Podcasts about Pascha

During the season of Pascha, the Church calls our attention to how particular people responded to our Lord, Who rose from the dead as a whole embodied person on the third day. Thomas did not believe until he saw and touched the wounds of the Risen Savior. Joseph of Arimathea took Christ's body down from the Cross and, with the help of Nicodemus, buried Him. The Myrrh-Bearing women became the first witnesses of His resurrection when they went to the tomb very early in the morning to anoint the Lord's body as a final sign of love.

The second Sunday after Pascha is the Sunday of Christ the Good Shepherd. In the Gospel of St. John 10, Jesus says "I am the Good Shepherd. I am the door of my sheep. I know my own and my own know me, as the Father knows me and I know the Father." Today we look at two aspects of the Nature of Christ our Good Shepherd. His Nature is to bind us up and heal us through Himself within Himself. And His Nature is that of a gatherer Who gives life as opposed to our enemy whose nature is to scatter and destroy.

Fr. Anthony speaks about different liturgical traditions, their history and significance, especially Pascha. Enjoy the show!

Today we continue to celebrate the most fundamental and joyful proclamation of our faith: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life! He is our Pascha, our Passover, from death to life, for Hades and the grave could not contain the God-Man Who shares with us His victory over corruption and decay in all their forms. In a world enslaved to the fear of the grave, He has illumined even the dark night of the tomb with the brilliant light of heavenly glory.

Today on the first day after Pascha, we have the testimony of the faith of Thomas. Thomas, one who would be an Apostle and later a Saint, is given too often a bad wrap in some circles being referred to as "doubting Thomas." If Thomas was "doubting Thomas" then all of Christ's disciples were "doubting disciples." And we, His adopted sons and daughters must be labeled the same. The Christian journey is one from unbelief to belief every day. The key to our faith maturing and our believing is by placing ourselves in a position of encountering our risen Savior daily. For it is only the very real experience of the Living Christ that grants faith and heals the human soul.

Gospel Reading: John 20:19-31On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, even so I send you." And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in His side, I will not believe." Eight days later, His disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then He said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see My hands; and put out your hand, and place it in My side; do not be faithless, but believing." Thomas answered Him, "My Lord and My God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe." Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing, you may have life in His name.

Dr. Jenkins begins a discussion of the power and prerogative of the bishops of Rome, looking at the second-century Quartodeciman controversy over the date of Pascha. This controversy marks the first interaction of the bishops of Rome with the Churches of the eastern Mediterranean. Byzantine course: https://tinyurl.com/LuxchristiByzantium

On today's Bible Answer Man broadcast (04/22/25), Hank concludes his overview of the days of Holy Week, arriving at Pascha, also known as Easter. It is the day in which the body of Christ worldwide celebrates the ultimate game-changer, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. “If I face hardships in life for merely human reasons,” wrote Paul in his first letter to the Corinthian Christians, “what have I gained? If the dead are not raised, ‘Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.' If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.” Without resurrection, Christianity crumbles. Thus, in 1 Corinthians chapter 15, the apostle Paul provides a four-part argument underscoring the irrevocable reality of Christ's resurrection. Of one thing Hank has become certain; if twenty-first-century Christians would grasp the reality of resurrection like first-century Christians did, their lives would be totally transformed.

Pascha Vigil(Saturday April 19th 2025AD) by Duchovny Dom Monastery

Urmăriți un material foarte bun care răspunde la o serie de întrebări legate de sărbătoarea Paștelui, proveniența numelui acesteia și a altor simboluri legate de aceasta îndeosebi în lumea vestică dar care au fost adoptate și la noi.Vizionare plăcută!Pentru Pomelnice și Donații accesați: https://www.chilieathonita.ro/pomelnice-si-donatii/Pentru mai multe articole (texte, traduceri, podcasturi) vedeți https://www.chilieathonita.ro/

Evanjelium podľa Jána 11,25-26 Riekol jej Ježiš: Ja som vzkriesenie a život – kto verí vo mňa, bude žiť, aj keď umrie, a nik neumrie naveky, kto žije a verí vo mňa. Či veríš tomu?

