Saints Cyril & Methodius- Pray for us!

Divinely-wise Cyril and Methodius,
equals-to-the-apostles and teachers of the Slavs,
entreat the Master of all
to strengthen all nations in right teaching and unity of mind,
to grant peace to the world and to save our souls.

Let us honor the sacred pair, who translated divine scripture
pouring forth a fountain of divine knowledge from which we still draw today.
Now as you stand before the throne of the Most-high
we call you blessed, Cyril and Methodius,
as you fervently pray for our souls.

click here for a short biography of Saints Cyril & Methodius.

St Valentine's- Why & How

St Valentine's Day is almost upon us. We could argue legend versus history and the futility of buying  red roses (bred for their long stems they don't smell like roses much). I'll leave the debate to historians, theologians and Silver Lake hipsters too cool to celebrate anything that people can prepare for at Walmart. I'm a wife and a mom, so I'll explore the issue from those vantage points.

Celebrating the Day- Why

Years ago, I knew a lovely family- mom, dad, and about six children.  The day before Valentine's, we were talking and the dad said, "I never give my wife gifts or cards for Valentine's or Mother Day- I'm nice to her everyday." The wife looked crestfallen. So why celebrate St Valentine's Day? Whether we are single, dating, married- there are people in all our lives who we can remember on this day. The world is so sinful and hate-filled that we should take advantage of any opportunity. God is love, so let's celebrate St Valentine's Day as a way to show God's love to those around us. Don't let a loved one go without some memento of your love because you are taking a stand against commercialism.

 Celebrating the Day- How

So- I have convinced you to officially remember your loved ones this Valentine's Day. How will you go about it? First of all, ladies, we should remember our husbands on this day (see comic above- let's stop complaining about our husbands!). And moms, help your children have a good day. My mom would make us waffles with cherries (yum), so even if I didn't get many Valentines at school, I had a good day.

• It IS the thought that counts. Yes, giving a coffee in bed while saying "Happy Valentine's Day" is a great way to start the holiday.
• If you want to buy flowers, steer clear of  over-priced red roses. I used to work in the flower department of an upscale grocery store. Red roses cost double during Valentine week, and the quality wasn't that great. I say- go for potted tulips on your husband's desk and a mixed bouquet for mom and wife; you could go over-the-top romantic and buy a few bulbs to plant in the yard. Then 'your love will grow'- cheesy, yes. The world needs more cheese.
• I temporarily lost some Christmastime coffee shop gift cards for my kids' ballet teachers and the like. I thought Valentine's Day would be a fun time to give the cards to them. Most people don't expect something on the day- except from their husband or wife- so it will be fun to surprise them.
• A friend goes to a nursing home regularly with her kids. What a wonderful time to visit- along with handmade Valentines for the residents. Everybody needs to feel loved. 
• The internet is full of good ideas that won't break the bank- simplemom.net has some ideas and you can go to sortacrunchy to print free Valentine cards
• We never go to a restaurant around Valentine's Day- babysitters are too expensive and it is just too much pressure. My big girls for the past few years have set up dinner for us on the balcony. Isn't that sweet? So, the kids might be downstairs watching a video, and we will eat dinner provided by the girls and the microwave. Just about perfect, in my opinion.
• Quality counts, too. Don't buy a big box of waxy fake chocolate (unless that is what your loved one likes)- a few pieces of the good stuff will be more appreciated. 
• For boyfriends only: If you decide to get your girlfriend some jewelry, make sure it is wrapped in a big box. Many a girl has been disappointed when unwrapping beautiful earrings, thinking that an engagement ring was inside.
• Once again- it is the thought that counts. Just do something. You can be elaborate one year and simple the next. Consider celebrating this day as a little rebellion against the cynicism of the world. 

this post needs more development, but my mouse is dead- 

I personally hate using the touch pad...oh...my first-world problems...

