What do you get when

... you superimpose the [Shroud of Turin] with the [Mt Sinai icon of Christ]?

Today, He hangs upon the Cross

Holy Thursday

The Passion 

Lamentation in Arabic

by Fadi El-Hage

Hattip: NOCTOC

Today He who hung the earth upon the waters is hung upon the Cross.

Today He who hung the earth upon the waters is hung upon the Cross.

Today He who hung the earth upon the waters is hung upon the Cross.

He who is King of the angels is arrayed in a crown of thorns.

He who wraps the heaven in clouds is wrapped in the purple of mockery.

He who in Jordan set Adam free receives blows upon his face.

The Bridegroom of the Church 

is affixed to the cross with nails.

The Son of the Virgin is pierced by a spear

We venerate Thy Passion, O Christ.

We venerate Thy Passion, O Christ.

We venerate Thy Passion, O Christ.

Show us also Thy glorious Resurrection.

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Pause for a moment ...

and remember His Mother. This year, Lent started on the same day that we commemorate the Softener of Evil Hearts icon (Feb 02/15). This week it is not just Christ who suffers His passion - according to the prophecy of St Symeon, Our Mother, the Mother of Our Lrd, was to experience . Below is my dedication to Our Mother and her Child, Our Lord. Let's pause and reflect over the Life of Christ through His mother's eyes and see why the Passion is also her passion; a personal interpretation of the Akathist dedicated to this icon:

 + + +

Softener of evil hearts icon. FD: Feb 02/15

Soften our evil hearts, O Theotokos, and quench the attacks of those who hate us and loose all straitness of our soul. For looking on thy holy icon we are filled with compunction by thy suffering and loving-kindness for us and we kiss thy wounds; we are filled with horror for the darts with which we wound thee. Let us not, O Mother of Compassion, according to the cruelty of our hearts, perish from the cruelty of heart of those near us, For thou art in truth the Softener of Evil Hearts.

Silent tears

We cry out with heartfelt emotion to the chosen Virgin Mary, far nobler than all the daughters of the earth, Mother of the Son of God, Who gave salvation to the world: Look at our life which is filled with every sorrow and remember the sorrow and pain which thou didst suffer as one born on earth with us, and do with us according to thy merciful heart, that we may cry unto thee:

Rejoice, much-sorrowing Mother of God, turn our sorrows into joy and soften the hearts of evil men!

An angel announced the birth of the Saviour of the world to the shepherds in Bethlehem and with the multitude of the heavenly hosts praised God, singing: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will among men!” But thou, O Mother of God, having nowhere to lay thy head, since there was no room in the inn, gave birth to thy first-born Son in a cave and, wrapping Him in swaddling clothes, laid Him in a manger.

Correggio, Nativity - Holy Night

Knowing the pain in thy heart, we cry out to thee:

Rejoice, for thou wast warmed by the breath of thine own beloved Son!
Rejoice, for thou didst wrap the eternal Child in swaddling clothes!
Rejoice, for thou didst nourish with thy milk the One who sustaineth the universe!
Rejoice, for thou didst turn a cave into a heaven!
Rejoice, for thou didst make thy throne upon the Cherubim!
Rejoice, for thou didst remain a virgin both in giving birth and after birth!

Rejoice, much-sorrowing Mother of God, turn our sorrows into joy and soften the hearts of evil men!

Circumcision of Christ, Jan 1

Seeing the eternal Child swaddled and lying in a manger, the shepherds of Bethlehem came to worship Him and to relate that which the Angels told them about the Child. But Mary kept all these things in her heart. And after eight days had passed Jesus was circumcised, according to the law of Israel, as a man. Hymning thy humility and patience, O Theotokos, we sing to the Good God Eternal: Alleluia!


