukrainian Orthodox confessions and promote an ecosystem of communion while granting tomos to newly created state-sponsored Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), his decision opened a Pandora's box. His silence over the escalating situation has made the UOC the target of a vicious and unlimited campaign of intimidation, perpetrated by the Ukrainian authorities…”
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Amsterdam urges Patriarch Bartholomew to speak out on Bill 8371
American lawyer representing the UOC, Robert Amsterdam, has published an open letter to the head of the Constantinople Patriarchate.
Wednesday 27th March 2024, 16:36
www.liveaction.org/news/uk-government-anti-abortion-terrorism/
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UK government lists being 'anti-abortion' as a stepping stone to terrorism
The UK government has included being "anti-abortion" as one of the benchmarks of potential future terrorism.
Wednesday 27th March 2024, 11:32
shrewsburyorthodox.com/local-saints/saint-winefride-gwenffrewi/
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3 November Saint Winefride emerges from tradition when, in 1158 the Abbot of Shrewsbury thought her to be of sufficient importance so as to buy her relics from Gwytherin, her home in North Wales. We h...
Wednesday 27th March 2024, 11:16
Several of our parish sisters are making a pilgrimage to Holywell next week, and as I was sorting the canon to St Winefride, it seemed a good idea to publish it here for general circulation. Ode I, Irmos: The people of Israel, / having fled across the watery deep of the Red Sea with dryshod feet, / beholding the mounted captains of the enemy drowned therein, / sang with gladness: / Let us chant unto our God, / for He hath been glorified!...
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The Canon to St Winefride - Parish of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God
Several of our parish sisters are making a pilgrimage to Holywell next week, and as I was sorting the canon to St Winefride, it seemed a good idea to publish it here for general circulation. Ode I, Ir...
Wednesday 27th March 2024, 9:37
A multitude of faithful gathered in the north of England of the rite of healing. | Великое множество верующих собралось на севере Англии на чин ис...
Wednesday 27th March 2024, 7:57
17/03/2024 - Homily - A Journey of Obedience
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Tuesday 26th March 2024, 15:07
On March 24, 1999, NATO began its aerial bombing campaign against Yugoslavia, which continued until June 10, 1999.The campaign killed more than 1,500 people and destroyed or damaged hospitals, industrial plants, schools, cultural and religious monuments
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Patriarch Porfirije prayerfully commemorates 25th anniversary of NATO bombing of Yugoslavia
On March 24, 1999, NATO began its aerial bombing campaign against Yugoslavia, which continued until June 10, 1999.
Tuesday 26th March 2024, 0:27
The Holy New-Martyr, St Basil, Bishop of Kineshma loved to celebrate weekly services in honour of the Saviour’s Passion on Thursday evenings, and inspired by this, the Akathist to the Passion of Christ will be chanted each Thursday during Lent. This week we will do so at the early time of 15:00, in the Oratory Church, but on returning to Nazareth House the following week, we will do so at 18:00, after confessions... or in between if later confessions are needed.
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The Akathist Hymn to the Passion of Christ - Parish of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God
The Holy New-Martyr, St Basil, Bishop of Kineshma loved to celebrate weekly services in honour of the Saviour’s Passion on Thursday evenings, and inspired by this, the Akathist to the Passion of Chr...
Monday 25th March 2024, 23:48
Wiltshire Sunday 11/24 March Dear brothers and sisters, Whilst every weekend is a celebration of the Faith, this first weekend felt especially festive after the first week of the Great Fast. After a week of quiet services, with compline and the Great Canon of Repentance chanted in the Oratory Church from Monday to Thursday, and the first portion of the Akathist Hymn in Llanelli on Friday evening, Saturday brought the blessing of our Pilgrimage-Liturgy in Margam Abbey, and today our enthusiastic celebration of the Triumph of Orthodoxy in St John’s, Canton....
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- Parish of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God
Wiltshire Sunday 11/24 March Dear brothers and sisters, Whilst every weekend is a celebration of the Faith, this first weekend felt especially festive after the first week of the Great Fast. After a w...
Monday 25th March 2024, 13:14
Saint Simeon the New Theologian was born in the year 949 in the city of Galatea (Paphlagonia), and he was educated at Constantinople. His father prepared him for a career at court, and for a certain while the youth occupied a high position at the imperial court. When he was fourteen, he met the renowned Elder Simeon the Pious at the Studion Monastery, who would be a major influence in his spiritual development. He remained in the world for several years preparing himself for the monastic life under the Elder’s guidance, and finally entered the monastery at the age of twenty-seven.See: orthochristian.com/193/
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Sunday 24th March 2024, 23:58
This is the Apostolic Faith! This is the Faith of the Fathers! This is the Orthodox Faith! This Faith confirmeth the Universe!
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Sunday 24th March 2024, 23:57
On the Sunday of Orthodoxy…
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Saturday 23rd March 2024, 19:49
Photos from Margam Abbey Church's post
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Saturday 23rd March 2024, 19:32
Before Liturgy… kolyvo prepared in honour of St Theodore the Recruit. Thanks to our sisters!
