Orthodox Christmas Tree

I really like to see this posted on the internet about the real history behind the famous Christmas Tree:

http://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2014/12/the-orthodox-origins-of-christmas-tree.html?m=1

Happy NEW Year!

Let us get ready for the last church service of this 2014 year and welcome properly in church the NEW YEAR 2015 with prayers, psalms and incense!

“…And the smoke of the incense…ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand.” (Rev 8:4)

 

On January 1^st The Orthodox Church celebrates St Basil and in his honor we prepare a wonderful sweet bread, called Vasilopita!

 The Story of Vasilopita

One of the more beautiful and inspirational traditions of the Greek Orthodox Church is the annual family celebration of the Vasilopita. This original event which happened in Cappadocia of Caesarea in the last half of the fourth century, is very much alive in our Orthodox homes each year.

http://vasilopita.com/story.html

  Recipe

Ingredients:

1 cup butter

2 ½ cups sugar

7 eggs, separated

1 teaspoon almond extract

3 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

3 cups flour

3 teaspoons baking powder

1 cup milk

1 cup almonds, crushed

1 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon orange zest

1 bag of whole blanched almonds

Directions:

• Cream butter and sugar for 10 minutes, add egg yolks and flavorings.
• Add remaining ingredients, except egg whites.
• Beat egg whites until stiff in a separate bowl.
• Fold in stiffly beaten egg whites. Blend well.
• Grease baking pan (round 14” pan).
• Pour in batter and tuck coin (thinly wrapped in Aluminum Foil) into batter, then hand lay whole blanched almonds around perimeter of surface.
  (You can also spell out the current year in the middle of cake)
• Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Note: For a smaller cake, prepare half of recipe, and bake in a 10” round greased baking
pan for about 30 minutes.

For a gluten-free recipe: replace wheat flour with 2 cups of quinoa flour + 1 cup of corn flour.

Gluten-free Vasilopita 

PerioBiotic Probiotic Toothpaste

 

PerioBiotic™ Toothpaste is a mild, non-irritating and fluoride-free toothpaste. Like probotics in the human intestinal tract, beneficial flora in the mouth are critical to maintaining an oral environment conducive to healthy teeth and gums.

PerioBiotic™ contains Dental-Lac™, a patent pending and clinically tested functional Lactobacillus dental hygiene probiotic not found in any other toothpaste.

Results of a randomized placebo-controlled clinical study involving 40 volunteers with periodontitis showed that Dental-Lac (Lactobacillus paracasei ADP-1 strain) significantly inhibited the growth of periodontal pathogens, decreased total bacterial count and improved probing pocket depth. Furthermore, a specific Lactobacillus paracasei strain, demonstrates its ability to kill off harmful strains of oral bacteria including streptococcus mutans, a significant contributor to dental caries, tooth decay and periodontal disease.

In addition, PerioBiotic™ contains two active ingredients that have been shown in research to promote dental and oral health via their cavity-fighting abilities: xylitol and calcium glycerophosphate.

Product Contains: Water, calcium glycerophosphate, xylitol, glycerin, calcium carbonate, carageenan, spearmint oil (Mentha viridis), maltodextrin, Lactobacillus paracasei (Dental-Lac), citric acid, potassium sorbate, Yucca filamentosa powder, stevia leaf extract (Eupatorium rebaudianum bertoni) .

Recommended Use: Apply PerioBiotic toothpaste on to a soft bristle toothbrush. Brush thoroughly after meals for at least 1 minute. Spit out the excess solution, and for maximum benefits do not rinse to allow longer contact of the natural ingredients to the teeth and gums. Brush 2 to 3 times per day or as directed by your health care professional.

Can Parents Change Their School's Food?