Saint John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople The Paschal Sermon The Catechetical Sermon of St. John Chrysostom is read during Matins of Pascha. If any man be devout and love God, let him enjoy this fair and radiant triumphal feast. If any man be a wise servant, let him rejoicing enter into the joy of his Lord. If any have labored long in fasting, let him now receive his recompense. If any have wrought from the first hour, let him today receive his just reward. If any have come at the third hour, let him with thankfulness keep the feast. If any have arrived at the sixth hour, let him have no misgivings; because he shall in nowise be deprived thereof. If any have delayed until the ninth hour, let him draw near, fearing nothing. If any have tarried even until the eleventh hour, let him, also, be not alarmed at his tardiness; for the Lord, who is jealous of his honor, will accept the last even as the first; He gives rest unto him who comes at the eleventh hour, even as unto him who has wrought from the first hour. And He shows mercy upon the last, and cares for the first; and to the one He gives, and upon the other He bestows gifts. And He both accepts the deeds, and welcomes the intention, and honors the acts and praises the offering. Wherefore, enter you all into the joy of your Lord; and receive your reward, both the first, and likewise the second. You rich and poor together, hold high festival. You sober and you heedless, honor the day. Rejoice today, both you who have fasted and you who have disregarded the fast. The table is full-laden; feast ye all sumptuously. The calf is fatted; let no one go hungry away. Enjoy ye all the feast of faith: Receive ye all the riches of loving-kindness. let no one bewail his poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed. Let no one weep for his iniquities, for pardon has shown forth from the grave. Let no one fear death, for the Savior's death has set us free. He that was held prisoner of it has annihilated it. By descending into Hell, He made Hell captive. He embittered it when it tasted of His flesh. And Isaiah, foretelling this, did cry: Hell, said he, was embittered, when it encountered Thee in the lower regions. It was embittered, for it was abolished. It was embittered, for it was mocked. It was embittered, for it was slain. It was embittered, for it was overthrown. It was embittered, for it was fettered in chains. It took a body, and met God face to face. It took earth, and encountered Heaven. It took that which was seen, and fell upon the unseen. O Death, where is your sting? O Hell, where is your victory? Christ is risen, and you are overthrown. Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen. Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice. Christ is risen, and life reigns. Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in the grave. For Christ, being risen from the dead, is become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. To Him be glory and dominion unto ages of ages. Amen.

Descend with us into the very depths of hell to witness the most dramatic reversal in cosmic history. This haunting narrative takes you behind enemy lines to experience Easter from an unexpected perspective—the demons who believed they had won.The ancient Christian tradition of the "Harrowing of Hell" comes vividly alive as we hear the voices of darkness celebrating what they believe is their ultimate triumph. "Let the dark heavens ring with our victory," they gleefully proclaim, preparing chains for the crucified Christ who now descends into their realm like countless mortals before him. Their celebration echoes through the "black vaults of Tartarus" as they rejoice that "the so-called light of the world has been extinguished."But something unprecedented occurs—light begins penetrating the darkness. Confusion gives way to terror as the demons witness a figure "cloaked not in shadow, but in fire" whose "face is as the sun before time." The narrative reaches its climactic revelation as the underworld realizes its catastrophic mistake: "The cross was his weapon. His tomb was a trap for us." What appeared to be Christ's defeat was actually the instrument of his victory and death's undoing. As the ancient Easter proclamation declares: "Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death."This powerful retelling invites you to see the Easter story through fresh eyes and contemplate its profound meaning—how light conquers darkness, how apparent defeat transforms into ultimate victory, and how death itself became the doorway to eternal life. Share this episode with someone who needs to be reminded that even the darkest moments can become gateways to unexpected triumph.Find an Orthodox Church near you today.  Visit https://www.antiochian.org/homeVisit Cloud of Witnesses Radio: https://cloudofwitnessesradio.com/Questions about Orthodoxy?  Please check out our friends at Ghost of Byzantium Discord server:https://discord.gg/JDJDQw6tdh*****Contact this episode's sponsor:LuciaCandleCompany.Etsy.com*****Please prayerfully consider supporting Cloud of Witnesses Radio:https://www.patreon.com/cloudofwitnessesradioFind Cloud of Witnesses Radio on Instagram, X.com, Facebook, and TikTok.Thank you for journeying w/ the Saints with us!