Meeting Simeon and Anna in the temple (Luke 2:21-38)

Having their understanding based on God and keeping the Law of the Lord, on the fortieth day when the days of purification were complete, His parents took Jesus to Jerusalem so that they could present Him before the Lord and offer sacrifice for Him according to the decree in the Law of the Lord. But we sing out to thee, O Theotokos, thus:

Rejoice, for thou didst take the Creator of the universe to the Temple in Jerusalem to fulfill the Law!
Rejoice, for thou didst there meet the Elder Simeon with joy!
Rejoice, thou only Pure and blessed one among women!
Rejoice, for with humility Thou didst carry thy cross adorned with sorrows!
Rejoice, for thou didst never disobey the will of God!
Rejoice, for thou didst reveal thyself as a model of patience and humility!

Rejoice, much-sorrowing Mother of God, turn our sorrows into joy and soften the hearts of evil men!

The Presentation of Christ to the Temple, Feb 2

Thou wast strengthened with power from on high, O Mother of God, when thou dist hear the words of the Elder Simeon, when he said to thee: "Behold, this Child is destined to be the rise and fall of many in Israel. This is a sign which will be spoken against, and a sword will pierce thy very soul so that the thoughts of many may be revealed." And great sorrow entered the heart of the Theotokos, and with grief she cried out to God: Alleluia!

Matthew 2:7-15 The Flight into Egypt

Hastening to destroy the Child, Herod ordered the killing of all children in Bethlehem and its environs, from two years of age and under according to the time that he determined from the Magi. And behold, according to the command of God, the Elder Joseph was informed by an angel in a dream to flee with the Holy Family to Egypt and to remain there until the death of Herod. Therefore with compunction, we cry out to thee, O Theotokos:

Rejoice for thou didst bear the entire turmoil of exile!
Rejoice for all the idols fell in the land of Egypt not being able to endure the power of thy Son!
Rejoice for thou didst remain for seven years among the dishonorable pagans!
Rejoice, for thou didst arrive in Nazareth with the first-born Youth and with thy betrothed!
Rejoice, for thou didst live with the Elder Joseph the carpenter in poverty!
Rejoice, for thou didst spend all thy time in hard labors!

Rejoice, much-sorrowing Mother of God, turn our sorrows into joy and soften our hearts and those of evil men!


A storm of sorrows whirled about the most pure Mother when they returned from Jerusalem, not finding the young man Jesus in the caravan. For this reason they returned to look for Him, and after three days they found Him in the Temple, sitting among the teachers listening to them and asking them questions. And His Mother asked Him, “Child, why hast Thou done this to us? Behold, Thy father and I suffered greatly looking for Thee.” And Jesus answered them, ” Why were ye looking for Me? Do ye not know about those things which My Father has entrusted unto Me?” And Thou, O Most Pure One, kept all these sayings in Thy heart, crying out to God: Alleluia!


Christ and the Storm in Galilee

The Mother of God heard that Jesus traveled through all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom and healing all kinds of illness and infirmity among the people. And His reputation spread through all of Syria and they brought Him every kind of illness and the suffering and those tormented by demons and the paralyzed and He healed them. But thou, O Mother of God, knowing the prophecy, sorrowed in thy heart, knowing that very soon the time would come when Thy Son would present Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. For this reason we bless thee, much-sorrowing Mother of God, crying out:

Rejoice, for thou didst give thy Son to the service of the Jewish people!
Rejoice, for thou didst sorrow in thy heart, but didst submit to the will of God!
Rejoice, for thou didst save the world from the deluge of sin!
Rejoice for thou didst crush the head of the ancient serpent!
Rejoice, for thou didst offer thyself as a living sacrifice to God!
Rejoice, O blessed one, the Lord is with Thee!

Rejoice, much-sorrowing Mother of God, turn our sorrows into joy and soften the hearts of evil men!

Preaching the Kingdom of God on earth, Jesus exposed the arrogance of the Pharisees who imagined themselves to be righteous. So when they heard His parables they understood it was about themselves that He was speaking and they sought to arrest Him, but they feared the people who considered Him to be a prophet. Seeing all of this, the Mother of God sorrowed for her beloved Son and feared that they would kill Him, in affliction crying out: Alleluia!