This is a debatable question for sure; one that I used to think was a no-brainer. Yes, if parents are loud enough and demanding enough then eventually it  will happen, but that is not the most efficient or pleasant process for either side. The problem is that changing a school food program is no easy feat. In particular, it requires understanding and consideration of many nuances that parents aren’t always aware of up front.

http://edibleschoolyard.org/advocacy/2014/11/07/can-parents-change-their-school%E2%80%99s-food

and:  http://edibleschoolyard.org/node/78/

Celeriac Fries with DAO-Boosting Olive Oil

 

This recipe is from www.wellbeingjournal.com

Ingredients:

1 celery root, cleaned and washed, cut

Lemon juice

Salt, 2 garlic cloves, chopped

2 tbsp olive oil

¼ tsp coriander

¼ tsp thyme

Cut  celeriac root into fries, toss them in antihistamine, mast cell-stabilizing, pain-killing coriander; osteoporosis-preventing, diamine oxidase- boosting olive oil, (DAO is a histamine-degrading enzyme in gut); antihistamine and antibacterial garlic; antihistamine and anti-inflammatory superstar thyme; a squeeze of lemon juice and a touch of sea salt or Himalaya salt. Place in oven at 350F for 40 minutes or longer if you like them very crunchy.

 

I hope this will help when having problems with allergies especially for those people with MTHFR mutations.

Gluten-free Tiramisu

Start by making the Gluten-free Ladyfingers- I do not like to use cream of tartar or xanthan gum, so I had to improvise and the batter was too runny to use a pastry bag to give the well know shape you would need for the Tiramisu.

 

Gluten-free Ladyfingers

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups of King Arthur gluten-free flour

½ tsp baking powder

1 tsp vanilla extract

3 eggs

¼ tsp salt

½ cup confectioners’ sugar

Directions: Whip the egg whites to form peaks, using an electric mixer. Separately beat the egg yolks with sugar, vanilla, salt. Add baking powder and the flour. Fold in the egg whites. Pour the batter on a baking pan in a thin layer and place in oven for 9 minutes at 375F. Allow to cool slightly and then cut into 2 inches long ladyfingers (about ½inch wide). You can make about 20 ladyfingers.

Gluten-free ladyfingers

Tiramisu

Ingredients:

4 eggs

½ cup confectioners’ sugar

 ½ cup milk

1 box of mascarpone cheese

20 Gluten-free Ladyfingers

1 cup cocoa powder or chocolate powder

½ tsp vanilla extract

2 cups coffee

¼ cup Amaretto

Directions: Beat the egg yolks with the sugars and vanilla. Add the milk and over the low to medium heat stir until a thick cream forms. It will take about 20 minutes. Remove from heat. In a mixing bowl, combine together the cream and the cheese. Make a strong coffee and add Amaretto. Allow to cool. Whip the eggs whites using an electric mixer and when the form peaks fold in the whites in the mixing bowl until fully combined.

In a tiramisu bowl layer the ladyfingers, cream and powdered cocoa. Repeat X3. The ladyfingers have to be dipped in the coffee - liquor mixture for a 5 seconds, one by one prior to arranging them in layers. Cover tiramisu with a plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Enjoy!

 

 

Holy Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen

 

Evangelism by the Deacons

⁸ Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. ⁹ Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia—who began to argue with Stephen. ¹⁰ But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.

¹¹ Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.”

¹² So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. ¹³ They produced false witnesses, who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. ¹⁴ For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”

¹⁵ All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Acts 6:8-15

⁵¹ “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! ⁵² Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— ⁵³ you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.”

The Stoning of Stephen

⁵⁴ When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. ⁵⁵ But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ⁵⁶ “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

⁵⁷ At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, ⁵⁸ dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.

⁵⁹ While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” ⁶⁰ Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

Acts 7:51-60

 

May we all follow St. Stephen’s example and defend our faith!

Read about The Location of the Stoning of St. Stephen in Jerusalem:
http://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2014/12/the-location-of-stoning-of-st-stephen.html?m=1
and about: The Recent Discovery of the Burial Place of St. Stephen:
http://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2014/12/the-recent-discovery-of-burial-place-of.html?m=1
 

Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

Came, Glorify Him and bring Him gifts from your soul! Remember the adoration of the Magi!

