Short blurb

Sorry for the lack of posts the past few days. I have been going to interview after interview (Glory to God!). Vespers last night was good as usual, although I cannot believe that I am saying this, but I almost wish it could have been longer! I may get my turn at chanting some prayers in the future. The thing that I really love about Orthodox worship is how it draws you in completely. Even though it is very powerful, we are still supposed to be focusing on worshiping God and "forsaking earthly cares." What I notice whenever I'm at All-Night Vigil or Divine Liturgy (especially in a monastery) is that time seems to stand still. I do not even notice that I have been standing for two hours worshiping the God of all. The sight of the icons and burning candles, the smell of the incense and the feeling of the oil on my forehead help lift me up beyond this world and make me realize that there is something beyond me, much greater than myself. It's truly "other-wordly" as we enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

I found this while perusing the internet on the Apostles' Fast, which actually will not finish until July 12 (that's June 29 by Old Calendar standards)! It is an excerpt from a homily from St. Leo of Rome, one of the most revered Western Saints in the early days of the Orthodox Church. Sadly, the fast has disappeared completely from the West.

Today's festival [ of Pentecost ], dearly beloved, hallowed by the decent of the Holy Spirit, is followed as you know, by a solemn fast, which being a salutary institution for the healing of soul and body, we must keep with devout observance... Therefore, after the days of holy gladness, which we have devoted to the honor of the Lord rising from the dead and then ascending into Heaven, and after receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit, a fast ordained as a wholesome and needful practice, so that, if perchance through neglect or disorder even amid the joys of the festival any undue licence has broken out, it may be corrected by the remedy of strict abstinence, which must be more scrupulously carried out in order that what was on this day divinely bestowed on the Church may abide in us. For being made the Temple of the Holy Spirit, and watered with a greater supply than ever by the Divine Stream, we ought not to be conquered by any lusts nor held in possession by any vices in order that the habitation of divine power may be stained by no pollution.

So, there you have it! It's going to be a long struggle with many "come to Jesus moments" as a friend of mine from Texas would say (which is the whole point of the fast). Tonight, I'm making tabouli! Please pray for me, a sinner.

In Christ,
Andrew