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Saturday 23rd March 2024, 19:19
A blessed day in Margam…
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Saturday 23rd March 2024, 19:13
Dear brothers and sisters, what a great joy and honour it was to celebrate the Divine Liturgy for the Saturday of St Theodore in the wonderful setting of Margam Abbey Church - in what was the nave of the pre-reformation abbey.Our usual little band of pilgrims were rather swallowed up in the wonderful interior, restored by another Theodore - Theodore Rice Talbot of Margam Castle, entombed only feet away from the sanctuary and our celebration of the Holy Mysteries.We were happy to be joined by the incumbent, Father Mark Greenaway-Robins and members of what is very clearly a very warm and welcoming congregation.For the clergy and our oltarnik, it was wonderful to celebrate in the cathedral-like grandness of the sanctuary, with our cantor and reader housed in the choir stalls. Many thanks to Anastasia and George, respectively.At the end of a lovely Liturgy, we blessed kolyvo prepared by two of our sisters, and this was much-enjoyed in trapeza.Having thanked Father Mark and the parishioners, many years was chanted with thanks for their kindness and hospitality.Following the Liturgy, there was ample chance for our parishioners to chat with members of the abbey parish, meet Father Mark, explore the church and the ruins of the medieval abbey, visit the museum of ancient Christian stones, whose multiplicity in the locality attest to the pre-conquest religious importance of the area.The lovely church-hall was an excellent setting for a relaxed and unrushed lunch, giving more time for conversation and fellowship.Most Holy Mother of God, Our Lady of Margam, pray to God for us!Glory to God for all things!
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Friday 22nd March 2024, 15:19
ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD “THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH”Commemorated on March 9/22The Albazin Icon of the Mother of God “the Word made Flesh” is of great religious significance in the Amur River region. It received its name from the Russian fortress of Albazin (now the village of Albazino) along the Amur river, founded in the year 1650 by the famous Russian frontier ataman Hierotheus Khabarov on the site of a settlement of the Daurian prince Albaza.The hue and cry over the Amur Albazinsk fortress became an object of enmity for the Chinese emperor and his generals, who then already dreamed of expanding their influence over all of Russian Siberia.On the eve of the Feast of the Annunciation, on March 24, 1652, the first military clash of the Russians with the Chinese occurred at the Amur. Through the prayers of the Most Holy Theotokos the pagans were scattered and fled to their own territory. This victory seemed like a portent for the Russians. But the struggle had only just begun. Many sons of Holy Russia died in the struggle for the Amur, and for the triumph of Orthodoxy in the Far East.In June of 1658 an Albazin military detachment, 270 Cossacks under the leadership of Onuphrius Stepanov, fell into an ambush and in a heroic fight they were completely annihilated by the Chinese.The enemy burned Albazin, overran Russian lands, and carried off the local population into China. They wanted to turn the fertile cultivated area back into wilderness.During these difficult years the Most Holy Theotokos showed signs of Her mercy to the land of Amur. In 1665, when Russians returned and rebuilt Albazin, together with a priest there came to the Amur the Elder Hermogenes from the Kirensk Holy Trinity monastery. He carried with him a wonderworking icon of the Mother of God “the Word made Flesh”, called the Albazinsk Icon since that time. In 1671 the holy Elder built a small monastery on the boundary mark of the Brusyan Stone (one and a half kilometers from Albazin near the Amur), where the holy icon was later kept.Albazin was built up. At two churches in the city, the Ascension of the Lord and Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, Albazin priests offered the Bloodless Sacrifice. Not far from the city (along the Amur) another monastery was built, the Spassky. The fertile soil produced bread for Eastern Siberia. The local populace adapted itself to Russian Orthodox culture, peacefully entering into the multi-national Russian state, and found Russian protection from the plundering raids of Chinese feudal war-lords.At Moscow they did not forget the needs of the far-away Amur frontier. They strengthened military defenses and improved regional government. In 1682 the Albazin Military-Provincial Government was formed. They concerned themselves about the spiritual nourishment of the Amur region peoples. A local Council of the Russian Church in 1681 adopted a resolution to send “archimandrites, igumens, or priests, both learned and good, to enlighten unbelievers with the law of Christ.” The Daurian and Tungusian peoples as a whole accepted Holy Baptism. Of great significance was the conversion of the Daurian prince Hantimur (renamed Peter) and his eldest son Katana (renamed Paul) to Orthodoxy.The servants of the Chinese emperor planned for a new attack. After several unsuccessful forays, on July 10, 1685, they marched against Albazin with an army of 15,000 and encircled the fortress. In it were 450 Russian soldiers and three cannon. The first assault was repulsed. The Chinese then from all sides piled up firewood and kindling against the wooden walls of the fortress and set it on fire. Further resistance proved impossible. With its military standards and holy things, among which was the wonderworking Albazin Icon, the soldiers abandoned the fortress.The Mother of God did not withhold Her intercession from Her chosen city. Scouts soon reported that the Chinese suddenly began to withdraw from Albazin, ignoring the Chinese emperor’s command to destroy the crops in the Russian fields. The miraculous intervention of the Heavenly Protectress not only drove the enemy from Russian territories, but also preserved the grain which sustained the city for the winter months. On August 20, 1685 Russians were in Albazin again.A year went by, and the fortress was again besieged by Chinese. There began a five-month defense of Albazin, which occupies a most honored place in Russian military history. Three times, in July, in September, and in October, the forces of the Chinese emperor made an assault on the wooden fortifications. A hail of fiery arrows and red-hot cannon balls fell on the town. Neither the city nor its defenders could be seen in the smoke and fire. And all three times, the Mother of God defended the inhabitants of