Some of the Jews, seeing the resurrection of Lazarus, went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. And Caiaphas, who was the high priest that year, said, “It will be better for us that one man die for the people, so that the whole nation would not perish.” From that day on they took counsel about how they would kill Him. But we cry out to thee, O Most Pure One:

Rejoice, thou who gavest birth to the Saviour of the world!
Rejoice, source of our salvation!
Rejoice, for thou wast chosen from birth to be the Mother of our Saviour!
Rejoice, Mother of God, destined for suffering!
Rejoice, O blessed one, who dost preside as Queen of Heaven!
Rejoice, O blessed one, thou who always prays for us!

Rejoice, much-sorrowing Mother of God, turn our sorrows into joy and soften the hearts of evil men!

Once a preacher of the Word of God, and now a traitor, Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve apostles, went to the high priest to betray his Teacher. They listened to him, were exceedingly pleased and promised to give him thirty pieces of silver. But thou, O Mother of God, didst sorrow for thy beloved Son, and didst cry out in grief to God: Alleluia!

Taking part in the Last Supper with the disciples at which the Teacher washed their feet, thereby revealing an example of humility, Christ said to them, “One of you will betray Me.” But we, suffering with the Mother of God, cry out to Her:

Rejoice, Mother of God, languishing with the torture of thy heart!
Rejoice, Thou who didst suffer all in this most sorrowful vale!
Rejoice, Thou who didst find comfort in prayer!
Rejoice, joy of all who sorrow!
Rejoice, Thou who dost save us from the mire of sin!
Rejoice, vessel filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit!

Rejoice, much- sorrowing Mother of God, turn our sorrows into joy and soften the hearts of evil men!

Desiring to show His love for the human race, the Lord Jesus Christ at the Mystical Supper, blessed and broke bread, and gave it to His disciples and apostles, saying: “Take, eat, this is My Body.” And taking the chalice and giving praise gave it to them saying: “All of you drink of this, this is My Blood of the New Covenant which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” Thanking the compassionate God for His ineffable mercy to us, we sing to Him: Alleluia!

October 1: Russian icon of the Protection (Pokrov)

The Lord revealed a new sign of His mercy to His disciples when He promised to send them the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, Who would descend from the Father and would witness concerning Him. But to thee, O Mother of God, sanctified again on the day of Pentecost by the Holy Spirit, we cry:

Rejoice, mansion of the Holy Spirit!
Rejoice, brilliantly-illuminated bridal chamber!
Rejoice, spacious dwelling place of God the Word!
Rejoice, thou who didst open for us the gates of paradise by Thy giving of birth!
Rejoice, thou who didst reveal the sign of divine mercy Himself to us!

Rejoice, much-sorrowing Mother of God, turn our sorrows into joy and soften the hearts of evil men!


Betrayal of Christ

It is at once very strange and sorrowful for us to hear how Judas Iscariot betrayed his Teacher and Lord with a kiss. Then the crowd and the commander and the servants of the Jews arrested Jesus, and bound Him, and led Him first to the chief priest Ananias, and then to the high priest Caiaphas. But thou, O Mother of God, expecting the death sentence for thy beloved Son, cried out to God: Alleluia!

All of the Jews led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium to Pilate, saying that He was a criminal. But Pilate, after questioning Him, told them that he could not find any fault at all in Him. But we cry out to thee with compunction, O Mother of God, who saw the slander of Thy Son:



Rejoice, thou whose heart was broken by woe!
Rejoice, for thou didst shed tears for thy Son!
Rejoice, thou who didst see thy beloved Child given over to trial!
Rejoice, for thou didst suffer everything without complaint like a true handmaiden of the Lord!
Rejoice, despite thy weeping and lamentation!
Rejoice, O Queen of Heaven and earth, who dost accept the prayers of thy servants!



Rejoice, much-sorrowing Mother of God, turn our sorrows into joy and soften the hearts of evil men!

Procession of saints: mosaic in the Basilica of San Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna

All generations bless thee, who art more honorable than the Cherubim and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, our Lady and the Mother of our Redeemer, for thy birth-giving has brought joy to the whole world. But thou didst suffer the final great sorrow when thou saw thy beloved Son insulted, whipped, and sentenced to death. For this reason we present our heartfelt hymn to thee, O Most Pure One, singing to God Almighty: Alleluia!

