Day 198 ~ more pics from Last week's Orthodox service

from my camera phone

Jim, Tiffany and Ben hold candles as reminders that they are illumined by the Light of Christ!

kneeling for prayer

 My friend Tammi took these pics and emailed them to me so I thought I'd include them.

smile!

 Me and Jim, old buddies!

Day 193 ~ Friends become Orthodox!

Jim, Tiffany and Ben

Last Saturday, three friends of mine were received into the Orthodox Church. It was a beautiful liturgy/ceremony to watch and witness. It is the custom in the Church to take on a patron Saint's Name so Jim, Tiffany and Ben can now also be known as Patrick, Anastasia  and Herman.  Ben is wearing a white robe because he also was baptized that day and after a person is immersed in the waters of baptism they are given a white robe to represent the cleansing of sins in Christ.

Congratulations to my friends!

See you tomorrow.

Day 191 ~ Partying with the Orthodox Christians!

The Priest in front of the door proclaiming, "Christ is Risen!"

For Eastern Orthodox Christian, Easter was today so last night I went to the Easter Vigil which began at 11:30pm and didn't end until 2:30am! (They call Easter, "Pascha," by the way) There was a lot of rejoicing and "Christ is Risens" being proclaimed and I absolutely  loved it.  

See you tomorrow!

Day 105 ~ What I did Before the VA Appointment

Front of Orthodox Church; still has Christmas Wreaths 

 When I went to the VA clinic (see yesterday to see those pics), I arrived super early so I decided to visit the Orthodox Church that I attend on Saturday nights.  I thought I'd like to get a couple of good pics.  I really can't get any good pics of the Church when I go to Vespers because it's too dark but this day was all bright sunshine!

The sign

 Here is the sign that lists the services and Website. As you can see, it was very bright outside!

A close up on the sign

A close up on the sign, depicting the Annunciation. (Luke  1:26-38) I never really noticed it before because I would only just drive by quickly on Saturday nights. Very nicely done!

See you tomorrow.

day 48 ~ Commerating St. Herman of Alaska

Fr. Gary with the Eucharist.

 Today, the Orthodox remembers Father Herman, who ministered in Alaska in, I believe, the 1800's. He was truly an American Saint and listening about his life today was very inspiring. The above picture is of Fr. Gary about to distribute the Eucharist. The Orthodox believe that the Bread and the Wine actually become (in a way they cannot explain) the Body and Blood of Jesus.  For that reason, they wish only members of the Orthodox Church to commune, something I respect and abide by.

Icon of St. Herman of Alaska

It was pointed out by a friend,  that there is actually a picture of a helicopter in this Icon. I wonder what the story behind that is?

The nave

The Orthodox Church is beautiful and their worship is beautiful, too.

See you tomorrow.  

Day 27 ~ Going to Church in the Middle of the Week!

Orthodox church, at the beginning of the Service

 Some of you may know that I attend an Orthodox Church on Saturday nights but on Sundays I worship with my family in a protestant church. Well, one of the upsides of being unemployed is, when I am not working on a Resume, I can go to Church during weekdays, if they have a service. Yesterday, was The Presentation of the Theotokos,  a feast that comes on a fixed day every year so this year it fell on a Wednesday. Since I am not at work, I was able to go.

The Church is beautiful and I had wanted to take pictures for a long time but, when I go to Vespers at night. it's too dark to snap any pictures. So, I unobtrusively snapped some pics since it was broad daylight!

a page from the Service book!

Reader John, reading from the letter to the Hebrews, I think.

Reader John is a friend of mine. One of the things I like about the Orthodox, is they sing everything. So, when it comes to reading the Scripture lessons for the day, they actually sing them.  It takes some getting used to but, after a while, you sort of like it.

Here is a link to my other blog which talks about my visits to the Orthodox Church but I have to warn you, I get a bit wordy! :)

http://orthodoxyorbust.blogspot.com/

Dinner, the before picture!

Oh, and as an extra treat, here is a picture of the turkey I will be eating today! I snapped this picture when I was at my in-laws where we will be spending thanksgiving! It will be a great day!

Happy Thanksgiving!

See you tomorrow!