Albazin from their fierce enemy.Until December 1686, when the Chinese lifted the siege of Albazin, of the city’s 826 defenders only 150 men remained alive.These forces were inadequate to continue the war against the Chinese emperor. In August 1690 the last of the Cossacks departed from Albazin under the leadership of Basil Smirenikov. Neither the fortress, nor its holy things, fell into the hands of the enemy. The fortifications were razed and leveled by the Cossacks, and the Albazin Icon of the Mother of God was taken to Sretensk, a city on the river Shilka, which flows into the Amur.But even after the destruction of Albazin, God destined its inhabitants to do another service for the good of the Church. By divine Providence the end of the military campaign contributed to the increase of the influence of the grace of Orthodoxy among the peoples of the Far East. During the years of war, a company of about a hundred Russian cossacks and peasants from Albazin and its environs were taken captive and sent to Peking.The Chinese emperor even gave orders to give one of the Buddhist temples in the Chinese capital for an Orthodox church dedicated to Sophia, the Wisdom of God. In 1695 Metropolitan Ignatius of Tobolsk sent an antimension, chrism, service books, and church vessels to the Sophia church. In a letter to the captive priest Maximus, “the Preacher of the Holy Gospel to the Chinese Empire,” Metropolitan Ignatius wrote: “Be not troubled, nor troubled in soul for yourself and the captives with you, for who is able to oppose the will of God? Your captivity is not without purpose for the Chinese people, so that you may reveal to them the light of Christ’s Orthodox Faith.”The preaching of the Gospel in the Chinese Empire soon bore fruit and resulted in the first baptisms of Chinese. The Russian Church zealously looked after the new flock. In 1715 the Metropolitan of Tobolsk, Saint Philotheus “the Apostle to Siberia” (+ May 31, 1727), wrote a letter to the Peking clergy and the faithful living under the Peking Spiritual Mission, who continued with the Christian work of enlightening pagans.The years went by, and the new epoch brought the Russian deliverance of the Amur. On August 1, 1850, the Procession of the Precious Wood of the Life-Giving Cross, Captain G. I. Nevelsky raised up the Russian Andreev flag at the mouth of the Amur River and founded the city of Nikolaevsk-on-Amur. Through the efforts of the Governor-General of Eastern Siberia, N. N. Muraviev-Amursky (+ 1881), and Saint Innocent, Archbishop of Kamchatka (March 31), and through the spiritual nourishment which obtained in the Amur and coastal regions, in several years the left bank of the Amur was built up with Russian cities, villages and Cossack settlements.Each year brought important advances in the development of the liberated territory, its Christian enlightenment and welfare. In the year 1857 on the bank of the Amur fifteen way-stations and settlements were established (the Albazin on the site of the old fortress and the Innokentiev, named in honor of Saint Innocent). In a single year, 1858, there were more than thirty settlements, among which were three cities: Khabarovsk, Blagoveschensk and Sophiisk.On May 9, 1858, on the Feast of Saint Nicholas, N. N. Muraviev-Amursky and Archbishop Innocent of Kamchatka arrived in the Cossack post at Ust’-Zeisk. Saint Innocent was there to dedicate a temple in honor of the Annunciation of the Mother of God (Blagoveschenie, in Slavonic), the first building in the new city. Because of the name of the temple, the city was also called Blagoveschensk, in memory of the first victory over the Chinese on the Feast of the Annunciation in 1652, and in memory of the Annunciation church at Irkutsk, in which Saint Innocent began his own priestly service. It was also a sign that “from that place proceeded the blessed news of the reintegration of the Amur region territory under Russian sovereignty.” New settlers on the way to the Amur, journeying through Sretensk, fervently offered up their prayers to the Holy Protectress of the Amur region before her Wonderworking Albazin Icon. Their prayers were heard: the Aigunsk (1858) and Peking (1860) treaties decisively secured the left bank of the Amur and coastal regions for Russia.In 1868 the Bishop of Kamchatka, Benjamin Blagonravov, the successor to Saint Innocent, transferred the holy icon from Sretensk to Blagoveschensk, thereby returning the famous holy icon to the Amur territory. In 1885, a new period began in the veneration of the Albazin Icon of the Mother of God and is associated with the name of the Kamchatka bishop Gurias, who established an annual commemoration on March 9 and a weekly Akathist.In the summer of 1900, during the “Boxer Rebellion” in China, the waves of insurrection reached all the way to the Russian border. Chinese troops suddenly appeared on the banks of the Amur before Blagoveschensk. For nineteen days the enemy stood before the undefended city, raining artillery fire down upon it, and menacing the Russian bank with invasion.The shallows of the Amur afforded passage to the adversary. In the Annunciation church services were celebrated continuously, and Akathists were read before the Wonderworking Albazin Icon. The Protection of the Mother of God was again extended over the city, just as it had been in earlier times. Not daring to cross the Amur, the enemy departed from Blagoveschensk. According to the accounts of the Chinese themselves, they often saw a Radiant Woman over the bank of the Amur, inspiring them with fear and rendering their missiles ineffective.For more than 300 years the Wonderworking Albazin Icon of the Mother of God watched over the Amur frontier of Russia. Orthodox people venerate it not only as Protectress of Russian soldiers, but also as a Patroness of mothers. Believers pray for mothers before the icon during their pregnancy and during childbirth, “so that the Mother of God might bestow the gift of abundant health from the Albazin Icon’s inexhaustible well-spring of holiness.”This icon depicts Christ as a child standing in a mandorla before His Mother’s breast.The Orthodox Church in America3/7/2017
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Friday 22nd March 2024, 14:56
russianorthodoxchurchcardiff.com/the-canon-to-the-holy-forty-martyrs-of-sebaste
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The Canon to the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste - Parish of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God
First Canon, the acrostic whereof is: “I hymn the divinely-crowned company of martyrs,” the composition of John the Monk, in Tone II: Ode, Irmos: Come, O ye people, * let us sing a song to Christ ...