Loquacious orators are not able to describe all of the suffering which Thou endured, our Saviour, such as when the soldiers placed a crown woven out of thorns on Thy head and dressed Thee in a purple robe, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and slapped Thee across the face. But we, Mother of God, recognizing thy suffering, cry out to thee:

Rejoice, thou who didst behold thy Son slain for our sake!
Rejoice, seeing Him dressed in purple and wearing a crown of thorns!
Rejoice, seeing Him tortured, whom thou didst nourish with thy milk!
Rejoice, thou who didst suffer His Passion together with Him!
Rejoice, thou who didst watch all His disciples forsake Him!
Rejoice, thou who didst see Him condemned by the judgement of the unrighteous!

Rejoice, much-sorrowing Mother of God, turn our sorrows into joy and soften the hearts of evil men!

Wanting to save Jesus, Pilate said to the Jews, “We have a custom to release a prisoner on the feast of Passover. Do you want me to give you the King of the Jews?” All of them shouted, saying, “Not Him, but Barabbas!” We praise the great mercy of the Heavenly Father, Who so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son to death on the Cross in order to redeem us from eternal death, as we cry out to Him: Alleluia!

 Be a wall and a fortification unto us, O Lady, who are overburdened by sorrows and suffering. For thou thyself didst suffer hearing the Jews shouting, “Crucify, crucify Him!” Now hear us crying out unto thee: Rejoice, Mother of mercy, who wipest away every tear from those who suffer cruelly!

Rejoice, thou who grandest us tears of heartfelt compunction!
Rejoice, thou who savest lost sinners!
Rejoice, Protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame!
Rejoice, thou who savest us from our passions!
Rejoice, thou who grandest comfort to broken hearts!

Rejoice, much-sorrowing Mother of God, turn our sorrows into joy and soften the hearts of evil men!

We offer a hymn of heartfelt sorrow to the Saviour of the world for His voluntary Passion and carrying His Cross to Golgotha to be crucified. Standing at Jesus’ Cross are His Mother, Mary Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene. But Jesus, seeing His Mother and His disciple whom He loved standing there, said to His disciple, “Behold thy mother!” And from that time the disciple took her into his family. But thou, O Mother of God, seeing Thy Son and Lord on the Cross was devastated, and cried out to God on high: Alleluia!

“O my Son and Pre-eternal God, Fashioner of all creation! O Lord, how canst Thou endure the suffering on the Cross?” the pure Virgin cried, saying: “By Thy awesome birth, O my Son, I have been exalted above all mothers, but woe is me! Now when I see Thee, my womb burns within me.” 

But we shed tears remembering thee, and cry out to thee:

Rejoice, thou who was deprived of joy and merriment!
Rejoice, thou who didst see the voluntary passion of thy Son on the Cross!
Rejoice, thou who didst see thy beloved Son sore wounded!
Rejoice, ewe lamb, seeing thy Son as a lamb being led to slaughter!
Rejoice, thou who didst see the Deliverer of the wounds of soul and body covered with wounds!
Rejoice, thou who didst see thy Son rise from the dead!

Rejoice, much-sorrowing Mother of God, turn our sorrows into joy and soften the hearts of evil men!

O All-merciful Saviour, grant us mercy, breathing out Thy Spirit on the Cross and tearing up the handwriting of our sins. “Behold, my good Light, my God, is extinguished on the Cross!” the Virgin in great anguish exclaimed. “O Joseph, hasten to Pilate, approach him and ask him to take thy Teacher down from the Cross.” “Seeing Thy wounded Body, naked and without glory, on the Cross, O my Child, a sword has pierced my soul according to the prophecy of the Elder Simeon,” said the Mother of God, singing: Alleluia!

Hymning Thy mercifulness, O Lover of mankind, we bow down to Thy generous mercy, O Master. The Most Pure one said, “Wishing to save Thy creature, thou hast given Thyself over to death.” But by Thy resurrection, O Saviour, have mercy on all of us, while we address Thy most pure Mother:

Rejoice, thou who didst see the most good Lord dead and without breath!
Rejoice, thou who didst kiss the body of thy beloved Son!
Rejoice, thou who didst see thy Light as a naked and wounded corpse!
Rejoice, thou who didst place the Light of the world in the tomb!
Rejoice, thou who didst wrap His body in a new shroud!
Rejoice, thou who beheld His Resurrection from the dead!

