Cherubic Hymn – Holy Liturgy of Holy Saturday morning

Cherubic Hymn - Holy Liturgy of Holy Saturday morning This ancient, alternate Cherubic Hymn is believed to have originated from the Church of Jerusalem. It is also chanted during the Liturgy of St James (Αγ. Ιακώβου). It bears some similarities to the usual Cherubic Hymn in its exhortation to abandon any earthly thought as Christ is presented to us as "divine food" ("now lay aside all earthly care" the Cherubic Hymn) and the mention of the angelic hierarchies. Silence is a necessary prerequisite to contemplate what is about to take place not only in the Liturgy but also in preparation [...]

2016-10-14T14:50:06+11:00May 8th, 2015|

The Unexpected Encounter

The Unexpected Encounter Can you describe the emotion in the depths of your heart when you meet a person very dear to you, whom you had not seen for a long time, so as to be regarded as lost? Your face sparkles as you meet, your eyes fill with tears and your lips can only utter a few simple words! Such meetings are not so rare. But unique are some meetings which took place 2000 years ago. The first took place in a garden on the outskirts of Jerusalem, when Mary Magdalene stood outside the empty tomb of Jesus crying. [...]

2016-10-14T14:50:22+11:00June 1st, 2014|

Church of the Resurrection

Church of the Resurrection The Church of the Resurrection in the old city of Jerusalem is undoubtedly the most significant shrine of the Christian Faith. This is because under its roof is the original place of Christ’s Crucifixion, Burial and Resurrection. The building is an enormous edifice which incorporates many structures. Its interior is made up of chapels, shrines, basements, storerooms, living quarters, staircases, courtyards, balconies and corridors. Every space is covered with a different roof, some with Byzantine and others with Gothic domes. The internal architecture is a representation of the many influences over the centuries and can be [...]

2016-10-14T14:50:22+11:00June 1st, 2014|

Matins Hymn of the Resurrection

Matins Hymn of the Resurrection The Orthodox Icon of the Feast of Pascha depicts Christ descending into Hades and liberating Adam from the bonds of death, while many luminaries of the Old Testament look on. Who then witnessed Christ's own Resurrection? We know that none of the four gospels describes the actual Resurrection Itself. So how can we sing and pray that we have seen the Resurrection of Christ? Has poetic license been liberally used in this Paschal hymn? St Symeon the New Theologian provides answers: "How then, does the Holy Spirit exhort us to say, “Having beheld the Resurrection [...]

2016-10-14T14:50:22+11:00June 1st, 2014|

Why do we say in the Creed: “I Expect the Resurrection of the Dead”?

Why do we say in the Creed: “I Expect the Resurrection of the Dead”? Death is painful. It hurts and it hurts deeply. Is there a greater personal sadness than the death of a mother, a father, a son, a daughter, a brother, a sister, a friend, or a spouse? At such moments, the words of Saint John of Damascus ring true: “What earthly sweetness ever remains unmixed with grief? All things are more feeble than a shadow, all are more deceptive than dreams. Yet in one moment death supplants them all”? It is hard to look at death, and [...]

2016-10-14T14:50:22+11:00June 1st, 2014|
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