Friday 22nd March 2024, 13:42
Thursday 21st March 2024, 23:37
Dear brothers and sisters, I hope that this week is going well for you, and that its simplicity is reminding you of the joy we can take in the simplest things, with fresh bread, some olives, nuts and fruit seeming like a wonderful feast, overflowing with the love and bounty of God. I hope that parishioners are remembering that this is a season in which we eat according to need, and not according to appetite....
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Ending the First Week of Lent - Pilgrimage to Margam - Parish of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God
Dear brothers and sisters, I hope that this week is going well for you, and that its simplicity is reminding you of the joy we can take in the simplest things, with fresh bread, some olives, nuts and ...
Wednesday 20th March 2024, 0:12
The divine mystery of General Unction is served once per year in the life of the Orthodox Christian, during the season of Great and Holy Lent, prior to Pascha. This special service is a modification of the rite of Unction otherwise served at the sick-bed of someone suffering a grave illness; on this annual occasion we acknowledge that we are all sick with the illness of sin which affects both our spiritual and physical lives, and the Church bestows healing anointing with consecrated oil ‘for the remission of sins and the healing of soul and body.’
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Schedule of General Unction services to be served throughout the Diocese during the Fast. | Распоряжение о таинстве Соборования в Великом посту.
Tuesday 19th March 2024, 15:01
Dear brothers and sisters, of your charity, please pray for the newly-departed handmaiden of God, Larisa. Memorial Eternal!
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Tuesday 19th March 2024, 14:20
10/03/2024 - Homily - Christians not Heroes !
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Tuesday 19th March 2024, 11:25
UNCOVERING OF THE PRECIOUS CROSS AND THE PRECIOUS NAILS BY THE EMPRESS ST HELEN IN JERUSALEMCommemorated on March 6The Holy Empress Helen uncovered the Precious Cross and Nails of the Lord at Jerusalem in 326.At the beginning of the reign of Saint Constantine the Great (306-337), the first Roman emperor to recognize Christianity, he and his pious mother Saint Helen decided to rebuild the city of Jerusalem. They also planned to build a church on the site of the Lord’s suffering and Resurrection, in order to reconsecrate and purify the places connected with the Savior’s death and Resurrection from the foul taint of paganism.To read the article: orthochristian.com/101618.html
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Tuesday 19th March 2024, 11:24
Thanks to years of work from dedicated restorationists, the 12th-century Bogolyubovo Icon of the Mother of God has been restored to its former glory.The icon is on display in an exhibition at the Vladimir-Suzdal Museum that opened on March 15, reports Pravoslavie.ru.
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12th-century icon of Theotokos restored to its former glory
In 2009, the icon was turned over to the Vladimir-Suzdal Museum, and it was thought it was beyond saving. Nevertheless, restorationists set to work.
Monday 18th March 2024, 21:19
FROM THE HOMILY ON ADMONITION AND REPENTANCE: ST EPHREM THE SYRIANYou have a spiritual nature; the soul is the image of the Creator; honour the image of God, by being in agreement with all men. Remember death, and be not angry, that your peace be not of constraint. As long as your life remains to you, cleanse your soul from wrath; for if it should go to Sheol with you, your road will be straight to Gehenna. Keep not anger in your heart; hold not fury in your soul; you have not power over your soul, save to do that which is good. You are bought with the blood of God; you are redeemed by the passion of Christ; for your sake He suffered death, that you might die to your sins. His face endured spitting, that you might not shrink from scorn. Vinegar and gall did He drink, that you might be set apart from wrath. He received stripes on His body, that you might not fear suffering. If you are in truth His servant, fear your holy Lord; if you are His true disciple, walk in your Master's footsteps. Endure scorn from your brother, that you may be the companion of Christ. Display not anger against man, that you be not set apart from your Redeemer.
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Monday 18th March 2024, 16:16
17/03/2024 - Homily: A Journey of Obedience
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Monday 18th March 2024, 15:24
Dear brothers and sisters, Greetings on this first day of the Great Fast, and thanks to all who contributed to our weekend celebrations in Cheltenham and Cardiff. Having left maslenitsa behind, and having enjoyed sharing both food and one another’s company, we now enter into the Lenten season with a first week that is dominated by the words of the Great Canon of St Andrew of Crete....
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Parish News at the Beginning of Great Lent - Parish of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God
Dear brothers and sisters, Greetings on this first day of the Great Fast, and thanks to all who contributed to our weekend celebrations in Cheltenham and Cardiff. Having left maslenitsa behind, and ha...
Monday 18th March 2024, 15:04
The following is the text of a talk given in Great Lent, 2017, at the Lenten Pastoral Clergy Conference of the Eastern American Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. The talk has been circulated widely on the internet over the years since through a transcript made of a recording at the conference; but we present here, with its author’s blessing, the complete text with notes and references.orthodox-europe.org/content/great-canon-repentant-heart/?fbclid=IwAR2f00W1jE1xnc1H8BSUIjG9Frx57_d...