Rejoice, much-sorrowing Mother of God, turn our sorrows into joy and soften the hearts of evil men!

Final Kontakion recited three times:
O All-hymned Mother, crushed by thy sorrow at the Cross of thy Son and God, accept our tears and expressions of sorrow and save from every sorrow, affliction, and eternal death, all those who hope in thine ineffable kindheartedness and cry out to God: Alleluia!

Holy Icon of Theotokos Threnody, Panagia "Thrinodousa"
c. 1860-1880, Deacon Ioasaf Athonites (died 1880), at the Holy Chapel of Theotokos Threnody in Olynthos, Halkidiki.

Repeat Oikos and Kontakion I:
 An angel announced the birth of the Saviour of the world to the shepherds in Bethlehem and with the multitude of the heavenly hosts praised God, singing: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will among men!” But thou, O Mother of God, having nowhere to lay thy head, since there was no room in the inn, gave birth to thy first-born Son in a cave and, wrapping Him in swaddling clothes, laid Him in a manger. Knowing the pain in thy heart, we cry out to thee:

Rejoice, for thou wast warmed by the breath of thine own beloved Son!
Rejoice, for thou didst wrap the eternal Child in swaddling clothes!
Rejoice, for thou didst nourish with thy milk the One who sustaineth the universe!
Rejoice, for thou didst turn a cave into a heaven!
Rejoice, for thou didst make thy throne upon the Cherubim!
Rejoice, for thou didst remain a virgin both in giving birth and after birth!

Rejoice, much-sorrowing Mother of God, turn our sorrows into joy and soften the hearts of evil men!

Final Prayer to the Most Holy Mother of God “The Softener of Evil Hearts”

O much sorrowing Mother of God, more highly exalted than all other maidens, according to thy purity and the multitude of thy suffering endured by thee on earth: Hearken to our sighs and soften the hearts of evil men, and protect us under the shelter of thy mercy. For we know no other refuge and ardent intercessor apart from thee, but as thou hast great boldness before the One who was born of thee, help and save us by thy prayers, that without offence we may attain the Heavenly Kingdom where, with all the saints, we will sing the thrice-holy hymn to One God Almighty in the Trinity, always now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Hush, for God is here ...

Enter this door
As if the floor
Within were gold,
And every wall
of jewels all
of wealth untold;
As if a choir
in robes of fire
were singing here;

Nor shout, nor rush,

But hush...
For God is here.

 

Engraved on the doors
of some old churches
of the Church of England

Make haste then and be ready ...

Holy Tuesday
Matthew 22:15-46; 23:1-39; Matthew 24:36-51; 25:1-46; 26:1-2

- Make haste then and be ready -

 

What return can we make
for all this, brethren?

Let us be attentive to ourselves
and not despise his sufferings.


Draw near all of you,
children of the Church,
bought with the precious
and holy blood
of the most pure Master.

Come, let us meditate
on his sufferings with tears,
thinking on fear,
meditating with trembling,
saying to ourselves,

‘Christ our Saviour
for us the impious
was given over to death’.


Learn well, brother,
what it is you hear:
God who is without sin,
Son of the Most High,
for you was given up.


Open your heart,
learn in detail
his sufferings
and say to yourself:

God who is without sin
today was given up,
today was mocked,
today was abused,
today was struck,
today was scourged,
today wore
a crown of thorns,
today was crucified,

HE

the heavenly Lamb.
 

Your heart will tremble,
your soul will shudder.

Shed tears every day
by this meditation
on the Master’s sufferings.

Tears become sweet,
the soul is enlightened
that always meditates
on Christ’s sufferings.

Hattip: Discourse on the Passion of the Savior by St. Ephraim the Syrian from the Preachers Institute.

The Holy Passion of Our Saviour begins today ...

