Category Archives: Nativity Fast

Keep Christmas? Keep Christ Through the Hours!

I love the Royal Hours services of the Orthodox Church. Among the Akathist Prayers, Liturgies, and other worship services, this one is like icing on a cake to my spiritual life. I practice the Hours of Prayer every Monday through Saturday (Sunday I have pre-Eucharistic prayers, the Divine Liturgy, and I try to pray NinthContinue reading “Keep Christmas? Keep Christ Through the Hours!”

Advent One: The Need for Realignment

We are nibbling on our Thanksgiving Day leftovers as we walk into the Advent Season.  Many non-Denominational congregations as well as mainline Protestants and Roman Catholics will have special candle lightings, prayers, and scriptures readings to prepare hearts and minds to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ (Feast of the Lord’s Nativity).  New calendar EasternContinue reading “Advent One: The Need for Realignment”

Christmas: Lessons from the Nativity Fast

CHRIST IS BORN! GLORIFY HIM! CHRIST HAS COME FROM HEAVEN! RECEIVE HIM! CHRIST IS ON EARTH! BE YE EXALTED! Nativity of the Lord Jesus from St. Catherine’s Monastery in Egypt The tradition in Orthodoxy is to spend the 40 days before Christmas fasting from meats and dairy products, with fish, wine, and olive oil permittedContinue reading “Christmas: Lessons from the Nativity Fast”

Nativity Fast (Advent): Don’t Go Back

Then He sent him away to his house, saying, “Neither go into the town, nor tell anyone in the town.” Mark 8:26 Today’s Gospel reading (Mark 8:22-26) does not identify who brought the blind man to our Lord when he entered Bethsadia. We do know that Jesus took him outside of town to enlighten andContinue reading “Nativity Fast (Advent): Don’t Go Back”

Nativity Fast (Advent): The Foundation of Saint Nicholas

Everyone loves Santa Claus.  From the toddler with a limited vocabulary. To college professors at dinner parties; we look forward to the fictional symbol of gift giving.  Not only do we look forward to receiving gifts, giving to family, friends, coworkers, and those in need instills the joy of the season inside of us.  AContinue reading “Nativity Fast (Advent): The Foundation of Saint Nicholas”

Nativity Fast (Advent): Our Costly Calling

They immediately left their nets and followed Him., … and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him. Matthew 4:18-22 We celebrated the feast day of the Apostle Andrew the First Called on November 30th. Fr. Adam Sexton and the members of the St. Andrew Parish (Orthodox Church of America) in Ashland had specialContinue reading “Nativity Fast (Advent): Our Costly Calling”

Nativity Fast (Advent): Thanksgiving as a Cure

In a homily from the Prologue of Orhid, St. Nikolai Velimirovich shared these important words: “Be not proud, be not angry, be not fainthearted; for these are unworthy of a Christian calling.” With everything going on in the news today, it is way too easy to fall into one of these three traps. Perhaps moreContinue reading “Nativity Fast (Advent): Thanksgiving as a Cure”

Nativity Fast (Advent): The Challenge of Self-Examination

One of the Desert Fathers and a few of his disciples went to Alexandria to speak with the Patriarch. Along the way, they walked past an actress bargaining for a fancy outfit. Seeing her, the great monk started to cry. “Abba, why are you weeping,” asked his disciples. “Because she may be more devoted toContinue reading “Nativity Fast (Advent): The Challenge of Self-Examination”

Nativity Fast (Advent): Decorating the Soul

It’s not uncommon to see Christmas paraphernalia for sale as early as late September. With the recent scares in the economy and national supply chain issues, we are being advised to begin shopping early for electronic and other specific gifts as they may not be available during the regular holiday buying period. I haven’t seenContinue reading “Nativity Fast (Advent): Decorating the Soul”

The Slavery of Satiety

“… Do not give place to the devil.” — Ephesians 4:27 “The direct effect of satiety is weakening of attention and allowing of exceptions to oneself, whoever permits this will begin to slide downhill on a slippery slope. This is a danger, so watch.” –St. Theophan the Recluse, Art of Prayer “Excuses will never beContinue reading “The Slavery of Satiety”