The Glorious Feast of the Transfiguration

TODAY, Coptic Orthodox Christians celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord. The Milk and Honey blog has posted a nice article by the late Rev. Fr. Alexander Schmemann.

Thanks to Andrew Mitry for sending the article.

Theotokos Fast Begins Today!

Today marks to beginning of the fast of the Theotokos Mary. It is a time for us to reflect on her virtues, especially in the post-modern era, where we are pushed to value everything she is not. St. John of Damascus writes,

O Virgin, full of God's grace, O holy temple of God, which the Solomon who created the world has erected and in which He has dwelt! Not with gold, nor with inanimate stones are you adorned. In stead of gold the Spirit shines in you; in place of precious stones, you have Christ within you, the Pearl of great price.*

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*St. Demetrius, Metropolitan of Rostov, "Homily On The Nativity Of The Most Pure Theotokos"