Orthodox Edification

April 2015 Archives

Posts on Orthodox subjects such as spirituality, practices, saints, services, and history

Homily about the Fulfillment of the Great Prophecy

posts-icon-pascha3By Nikolai Velimirovic from the Prologue of Ochrid (April 1)

“Like a lamb led to the slaughter” (Isaiah 53:7).

Throughout the many centuries of time the discerning Prophet Isaiah foresaw the awesome sacrifice on Golgotha. From afar he saw the Lord Jesus Christ led to the slaughter as a lamb is led to the slaughter.
A lamb permits itself to be led to the slaughter as it is led to the pasture: defenseless, without fear and without malice. Thus, Our Lord Christ was led to the slaughter without defense, without fear and without malice.
Neither does He say: “Men, do not do this!”
Neither does He question: “Why are you (more…)

Published on Friday, April 24th, 2015 and tagged

St. Gregory the Theologian: Let us become like Christ, since Christ became like us.

posts-icon-gregory-theologianYesterday I was crucified with Him; today I am glorified with Him.

Yesterday I died with Him; today I am made alive with Him.

Yesterday I was buried with Him; today I am raised up with Him.

Let us offer to Him Who suffered and rose again for us … ourselves, the possession most precious to God and most proper.

Let us become like Christ, since Christ became like us.

Let us become Divine for His sake, since for us He became Man.

He assumed the worse that He might give us the better. He became poor that by His poverty we might become rich. He accepted the form of a servant that we might win back our freedom.

He came down that we might be lifted up. He was tempted that through Him we might conquer. He was dishonored that He might glorify us. He died that He might save us. He ascended that He might draw to Himself us, who were thrown down through the fall of sin.

Let us give all, offer all, to Him who gave Himself a Ransom and Reconciliation for us.

We needed an incarnate God, a God put to death, that we might live. We were put to death together with Him that we might be cleansed. We rose again with Him because we were put to death with Him. We were glorified with Him because we rose again with Him.

A few drops of Blood recreate the whole of creation!

— St. Gregory the Theologian, Easter Orations

Paschal Homily of St. John Chrysostom

posts-icon-paschaIf anyone is devout and a lover of God, let him enjoy this beautiful and radiant festival.
If anyone is a wise servant, let him, rejoicing, enter into the joy of his Lord.
If anyone has wearied himself in fasting, let him now receive his recompense.
If anyone has labored from the first hour, let him today receive his just reward. If anyone has come at the third hour, with thanksgiving let him keep the feast. If anyone has arrived at the sixth hour, let him have no misgivings; for he shall suffer no loss. If anyone has delayed until the ninth hour, let him draw near without hesitation. If anyone has arrived even at the eleventh hour, let him not fear on account of his delay. For the Master is gracious and receives the last, even as the first; he gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour, just as to him who has labored from the first. He has mercy upon the last and cares for the first; to the one he gives, and to the other he is gracious. He both honors the work and praises the intention.

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Published on Tuesday, April 14th, 2015 and tagged ,

Antiphon XV from the Matins of Holy Friday

Today is suspended upon the Tree He who suspended the land upon the waters. (3 times)
A crown of thorns crowns Him Who is the King of the angels.
He is wrapped about with a purple of mockery Who wrapped the heavens with clouds.
He receives smiting He Who freed Adam in the Jordan.
He is transfixed with nails Who is the Son of the Virgin.
We worship Thy Passion, O Christ. (3 times)
Show us also Thy Glorious Resurrection.