The word “magi” is the plural of “magus”, the name given to a philosopher and astronomer. The three Magi are thought to have come from neighboring countries of Arabia, Persia and Ethiopia. They came with gifts for the King! They followed the star. It was not an ordinary star, but an angelic power appearing itself in the sky at the Annunciation, about nine months before the Nativity. Stars move from east to west, but this star moved from east southward to Jerusalem. It shun like the sun during the day, moved when the Magi moved, and rested when they did. They arrived in Jerusalem in the day of the Nativity, but the star hit itself there so that others would not go to Bethlehem; so the Magi asked the whereabouts of Jesus. When they left the city, the star reappeared, and descended near the earth to show the exact location of the cave. It is said that the Holy Family remained in the cave for forty days, until just before the Presentation in the Temple.  

Let us get ready

Church of Nativity - The silver star marks the birth of OUR LORD

Our lives are filled with cycles and The Orthodox Church liturgical calendar is rich in rituals of celebration in a cyclical way. All of our intuitive desires for ritual celebration are properly fulfilled in the Orthodox Church in her cycles of prayer, fast and feasts. The holy celebrations of Christ’s Nativity begins quietly with the 40- day fast- a time to prepare both the body and the soul. Now, we are towards the end of this fast and so close to meeting The Lord!

 

The Five Days of Pre-feast

The five days just before Christmas are of particular importance. These days have very special liturgical hymns and celebrations that are similar to the yearly Holy Week services.  The Troparion sung repeatedly during this period says: “Make ready, O Bethlehem; for Eden has been opened for all.  Prepare o Ephratha, for the tree of life has blossomed forth in the cave from the Virgin; for her womb did appear as a spiritual paradise  in which is planted the divine Plant, whereof eating we shall live and not die as Adam. Christ shall be born, raising the image that fell of old.”

Although some people complain about Christmas music before Thanksgiving, Orthodox Christians have traditionally started chanting sacred hymns about Christmas in November. Fr. Alexander Schmemann explains:

As Orthodox Christians, we begin the celebration of the Nativity of Christ — on December 25 — with a time of preparation. Forty days before the feast of the birth of Our Lord we enter the period of the Christmas Fast: to purify both soul and body to enter properly into and partake of the great spiritual reality of Christ’s Coming. This fasting season does not constitute the intense liturgical season that is characteristic of Great Lent; rather, Christmas Lent is more of an “ascetical” rather than “liturgical” nature. Nevertheless, the Christmas fasting season is reflected in the life of the Church in a number of liturgical notes that announce the coming feast.

Within the forty days preparation the theme of the approaching Nativity is introduced in the services and liturgical commemorations, little by little. If the beginning of the fast on November 15 is not liturgically marked by any hymn, five days later, on the eve of the Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple, we hear the first announcement from the nine hirmoi of the Christmas Canon: “Christ is born, glorify Him!”

With these words something changes in our life, in the very air we breathe, in the entire mood of the Church’s life. It is as if we perceive far, far away, the first light of the greatest possible joy — the coming of God into His world! Thus the Church announces the coming of Christ, the Incarnation of God, His entrance into the world for its salvation.

The video  http://myocn.net/christmas-music-will-take-heaven/ features a beautiful selection from the Canon for the Nativity in the Flesh of our Lord Jesus Christ, chanted in Romanian in a neo-Byzantine style. The music is accompanied by images of church life.

 

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Having sung many hymns of anticipation during the 40-days of fast, the feast itself comes to us in full liturgical splendor. Special divine services celebrated on Christmas Eve take many hours to complete in their entirety. We spend the morning of December 24th, a solemn day of prayer and fasting, celebrating Matins, Royal Hours, Vespers and the Liturgy of St Basil, the Great. Finally, on the night of December 24th, awaiting the first star of the dark winter sky, the Vigil Service of Great Compline, Litiya and Matins is sung. The celebration culminates on Christmas morning and the reception of Holy Communion, truly uniting us to the Newborn Savior, Christ the Lord.