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The Song of a Repentant Heart: The Great Canon of St Andrew of Crete | ROCOR Europe
Full text of a talk delivered in 2017 by Bishop Irenei on the history, liturgical use, and ascetical significance of the Great Canon of St Andrew.
Sunday 17th March 2024, 22:03
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. On this Forgiveness Sunday when we commemorate the casting out of Adam and Eve from Eden, we reflect on the fall and exile of the first-father and the first mother through their disobedience and rebellion against God, yet we do so on the threshold of the wonderful journey that leads us from this annual commemoration of the sorrow of banishment to the wonder of Pascha: the great sign and celebration of our salvation, and of our reconciliation with God through the Saviour’s life-giving passion and third-day resurrection....
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In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. On this Forgiveness Sunday when we commemorate the casting out of Adam and Eve from Eden, we reflect on the fall and exile of the fir...
Saturday 16th March 2024, 14:21
18/02/2024 - Homily - Blessed Curiosity
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Saturday 16th March 2024, 14:21
25/02/2024 - Homily - Christ making Saints from Sinners
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Saturday 16th March 2024, 14:21
03/03/2024 - Homily - Courage to turn back to Christ
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Friday 15th March 2024, 22:31
Eternal Memory to His Holiness, Patriarch Neofit.
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Patriarch Neofit of Bulgaria reposes in the Lord
The Patriarch was in poor health in recent years.
Thursday 14th March 2024, 16:00
PRAYING WHILST ANGRY WITH OUR NEIGHBOUR IS BLASPHEMY - FROM THE “HOMILY ON ADMONITION AND REPENTANCE” BY ST EPHREM THE SYRIANThis is the first commandment: that you should love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul, and with your strength as much as you are able.The sign that you love God is this: that you love your neighbor. If you hate your neighbor, your hatred is really for God.It is blasphemy if you pray to God while you are angry. For your heart also convicts you that you multiply words in vain. Your conscience rightly judges that your prayers do you no good.Christ, as he hung on the height of the tree, interceded for his murderers. But you, who are dust, born of the clay—rage fills you whenever you like! You keep anger against your brother, and yet you dare to pray? Even the person standing right beside you, though he is not neighbor to your sins, the stain of your sin reaches out to him, and his petition is not heard.Leave off anger and then pray. Unless you would provoke further, restrain your anger, and then supplicate.
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Thursday 14th March 2024, 0:53
Wednesday 13th March 2024, 22:25
FROM THE “HOMILY ON ADMONITION AND REPENTANCE”, BY ST EPHREM THE SYRIAN“Be a lover of poverty, and be desirous of neediness. If you have them both for your portion, you are an inheritor on high. Despise not the voice of the poor and give him not cause to curse you. For if he curse whose palate is bitter, the Lord will hear his petition. If his garments are foul, wash them in water, which freely is bought. Has a poor man entered into your house? God has entered into your house; God dwells within your abode. He, whom you have refreshed from his troubles, from troubles will deliver you. Have you washed the feet of the stranger? You have washed away the filth of your sins. Have you prepared a table before him? Behold God eating [at it], and Christ likewise drinking [at it], and the Holy Spirit resting [on it]: Is the poor satisfied at your table and refreshed? You have satisfied Christ your Lord. He is ready to be your rewarder; in presence of angels and men He will confess you have fed His hunger; He will give thanks unto you that you gave Him drink, and quenched His thirst.”
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Wednesday 13th March 2024, 18:07
Open appeal by the UOJ to international institutions mandated by international law to respond to human rights violations in the field of freedom of speech and advocacy.
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Open appeal by the UOJ to international human rights organizations
Open appeal by the UOJ to international institutions mandated by international law to respond to human rights violations in the field of freedom of speech and advocacy.
Wednesday 13th March 2024, 17:45
On this feast of St David, according to the patristic calendar, we look forward to a slightly belated celebration this evening, when we will honour our national patron with the chanting of his canon and the stikhira of his feast. We honour St David as a true shepherd and defender of doctrinal Orthodoxy, who opposed falsehood and was not afraid to expose and denounce heresy, guided in his preaching by the power of the Holy Spirit....
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The Canon to St David: Happy Feast! - Parish of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God
On this feast of St David, according to the patristic calendar, we look forward to a slightly belated celebration this evening, when we will honour our national patron with the chanting of his canon a...
Wednesday 13th March 2024, 16:18
SMALL COMPLINE WITH THE CANON TO ST DAVID: 1/14 MARCH @ 19:00 IN NAZARETH HOUSETomorrow evening, after confessions in Nazareth House, Small Compline will be chanted at 19:00, with the canon to St David of Wales after the supplicatory canon to the Most Holy Mother of God.
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Wednesday 13th March 2024, 12:02
“LAST CALL” FOR PARTICIPANTS IN THE LENTEN DAILY PSALTER READINGDear brothers and sisters, as Great Lent approaches, more readers are still sought to read the Psalter each day during the Great Fast.There are currently sixteen readers, and another four would ensure that with each reader praying one kathisma (division of the Psalter), all twenty kathismas would be read each day. This daily offering would take around fifteen minutes.If you able to participate please contact oltarnik Alexander: psaltergroup@fastmail.com - with friends in other parishes welcome!Those wishing to purchase an Orthodox Psalter with traditional troparia and prayers at the end of each kathisma should visit
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A Psalter For Prayer: Pocket Edition - White Horse Wares
This slimmed-down pocket edition of A 'Psalter for Prayer' is designed to inspire daily use in prayer at home and when travelling.
