St. John of the Cross

A story from the Hasidic tradition: "How can we determine the hour of dawn, when the night ends and day begins?" a young man asked.
"Is it when from a distance you can distinguish a dog from a sheep)" suggested another man.
"No," said the old rabbi.
"Is it when you can distinguIsh between a tig tree and a grapevine?" asked yet another student.
"No," said the old teacher. "It is when you can look into the face of another human being, no matter who they are, what they are, and what they've done or not done, and you have enough light to recognize in him or her a brother or sister. Until then, it is night, and darkness us still with you."

Conception of Our Lady

Troparion - Tone 4

Today the bonds of barrenness are broken,
God has heard the prayers of Joachim and Anna.
He has promised them beyond all their hopes to bear the Maiden of God,
by whom the uncircumscribed One was born as mortal Man;
He commanded an angel to cry to her:
“Rejoice, O full of grace,
the Lord is with you!”

Kontakion - Tone 4

Podoben: “Today You have shown forth...”
Today the universe rejoices,
for Anna has conceived the Theotokos through God's dispensation,
for she has brought forth the one who is to bear the ineffable Word!

Pearl Harbor Day

St. Ambrose of Milan

Troparion - Tone 4

In truth you were revealed to your flock as a rule of faith,
an image of humility and a teacher of abstinence;
your humility exalted you;
your poverty enriched you.
Hierarch Father Ambrose,
entreat Christ our God
that our souls may be saved.

Kontakion - Tone 3

You shone forth with divine doctrine eclipsing the deception of Arius,
shepherd and initiate of the mysteries, Ambrose.
you worked miracles through the power of the Spirit,
healing various passions;
righteous father, entreat Christ our God to grant us His great mercy.

St Nicholas the Wonderworker and Archbishop of Myra in Lycia

Troparion - Tone 4

In truth you were revealed to your flock as a rule of faith,
an image of humility and a teacher of abstinence;
your humility exalted you;
your poverty enriched you.
Hierarch Father Nicholas,
entreat Christ our God
that our souls may be saved.

Kontakion - Tone 3

You revealed yourself, O saint, in Myra as a priest,
For you fulfilled the Gospel of Christ
By giving up your soul for your people,
And saving the innocent from death.
Therefore you are blessed as one become wise in the grace of God.

World AIDS Day

St. Andrew

Veterans Day

Today is Veterans Day (formerly Armistice Day) and is also the 2nd anniversary of my Chrismation into the Orthodox Church. So much has changed for me in the past few years, spiritually and otherwise. It's important to remember, today, all those who gave of themselves and embodied the notion of sacrifice and selfless service. This doesn't involve just those who serve in the military, of course. There are so many who stick their neck out and risk greatly to serve God in many capacities...

St. Martin of Tours

Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
In signs and in miracles thou wast renowned throughout Gaul; by grace and adoption now thou art a light for the world, O Martin, most blest of God. Almsdeeds and compassion filled thy life with their splendour; teaching and wise counsel were thy riches and treasures, which thou dost dispense freely unto all them that honour thee.

Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
As a devoted man of God, thou didst proclaim His mysteries. And as a seer of the Trinity, thou didst shed thy blessings on the Occident. By thy prayers and entreaties, O adornment of Tours and glory of all the Church, preserve us, O Saint Martin, and save all who praise thy memory.