This was contributed by the Papademetris family. Thank you!

How to decorate an icon with flowers: Icon_Flowers

Here are some lovely pictures of the Camptaylor family’s  work with glass plate painting and candle decorating:

A very good link on Pascha Bread (including both Russian and Greek recipes).

Troparion – Tone 1

Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, full of grace!

From you shone the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God.

Enlightening those who sat in darkness!

Rejoice, and be glad, O righteous elder;

You accepted in your arms the Redeemer of our souls,

Who grants us the Resurrection.

Kontakion – Tone 1

By Your nativity, You did sanctify the Virgin’s womb,

And did bless Simeon’s hands, O Christ God.

Now You have come and saved us through love.

Grant peace to all Orthodox Christians, O only Lover of man!

For a wonderful online video telling the story of the presentation:

Click here.

• To learn more about the feast and the icon as well as some suggested activities to do with children.
• For lessons and coloring pages for children. (Scroll down to Feb. 2nd)
• Teens and Adults can read Symeon and Anna by St. Methodius of Olympus (Martyred A.D. 311): Online text or formatted for printing in PDF

His Life from the Prologue from Ochrid:

Anthony was an Egyptian and was born about the year 250 A.D. in the village of Koman near Herculea. Following the demise of his noble and wealthy parents, he divided the inherited estate with his sister, who was a minor, and provided for her with some relatives. Anthony distributed his half of the estate to the poor and, he, in his twentieth year, dedicated himself to the ascetical life for which he yearned from his childhood. In the beginning Anthony lived a life of asceticism in the proximity of his village but, in order to flee the disturbances of people, he withdrew into the wilderness on the shore of the Red Sea, where he spent twenty years as a recluse not associating with anyone except with God through constant prayer, reflection and contemplation, patiently enduring unspeakable temptations from the devil. His fame spread throughout the entire world and many disciples gathered around him whom he placed on the path of salvation by his example and words. During the eighty-five years of his ascetical life, only twice did he go to Alexandria. The first time to seek martyrdom during the time of the persecution of the Church and, the second time at the invitation of St. Athanasius, in order to refute the accusation of the Arians: supposedly that he, too, was an adherent of the Arian heresy. Anthony died in the one-hundred fifth year of his life, leaving behind an entire army of his disciples and imitators. Even though Anthony was not a scholar, nevertheless, he was a counselor and teacher of the most learned men of that time, as was St. Athanasius the Great. When certain Greek philosophers tempted him with literary wisdom, Anthony shamed them with the question: “Which is older, the understanding or the book? Which of these two was the cause of the other?” Ashamed, the philosophers dispersed for they perceived that they only had literary knowledge without understanding and Anthony had understanding. Here is a man who attained perfection in as far as man, in general, can attain on earth. Here is an instructor to instructors and a teacher to teachers, who, for a full eighty five years perfected himself and only in that way was he able to perfect many others. Filled with many years of life and great works, Anthony died in the Lord in the year 335 A.D.

 Written just before his repose.

(Translation by Protodeacon Leonid Mickle)

Glory to God in the highest, 
I hear today in Bethlehem from the Angels, 
[glory to Him whose good pleasure it was] that there be peace on earth.

Stichera from the Litya for the Feast of the Nativity of
Christ

Beloved in the Lord Most-reverend Archpastors, Reverend
Presbyters, the Diaconate in Christ, beloved of God Monastics, dear Brothers and Sisters, faithful Children of the Church!

 Once again we hear the jubilant Angelic song, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!” (Luke  2: 14). 
The Church on earth welcomes the Pre-eternal God, Who, born of the
Virgin in Bethlehem, has become Man. According to the Gospel, His arrival brings peace from above to those living on earth.  Fulfilled are the Psalmist’s words, “The Lord will give strength unto His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace ” (Psalm 28: 11 [KJV Ps. 29: 11]).

 ”Peace I leave with you,” saith the Savior, “…My peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. ” (John 14:27).  The Peace offered by God with His Incarnation destroys sinful passions and worldly anxieties.   That Peace has nothing in common with the
everyday, worldly self-satisfaction that locks the human soul within the bounds of earthly concerns; rather, it takes it up to the supremely peaceful Kingdom of God, of which every true Christian can
partake here on earth.  Holy Hierarch St. Basil the Great called the Peace granted by God “the most perfect of blessings,” and St. Seraphim of Sarov passed down to us those truly golden, heavenly words, “Acquire the spirit of peace, and thousands about you will
be saved.”