Wednesday 13th March 2024, 1:11
THE FIRST WEEK OF GREAT LENTCompline and the Great Canon of Repentance, the work of St Andrew of Crete, will be chanted on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of the first week of Great Lent (18th,19th, 20th and 21st March) at 16:00 in the Oratory Church of St Alban, in Swinton Street, Splott. We will pray at the shrine of St Alban, venerating his sacred relics at the end of the evening office, a traditional time for the veneration of our icons and sacred relics.We extend our thanks to Father Sebastian.On Friday 22nd Compline and the Akathist Hymn to the Mother of God will be chanted in the Chapel of St David and St Nicholas, in Llanelli, and the following morning we will celebrate our pilgrimage Divine Liturgy for the Saturday of St Theodore in Margam Abbey at 10:30.
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Monday 11th March 2024, 23:38
Dear brothers and sisters, Greetings on the feast of Blessed Nikolai of Pskov, the Holy Fool who dared challenge Tsar Ivan the Terrible, and was glorified by the Lord in his poverty and seeming foolishness. Our weekend was marked by a double-celebration with the Divine Liturgy ‘going out’ of Cardiff and across the Severn, with the first of our mission Liturgies celebrated in Warminster on Saturday, in addition to our Canton-St John’s Liturgy on Sunday....
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Parish News: 11 March 2024 - Parish of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God
Dear brothers and sisters, Greetings on the feast of Blessed Nikolai of Pskov, the Holy Fool who dared challenge Tsar Ivan the Terrible, and was glorified by the Lord in his poverty and seeming foolis...
Monday 11th March 2024, 12:42
The Work of a Lifetime. Abbess Mariam (Zacca)
God is absolute love, which embraces all of creation in its abundance.
Sunday 10th March 2024, 18:12
10/03/2024 - Homily: Christians not heroes!
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Saturday 9th March 2024, 20:29
Today brought the blessing of finally being able to celebrate a local Divine Liturgy beyond the Severn with our parishioners living in the South and West of England. Though we were few in number the Liturgy, nevertheless, brought together parishioners from Wiltshire, Dorset and Somerset. Not everyone was able to be with us, due to work, illness and other pre-arranged duties, but the few of us who gathered in the Chapel of St Lawrence, in Warminster, were touched by the peace and spiritual warmth of our Liturgy....
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Today in Warminster - Parish of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God
Today brought the blessing of finally being able to celebrate a local Divine Liturgy beyond the Severn with our parishioners living in the South and West of England. Though we were few in number the L...
Saturday 9th March 2024, 0:29
FROM THE “HOMILY ON ADMONITION AND REPENTANCE”, BY ST EPHREM THE SYRIANSearch not out the faults of men; reveal not the sin of your fellow; the shortcomings of your neighbours, in speech of the mouth repeat not. You are not judge in creation, you have not dominion over the earth. If you love righteousness, reprove your soul and yourself. Be judge unto your own sins, and chastener of your own transgressions.
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Thursday 7th March 2024, 14:35
03/03/2024 - Homily: Having the shameless courage to turn back to Christ, like the prodigal.
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Thursday 7th March 2024, 13:33
25/02/2024 - Homily: Christ making saints from sinners through the mystery of repentance.
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Thursday 7th March 2024, 13:06
18/02/2024 - Homily: Blessed curiosity
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Thursday 7th March 2024, 12:05
THE AKATHIST OF THANKSGIVING: “GLORY TO GOD FOR ALL THINGS”I know that whilst the akathist hymn “Glory to God for all things” is well know to most of our parishioners, we have quite a few youngsters and new-comers who may not have discovered it.On such a beautiful, bright, warm spring day, of blue sky, white clouds, plum blossom, hazel catkins, sunny daffodils and gorse flowers - in South Wales, at least - how can we not echo the sentiments of Metropolitan Tryphon of Dmitrov, written by him in the gulag, based on the final words of St John Chrysostom in his own imprisonment.www.saintjonah.org/services/thanksgiving.htm
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Thursday 7th March 2024, 1:09
For the Sunday of the Prodigal Son, the short sermon “To the Indolent Soul”, which encourages the sinner to refrain from giving up and despairing. Like the prodigal, we are to return to our Father, who has no desire to send anyone to eternal punishment
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Soul: do not be downcast, and do not be anxious. Neither count yourself to be in a multitude of sins. Do not draw upon yourself the fire. Say not, “The Lord has cast me away from his face,” for sa...
Wednesday 6th March 2024, 16:52
Small Compline, with the Akathist Hymn to the Most Holy Mother of God will be chanted at 19:00 after confessions in Nazareth House tomorrow: Thursday 7th March.Any further requests for confessions should be sent before 18:00, this evening.
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Wednesday 6th March 2024, 16:44
From the “Homily on Admonition and Repentance”, by St Ephrem the SyrianIf you are angry against your neighbour, you are angry against God;and if you bear anger in your heart, against your Lord is your boldness uplifted. If in envy you rebuke, wicked is all your reproof. But if charity dwell in you, you have on earth no enemy. And if you are a true son of peace, you will stir up wrath in no man. If you are just and upright, you will not do wrong to your fellow. And if you love to be angry, be angry with the wicked and it will become you;if to wage war you seek, lo! Satan is your adversary; if you desire to revile, against the demons display your curses. If you should insult the King's image, you shall pay the penalty of murder;and if you revile a man, you revile the image of God. Do honour to your neighbour, and lo! You have honoured God. But if you would dishonour Him, in wrath assail your neighbour!