John 20: 1-9EasterPaschahttps://www.innerworkforspiritualawakening.net/https://www.theosisbooks.net/

Pascha

Fr. Andrew Iskander- Reflection for Great Friday of Holy Pascha. Click the icon below to listen.

Ashraf Ibrahim- Reflection for the Eve of Great Friday of Holy Pascha. Click the icon below to listen.

Henry Kirolos- A reflection for the Eve of Thursday of Holy Pascha. Click the icon below to listen.

Tony Soliman- Reflection for the Eve of Wednesday of Holy Pascha. Click the icon below to listen.

n the kingdom of Wallachia (in modern-day Romania) the Goths undertook a brutal persecution of Christians. A Gothic prince came to the village of Buzau and asked the villagers if any Christians lived there. They swore to him that there were none. At this, Sabbas came before the Prince and said 'Let no one swear an oath on my behalf. I am a Christian.' Touched by his courage, the prince let Sabbas go, saying 'This one can do neither harm nor good.'   The following year a priest named Sansal came to the village and celebrated Pascha with Sabbas (who was truly the only Christian there). When the pagans heard of this, they attacked Sabbas' house and seized both men. They dragged Sabbas naked through thorns, then tied both him and Sansal to trees and tried to make them eat meat offered to idols. Neither man would touch the sacrifices. The prince then sentenced Sabbas to death and gave him over to the soldiers. Sabbas walked to the place of execution joyfully, singing and praising God. Seeing his goodness, the soldiers tried to free him on the way, but Sabbas refused, telling them that it was their duty to carry out the prince's command.   The soldiers took him to a river, tied a rock to his neck and cast him into the waters, where he gave back his soul to God. Some Christians later recovered his body and gave it honorable burial. The saint was 31 years old at the time of his martyrdom. In the reign of the Emperor Valens, the Greek commander Ionnios Soranos found the Saint's body during a war against the Goths, and took it to Cappadocia.

Mena Ghebranious- A reflection for the Eve of Tuesday of Holy Pascha. Click the icon below to listen.

Tony Boules- A reflection for the Eve of Monday of Holy Pascha. Click the icon below to listen.

Viele der Juden, die zu Maria, der Schwester des Lázarus, gekommen waren und gesehen hatten, was Jesus getan hatte, kamen zum Glauben an ihn. Aber einige von ihnen gingen zu den Pharisäern und sagten ihnen, was er getan hatte. Da beriefen die Hohepriester und die Pharisäer eine Versammlung des Hohen Rates ein. Sie sagten: Was sollen wir tun? Dieser Mensch tut viele Zeichen. Wenn wir ihn gewähren lassen, werden alle an ihn glauben. Dann werden die Römer kommen und uns die heilige Stätte und das Volk nehmen. Einer von ihnen, Kajaphas, der Hohepriester jenes Jahres, sagte zu ihnen: Ihr versteht nichts. Ihr bedenkt nicht, dass es besser für euch ist, wenn ein einziger Mensch für das Volk stirbt, als wenn das ganze Volk zugrunde geht.Das sagte er nicht aus sich selbst; sondern weil er der Hohepriester jenes Jahres war, sagte er aus prophetischer Eingebung, dass Jesus für das Volk sterben werde. Aber er sollte nicht nur für das Volk sterben, sondern auch, um die versprengten Kinder Gottes wieder zu sammeln. Von diesem Tag an waren sie entschlossen, ihn zu töten.Jesus ging von nun an nicht mehr öffentlich unter den Juden umher, sondern zog sich von dort in die Gegend nahe der Wüste zurück, zu einer Stadt namens Efraim. Dort blieb er mit seinen Jüngern.Das Paschafest der Juden war nahe und viele zogen schon vor dem Pascha-fest aus dem ganzen Land nach Jerusalem hinauf, um sich zu heiligen. Sie suchten Jesus und sagten zueinander, während sie im Tempel zusammen-standen: Was meint ihr? Er wird wohl kaum zum Fest kommen. Die Hohe-priester und die Pharisäer hatten nämlich angeordnet, wenn jemand wisse, wo er sich aufhält, solle er es melden, damit sie ihn festnehmen könnten.(© Ständige Kommission für die Herausgabe der gemeinsamen liturgischen Bücher im deutschen Sprachgebiet)