Incarnate God the Word brought Peace to everyone who believes on Him and who, taking up his own Cross, follows after Him.  However, why do we continue to be surrounded by as many conflicts, quarrels, feuds and grudges as before? Why is there still enmity between generations, among political groups, and between rich and poor?
Why do parents divorce, bringing suffering upon their children?  Why do peoples, even Orthodox peoples, rise up against one another?

We will be unable to honestly and directly answer those questions unless we look into our own hearts. Do we not too often live according to our own will, forgetting God’s Will and Commandments, relying only on our human strengths, and forgetting God’s power?   Do we not substitute sinful vanity – something that brings only the disillusionment of emptiness - for our aspirations for peace?

Let us remember, dear ones, that only the Lord grants true
peace.  It is only by following the Star of Bethlehem along Christ’s path that we will find prosperous and peaceful life on earth and eternal peace in His Heavenly Kingdom.

Let us remember that Christ’s peace overcomes the hostility of this era, and that only by acquiring that peace in one’s heart can one withstand all of the storms of life and bring reconciliation to those near and far, transforming life through faith, truth, purity and love.  May Christ’s peace embrace all of us, His disciples and followers, people of different ages, nationalities, political views, and social classes.  May it extend to those of other faiths and convictions, those with whom we build our life together as a people.  

Once again there is unrest in the world.  In many places, blood is being shed and people are suffering.  However, we believe that the Lord will help us Orthodox Christians, by His good example and
actions, to motivate the peoples toward reconciliation, toward wise and just resolution of all disputes and disagreements.

Beloved archpastors, dear fathers, brothers and sisters! By the prayers of the Most-holy Theotokos and all of the Saints, the Lord is leading the Church along the path to salvation. Thanks to the many, many efforts you have made in the past year, He has kept His people unharmed and “…added to the Church daily such as should be
saved. ” (Acts 2: 47), and it was with God’s help that I carried on my
Patriarchal service.  Christ the Supreme Pastor bolstered my strength in standing before Him in prayer, granted me the joy of having active association with many of you, granted me the wisdom needed
in my meetings with secular authorities and with representatives of various nations and peoples.

In June 2008, the Holy Council of Bishops took place in Moscow.  It glorified as saints to be venerated by the entire Church a number of worthy ones of God venerated by the people, expanded the social teachings of our Church and decided many pressing questions affecting its life.  We celebrated the 1020th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus’, a celebration during which the Lord allowed me to visit ancient Kiev, the cradle of our Church and one of its religious capitals.   Amid a great confluence of the faithful, we prayed at Kiev’s holy places, and once again felt the powerful unity of peoples baptized in one single baptismal font.  That unity, bequeathed to us by our holy forbears, must be carefully preserved and passed on to those who come
after us.  

During the past year we marked  the 90th Anniversary of the cruel
murder of the Royal Martyrs.  On the days of their commemoration, tens of thousands of faithful came to the place of the holy passion-bearers’ suffering, and asked them to help our people in its spiritual rebirth, in its correction of its historical path.  Let us resolutely hope that the Lord will enable us to overcome all of the consequences of the tragedies, discords and crimes of the 20th Century, and will lead Holy Russia to ever greater strength.

God grant that the words spoken in the terrible year 1938 by Holy Hierarch St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco might be fulfilled, “Blessed are you, O Russian Land, cleansed by the fire of suffering!  You went through the water of baptism.  Now you are going through fire of suffering, and will enter into your rest.”  

I heartily congratulate all of you, my dear ones, with the feast of the Nativity of our Lord and Savior! May Christ the Incarnate God bless all of us in the coming new year with peace, health, and success in all good works! May He bring to our homes, to our countries, cities and villages the joy of living in His concord, love, and justice. 
On this holy Feast, I address to you the words of the Holy Apostle St. Paul: “Brethren, rejoice, be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace shall be with you. ” (II Corinthians 13: 11). Amen.

+ Alexey,

Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia

Nativity of Christ

2008/2009

Moscow

http://www.theologic.com/oflweb/feasts/01-06.htm

http://www.orthodoxonline.com/theophany-primary.htm

http://www.orthodoxonline.com/theophany-secondary.htm

More coming

This dessert is traditional among Orthodox in Lebanon and Syria (and their American descendants). The explanation given in The Art of Syrian Cookery by Helen Corey is that the dough was traditionally wrapped in a cloth, “baptized” in a local fountain and then hung in a tree for three days, where it would develop a strain of wild yeast and rise! It would then be used as a source of yeast for baking throughout the new year.