Holy Monday

Matthew 21:14-43; Matthew 24:3-35

Do not neglect your talent:

"may [God] increase"

Joseph means may [God] increase.

Having realised, O my soul, the hour of the end, and remembering the cutting down of the fig tree, work therefore most diligently, O wretched soul, with the talent, which was given to you, in vigilance and crying aloud:

"May we not remain outside the Bridal Chamber of Christ".

Why are You heedless, O my miserable soul? All have received equal Grace from God; increase accordingly the talent given to you with the help of Christ, singing:

"All the works of the Lord, bless the Lord."

Oh my soul, you have heard the condemnation of him, who hid his talent; likewise, do not hide away the word of God. Proclaim his wonders, so that, abounding in grace, You may enter into the joy of Your Lord.

May thy lamp shine brightly, O my soul; and like the lamps of the five virgins, may it overflow with the oil of compassion; and so thou shalt find open before thee the door of Christ's bridal chamber.

Since I, 

O Bridegroom Christ, 

have permitted my soul to slumber in indolence, I do not possess the flaming lamp of virtues; and like the foolish virgins, I wander, when it is the time for work. 

O Master, 

do not close for me Your heart of compassion; but awaken me, shaking off my darkening sleep, and bringing me in with the prudent Virgins to Your Bridal Chamber, where there is the clarity of song, from those who feast, and unceasingly cry out:

"O Lord, Glory to You."

Make haste, my soul, thy Master shall be swift as the lightning that shines across the heaven. 

Make haste, then, and be ready.

Behold, O Nymfios ...

As the Lord was going to his voluntary passion,
He said to the apostles on the way:

Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, 

and the son of man shall be delivered up, 

as it is written of him.

Come, therefore, let us also go with him, purified in mind.
Let us be crucified with him and die through him
To the pleasures of this life.
Then we shall live with him and hear him say:

I go no more to the earthly Jerusalem to suffer,
But to my Father and your Father,
To my God and your God.
I shall raise you up to the Jerusalem on high, 
In the kingdom of heaven.

We have reached the saving passion of Christ our God.
Let us, the faithful, glorify his ineffable forbearance,
That in his compassion he may raise us up who were dead in sin, For he is good and loves mankind.

Going to your passion, o Lord,
You took your disciples aside and reassured them:

How have you forgotten the words that I once spoke?
Is it not written:
A prophet cannot be killed but in Jerusalem?
Now is the time of which I told you.
Behold, I am betrayed into the hands of sinners to be mocked.
They will nail me to the cross, and deliver me up to burial,
Regarding me, as a dead man, a thing of loathing.
Yet, take courage, for I will arise on the third day,
Giving to the faithful joy and life everlasting!

The Lord praised by children

PALM SUNDAY

Philippians 4:4-9; John 12:1-18

O Immortal Lord, 

Thou has bound hell, slain death, and raised the world:

therefore the children, carrying palms,

sing praise to Thee as Victor, O Christ,

and they cry aloud to Thee this day:

"Hosanna to the Son of David!

"For no more," say they,

"shall the little children be slain because of Mary's child;

 but Thou alone art crucified for all, both young and old.

No more shall the sword be drawn against us,

for Thy side is pierced by a spear.

With great rejoicing, then, we cry:

Blessed art Thou that comest to call back Adam."

-- Ikos from Palm Sunday Matins.

"Let the children come to Me,"

exclaims the Son of the Virgin,

and only children come to Him (cf. Mk 10:13-16)

When you hear sung in the psalms, "Praise the Lord, ye children", do not imagine that the exhortation does not pertain to you because you have already passed your youth and you are either blooming in the prime of adulthood, or growing gray with honours of old age. For to you the Apostle says, "Brethren, be not children in understanding; howbeit, in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men" (cf. Cor 14:20; Mt. 18:3).

What malice in particular except pride? For it is pride that, presuming to false greatness, does not suffer man to walk along the narrow path, and to enter by the narrow gate. The child easily enters through the narrow entrance, and so no man, except as a child, enters into the kingdom of heaven ...

