Parish of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God
The Russian Orthodox Church in Cardiff. Registered Charity No 1196793
Dear brothers and sisters,
Dear brothers and sisters,
This coming weekend we will celebrate Troitsa – Trinity-Pentecost – with vespers at 16:30 on Saturday and the Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning at 11:00.Continue reading
Today has been a very busy day in the chaplaincy, both for the Oratorians and I, as we prepare for the end of the academic year, the end of Father Sebastian’s tenure as Catholic chaplain to the University and a period in which Newman Hall has been my base in our parish life in the city.Continue reading
Dear brothers and sisters, greetings, as we continue to celebrate the after-feast of the Lord’s Ascension.
We now find ourselves in that waiting period between Ascension and Pentecost, remembering the contemplative days in which the Holy Apostles awaited the revelation of the meaning of the Saviour’s words: “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever…” (John 14:16) and “It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.” (John 16:7)Continue reading
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, for the sake of the prayers of Thy Most Pure Mother, hearken unto me, Thine unworthy servant N. O Lord, govern in mercy my children, Thy servants N. Have mercy on them and save them, for Thy name’s sake. O Lord, forgive them all their transgressions, voluntary andContinue reading
Thus did the One ascend to Heaven Who held heaven within Himself. He who carries hell within himself will end up in hell, but he who bears heaven within his soul will ascend to heaven. And truly, no one can ascend to heaven other than those who have heaven within; and no one can end up in hell besides those who have hell within. The familiar is drawn to what is familiar and unites with the familiar; but it rejects what is not familiar. Matter submits to the spirit to the extent that the human soul is filled with the Divine Spirit; and the laws of nature are obedient to moral laws, which govern the world. Because the Lord Jesus Christ is the fullness of the Holy Spirit and the perfection of moral law, to Him is subject all matter—the entire physical world, with all the laws of nature.
Blessed are you, O Upper Room, so small
in comparison to the entirety of creation;
yet what took place in you
now fills all creation –
which is even too small for it.
Blessed is your abode, for in it was broken
that Bread which issues
from the blessed Wheat Sheaf,
and in you was trodden out
the Cluster of Grapes that came from Mary
to become the Cup of Salvation.
Blessed are you, O Upper Room;
no-one has ever seen
nor ever shall see, what you beheld:
Our Lord became at once
The Altar, Priest, Bread, and Cup of Salvation.
In His own person
He could fulfil all these roles;
none other was capable of this:
Whole Offering and Lamb,
Sacrifice and Sacrificer,
Priest and the One destined to be consumed.
St Ephrem the Syrian
Икона Божией Матери “Споручница грешных” названа так по надписи, сохранившейся на иконе: “Аз Споручница грешных к Моему Сыну…”.
Dear brothers and sisters, greetings on this glorious feast, which is not simply a celebration of the Ascension of the Saviour into Heaven, but a heavenward-calling for us all.
This canon, which is to be found the Greek Great Book of Needs, is also chanted at Tuesday Compline in the week of tone six of the Octoechos. Whilst we are having confessions during Saturday Compline, this may be pertinent to be chanted at that time, and would certainly be valuable for parishioners as they prepare for confession and Holy Communion. In the Euchologion (Book of Needs) it is followed by a prayer of absolution by St John of Damascus, making it clear that it is intended for use in this context.