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Good Friday 2026Luke 22:53When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”THE HOUR OF DARKNESSby St. CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: You have one hour against me.That is a very short and limited time, between the precious cross and the resurrection from thedead. This also is the power given to darkness. Darkness is the name of Satan, for he is total night and darkness. Blessed Paul says that the God of this world has blinded the minds of those that do not believe, or else, the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ should shine on them.God granted power to Satan and the Jews to rise up against Christ. They, however, dug for themselves the pitfall of destruction. He certainly saved all under heaven by means of his passion and rose the third day, having trampled under foot the empire of death. They brought down inevitable condemnation on their own heads in company with that traitorous disciple.

Wednesday Eve Holy Pascha - 2026

6th Sunday of the Great Lent- 03292026Just as a newborn baby depends on feeding, cleansing, and resting in order to grow, so also our inner person requires constant spiritual care to thrive.The Needs of the Inner Person* Feeding
: We nourish our inner person through continual meditation on the Word of God and by partaking of the Holy Eucharist—the true “Bread of Life.” Through these, the soul is strengthened and sustained.* Cleansing: 
When we feel burdened, anxious, or weighed down by sin, it is often a sign that our inner person needs cleansing.
Daily repentance is like a gentle, ongoing washing, but the sacrament of confession is a deeper cleansing—a “full bath” that renews and restores the soul.* Resting: 
Growth happens in rest. We must learn to slow down in our relationship with God—not always striving, but simply being in His presence, like a baby resting peacefully on a parent’s chest.A Life of DependenceJust as a newborn is completely dependent on others, we too are called to become fully dependent on God—humbling ourselves to receive His grace, His care, and His life within us.During the Divine LiturgyEspecially during the Divine Liturgy, we are invited to quiet our hearts, set aside distractions, and focus entirely on Emmanuel—God with us—who is truly present in our midst.If we care daily for the inner person, through cleansing, feeding, and resting then the new life within us will grow, and Christ will be formed in us.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me” (Psalm 139:23–24).5th Sunday of Lent 2026

3rd Sunday of Lent 2026“The Church is not a court of justice, but a hospital where sinners receive healing.”

1st Sunday of Lent Feb 22, 2026If you do not forgive those who have wronged you, do not trouble yourself with fasting. If you refuse to forgive your brother’s debt and remain angry with him, your fasting is useless- God will not accept it. Fasting will not benefit you until you grow in love and in the hope that comes from faith. Anyone who fasts while remaining angry and holding hatred in their heart is rejecting God, and salvation is far from them.— Ephrem the Syrian

Sunday Feb 15, 2026 - The Feast of the Presentation of Christ into the Temple - Lent Prep. Sunday

The Jonah Code - Jonah Explained by the Church Fathers!

4th Sunday of Toba“Stand, see, ask, and walk” (Jeremiah 6:16), the path of purification.

3rd Sunday of Touba - 01252026John 3:31He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.

Paramoun of Theophany - 01182026

1st Sunday of Touba Jan 2026If we live, we live to the Lord and if we die, we die to the Lord - The Children O

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?”(Psalm 26:1)As we enter the New Year, let us lift our hearts to Christ,the true Light who overcomes all darkness.Let us hold fast to the Light that saves us:the Light of His Presence,the Light of His Word,and the Light of His holy Body and precious Blood.May our Lord Jesus Christ be our light on every path,our strength in every trial,and our peace in every season.May 2026 be filled with faith, hope,and the joy of His abiding presence.Have a blessed and fruitful New Year. ✨🙏

Lk 1:1-25

The third Sunday of HatorLk 14: 25-2625 Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters,yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 

3rd Sunday of BabaMt 12:22-Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw. And all the multitudes were amazed and said, "Could this be the Son of David?"How Can I Restore My Inner Sight!So that i may feel and see His presence, His blessings, His grace, His love, and His mercy — and give thanks to Him and praise Him at all times.Psalm 71:7-8

2nd Sunday of the month of Baba “What Do We Experience When We Pray, Read the Holy Scriptures, and Participate in the Divine Liturgy?”

“Pray without ceasing.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:17St. Justina’s steadfast prayer life beautifully reflects this command, showing how communion with God is our greatest defense and source of strength.

May the Cross of My Lord Jesus Christ protect me & deliver me!

A Cloud of Witnesses, The Friendship of the Saints!

1 Peter 4:7But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.

What would mama Mary Do?1 Corinthians 11:111 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

Luke 921 Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. 22 And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? 26 Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.27 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”

1 John 29 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

The Path to a Pure Heart!

John 1140 Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” 41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42 And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” 43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” 44 And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”Loose, remit, and forgive us,O God, our iniquities whichwe have committed willinglyand which we havecommitted unwillingly, whichwe have committedknowingly and which wehave committedunknowingly; the hidden andthe manifest, O Lord, remitfor us.Listen to the Hymns:youtu.be/NOR6Dz1yKUk?si=soYC73gQ8NFl4qDO

A message of comfort shared at the funeral of a faithful woman: Though her body grew weak, her spirit was clothed in strength. Outwardly she may have seemed frail, but within, she bore a quiet and steadfast faith — a vessel of endurance and love. In her suffering, she bore witness to the unseen strength that comes from God. As St. Paul reminds us, ‘Though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day’ (2 Corinthians 4:16, OSB). Her life was a testimony to the power of grace at work within, a light that did not dim even as the body faded."

