September 1st is the beginning of a new Church year for Byzantines. What are your plans for growing your faith this year? And what does a new year really mean for the church? September 1st: A History of the New Year Dating Beginning of the Indiction, i.e. the Liturgical New Year Nowadays, September 1st seems …
The Beheading of the John the Baptist
The Beheading of the Honourable and Glorious Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John August 29th is the feast of John the Baptist’s beheading. (So next week!) This feast occurs at the close of our church year. Just as the death of John the Baptist occurs as Christ begins His public ministry. The Beheading of John We …
Holy Apostle Matthias – Post Feast of the Transfiguration
Apostle Matthias August 9th we celebrate the Holy Apostle Matthias. Here is some of what we know about him. The Apostle Matthias is of the tribe of Judah. Like Jesus, he was born in Bethlehem. Matthias is one of the original 70 disciples, and so we know he also “walked in Jesus’ footsteps” during the …
Delving into the Dormition Fast with Children
The Dormition Fast begins today (August 1st), and although we have a previous article about it, I thought it was worth digging into again. Prayer and Music For a quick recap, our Guest Post – Dormition Fast article covers honouring the Dormition Fast particularly with prayer. The Badger Dad highlights the Akathist to the Mother …
Catechism at Home
This article is about how we are setting our priorities straight: catechism first! As one school-year draws to a close, and the next school year begins, I am drawn to all the different opportunities for the coming year. Do we need more books? More math? More subjects? There are so many great and amazing resources …
September in the Byzantine Life
September 1 – Church New Year! 5 – Holy Prophet Zachary and Elizabeth 8 – Nativity of the Theotokos 9 – Holy and Righteous Forebearers Anna and Joachim 14 – Exaltation of the Cross 17 – Holy Sophia and her daughters 26 – Repose of St. John the Theologian 28 – Venerable Father and Confessor …
August in the Byzantine Life
August 1 – (Dormition Fast Begins) 6 – Transfiguration 9 – Holy Apostle Matthias 15 – Dormition Feast (and Icon) and also Flowers of Dormition 16 – Image not Made by Hands 29 – Beheading of John the Baptist August in The Byzantine Life I am spending this month working on a major project… building …
Feast of the Transfiguration
On August 6th we celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration, which is when Jesus revealed his glory to three of the disciples (Peter, James, and John) on top of Mount Tabor. This occasion is particularly special as it is one Jesus works upon himself. We find many accounts of this event recorded in scripture (Matthew …
July in the Byzantine Life
July (1) – Our Lady of Perpetual Help 2 – The Precious Robe of Our Lady 3 – Holy Martyr Hyacynth 5 – Father Athanasius of Athos 10 – Anthony of Caves of Kiev 11 – Princess Olga of Kiev 15 – Grand Prince Valadymyr Basil 20 – Prophet Elijah 24 – Holy martyrs Boris …
June in The Byzantine Life
June 1 – Christ’s Entry into Egypt 5 – BEGIN APOSTLES FAST 9 – Archbishop Cyril of Alexandria 11 – Bartholomew and Barnabus 14 – Prophet Elisha 15 – Prophet Amos 19 – Apostle Jude, cousin of Christ 24 – Nativity of John the Baptist 28 – Christ Lover of Mankind 29 – Sts. Peter …