In the Orthodox Church the celebration of Christmas does not end on December 25th, but continues for a full week, with many additional Nativity hymns, sung each day. Then the winter feast cycle continues immediately with the preparation for, and celebration of, Christ’s Baptism (Theophany- January 6th), after observing the New Year Eve's service and the special celebration for the Circumcision of Our Lord (January 1st).

 “Life Transfigured”

 

 

St. Spyridon

 

St. Spyridon was born in Askeia, in Cyprus. He worked as a shepherd and was known for his great piety. He married and had one daughter, Irene. Upon the death of his wife, Spyridon entered a monastery, and their daughter, into a convent. He is normally depicted wearing what looks like a basket on his head. In fact, this is the traditional head gear of shepherds on the island during his lifetime.
Spyridon eventually became Bishop of Trimythous, or Tremithous (today called Tremetousia), in the district of Larnaca.
He is well known for the miracle he performed at the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea. St. Spyridon took part in the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea (325), where he was instrumental in countering the theological arguments of Arius and his followers.
He reportedly converted a pagan philosopher to Christianity by using a potsherd to illustrate how one single entity (a piece of pottery) could be composed of three unique entities (fire, water and clay); a metaphor for the Christian doctrine of the Trinity.
As soon as Spyridon finished speaking, the shard is said to have miraculously burst into flame, water dripped on the ground, and only dust remained in his hand (other accounts of this event say that it was a brick he held in his hand).
After the council, Saint Spiridon returned to his diocese in Tremithous. He later fell into disfavor during the persecutions of the emperor Maximinus, but died peacefully in old age. His biography was recorded by the hagiographer Simeon Metaphrastes and the church historians, Sozomen and Socrates Scholasticus.
St. Spyridon is commemorated on December 12.

 

Saint Philothea of Romania (Sf. Filoftea de la Curtea-de-Arges)

It is truly rare to find great role models today among people we know. The heroes seen in cartoons or movies, unfortunately are not real…so were should our children turn for guidance? We can always look at the wonderful saints of the Orthodox Church! Today we celebrate a saint that was just 12 years old! Saint Philothea of Romania, who’s whole relics can be found in Romania at Curtea-de-Arges, Arges County.

To read about her amazing life to your children, see “ Let the little Children Come to Me”, Stories of Children Martyrs:

http://www.stanthonysmonastery.org/ccp7/index.php?app=ecom&ns=prodshow&ref=3LETTEH01

or on this website:
"Saint Philothea (Philofthea) of Argesh was born in Trnovo, the old capital of Bulgaria, around 1206. Her father was a farmer, and her mother was from Wallachia. She died when Philothea was still a child, and her father remarried.The child was often punished by her stepmother, who accused her of being disobedient, and of giving their possesions away to the poor. Her father chastised her for this, but Philothea continued to attend church services and to do good to others, just as her mother had taught her. As she grew older, she was adorned with the virtues of prayer, virginity, and almsgiving."
http://oca.org/saints/lives/2014/12/07/103491-st-philothea-of-thrace-the-protectress-of-Romania

 Dear St. Philothea please pray for our children too! 

Black Olive Potato Stew

Today I made for dinner a more traditional stew we usually have during the winter lent. It is both gluten free and vegan.

Ingredients:

5-6 cups cubed potatoes

2 medium onions, chopped

1 leek, chopped

½ cup chopped carrots

1/2 tsp rosemary
1/2 tsp oregano

1 cup Kalamata olives, pitted

¼ cup oil

2 cups tomato sauce, of your choice

parsley, salt, pepper, cumin to taste

Directions:

In a medium size stainless steel pot with lid, over low- medium heat, lightly brown the onions and the leek in oil. Add rosemary, oregano, carrots and potatoes and 1 cup water and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes or until potatoes are cooked- do not allow to overcook them. Add the tomato sauce, parsley, cumin and olives and simmer for another 10-15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat. Serve with salad or fermented vegetables.  