Viele der Juden, die zu Maria, der Schwester des Lázarus, gekommen waren und gesehen hatten, was Jesus getan hatte, kamen zum Glauben an ihn. Aber einige von ihnen gingen zu den Pharisäern und sagten ihnen, was er getan hatte.  Da beriefen die Hohepriester und die Pharisäer eine Versammlung des Hohen Rates ein. Sie sagten: Was sollen wir tun? Dieser Mensch tut viele Zeichen. Wenn wir ihn gewähren lassen, werden alle an ihn glauben. Dann werden die Römer kommen und uns die heilige Stätte und das Volk nehmen. Einer von ihnen, Kajaphas, der Hohepriester jenes Jahres, sagte zu ihnen: Ihr versteht nichts. Ihr bedenkt nicht, dass es besser für euch ist, wenn ein einziger Mensch für das Volk stirbt, als wenn das ganze Volk zugrunde geht. Das sagte er nicht aus sich selbst; sondern weil er der Hohepriester jenes Jahres war, sagte er aus prophetischer Eingebung, dass Jesus für das Volk sterben werde. Aber er sollte nicht nur für das Volk sterben, sondern auch, um die versprengten Kinder Gottes wieder zu sammeln. Von diesem Tag an waren sie entschlossen, ihn zu töten. Jesus ging von nun an nicht mehr öffentlich unter den Juden umher, sondern zog sich von dort in die Gegend nahe der Wüste zurück, zu einer Stadt namens Efraim. Dort blieb er mit seinen Jüngern. Das Paschafest der Juden war nahe und viele zogen schon vor dem Pascha-fest aus dem ganzen Land nach Jerusalem hinauf, um sich zu heiligen. Sie suchten Jesus und sagten zueinander, während sie im Tempel zusammen-standen: Was meint ihr? Er wird wohl kaum zum Fest kommen. Die Hohe-priester und die Pharisäer hatten nämlich angeordnet, wenn jemand wisse, wo er sich aufhält, solle er es melden, damit sie ihn festnehmen könnten. (© Ständige Kommission für die Herausgabe der gemeinsamen liturgischen Bücher im deutschen Sprachgebiet)

