Protection of the Mother of God

                  During the 10th century at the Blachernae church in Constantinople (Istanbul) where several of her relics (robe, veil, and part of her belt) were kept,  the Theotokos miraculously appeared. On October 1 at four in the morning, St. Andrew the Blessed Fool-for-Christ  saw the dome of the church open and the Virgin Mary enter, moving in the air above him, glowing and surrounded by angels and saints. She knelt and prayed with tears for all faithful Christians in the world. This scene is shown in the icon.

                In most Slavic languages the word "cerement" has a dual meaning of "veil" and "protection." The Russian word Pokrov (Покров), like the Greek Skepi (Σκέπη) and Romanian Acoperamint, has a complex meaning. First of all, it refers to a cloak or shroud, but it also means protection or intercession. For this reason, the name of the feast is variously translated as the Veil of Our Lady, the Protecting Veil of the Theotokos, the Protection of the Theotokos, or the Intercession of the Theotokos.

                Below the Theotokos, in the center of the icon, stands a young man clothed in a deacon's sticharion. In his left hand, he is holding an open scroll with the text of the Kontakion for Nativity in honor of the Mother of God. This is St. Romanus the Melodist, the famous hymnographer whose feast is also celebrated on the same day, October 1. He is with his choir attended by the Emperor Leo the Wise together with the Empress and the Patriarch of Constantinople.

              The two different events took place four hundred years apart and they are combined in this one icon.

 

 

 Most Holy Theotokos save us!

Gluten- Free Pancakes

Gluten- Free Pancakes

 

In our house we like to have gluten-free pancakes about twice a week and each time they are different, depending of the ingredients!

The gluten- free pancakes can be very nutritious and an excellent breakfast for your children on a school day. Feel free to make your own signature pancake and experiment as you like.

 

Ingredients:

2 cups of pecan meal or almond or hazelnut or walnut meal

1 cup of quinoa flour or rice flour

½ cup flax seed flour

½ cup corn flour

¾ cup coconut oil

3 eggs

1 ¼ cup water or milk or coconut water or mineral water or almond milk etc

½ tsp baking soda

½ tsp vanilla extract (optional)

 

Directions:

In a medium bowl, combine the dry ingredients together. Add the eggs, water, vanilla and the oil and whisk thoroughly. The consistency should be similar to that of the conventional flour-based batter. If too thick add 1-2 tbsp of milk or water. Lightly oil a large skillet and heat over medium heat. For each pancake pour ½ cup pour batter. Cook until bubbles forms and the edges are cooked. Turn and cook for 2 more minutes. Repeat with the remaining batter.

Serve with fresh fruit and plain yogurt or with tart cherry marmalade and plain yogurt.

Note: I did not add any salt, as the baking soda has plenty of sodium and also the water will have its own electrolytes. However, if desired add ½ tsp salt.

 

Also this batter can make a perfect gluten-free bread for sandwiches, but make the batter a bit thicker and omit vanilla.

 

 Below it is a picture with plain corn pancakes (corn flour, water, oil, salt):

 

 

 

 

Icons are NOT about art

Theotokos of Vladimir icon (Icon of 12 century)

"Icons are not about art.

Icons are not about left-overs of Byzantine style.

Icons are not about the idolatrous impulse within fallen humanity.

Icons are about the very nature of our salvation."

 

http://blogs.ancientfaith.com/glory2godforallthings/2009/08/18/the-role-of-icons-2/

 

 

Thank God For Icons!

 

 

I learned today about this educational tool that is free for all: KHANACADEMY: http://www.khanacademy.org/

This evening, as I was taking a look at the site, my son choose to learn more about the Medial Europe! So we were very surprised to see a few links about the Great Hagia Sophia in Constantinople (Istanbul –today), about the holy icons and even a video about The Saint Catherine's Monastery in Egypt!

If you would like to see it, go to the link above, click on subject (on the top left side) and choose Art and Humanities. Pick Medial Europe and then go to Byzantine (Late Roman Empire). The links following after that are very educative for children ages 7-12. I am glad to see the videos that also come along with the different sections.

 

Healing comes from inside, not from outside

“Illnesses do not come upon us out of the blue. They are developed from small daily sins against Nature. When enough sins have accumulated, illnesses will suddenly appear”.

 

Hippocrates

 

"Sins against Nature!"-  Here I would be saying that the illness occur from daily sins against our own human nature, nature which was created by God!

Mom, what is an Icon?

I would like to recommend this wonderful children’s book to all the mothers interested in the orthodox Christian education of their children.

The book has been translated in many languages: Greek, Russian, Romanian and of course in English.

To order your own copy
 

For the English version:
http://www.stanthonysmonastery.org/ccp7/index.php?app=ecom&ns=catshow&ref=BKSFORCHLD

For the Greek version: call: (352) 591-1803.

For the Romanian version: fathers@panagiavlahernon.org

 

 

 

Blessings from God

I have always been deeply moved by the way God rewards a humble soul!

 

The amazing story below (see video) reminds me of the 3 youths sold into slavery, who kept their faith unaltered receiving great honor from God or the story of St. Euphrosynos The Cook (pronounced Ef-ro-se-nos, meaning “cheery” or “merry”). The saint was richly rewarded by God for his unending gratitude and humility. While still living he was visiting the garden of Paradise every night. Read his story in the book ”The boy, a kitchen and his cave” by Catherine K. Contopoulos.

 

Homeless Boy Steals The Talent Show:

 

 

In case you can't see the video here, use this link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZ46Ot4_lLo

 

This humble homeless boy is another beautiful example of how God turns around a "misfortune", an aparent hopeless life to His Glory showing us how he cares about even the smallest one amongst us. My wish is that this boy will find God. The story also reminds me of Bishop Longhin (Mihail) Jar, of Banceni Monastery in Ukraine. He grew up alone, after he lost his parents and ended becoming the spiritual father of many. He takes care of 400 orphans!