Today I visited St. Basil the Great Byzantine Church in Irving, TX. The priest mentioned that from August 1, to August 14, leading up to the feast of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin (called the Assumption by the west), it is customary to fast. I highly recommend that we all take part in [...]
Fasting before the feast the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin
August 2, 2009
“Consumed by Sorrow”
May 24, 2008
This prayer is from Romanus the Melodist, discussed here. He lived in the 6th century and wrote liturgical hymns influencing the Byzantine tradition. In this hymn, Mary is presented as a sheep who follows the Lamb to the slaughter in order to act as a sorrowful witness.
Like a sheep
that contemplates its lamb led [...]
“We glorify you”
May 24, 2008
The prayer below is from the Byzantine Liturgy, and is comparable to the “Hail Mary” for Eastern Christian spirituality. It is frequently repeated in the liturgical Office or at home by the faithful.
You are more venerable than the Cherubim and incomparably more glorious than the Seraphim.
Without losing your virginity,
you gave birth to the Word [...]