Saint Stephen the New of Mt. St. Auxentius

The Monk Martyr and Confessor Saint Stephen the New of Mt. St. Auxentius, also Stephen the Younger (Greek: Ὁ Ὅσιος Στέφανος ὁ Ὁμολογητής ὁ Νέος), 715-767 AD, was a Byzantine monk from Constantinople who became one of the leading opponents of the iconoclastic policies of Emperor Constantine V (741–775). He was martyred in 767 AD, becoming the most prominent iconodule martyr. His feast day is celebrated annually on November 28.

 

 Saint Stephen the New please pray for us sinners!

 

Black Eye Bean Burgers

I used to make a variety of great vegan burgers using of course wheat flour to bind them well. As I changed to gluten-free diet I was not so sure I would be successful in making them. Today I did adventure and using some left overs I decided to make them vegan style and gluten-free. They came out surprisingly good!
How did I make them? As I had some left over black eye bean dish - 1 cup (made with onions, tomatoes sauce, garlic, oregano, carrots) I only added 1/2 cup cooked rice, 1/2 cup corn flour (I only get organic corn flour), paprika, pepper and sea salt.
In general, I like to eat these burgers for breakfast on the days I go to work to hold me until lunch time. I serve them with a few leaves of Romaine lettuce and vegan mayo or mustard.

THE ENTRY OF THE THEOTOKOS INTO THE TEMPLE

“Mankind, which had its beginning in the first Adam, had to be given a new beginning. A new Adam was needed to become the Head of the New Humanity, the Head of the body, the Church, which is His body (Ephesians 1:22-23). However, just as in the creation of the Old Humanity, mankind was given the freedom to choose sonship; similarly in the creation of the New Humanity, mankind was granted the opportunity to choose. The first Adam was from the earth, a man of dust, the second is from Heaven (1 Corinthians 15: 47). The first could choose sin because he was not yet perfect, the second Adam, our Lord Jesus Christ, being God by nature, was totally alien to sin. It is because God's oikonomia required a member of the human race who was able to prove himself free from every sin that the time had fully come (Galatians 4:4) for God to send forth His Son, since mankind was able to bring forth the All-Holy Virgin.”

http://orthodoxyinfo.org/Feasts/EntryOfTheTheotokos.htm 

GMOs kill us softly

Study Linking Genetically Modified Corn to Rat Tumors Is Retracted

 “The study found that rats fed for two years with Monsanto’s glyphosate-resistant NK603 maize (corn) developed many more tumors and died earlier than controls. It also found that the rats developed tumors when glyphosate (Roundup), the herbicide used with GM maize, was added to their drinking water.”

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/study-linking-genetically-modified-corn-to-cancer/

 

Here is another study:

“A significant number of genetically modified (GM) crops have been approved to enter

human food and animal feed since 1996, including crops containing several GM genes

'stacked' into the one plant. We randomised and fed isowean pigs (N=168) either a mixed

GM soy and GM corn (maize) diet (N=84) or an equivalent non-GM diet (N=84) in a longterm

toxicology study of 22.7 weeks (the normal lifespan of a commercial pig from

weaning to slaughter). Equal numbers of male and female pigs were present in each

group. The GM corn contained double and triple-stacked varieties. Feed intake, weight

gain, mortality and blood biochemistry were measured. Organ weights and pathology

were determined post-mortem. There were no differences between pigs fed the GM and

non-GM diets for feed intake, weight gain, mortality, and routine blood biochemistry

measurements. The GM diet was associated with gastric and uterine differences in pigs.

GM-fed pigs had uteri that were 25% heavier than non-GM fed pigs (p=0.025). GM-fed

pigs had a higher rate of severe stomach inflammation with a rate of 32% of GM-fed pigs

compared to 12% of non-GM-fed pigs (p=0.004). The severe stomach inflammation was

worse in GM-fed males compared to non-GM fed males by a factor of 4.0 (p=0.041), and

GM-fed females compared to non-GM fed females by a factor of 2.2 (p=0.034).”

 http://gmojudycarman.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/The-Full-Paper.pdf

Here is what the European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility published on this topic:
http://www.ensser.org/media/
 

 

Nativity Fast

 

On November 15th we begin the forty day period where we proclaim the miracle of God becoming man. This is the time in the Orthodox Church where our attention is drawn to the great mystery of the Incarnation of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is joyful Fast! We await his coming in anticipation of the great joy of His birth on Christmas Day. For our preparation the wisdom of our Church asks us to participate in a fast, with all the inconvenience and discomfort it may bring. If this is a season of such great joy, why is this the practice of Orthodox Christians around the world? Why are we asked to fast when we hear daily the hymn "Hark, the herald angels sing!" almost every place we go?