From Fear to Hope, Death Before and After Christ!

Luke 134 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I [g]do not know a man?”35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.

You, O Lord, know my unworthiness and my unfitness, and my unmeetness that I should draw near unto this, Your holy service.I have no boldness to draw near and open my mouth before Your holy glory, but according to the multitude of Your tender mercies pardon me a sinner. And grant to me that I may find grace and mercy at this hour, and send me strength from on high that I may begin and be made fit and finish Your holy service according to Your pleasure, according to the good pleasure of Your will, and for a sweet savor of incense.Even so, O our Master, be with us; take part with us in this matter. Bless us, for You are the forgiveness of our sins, the light of our souls, our life, our strength, and our confidence.You are He unto whom we ascribe glory and honor and worship, O Father and Son and Holy Spirit, now and at all times and unto the age of all ages.Amen.

Matthew 1231 “Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.

The Holy Spirit longs to dwell in a heart that is clean, quiet, and welcoming!

The Ascension and the Helium Balloon!

John 14 : 9Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip?

Why do baptized babies join the Resurrection procession?

Let's examine ourselves whether we truly feel, experience and manifest the characteristics of Christ's life within ourselves - love that is patient, kind, gentle, and unconditional; peace that surpasses understanding despite difficulties; and joy that cannot be taken away.Do others see Christ's life in us?Can we say with Paul that: "it is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me" (Galatians 2:20)?If we find ourselves falling short, let us humble ourselves before God and ask Him to renew His eternal life within us so that we may feel, experience, and manifest it.

It’s Rich — in Every WayIt’s a Real ExperienceIt’s Once a YearIt’s Personal

Colossians 3:5-175 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.Character of the New Man12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

I have come to You O Lord, as the sick one to his physician, and as the hungry to the Spring of living water, as the poor to the Source of riches, as the sinners to the Savior, and as the dead to the Fountain of Life; for You are my salvation, my healer, my life, my strength, my comfort, my joy, and my rest is in you. Help me, protect me, and teach me to put my will in Your hands, that I may live according to Your will. Remove my weakness that I may be firm and continue to be faithful to You until the end. Amen.

The parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) is one of the most profound stories told by our Lord Jesus Christ. It speaks not only of repentance and forgiveness but also reveals the dangers of spiritual pride and the true meaning of our relationship with God. In this parable, we find two sons, both of whom lost their way, though in different manners.

Lent is indeed a powerful season in the Church designed to redirect our focus from the outer person — with its worldly distractions and concerns — to the inner person, where true spiritual growth and communion with God take place.

From the Orthodox Church Fathers' teachings, fasting is much deeper than just abstaining from certain foods. Here's their understanding:- St. John Chrysostom emphasizes that true fasting begins with the mouth - controlling not just food, but also harmful speech- St. Basil the Great teaches that fasting must be accompanied by spiritual efforts: "Fasting with the body while continuing to sin is like flying with one wing"- St. John Cassian warns against pride in fasting, teaching that vainglory can destroy its spiritual benefits- St. Gregory Palamas teaches that authentic fasting involves all senses:  - Eyes: Fast from impure looks and unnecessary entertainment  - Ears: Abstain from gossip and idle talk  - Tongue: Refrain from judging others and speaking evil  - Hands: Cease from harmful actions  - Mind: Control thoughts and desires- St. Isaac the Syrian explains that fasting is not meant to punish the body but to:  - Subdue passions  - Clear the mind for prayer  - Cultivate humility  - Remember the poor  - Practice self-control- St. John Chrysostom emphasizes that money saved from fasting should be given to the poor: "The fast should be kept not by the mouth alone but also by the eye, the ear, the feet, the hands and all the members of the body"

Every church feast or liturgy is an opportunity for growth!

John 6: 26 Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. 27 Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”

Give me, O Lord, many fountains of tears, as You gave, in the past, the sinful woman. Make me worthy to wash Your Feet which liberated me from the path of straying, and to offer you a precious fragrant oil, and gain, through repentance, a pure life, so that I may hear that voice full of joy: “Your faith has saved you.”

Purify our souls, our bodies, our spirits, our hearts, our eyes, our understanding, our thoughts, and our consciences,so that, with a pure heart, an enlightened soul, an unashamed face, a faith unfeigned, a perfect love, and a firm hope, we may dare with boldness, without fear, to pray to You ..

The Lamb of GodJohn 1 26John answered them, saying, “I baptize with water, but there stands One among you whom you do not know. 27It is He who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose.” 29The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ 31I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.”32And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. 33I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”

In our journey of faith, may we learn from the humility and obedience of St. Mary. Let us echo her fiath, surrendering our lives to God's will and trusting in His faithfulness. As we yield to Him, may we experience the transformative power of His grace and be vessels through which His love and salvation are revealed to the world.

Face fear with Faith! - 1st Sunday of Kiahk

Preparation through Faith, Submission, Humility & Praise