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Tuesday 5th March 2024, 1:00
Dear brothers and sisters, Having celebrated the Sunday of the Prodigal Son, the Great Fast grows ever closer, with this week being the last week in which Orthodox Christians consume meat until Pascha, to be followed by cheese-fair (bliny) week during which we consume eggs, fish and dairy foods. We should remember that the customary fast still adheres to this Wednesday and Friday, but with the allowance of fish, wine and oil....
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Parish News - 4 March 2023 - Parish of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God
Dear brothers and sisters, Having celebrated the Sunday of the Prodigal Son, the Great Fast grows ever closer, with this week being the last week in which Orthodox Christians consume meat until Pascha...
Saturday 2nd March 2024, 20:17
Dear brothers and sisters, as the Great Fast approaches, we very much hope that there can be a repetition of the complete reading of the Psalter each day of the fast, with parishioners and friends pledging to read a kathisma of the Psalter each day.In an ideal situation, we would have twenty people praying the Psalter, meaning that each person would read one kathisma each day, in rotation.I would stress that the point is that the whole Psalter is read each day, and not for readers to have kathisma catch-ups because they have fallen behind. If you would like to participate in this Lenten offering, may I ask you to contact oltarnik Alexander: psaltergroup@fastmail.com
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Saturday 2nd March 2024, 18:17
The canon of the holy hierarch, the acrostic whereof is "Aldhelm's discourse is as sweet as honey”, in Tone III Ode I, Irmos: To God, Who alone saved His people in the sea and engulfed the adversaries, let us sing, for He hath been glorified. Hierarch of Christ, Aldhelm, pray to God for us. Aldhelm taught the people of the New Israel to chant: Unto Christ God let us sing, for He hath been glorified!...
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The Canon to St Aldhelm - Parish of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God
The canon of the holy hierarch, the acrostic whereof is “Aldhelm’s discourse is as sweet as honey”, in Tone III Ode I, Irmos: To God, Who alone saved His people in the sea and engulfed the adver...
Saturday 2nd March 2024, 18:16
Saint Aldhelm is very much a saint of the locality in which we will be celebrating Liturgy, in Wiltshire, and prior to sharing the canon to him, here is an excellent article from orthochristian, telling the story of his life and relating it to local places in Wessex.
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Holy Hierarch Aldhelm, Abbot of Malmesbury and Bishop of Sherborne. Dmitry Lapa
A very talented man by nature, under the influence of other fathers among his contemporaries, Aldhelm became a prominent scholar, writer, poet, musician, singer, pastor, archpastor, teacher and builde...
Saturday 2nd March 2024, 17:02
We have previously published the canon to St Birinus, the Apostle of Wessex, and I have highlighted the acrostic, spelled by the first letters of the troparia: “Birinus shepherded the lambs of Christ”
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The Canon to St Birinus the Apostle of Wessex - Parish of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God
Canon of the saint, the acrostic whereof is “Birinus shepherded the lambs of Christ”, in Tone V. Canon of the saint, the acrostic whereof is “Birinus shepherded the lambs of Christ”, in Tone V...
Friday 29th March 2024, 13:56
The Triumph of Orthodoxy in Our Lives - Parish of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God
Dear brothers and sisters, last Sunday, it was a great joy – as always – to celebrate the Triumph of Orthodoxy and the Restoration of the Holy Icons, but even more so this year with the chanting o...Thursday 28th March 2024, 21:17
Amsterdam urges Patriarch Bartholomew to speak out on Bill 8371
American lawyer representing the UOC, Robert Amsterdam, has published an open letter to the head of the Constantinople Patriarchate.Wednesday 27th March 2024, 16:36
UK government lists being 'anti-abortion' as a stepping stone to terrorism
The UK government has included being "anti-abortion" as one of the benchmarks of potential future terrorism.Wednesday 27th March 2024, 11:32
Wednesday 27th March 2024, 11:16
The Canon to St Winefride - Parish of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God
Several of our parish sisters are making a pilgrimage to Holywell next week, and as I was sorting the canon to St Winefride, it seemed a good idea to publish it here for general circulation. Ode I, Ir...Wednesday 27th March 2024, 9:37
Wednesday 27th March 2024, 7:57
Tuesday 26th March 2024, 15:07
Patriarch Porfirije prayerfully commemorates 25th anniversary of NATO bombing of Yugoslavia
On March 24, 1999, NATO began its aerial bombing campaign against Yugoslavia, which continued until June 10, 1999.Tuesday 26th March 2024, 0:27
The Akathist Hymn to the Passion of Christ - Parish of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God
The Holy New-Martyr, St Basil, Bishop of Kineshma loved to celebrate weekly services in honour of the Saviour’s Passion on Thursday evenings, and inspired by this, the Akathist to the Passion of Chr...Monday 25th March 2024, 23:48
- Parish of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God
Wiltshire Sunday 11/24 March Dear brothers and sisters, Whilst every weekend is a celebration of the Faith, this first weekend felt especially festive after the first week of the Great Fast. After a w...Monday 25th March 2024, 13:14