According to St. Symeon of Thessalonica, “…the Nativity Forty-day Fast represents the fast undertaken by Moses, who, having fasted for forty days and forty nights, received the Commandments of God, written on stone tablets [of the Law]. And we, fasting for forty days, will reflect upon and receive from the Virgin of the living Word - not written upon stone, but born, incarnate, and we will commune of His Divine Body.”

 

The Nativity Fast was established to allow us through repentance, prayer and fasting to cleanse ourselves before the Nativity of Christ, so that with clean heart, soul, and body, we might reverently meet the Son of God, Who has come into the world and so that in addition

to bringing the usual gifts and sacrifices, we might bring Him our clean hearts and a desire to follow His teachings. May God grant that we all spend the salvific days of the Nativity Fast in such a way as to be a great benefit to our souls.

www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2010/11/nativity-fast-and-orthodox-tradition.html

 

1166 - The Council of Constantinople decrees the fast as we know it now. A 40 day fast from November 15th to December 25th.

To read more about the Nativity Icon and its meaning:

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=nativity+fasting+icon+orthodox+explained

At the bottom left is Joseph who was greatly battling doubts. The figure next to him is supposed to be the devil who is, of course, not making it any easier on him.  We may sing “What Child is This?” but Joseph’s question was “Whose child is this?!” since he knew he was certainly not the father. Mary is facing Joseph and Jesus. She is concerned about him and interceding for him.  Jesus lies next to Mary wrapped in grave clothes foreshadowing his coming death. Joseph also has a halo, indicating he is a saint of the Orthodox Church.  He wrestled with doubt even after God incarnate had physically come into his life.  It makes me wonder if the shepherds appeared after Jesus’ birth more for Joseph’s sake than anything else. At the bottom right Jesus is being cleaned up by midwives to show his humanity (that he was fully God and fully human). However The mother of God did not give birth as all the other women did before or after her. She remained a virgin!

May we all have a Blessed Nativity Fast!

"Kupyatich" Icon of the Mother of God

"Kupyatich" Icon of the Mother of God appeared in the year 1180 near the village of Kupyatich, in the Pinsk District of the Province of Minsk. A peasant girl named Anna, who was tending livestock, found the icon on a tree in the forest. The Image, which was in the form of a cross, shone forth with an unusual light. At the site of its miraculous appearance, the peasants constructed a church in honor of the Most Holy Theotokos, and in it installed the newly discovered Icon. Several years later the Tartars burned down this church. The Icon was again found, by a traveler named Joachim who happened to be passing by, at the site of the destroyed church. The peasants transferred the Icon-Cross to the village church, where by Divine inspiration, Joachim became the sexton. In the beginning of the 17th century the Kupiatitsky Monastery was founded near the church. At the close of the Century, the monastery was seized first by [Roman] Catholic, then by Uniate monks. The Orthodox monks left the monastery, and took with them the Holy Kupyatich Icon of the Theotokos. They translated the Holy Icon to the Cathedral of the Holy Wisdom in Kiev. "Kupyatich" icon is actually a small copper Cross. On one side of the Cross the Mother of God and the Pre-eternal Infant are depicted, and on the other, the Crucifixion. Those that are sick with palsy are healed with prayer before the miraculous Kupyatitsk Icon of the Mother of God.


"Kupyatich" Icon of the Mother of God (Feast Day November 15)

 

 

My chickens ate my Lemon Balm

Checking the garden today, I discovered the unthinkable (for me). My beloved plant was gone! My chickens ate my Lemon Balm! Doing a quick internet search, I find out that most of the chickens like it! Our chickens love all the greens, from green onions, cabbage to… Lemon Balm!

