http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info A journey through our Orthodox faith as we live it every day Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:43:26 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info/favicon.ico Copyright © Gladsome Light Dialogues - An Orthodox Blog 2010 blogadmin@stjohndfw.info (Gladsome Light Dialogues - An Orthodox Blog) blogadmin@stjohndfw.info (Gladsome Light Dialogues - An Orthodox Blog) http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info/wp-content/plugins/podpress/images/powered_by_podpress.jpg http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info 144 144 A journey through our Orthodox faith as we live it every day Gladsome Light Dialogues - An Orthodox Blog Gladsome Light Dialogues - An Orthodox Blog blogadmin@stjohndfw.info no no http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info/2011/08/paraklesis-to-the-mother-of-god-pantanassa-the-healer-of-cancer/ http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info/2011/08/paraklesis-to-the-mother-of-god-pantanassa-the-healer-of-cancer/#comments Sat, 13 Aug 2011 22:05:48 +0000 Fr. Vasile http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info/?p=1402 The holy and miracle-working icon of the Virgin Mary was brought to the Vatopedi monastery by the blessed elder Joseph from Nea Skete. The Monastery of Vatopedi is one of twenty monasteries on the Mount Athos peninsula (Greece) and is located on the northeastern side of the peninsula. It operates as a coenobitic monastery(a communal monastic community). As of 1999, it is inhabited by 80 monks and is second in hierarchical rank among the monasteries of the mountain. The first record of the icon's miraculous powers is from the witness of Elder Joseph. One day a young man from Cyprus went to visit and entered into the church. At that point, the elder witnessed a glowing light radiating from the face of the Theotokos and an invisible power pushed the young man down to the ground. When the young man had recovered from his fall, he began to repent and weep and confessed that he did not believe and was a participant in the black arts. He changed his life and became an Orthodox Christian. This icon is also known for working many miracles, especially healing people with cancer. There are many recent records of people who have been healed from cancer after participating in the Supplicatory Canon to the Pantanassa at the monastery. Text from http://russian-crafts.com/russian-saints-icons/pantanassa.html The following text was translated and set to meter by Fr. Vasile Tudora. Some of the text (especially the heirmoi of each ode) is  based on the translation of the Small Paraklesis to the Most Holy Theotokos from http://goarch.org/chapel/liturgical_texts/paraklesis. This has been done to ensure consistency with the current chanting practice in the Greek Orthodox Churches in America. Pantanassa Paraklesis Booklet for parish usage Continue reading]]> http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info/2011/08/paraklesis-to-the-mother-of-god-pantanassa-the-healer-of-cancer/feed/ 0 http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info/2011/08/who-s-affraid-of-the-most-holy-virgin-mary/ http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info/2011/08/who-s-affraid-of-the-most-holy-virgin-mary/#comments Wed, 03 Aug 2011 21:09:44 +0000 Fr. Vasile http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info/?p=1351 The veneration of the Virgin Mary has long been point of contention among Christians. Although it may be difficult to delineate a uniform position among the plethora of Protestant denominations, it is generally recognized that most of the Reformed Churches have no particular place of honor for the Virgin Mary in their theology or worship. Most believe that her role was fulfilled at giving physical birth to the human Jesus Christ and from there on she is nothing but a regular woman that went on with her life, having other children and never to be heard of again. On the other hand the Roman Catholic and the Eastern Orthodox, although may differ in some theological aspects, hold the Virgin Mary Continue reading]]> http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info/2011/08/who-s-affraid-of-the-most-holy-virgin-mary/feed/ 0 http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info/2010/03/the-simple-things-in-life-sermon-for-annunciation/ http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info/2010/03/the-simple-things-in-life-sermon-for-annunciation/#comments Thu, 25 Mar 2010 16:23:26 +0000 Fr. Vasile http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info/?p=1026 O pure Maid, you eluded nature’s laws, conceiving God in ways past understanding. You evaded things proper to mothers in childbirth, even if by nature you were prone to change.[1] We are again in deep awe at the profound yet simple events that happen at Annunciation. But the most important things in this life are very simple. The story line is straight forward: the young Virgin receives an angel and she accepts the task given to her. End of story. Yet on this very humble and natural acceptance lays the accomplishment of the ages old plan for the salvation of humankind. The simple becomes complex and the complex become simple. But don’t be fooled by the brevity Continue reading]]> http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info/2010/03/the-simple-things-in-life-sermon-for-annunciation/feed/ 0 http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info/2009/09/thank-god-is-monday-the-day-honoring-the-holy-angels/ http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info/2009/09/thank-god-is-monday-the-day-honoring-the-holy-angels/#comments Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:02:51 +0000 Fr. Vasile http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info/?p=904 The Seven-Day Commemoration In The Orthodox Church "The Week: A Seven Day Holiday". The Greek Orthodox ecclesiastical year (Indiction), begins in September, and is marked with events and holidays of our religious history. In addition to the annual cycle, the seven-day week... Continue reading]]> http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info/2009/09/thank-god-is-monday-the-day-honoring-the-holy-angels/feed/ 0 http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info/2009/09/why-we-commemorate-the-saints-joachim-aand-anna/ http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info/2009/09/why-we-commemorate-the-saints-joachim-aand-anna/#comments Wed, 09 Sep 2009 22:13:06 +0000 Fr. Vasile http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info/?p=856 I always asked myself why we commemorate the Saints Joachim and Anna at the end of almost every church service. Beside the Savior and the Theotokos only the “holy and righteous ancestors of God” are never omitted from any daily dismissal. Continue reading]]> http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info/2009/09/why-we-commemorate-the-saints-joachim-aand-anna/feed/ 0 http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info/2009/08/praise-the-theotokos-a-selection-of-readings/ http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info/2009/08/praise-the-theotokos-a-selection-of-readings/#comments Sat, 15 Aug 2009 04:25:28 +0000 Fr. Vasile http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info/?p=799 On the Dormition of Mary: Early Patristic Homilies From St. Vladimir Press a collection of early homilies on the Dormition of the Theotokos. Most of these works have never been translated into English before, and some are not available in any modern Continue reading]]> http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info/2009/08/praise-the-theotokos-a-selection-of-readings/feed/ 0 http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info/2009/08/whos-affraid-of-the-theotokos/ http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info/2009/08/whos-affraid-of-the-theotokos/#comments Tue, 04 Aug 2009 22:53:13 +0000 Fr. Vasile http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info/?p=621 I recently posted a status on Facebook referring to the fast of the Dormition of the Mother of God.  A few minutes later I got a reply from a non-denominational protestant friend: "I did not know that God had a mother". This is a very typical response from this audience since they do not have any particular place for the Virgin Mary in their theology or worship. Continue reading]]> http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info/2009/08/whos-affraid-of-the-theotokos/feed/ 0