Orthodox Faith

The Spring Equinox has arrived in the Northern Hemisphere. At Aptekarsky Botanical Garden, Moscow, Snowdrops bloom-- a confirmation of spring and the hope of Resurrection.

In 5th-century Ireland, Saint Patrick (Mar 17) took up the unfinished fight against paganism. He did so with the missionary zeal of one who before conversion, was in his words “like a stone lying in deep mire” until “He that is mighty came and in His mercy raised me up…”

☦️Hawaiian Iveron Icon

The Sunday of the Veneration of the Holy Cross cross marks the halfway point of Great Lent. The church reminds us of where we are journeying—to the cross and ultimately the Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. His death has no meaning without His Resurrection.

“Only children and those who are innocent like children are able to rejoice with others. ... A child shares anyone’s smile, even a mockery is a smile for them. No one on Earth is more like unto God than an innocent child.” ☦️ St Nikolai (Velimirovich)

The Panagia tou Harou (Holy Virgin of Death) is a miracle-working icon in the Church of St. John the Theologian, Leipsoi, Greece. Lilies placed with the icon in the 1940s by a woman expressing gratitude for many answered prayers, bloom fresh every year on its Aug 23 Feast Day.

International Women's Day -- THE Woman of Influence. Her career? She obeyed God. She bore, raised and nurtured Christ our God. Her message: "Do as He says" (John 2:5). Promoted to Queen of All Creation. By her prayers we are saved.

"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner." + St Gregory Palamas, defender of Hesychasm, 2nd Sunday of Great Lent #JesusPrayer

On the 1st Sun. of Great Lent: the Triumph of Orthodoxy, the restoration of holy icons. St John of Damascus: “I worship the God of matter, who became matter for my sake & deigned to inhabit matter … I will not cease from honouring that matter which works my salvation.”

☦️St. John Chrysostom

The first Sunday of the Great Fast is the Sunday of Orthodoxy. Bring an icon. Bring a seeking friend.

The Venerable Head of the Forerunner & Baptist John was first found on the Mount of Olives, where it had been hidden after his beheading. The 2nd finding was at the city of Emesia during a time of unrest at Constantinople. The 1st & 2nd findings are commemorated on Feb 24.

O Mother of God, unwedded thou gavest birth in time to the timeless Son of the Father. And - O strange wonder! - thou remainest a Virgin while suckling Him. —Theotokion from The Great Canon of ☦️ St Andrew of Crete, Tuesday of the First Week of Lent

"And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites…”

St Polycarp of Smyrna (Feb 23) at his martyrdom: "You threaten me with a fire that burns for a short time and then goes out, while you know nothing of the fire of the judgment to come & of the everlasting torment awaiting the wicked. Why wait any longer? Do what you will!”

☦️St. Maximos the Confessor

✝️Saint Gregory the Theologian