 13 And the pasch of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.Et prope erat Pascha Judaeorum, et ascendit Jesus Jerosolymam : 14 And he found in the temple them that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting.et invenit in templo vendentes boves, et oves, et columbas, et numularios sedentes. 15 And when he had made, as it were, a scourge of little cords, he drove them all out of the temple, the sheep also and the oxen, and the money of the changers he poured out, and the tables he overthrew.Et cum fecisset quasi flagellum de funiculis, omnes ejecit de templo, oves quoque, et boves, et numulariorum effudit aes, et mensas subvertit. 16 And to them that sold doves he said: Take these things hence, and make not the house of my Father a house of traffic.Et his qui columbas vendebant, dixit : Auferte ista hinc, et nolite facere domum patris mei, domum negotiationis. 17 And his disciples remembered, that it was written: The zeal of thy house hath eaten me up.Recordati sunt vero discipuli ejus quia scriptum est : Zelus domus tuae comedit me. 18 The Jews, therefore, answered, and said to him: What sign dost thou shew unto us, seeing thou dost these things?Responderunt ergo Judaei, et dixerunt ei : Quod signum ostendis nobis, quia haec facis? 19 Jesus answered, and said to them: Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.Respondit Jesus, et dixit eis : Solvite templum hoc, et in tribus diebus excitabo illud. 20 The Jews then said: Six and forty years was this temple in building; and wilt thou raise it up in three days?Dixerunt ergo Judaei : Quadraginta et sex annis aedificatum est templum hoc, et tu in tribus diebus excitabis illud? 21 But he spoke of the temple of his body.Ille autem dicebat de templo corporis sui. 22 When therefore he was risen again from the dead, his disciples remembered, that he had said this, and they believed the scripture, and the word that Jesus had said.Cum ergo resurrexisset a mortuis, recordati sunt discipuli ejus, quia hoc dicebat, et crediderunt scripturae et sermoni quem dixit Jesus. 23 Now when he was at Jerusalem, at the pasch, upon the festival day, many believed in his name, seeing his signs which he did.Cum autem esset Jerosolymis in Pascha in die festo, multi crediderunt in nomine ejus, videntes signa ejus, quae faciebat. 24 But Jesus did not trust himself unto them, for that he knew all men,Ipse autem Jesus non credebat semetipsum eis, eo quod ipse nosset omnes, 25 And because he needed not that any should give testimony of man: for he knew what was in man.et quia opus ei non erat ut quis testimonium perhiberet de homine : ipse enim sciebat quid esset in homine.

 1 After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is that of Tiberias.Post haec abiit Jesus trans mare Galilaeae, quod est Tiberiadis : 2 And a great multitude followed him, because they saw the miracles which he did on them that were diseased.et sequebatur eum multitudo magna, quia videbant signa quae faciebat super his qui infirmabantur. 3 Jesus therefore went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.Subiit ergo in montem Jesus et ibi sedebat cum discipulis suis. 4 Now the pasch, the festival day of the Jews, was near at hand.Erat autem proximum Pascha dies festus Judaeorum. 5 When Jesus therefore had lifted up his eyes, and seen that a very great multitude cometh to him, he said to Philip: Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?Cum sublevasset ergo oculos Jesus, et vidisset quia multitudo maxima venit ad eum, dixit ad Philippum : Unde ememus panes, ut manducent hi? 6 And this he said to try him; for he himself knew what he would do.Hoc autem dicebat tentans eum : ipse enim sciebat quid esset facturus. 7 Philip answered him: Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one may take a little.Respondit ei Philippus : Ducentorum denariorum panes non sufficiunt eis, ut unusquisque modicum quid accipiat. 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, saith to him:Dicit ei unus ex discipulis ejus, Andreas, frater Simonis Petri : 9 There is a boy here that hath five barley loaves, and two fishes; but what are these among so many?Est puer unus hic qui habet quinque panes hordeaceos et duos pisces : sed haec quid sunt inter tantos? 10 Then Jesus said: Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. The men therefore sat down, in number about five thousand.Dixit ergo Jesus : Facite homines discumbere. Erat autem foenum multum in loco. Discumberunt ergo viri, numero quasi quinque millia. 11 And Jesus took the loaves: and when he had given thanks, he distributed to them that were set down. In like manner also of the fishes, as much as they would.Accepit ergo Jesus panes : et cum gratias egisset, distribuit discumbentibus : similiter et ex piscibus quantum volebant. 12 And when they were filled, he said to his disciples: Gather up the fragments that remain, lest they be lost.Ut autem impleti sunt, dixit discipulis suis : Colligite quae superaverunt fragmenta, ne pereant. 13 They gathered up therefore, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above to them that had eaten.Collegerunt ergo, et impleverunt duodecim cophinos fragmentorum ex quinque panibus hordeaceis, quae superfuerunt his qui manducaverant. 14 Now those men, when they had seen what a miracle Jesus had done, said: This is of a truth the prophet, that is to come into the world.Illi ergo homines cum vidissent quod Jesus fecerat signum, dicebant : Quia hic est vere propheta, qui venturus est in mundum. 15 Jesus therefore, when he knew that they would come to take him by force, and make him king, fled again into the mountain himself alone.Jesus ergo cum cognovisset quia venturi essent ut raperent eum, et facerent eum regem, fugit iterum in montem ipse solus.