"Blessed be the name of the Lord from henceforth and for evermore"

If any of the holy children who praise the name of the Lord were to ask of me and say to me "for evermore" I understand to mean unto all eternity, but why 'from henceforth' and why is the name of the Lord not blessed before this and before all ages, I would not answer in contempt.

... Let the Name of the Lord be blessed, 'from henceforth', that is, from the moment you speak these words. For you begin to praise, but you praise without end ... Or, since in this passage he seems to signify humility rather than childhood, the contrary of which is the vain and false greatness of pride, and for this reason none but children praise the Lord -- since the proud do not know how to praise Him -- let your old age be childlike old age. Neither may your wisdom be with pride, nor your humility without wisdom ...

Wherever the Church of Christ is diffused in her childlike saints ... 'from the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the name of the Lord is to be praised'.

-- Blessed Augustine of Hippo, Commentary on Psalm 112

"Why children, O Lord, why do You seek children?" those who are made and not born ask the One who was begotten and not made. Such people are made and not born, like statues of stones, and they are moved by the winds of the world. But the One who is begotten and not made moves with life within, and the winds of the world flee from Him ...

Only children recognise Me,

for I too am a child.

As a child I am not My own, and as a child I do not seek glory for Myself. As a child I do not think anything on My own, I do not speak anything on My own, and I do not do anything on My own. Instead, like a child, I think what My Father taught Me, and I speak what I hear, and I do what I see (cf. Jn 5:19-23,30,43) ...

Children and Saints cling to You,

O Lord, the rest rebel against You.

-- St Nikolai Velimirovich, Prayers By the Lake, LXXVII and XCV.

The Sessional Hymn from Palm Sunday Matins:

With our souls cleansed

and in spirit carrying branches,

with faith let us sing Christ's praises

like the children,

crying with a loud voice to the Master:

Blessed art Thou, O Saviour,

who has come into the world to save Adam from the ancient curse;

and in Thy love for mankind

Thou hast been pleased to become spiritually the new Adam.

O Word, who hast ordered all things for our good, glory to Thee.

... that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that if possible 1 may attain the resurrection from the dead

-- (Philippians 3:10-11).

Jesus Wept

LAZARUS SATURDAY

Hebrews 12:28-13:8; John 11:1-45

O Christ God,

By raising Lazarus from the dead before Your passion,

You did confirm the universal Resurrection, O Christ God!

Like the children with the palms of victory,

We cry out to You, O Vanquisher of death;

Hosanna in the Highest!

Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord!

-- Troparion of the Saturday of St. Lazarus

The Son of David! The King of Israel!

Because of this glorification by the people,

the priests and scribes were finally driven

“to destroy him, to put him to death”

(Lk 19:47; Jn 11:53, 12:10).

AND “Jesus wept”

To prove His human nature, (He) weeps in silence, and defers the miracle for the present. For since that miracle was a great one, and such as He seldom wrought and since many were to believe by means of it ... He draws to Him many witnesses by His condescension, and shows proof of His human nature:

"I thank You that You have heard Me."

Who now ever prayed in this manner? This He said not as though He Himself were powerless, but to show that His will and the Father's is one ... This also was a part of His wisdom, to show condescension by words, deeds, by power.
-- St. John Chrysostom, Homilies LXII.

When the Lord cried: 'Lazarus!', the man awoke and lived. The Lord knows the name of each of us. If Adam new the name of each one of God's creatures, how could God not know each of us by name? Oh, sweet and life-giving voice of the only Lover of mankind! That voice can make sons of God out of stones. How can it not wake us from the sleep of sin?
-- Bishop Nikolai Velimirovich. Prolog, 5 February.

Today the grace of the Holy Spirit has gathered us together. Let us all take up Thy cross and say: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!
(First Verse of Vespers).
Then we were buried with Thee in baptism, 0 Christ God, we were made worthy of eternal life by Thy resurrection. Now we praise Thee and sing: Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord!
(Second Troparion).
Sitting on Thy throne in heaven, and carried on a foal on earth, 0 Christ God, accept the praise of angels and the songs of children who sing: BIessed is he who comes to recall Adam!
(Kontakion).

Hosanna!

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!