I have never prepared these fritters with a fountain or a tree, so the explanation I always give my children is that the fritters remind us of baptism because they are deep fried—dipped in oil and changed. They then get dipped in sugar syrup, which also looks like a baptism.

The following recipes are paraphrased from Lebanese Cuisine by Annisa Helou.

Sugar Syrup

1.5 cups sugar

0.5 cup plus 2 tablespoons water

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon rose water

1 tablespoon orange blossom water [Using both flower waters is lovely, but if you only have one on hand, just double the quantity and use that one.]

Put sugar, water and lemon juice in a pan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, occasionally stirring. Leave to boil for 3 minutes then stir in flower waters and boil for a few more seconds. Take off heat and leave to cool. It must be completely cool before use in the next recipe. However, if you are not planning to use it the same day, it can be stored in the refrigerator in a glass container for up to two weeks. Let it warm back up to room temperature before using it.

Fritters

Full recipe sugar syrup

1 cup all purpose flour

1.25 cups yogurt

.25 teaspoon baking soda

vegetable oil for frying

Prepare the syrup, keep in the pan and have it on hand to drop the fritters into when they are ready.

Sift flour into a mixing bowl, then add yogurt and baking soda. Whisk until well blended and smooth, then cover and leave to rest for 45 minutes.

Fill a medium-sized frying pan with enough vegetable oil to deep fry the fritters and place over a medium heat. When the oil is hot (drop in a little batter, if the oil bubbles around it, it is ready), dip a dessert spoon in a little cool oil, fill it with batter and then drop the batter into the oil. Ideally, the fritters should be round, but this takes a fair bit of practice. Drop in as many fritters as can fit comfortably, stir to brown them evenly, until they become golden all over. Remove with a slotted spoon onto a double layer of paper towels before dropping in the syrup. Turn a few times in the syrup and remove onto a serving dish.

These fritters should be eaten right away, once they reach room temperature. They do not store well.

A new idea is being developed that will allow us to celebrate Theophany as a season rather than just a day. It is based off the Jesse Tree idea, where a short selection of Scripture is read and a hymn is sung each day. Then children make an edible symbol using either marzipan or fondant (fondant is the recommended choice for those with nut allergies) colored with food dye. The season of Holy Theophany begins on January 6/19 and extends until January 14/27 with its leavetaking. A symbol will be made each day and then placed on a cake with light blue frosting (to represent water) to be consumed on the evening of the Leavetaking of Theophany on January 14/27.

For a list of symbols, Scripture readings, and hymns in pdf that can be easily printed:

• Complete Listing of Symbols, Scripture Readings and Hymns for Theophany

Day 1, Celebrated on January 6/19

The Theophany of the Our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ:

Symbol: Dove

Scripture Reading for Day 1:

Mark 1: 9-11

It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Hymn Choice #1 for Day 1:

Tone 1 Troparion of the Feast

When You, O Lord, were baptized in the Jordan,
the worship of the Trinity was made manifest.
For the voice of the Father bore witness to You,
calling You His Beloved Son;
and the Spirit in the form of a dove
confirmed the truthfulness of His word.
O Christ our God, You have revealed Yourself,
and have enlightened the world, glory to You!

Troparion for Theophany Copywork (in cursive, manuscript available for hymn choice #2 below):

• Theophany Troparion DN Cursive

• Theophany Troparion GDI Cursive

• Theophany Troparion ZB Cursive

Troparion for Theophany set to music:

Hymn Choice #2 for Day 1:

When the radiant heavens were opened,
he who knew the mysteries saw the Spirit,
Who proceeds from the Father and rests on the immaculate Word,
marvelously descend in the form of a dove.
He revealed the Master to the people, that they might run to Him.

Hymn Choice #2 Copywork (in manuscript):

• Hymn Choice #2 in DN Manuscript

• Hymn Choice #2 in GDI Manuscript

• Hymn Choice #2 in GDI Combination (transition to cursive)

• Hymn Choice #2 in ZB manuscript

Day 2, Celebrated on January 7/20

Synaxis of St. John the Baptist

Symbol: Straight Road

Scripture Reading for Day 2:

Isaiah 40:1-5

“Comfort, yes, comfort My people!”
Says your God.
“Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her,
That her warfare is ended,
That her iniquity is pardoned;
For she has received from the LORD’s hand
Double for all her sins.”
The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the LORD;
Make straight in the desert
A highway for our God.
Every valley shall be exalted
And every mountain and hill brought low;
The crooked places shall be made straight
And the rough places smooth;
The glory of the LORD shall be revealed,
And all flesh shall see it together;
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

Hymn for Day 2:

With a loud voice the Forerunner cries in the wilderness:

“Prepare the way of Christ;

make straight the paths of our God;

and raise your cry in faith:

‘No one is holy as our God,

and no one is righteous but You, O Lord.’”