Unfazed by technical difficulties, Fr. Evan takes questions on the ethics of intimacy within marriage, the finer points of the Prayer of St. Ephraim, Lenten fasting rules, and the theology of creation as we continue our shared journey to Pascha.

In case you have somehow not noticed, Great Lent begins a week from tomorrow. On this Sunday of the Last Judgment, the Church reminds us that the point of the upcoming season of repentance is not the keeping of religious rules or the performance of any form of piety as an end in itself. Our vocation in Lent is, instead, to open our souls to the healing mercy of the Lord so that we may enter more fully into His victory over sin and death at Pascha. The ultimate test of whether we will do so this Lent is not simply a matter of how strictly we fast, how many services we attend, or how much money we give to the poor. It is, instead, whether we will unite ourselves to Christ such that His love permeates every dimension of our character to the point that we treat our neighbors as He treats us.

Join us as we kick off our powerful Easter series "Pascha" - an eye-opening journey through Jesus' final week. This first message explores the dramatic shift from crowds shouting "Hosanna!" to demanding "Crucify Him!" just days later.What changed? And more importantly, what does this reveal about our relationship with Jesus today? Whether you're spiritually curious or a long-time believer, this message will challenge you to examine what you ask of Jesus in your life.CONNECT WITH US:→ Request Prayer: https://bit.ly/3zMyf5E→ Request Care: https://bit.ly/3fBTX5G→ Share a Testimony: https://bit.ly/3Jo7Ped→ Find Events and More: https://bit.ly/3TcrkcR→ Leave us a Review on Google: https://bit.ly/47925jP→ Plan a Visit in Person: https://bit.ly/3sfQdg7FOLLOW US:→ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/illuminatec...→ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@illuminate_ch...→ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/illuminatech...WE HELP PEOPLE FIND ABUNDANT LIFE IN JESUS!

What if the sacred rhythms of ancient liturgy could transform your spiritual journey today? Join us as we explore the profound convergence of Orthodox liturgical events, examining the unique overlap of the leave-taking of the Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple with the onset of the Triodion period. This episode promises to unravel the rich traditions and significance of the Triodion book in pre-Lenten preparations, highlighting the rare alignment of the Feast of Pascha with Western Easter celebrations. Discover the intricate beauty of Orthodox liturgical practices, with insights into diverse hymn and service variations drawn from the tipikons of St. Sava and the Great Church of Christ.Our conversation delves into the heart of Christ's humility and obedience to the law, presenting Him as the ultimate exemplar for humanity. We reflect on how Jesus' incarnation sanctifies and fulfills the law, teaching us that true holiness transcends rule-following and rests in our dependence on God, aided by the Holy Spirit. This episode serves as a caution against falling into the trap of modern-day Pharisaism, encouraging listeners to live as beacons of light in the world. Through the lens of the Gospel of Luke, we emphasize the transformative power of living a life that rises above mere adherence to rules.Central to our discussion is humility, as illustrated in the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican. This episode encourages embracing humility, echoing Jesus' example of setting aside His glory. The spiritual practice of prostrations during Great Lent represents a physical acknowledgment of our need for God's mercy. By focusing on self-examination and mercy, we aim to inspire listeners to offer their humble repentance as a gift to God and their community. As we celebrate the interconnectedness of faith, the role of the Virgin Mary, and the mystery of Christ's incarnation, this episode reinforces the journey towards spiritual growth and the eternal kingdom of God.00:00:00Feasting and Liturgical Convergence00:04:44Fulfillment of the Law and Purpose00:10:21Humbling Ourselves Before God00:21:15Humbling Ourselves Before God's GloryThank you for journeying w/ the Saints with us!