Before Lent- 7 QuickTakes

Now that the Christmas season is really, really over (40 days after, etc, etc)- it is time to start planning for Lent (the Great Fast)! Now, of course, Lent (of course, we Byzantines are different AGAIN- the Great Fast begins for us after Sunday Liturgy before Ash Wednesday- future blog material) is pretty far off, so I thought I would share how I will be spending my Mardi Gras 'season' 

1.  Watch movies for fun- TV goes off during the Fast.

2. Plan Mardi Gras party for the big girls- invite their fellow 'Little Flowers'

3. Invite guests over for dinner as much as possible. And then the house will be magically cleaner than usual

4. Print new booklets for church for special liturgies during the Great Fast.

5. Practice new songs for the Divine Liturgy and Pre-Sanctified Liturgy

6. Clean the fridge of non-fasting foods

7. Plan menus for the fast- be as vegan as possible.

WOW- These 'quick takes' were truly quick!

Righteous Simeon & Anna the Prophetess

The story of Simeon and Anna the Prophetess is one of my favorites in the Bible. They had waited faithfully for the Messiah, and they were given the amazing gift of seeing the 'Sun of Justice' in the flesh. Simeon could leave this world in peace. Anna was rewarded for her faithfulness. While the New Testament is filled with relatively young people and their adventures in traveling and ministry, elderly Simeon and Anna are unabashedly at home waiting and praying quietly in the temple for the Messiah's coming. The lessons we can learn from them? respect your elders and never cease waiting on the Lord.

 

a beautiful icon from the convent of St Elizabeth

Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, full of grace, for from thee arose the Sun of justice, Christ our God, lighting those who are in darkness. Rejoice and be glad, O righteous old man, carrying in thine arms the Deliverer of our souls, Who grants us Resurrection.

In the Temple thou didst embrace as an infant God the Word Who became flesh. O glorious Elder Simeon, who didst hold God in thine arms. And also as a prophetess the august Anna ascribed praise to Him. We acclaim you as divine servants of Christ.


Let Simeon the Righteous and Anna the Prophetess, that godly pair, be praised together; well-pleasing to God, they became witnesses of the Incarnate Lord. When they saw him as an infant, together they worshiped Him.

A Simple Woman's Daybook for February

Outside my window...ominous, grey clouds that might let rain loose- I hope so; I just love rain

I am thinking...about 6th grade geometry vocabulary (parallel, intersecting and skewed lines)

I am thankful for...clean, hot water- what a luxury!

A thought to share... "I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble." ~Helen Keller

From the kitchen...roast chicken, baked potatoes and mixed vegetables

I am wearing...my new black skirt that doesn't need to be ironed (!)

 
I am creating..some PDFs to share and print at this site

I am going...to get the vacuum repaired

I am reading...George MacDonald fairy tales

I am hoping...for unity of all Christians (a girl can dream, right?)

I am listening to...Voices: Chant from Avignon, a CD from Mom

Around the house...cleaning, purging, decluttering, ordering of blackout drapes so we can get some sleep

One of my favorite things...Trader Joe's Bedtime Tea...it doesn't help me get to sleep, but it is delicious

Another thought to share... "The most extraordinary thing in the world is an ordinary man and an ordinary woman and their ordinary children." (GKC)

A few plans for the rest of the week: more decluttering and cleaning, our 'learning meeting' with our charter school teacher, printing press field trip, feast day on Tuesday, St. Valentine's Day park day- it is going to be a busy week!

Still another thought to share...

Presentation of our Lord Jesus Christ 

in the Temple  (Feb 2)

Troparion: Rejoice, thou who art full of grace, Mother of God and Virgin, for from thee arose the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God, to give light to those in darkness. Rejoice thou also, righteous elder, who didst take in thy arms the Redeemer of our souls who also gives us the grace of resurrection.
Kontaldon: Thou Who didst sanctify the Virgin's womb by Thy birth and bless Simeon's hands as was fitting, hast now come to us and saved us, O Christ our God. But grant peace in the midst of wars to Thy community, and strengthen the Church which Thou hast loved, O only Lover of mankind.

inspired by a simple woman's daybook