Sunday 24th March 2024, 23:58
Sunday 24th March 2024, 23:57
Saturday 23rd March 2024, 19:49
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Friday 22nd March 2024, 14:56
The Canon to the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste - Parish of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God
First Canon, the acrostic whereof is: “I hymn the divinely-crowned company of martyrs,” the composition of John the Monk, in Tone II: Ode, Irmos: Come, O ye people, * let us sing a song to Christ ...Friday 22nd March 2024, 13:42
Thursday 21st March 2024, 23:37
Ending the First Week of Lent - Pilgrimage to Margam - Parish of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God
Dear brothers and sisters, I hope that this week is going well for you, and that its simplicity is reminding you of the joy we can take in the simplest things, with fresh bread, some olives, nuts and ...Wednesday 20th March 2024, 0:12
Tuesday 19th March 2024, 15:01
Tuesday 19th March 2024, 14:20
Tuesday 19th March 2024, 11:25
Tuesday 19th March 2024, 11:24
12th-century icon of Theotokos restored to its former glory
In 2009, the icon was turned over to the Vladimir-Suzdal Museum, and it was thought it was beyond saving. Nevertheless, restorationists set to work.Monday 18th March 2024, 21:19
Monday 18th March 2024, 16:16
Monday 18th March 2024, 15:24
Parish News at the Beginning of Great Lent - Parish of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God
Dear brothers and sisters, Greetings on this first day of the Great Fast, and thanks to all who contributed to our weekend celebrations in Cheltenham and Cardiff. Having left maslenitsa behind, and ha...Monday 18th March 2024, 15:04
The Song of a Repentant Heart: The Great Canon of St Andrew of Crete | ROCOR Europe
Full text of a talk delivered in 2017 by Bishop Irenei on the history, liturgical use, and ascetical significance of the Great Canon of St Andrew.Sunday 17th March 2024, 22:03
Saturday 16th March 2024, 14:21
Saturday 16th March 2024, 14:21
Saturday 16th March 2024, 14:21
Friday 15th March 2024, 22:31
Patriarch Neofit of Bulgaria reposes in the Lord
The Patriarch was in poor health in recent years.Thursday 14th March 2024, 16:00
Thursday 14th March 2024, 0:53
Wednesday 13th March 2024, 22:25
Wednesday 13th March 2024, 18:07
Open appeal by the UOJ to international human rights organizations
Open appeal by the UOJ to international institutions mandated by international law to respond to human rights violations in the field of freedom of speech and advocacy.Wednesday 13th March 2024, 17:45
The Canon to St David: Happy Feast! - Parish of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God
On this feast of St David, according to the patristic calendar, we look forward to a slightly belated celebration this evening, when we will honour our national patron with the chanting of his canon a...Wednesday 13th March 2024, 16:18
Wednesday 13th March 2024, 12:02
A Psalter For Prayer: Pocket Edition - White Horse Wares
This slimmed-down pocket edition of A 'Psalter for Prayer' is designed to inspire daily use in prayer at home and when travelling.Wednesday 13th March 2024, 1:11
Monday 11th March 2024, 23:38
Parish News: 11 March 2024 - Parish of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God
Dear brothers and sisters, Greetings on the feast of Blessed Nikolai of Pskov, the Holy Fool who dared challenge Tsar Ivan the Terrible, and was glorified by the Lord in his poverty and seeming foolis...Monday 11th March 2024, 12:42
The Work of a Lifetime. Abbess Mariam (Zacca)
God is absolute love, which embraces all of creation in its abundance.Sunday 10th March 2024, 18:12
Saturday 9th March 2024, 20:29
Today in Warminster - Parish of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God
Today brought the blessing of finally being able to celebrate a local Divine Liturgy beyond the Severn with our parishioners living in the South and West of England. Though we were few in number the L...Saturday 9th March 2024, 0:29
Thursday 7th March 2024, 14:35
Thursday 7th March 2024, 13:33
Thursday 7th March 2024, 13:06
Thursday 7th March 2024, 12:05
Thursday 7th March 2024, 1:09
Wednesday 6th March 2024, 16:52
Wednesday 6th March 2024, 16:44
Tuesday 5th March 2024, 1:00
Parish News - 4 March 2023 - Parish of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God
Dear brothers and sisters, Having celebrated the Sunday of the Prodigal Son, the Great Fast grows ever closer, with this week being the last week in which Orthodox Christians consume meat until Pascha...Saturday 2nd March 2024, 20:17
Saturday 2nd March 2024, 18:17
The Canon to St Aldhelm - Parish of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God
The canon of the holy hierarch, the acrostic whereof is “Aldhelm’s discourse is as sweet as honey”, in Tone III Ode I, Irmos: To God, Who alone saved His people in the sea and engulfed the adver...Saturday 2nd March 2024, 18:16
Holy Hierarch Aldhelm, Abbot of Malmesbury and Bishop of Sherborne. Dmitry Lapa
A very talented man by nature, under the influence of other fathers among his contemporaries, Aldhelm became a prominent scholar, writer, poet, musician, singer, pastor, archpastor, teacher and builde...Saturday 2nd March 2024, 17:02
The Canon to St Birinus the Apostle of Wessex - Parish of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God
Canon of the saint, the acrostic whereof is “Birinus shepherded the lambs of Christ”, in Tone V. Canon of the saint, the acrostic whereof is “Birinus shepherded the lambs of Christ”, in Tone V...