Day 2 Hymn for Copywork

• Day 2 Copywork DN Manuscript

• Day 2 Copywork DN Cursive

• Day 2 Copywork GDI Manuscript

• Day 2 Copywork GDI Combination (transition to cursive)

• Day 2 Copywork GDI Cursive

• Day 2 Copywork ZB Manuscript

• Day 2 Copywork ZB Cursive

Day 2 Hymn Set to Music:

• Version used by the Orthodox Church in America

Day 3, Celebrated January 8/21

Symbol: Hand

Scripture Reading for Day 3:

Ex 15:22-16:1

So Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea; then they went out into the Wilderness of Shur. And they went three days in the wilderness and found no water. Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah. And the people complained against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” So he cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet.

There He made a statute and an ordinance for them, and there He tested them, and said, “If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you.”

Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve wells of water and seventy palm trees; so they camped there by the waters. And they journeyed from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came to the Wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they departed from the land of Egypt.

Hymn for Day 3:

By being baptized in the Jordan, O our Savior,

You sanctified the waters;

by letting a servant lay his hand on You,

You healed the passions of the world.

Great is the mystery of Your divine plan.

O loving Lord, glory to You!

Day 3 Hymn for Copywork:

• Day 3 Hymn in GDI Manuscript
• Day 3 Hymn in GDI Combination (transition to cursive)
• Day 3 Hymn in GDI Cursive
• Day 3 Hymn in DN Manuscript
• Day 3 Hymn in DN Cursive
• Day 3 Hymn in ZB Manuscript
• Day 3 Hymn in ZB Cursive

Day 4, Celebrated January 9/22

SYMBOL: RIVER (OR DIVIDED RIVER?)

Scripture Reading for Day 4:

Joshua 3:7-8, 15-17

And the LORD said to Joshua, “This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. You shall command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, saying, “When you have come to the edge of the water of the Jordan, you shall stand in the Jordan.’ ”

and as those who bore the ark came to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests who bore the ark dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks during the whole time of harvest), that the waters which came down from upstream stood still, and rose in a heap very far away at Adam, the city that is beside Zaretan. So the waters that went down into the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, failed, and were cut off; and the people crossed over opposite Jericho. Then the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan; and all Israel crossed over on dry ground, until all the people had crossed completely over the Jordan.

Hymn for Day 4:

Tone 2 (by Anatolios)

Today Christ has come to be baptized in the Jordan.
Today John touches the head of the Master.
The powers of heaven were shaken at the sight of the marvelous mystery.
The sea looked and fled;
the Jordan saw it and turned back;
and we who have been enlightened cry aloud:
“Glory to God Who appeared and was seen on earth and enlightened the world!”

Day 5, Celebrated January 10/23

Symbol: Dragon

Scripture Reading for Day 5:

Psalm 74:1-2, 12-17, 22-23

O God, why have You cast us off forever?
Why does Your anger smoke against the sheep of Your pasture?
Remember Your congregation, which You have purchased of old,
The tribe of Your inheritance, which You have redeemed-
This Mount Zion where You have dwelt.
For God is my King from of old,
Working salvation in the midst of the earth.
You divided the sea by Your strength;
You broke the heads of the sea serpents in the waters.
You broke the heads of Leviathan in pieces,
And gave him as food to the people inhabiting the wilderness.
You broke open the fountain and the flood;
You dried up mighty rivers.
The day is Yours, the night also is Yours;
You have prepared the light and the sun.
You have set all the borders of the earth;
You have made summer and winter.
Arise, O God, plead Your own cause;
Remember how the foolish man reproaches You daily.
Do not forget the voice of Your enemies;
The tumult of those who rise up against You increases continually.

Hymn Choice #1 for Day 5:

Tone 2 (by Byzas)

You bowed Your head before the Forerunner

and crushed the heads of the dragons.