 

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is an herb often used to treat anxiety and stress. A member of the mint family, lemon balm contains terpenes (chemicals thought to produce a relaxing effect). Common health claims for lemon balm include the treatment and/or prevention of these conditions: anxiety, depression, hypertension, fever, nausea, digestion problems, dysmenorrhea, migraines, herpes, dementia (One small study demonstrated decreased stress and agitation in patients with dementia and Alzheimer disease), insomnia, cold sores, hyperthyroidism etc.

Teas:

Combines well with these herbs: lavender, lemongrass, peppermint, lavender.

De-stress recipe:

For anxiety, frazzle nerves, exhaustion and irritability: dilute 3 drops of melissa, 2 drops of bergamot, 2 drops of chamomile in 1 teaspoon of almond oil and add to the bath water.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not take lemon balm.

Saint Nektarios

 

“ How mistaken are those people who seek happiness outside of themselves, in foreign lands and journeys, in riches and glory, in great possessions and pleasures, in diversions and vain things, which have a bitter end! It is the same thing to construct the tower of happiness outside of ourselves as it is to build a house in a place that is consistently shaken by earthquakes. Happiness is found within ourselves, and blessed is the man who has understood this. Happiness is a pure heart, for such a heart becomes the throne of God.”

St. Nektarios of Aegina, from 2014 Daily Lives, Miracles, and Wisdom of the Saints and Fasting Calendar.

 I am happy to recommend a great children’s book about St. Nektarios, made in Romania – which it is also found in Romanian language :

 

Order it at : https://orthodoxchristianchildren.com/

For the Romanian version seek out this website:
http://edituraiona.ro/Nectarie.html

 

Fermented Foods

There are so many ways to ferment vegetables and dairy (yogurt, kefir) at home! Here is a very simple way to do it using any vegetables you already have in the house. Now is the time to start working on your home made probiotics (vegan-style) since the Christmas fasting is near and we can't eat kefir or yogurt anymore.

 

Take a 1 gallon wide-mouth glass jar. Use any veggies you would like (carrots of different colors, peppers, cabbage etc). You do not need to peel the veggies, just wash them well. Set aside a few cabbage leaves. Place all the veggies in a chopper. Transfer to the jar and press well. If the veggies are filling the jar, but the juice they produced is not enough, just add water to fill it up and 3 tbsp of Himalayan salt. Set on top 1-2 cabbage leaves to make sure all the chopped veggies are in the liquid. Close the jar and keep it at room temperature for 1-2 days or more.

Watch this little video if you like to see how it could be done.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUP774VakCc

Quick and Easy Fermented Vegetables | In the Kitchen with JJ Virgin and Donna Gates

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evno_Eiq1MQ

How to Make Water Kefir

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdLl1i_GwXU

Kombucha: How to Grow a SCOBY (Mother) From Scratch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTs6bJ-O-1Q 

In spite of the heavy selling points, it may be good to also watch this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evno_Eiq1MQ

Synaxis of the Archangel Michael & the other Bodiless Powers: Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Salaphiel, Jegudiel, & Barachiel

 

Glory to God for all things! Great Feast Day today! To all who celebrate their name's day: “Happy Name’s Day!” and “Kalo Paradiso!”

 

“The Synaxis of the Chief of the Heavenly Hosts, Archangel Michael and the Other Heavenly Bodiless Powers: Archangels Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Selaphiel, Jehudiel, Barachiel, and Jeremiel was established at the beginning of the fourth century at the Council of Laodicea, which met several years before the First Ecumenical Council. The 35th Canon of the Council of Laodicea condemned and denounced as heretical the worship of angels as gods and rulers of the world, but affirmed their proper veneration.