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"Saint Seraphim was born in the town of Kursk in 1759. From tender childhood he was under the protection of the most holy Mother of God, who, when he was nine years old, appeared to him in a vision, and through her icon of Kursk, healed him from a grave sickness from which he had not been expected to recover. At the age of nineteen he entered the monastery of Sarov, where he amazed all with his obedience, his lofty asceticism, and his great humility. In 1780 the Saint was stricken with a sickness which he manfully endured for three years, until our Lady the Theotokos healed him, appearing to him with the Apostles Peter and John. He was tonsured a monk in 1786, being named for the holy Hieromartyr Seraphim, Bishop of Phanarion (Dec. 4), and was ordained deacon a year later. In his unquenchable love for God, he continually added labours to labours, increasing in virtue and prayer with titan strides. Once, during the Divine Liturgy of Holy and Great Thursday he was counted worthy of a vision of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who appeared encompassed by the heavenly hosts. After this dread vision, he gave himself over to greater labours.   "In 1794, Saint Seraphim took up the solitary life in a cell in the forest. This period of extreme asceticism lasted some fifteen years, until 1810. It was at this time that he took upon himself one of the greatest feats of his life. Assailed with despondency and a storm of contrary thoughts raised by the enemy of our salvation, the Saint passed a thousand nights on a rock, continuing in prayer until God gave him complete victory over the enemy. On another occasion, he was assaulted by robbers, who broke his chest and his head with their blows, leaving him almost dead. Here again, he began to recover after an appearance of the most Holy Theotokos, who came to him with the Apostles Peter and John, and pointing to Saint Seraphim, uttered these awesome words, 'This is one of my kind.'   "In 1810, at the age of fifty, weakened by his more than human struggles, Saint Seraphim returned to the monastery for the third part of his ascetical labours, in which he lived as a recluse, until 1825. For the first five years of his reclusion, he spoke to no one at all, and little is known of this period. After five years, he began receiving visitors little by little, giving counsel and consolation to ailing souls. In 1825, the most holy Theotokos appeared to the Saint and revealed to him that it was pleasing to God that he fully end his reclusion; from this time the number of people who came to see him grew daily. It was also at the command of the holy Virgin that he undertook the spiritual direction of the Diveyevo Convent. He healed bodily ailments, foretold things to come, brought hardened sinners to repentance, and saw clearly the secrets of the heart of those who came to him. Through his utter humility and childlike simplicity, his unrivalled ascetical travails, and his angel-like love for God, he ascended to the holiness and greatness of the ancient God-bearing Fathers and became, like Anthony for Egypt, the physician for the whole Russian land. In all, the most holy Theotokos appeared to him twelve times in his life. The last was on Annunciation, 1831, to announce to him that he would soon enter into his rest. She appeared to him accompanied by twelve virgins martyrs and monastic saints with Saint John the Baptist and Saint John the Theologian. With a body ailing and broken from innumerable hardships, and an unspotted soul shining with the light of Heaven, the Saint lived less than two years after this, falling asleep in peace on January 2, 1833, chanting Paschal hymns. On the night of his repose, the righteous Philaret of the Glinsk Hermitage beheld his soul ascending to Heaven in light. Because of the universal testimony to the singular holiness of his life, and the seas of miracles that he performed both in life and after death, his veneration quickly spread beyond the boundaries of the Russian Empire to every corner of the earth. See also July 19." (Great Horologion)   July 19 is the commemoration of the uncovering of St Seraphim's holy relics, which was attended by Tsar Nicholas II.   Saint Seraphim's life became a perpetual celebration of Pascha: in his later years he dressed in a white garment, greeted everyone, regardless of the season, with "Christ is Risen!" and chanted the Pascha service every day of the year

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