You stood in the waters and enlightened all things

that they might glorify You, O Savior, the Light of our souls.

Day 5 Hymn Choice #1 for Copywork:

• Day 5 Hymn Choice #1 in GDI Manuscript
• Day 5 Hymn Choice #1 in GDI Combination (transition to cursive)
• Day 5 Hymn Choice #1 in DN Manuscript
• Day 5 Hymn Choice #1 in ZB Manuscript

Hymn Choice #2 for Day 5:

Let us, the faithful, praise the greatness of God’s plan for us!

For He Who alone is pure and undefiled

becomes a Man because of our transgressions.

He is cleansed with our cleansing in the Jordan,

sanctifying both us and the waters,

and crushing the heads of the dragons in the water.

Therefore, let us draw water in gladness,

for upon those who draw in faith

the grace of the Spirit is invisibly bestowed by Christ God,

the Savior of our souls!

Day 5 Hymn Choice #2 for Copywork:

• Day 5 Hymn Choice #2 in GDI Cursive
• Day 5 Hymn Choice #2 in DN Cursive
• Day 5 Hymn Choice #2 in ZB Cursive

Day 6, Celebrated January 11/24

Symbol: Radiant Light

Scripture Reading for Day 6:

Isaiah 35:1-10

The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them,
And the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose;
It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice,
Even with joy and singing.
The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,
The excellence of Carmel and Sharon.
They shall see the glory of the LORD,
The excellency of our God.
Strengthen the weak hands,
And make firm the feeble knees.
Say to those who are fearful-hearted,
“Be strong, do not fear!
Behold, your God will come with vengeance,
With the recompense of God;
He will come and save you.”
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
Then the lame shall leap like a deer,
And the tongue of the dumb sing.
For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness,
And streams in the desert.
The parched ground shall become a pool,
And the thirsty land springs of water;
In the habitation of jackals, where each lay,
There shall be grass with reeds and rushes.
A highway shall be there, and a road,
And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness.
The unclean shall not pass over it,
But it shall be for others.
Whoever walks the road, although a fool,
Shall not go astray.
No lion shall be there,
Nor shall any ravenous beast go up on it;
It shall not be found there.
But the redeemed shall walk there,
And the ransomed of the LORD shall return,
And come to Zion with singing,
With everlasting joy on their heads.
They shall obtain joy and gladness,
And sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Hymn Choice #1 for Day 6:

Tone 4 Kontakion of the Feast

Today You have shone forth to the world, O Lord,

and the light of Your countenance has been marked on us.

Knowing You, we sing Your praises:

“You have come and revealed Yourself,

O unapproachable Light.”

On Galilee of the Gentiles, as the Prophet said,

on the land of Zebulon and the land of Naphtali,

Christ, the great Light, has shone.

A bright Dawn has appeared to those who sat in darkness,

shining like lightning from Bethlehem.

The Lord born of Mary, the Sun of righteousness,

sheds His rays on the whole universe.

Come, all the naked children of Adam,

let us clothe ourselves in Him, that we might be warmed.

A covering for the naked, light for those in darkness,

You have come and revealed Yourself,

O unapproachable Light.

Kontakion For Theophany Set to Music:

• Version from the Serbian Orthodox Church

• Version from the Orthodox Church in America (Lvov-Bakhmetev)

• Version from the Orthodox Church in America (Greek Chant)

• Version from the Orthodox Church in America (Galician Melody)

Hymn Choice #2 for Day 6:

Tone 2 (by John the Monk)

Our Light that enlightens all comes to be baptized.

The Forerunner sees Him and rejoices in His soul.

His hand trembles as he shows Him to the people:

“Behold, the Redeemer of Israel,

the One Who frees us from corruption!”

O sinless One, Christ our God, glory to You!

Day 6 Hymn for Copywork:

• Day 6 Hymn in GDI Manuscript
• Day 6 Hymn in GDI Combination (transition to cursive)
• Day 6 Hymn in GDI Cursive
• Day 6 Hymn in DN Manuscript
• Day 6 Hymn in DN Cursive
• Day 6 Hymn in ZB Manuscript
• Day 6 Hymn in ZB Cursive

DAY 7, CELEBRATED JANUARY 12/25

DAY 8, CELEBRATED JANUARY 13/26

SYMBOL: WHITE ROBE

Scripture Reading for Day 8:

Galatians 3:6-9,13-14,26-29

Just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.

Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Hymn for Day 8:

For as many of you as have been baptized in Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia.