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Why we fast and mourn? – Photo journal from Vespers of Forgiveness

21 comments
Mar 01 2017

Mourning, according to God, is sadness of soul, and the disposition of a sorrowing heart, which ever madly seeks that for which it thirsts; and when it fails in its quest, it painfully pursues it, and follows in its wake grievously lamenting. Or thus: mourning is a golden spur in a soul which is stripped of all attachment and of all ties, fixed by holy sorrow to watch over the heart.

So, keep a firm hold of the blessed joy-grief of holy compunction, and do not stop working at it until it raises you high above the things of this world and presents you pure to Christ.

Based on St. John of the Ladder

In the following photos you will see candid shots from the Vespers of Forgiveness, a very impressive service held at the beginning of the Great Lent at which everyone as for forgiveness from all the others.

 

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Mourning, according to God, is sadness of soul, and the disposition of a sorrowing heart, which ever madly seeks that for which it thirsts; and when it fails in its quest, it painfully pursues it, and follows in its wake grievously lamenting. Or thus: mourning is a golden spur in a soul which is stripped of all attachment and of all ties, fixed by holy sorrow to watch over the heart. So, keep a firm hold of the blessed joy-grief of holy compunction, and do not stop working at it until it raises you high above the things of this world and presents you pure to Christ. Based on St. John of the Ladder In the following photos you will see candid shots from the Vespers of Forgiveness, a very impressive service held at the beginning of the Great Lent at which everyone as for forgiveness from all the others.

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  • alex

    The joy of communal prayer and Christian love shines out from these shots, thank you so much for sharing them and may God bless you richly during the coming days and weeks of Great Lent.

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      Hi Alex,
      Hope you are fine!
      Do you know about Brother Ioan Toma during these times? Why there are no posting here since 1 March? We know that Brother Ioan Toma is very correct and responsible person, and it can not be having no post here without a notification.
      Thank a lot for your answer.

      • alex

        Hi
        No, I do not know why there has been no postings from Bro. Ioan Toma just recently. I have assumed that there was a problem with the internet server. But, I have been praying that everything is okay and will continue to pray until I hear something. I`m sure that you miss the daily postings…just as I miss them.
        God bless you.
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          Thank you for your kind answer.
          We should pray and hope that everything should be OK soon, just like before, in order to continue reading here excellent very carefully selected Spiritual Lessons, which are helping a lot us in the world.
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            Well, it is now four weeks since the last Spiritual Gift of the Day on this website and just like e.s. who posted five days ago, I miss the daily intake of Christian Spirituality. In this period of Great Lent there is so much we can share and benefit from. Whatever is happening, I am leaving it in God`s hands, imploring Him to give us the opportunity to learn again some of the wonderful and life giving wisdom from The Holy Mountain, which I am looking forward to visiting in May. Mother of God and our Mother, pray for the monks of Mt Athos and for us all.

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            Lucky you Alex to be soon in Mount Athos.
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            I hope you will be also at Vatopaidi monastery.
            If yes, may I ask you something about for the time you will be there please? If it’s not problem for you please send me an e-mail at emss(at)yahoo.co.uk
            Thank you very much in advance for your kind help.
            God bless you forever!

          • Orthodox

            Sorry for the mistake. Please use: emss10(at)yahoo.co.uk
            Thank you for your kind help.

          • alex

            Yes, I certainly will send you an e mail from Mt Athos. Please confirm your e mail address because when I entered emss@yahoo.co.uk in my address book I was told it did not exist! Thank you and God Bless. Alex.

          • Orthodox

            Please send me an e-mail before going in Mt. Athos if it’s not a problem for you. I would like to ask you for doing something when you will be there please.
            Sorry for the mistake. Please use the address emss10(at)yahoo.co.uk
            Thanks a lot in advance and have Blessings always.

  • eduard/j

    Ce simbolizeaza cele 2 prescuri si cele 2 potire mici pe care le poarta parintii in maini? Am vazut in fotografii ca se taie si se imparte parintilor. Apoi fiecare trece prin dreptul potirelor si probabil inmoaie prescura. Va rog sa ne explicati ce semnificatie aceasta randuiala?
    Multumesc frumos!

    • eduard/j

      HRISTOS A INVIAT!!

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        Indeed He is risen!

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