A Feastday was established in November, the ninth month after March (with which the year began in ancient times) since there are Nine Ranks of Angels. The eighth day of the month was chosen for the Synaxis of all the Bodiless Powers of Heaven since the Day of the Dread Last Judgment is called the Eighth Day by the holy Fathers. After the end of this age (characterized by its seven days of Creation) will come the Eighth Day, and then "the Son of Man shall come in His Glory and all the holy Angels with Him" (Mt. 25:31).

  

The Angelic Ranks are divided into three Hierarchies: highest, middle, and lowest.

 

The Highest Hierarchy includes: the Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones.

The six-winged SERAPHIM (Flaming, Fiery) (Is 6:12) stand closest of all to the Most Holy Trinity. They blaze with love for God and kindle such love in others.

The many-eyed CHERUBIM (outpouring of wisdom, enlightenment) (Gen 3:24) stand before the Lord after the Seraphim. They are radiant with the light of knowledge of God, and knowledge of the mysteries of God. Through them wisdom is poured forth, and people's minds are enlightened so they may know God and behold His glory.

The THRONES (Col 1:16) stand after the Cherubim, mysteriously and incomprehensibly bearing God through the grace given them for their service. They are ministers of God's justice, giving to tribunals, kings, etc. the capacity for righteous judgment.

 

The Middle Angelic Hierarchy consists of three Ranks: Dominions, Powers, and Authorities:

DOMINIONS (Col 1:16) hold dominion over the angels subject to them. They instruct the earthly authorities, established by God, to rule wisely, and to govern their lands well. The Dominions teach us to subdue sinful impulses, to subject the flesh to the spirit, to master our will, and to conquer temptation.

POWERS (1 Pet 3:22) fulfill the will of God without hesitation. They work great miracles and give the grace of wonderworking and clairvoyance to saints pleasing to God. The Powers assist people in fulfilling obediences. They also encourage them to be patient, and give them spiritual strength and fortitude.

AUTHORITIES (1 Pet 3:22, Col 1:16) have authority over the devil. They protect people from demonic temptations, and prevent demons from harming people as they would wish. They also uphold ascetics and guard them, helping people in the struggle with evil thoughts.

The Lowest Hierarchy includes the three Ranks: Principalities, Archangels, and Angels:

PRINIPALITIES (Col 1:16) have command over the lower angels, instructing them in the fulfilling of God's commands. They watch over the world and protect lands, nations and peoples. Principalities instruct people to render proper honor to those in authority, as befits their station. They teach those in authority to use their position, not for personal glory and gain, but to honor God, and to spread word of Him, for the benefit of those under them.

ARCHANGELS (1 Thess 4:16) are messengers of great and wondrous tidings. They reveal prophecies and the mysteries of the faith. They enlighten people to know and understand the will of God, they spread faith in God among the people, illuminating their minds with the light of the Holy Gospel.

ANGELS (1 Pet 3:22) are in the lowest rank of the heavenly hierarchy, and closest to people. They reveal the lesser mysteries of God and His intentions, guiding people to virtuous and holy life. They support those who remain steadfast, and they raise up the fallen. They never abandon us and they are always prepared to help us, if we desire it.

 

All the Ranks of the Heavenly Powers are called angels, although each has its own name and position by virtue of their service. The Lord reveals His will to the highest ranks of the angels, and they in turn inform the others

 

Over all the Nine Ranks, the Lord appointed the Holy Archangel Michael (his name in Hebrew means "who is like unto God"), the faithful servitor of God, as Chief Commander.”

 

For further reading about the names of each archangel see:

 

http://full-of-grace-and-truth.blogspot.com/2009/11/synaxis-of-archangels-michael-and.html

  

The wondrous icon of the Holy Archangel Michael, Mantamados, Mytilene (Lesvos)

Miracles of the Archangel Michael the Taxiarch to Mother Stavritsa the Missionary

 http://full-of-grace-and-truth.blogspot.com/2014/05/miracles-of-archangel-michael-taxiarch.html

 

Here you could listen to the recorded book on miracles worked by Archangel Michael, the commander of the heavenly hosts, including the appearance of a miracle-working spring at Chonae:

http://www.ocrb.org/products/michael-archangel-miracle-at-chonae