The entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem after he raised four-days-buried Lazarus is a moment of the most numerous and most joyful recognition of Him as Lord and Savior. Jesus enters the capital on a donkey, according to Old Testament prophecy. This is one of the many signs by which He could be recognized, but still this sign didn’t understand nor his disciples. Many people heard that He will come, so they greeted Him with palm branches in their hands. So, they were taking off their garments and spreading them before Him and in admiration inspired called: Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of God, King of Israel! Even some of the Hellenes who came to worship for Pasha approached and begged to see Him. Only the clergy and the Pharisees had a quarrel against Him, preparing to slew Him quickly and thought to kill Lazarus who testified for His power and His Divinity. And again the Lord is trying to reveal his identity to the crowd and prepare them for the nearest future and the meaning of this mission and its temptations. Indeed, when He addresses them with the word for the Cross, then they lose the knowledge of Him as the King and Christ, then their mind gets closed for the Word and the Scriptures. (more…)

On this day it’s commemorated the miraculous resurrection of Lazarus, who was four days diseased at that time, done by the God-Man Jesus Christ. As the Holy Gospel testifies, this event was very direct (or six days) before the betrayal and murder of the Lord Jesus Christ on Golgotha. The interpreters in this happening see it as fore-image and sort of spiritual preparation of the witnesses at that time for the upcoming Christ resurrection. In any case, at that time the Lazarus resurrection was experienced as the strongest proof of the Divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ to Jews and then became a sticking point for many. But since than many believed in Him as Savior. Some theologians particularly interpreted the Human and the Divine nature of Christ at resurrection of Lazarus, saying that the Lord wept before the grave of Lazarus because of his human love for him as a dear friend, and He resurrected him by His Divine power as God. (more…)

Првата Недела на Великиот пост се нарекува Недела на Православието – заради извршуваното торжеството на Православието во овој ден, што бил востановен во Византија во првата половина на IX век, во спомен на конечната победа на Православната Црква над сите ереси, што ја вознемирувале Црквата, и особенно над последната од нив – иконоборечката, осудена на Седмиот Вселенски Собор во 787 година.

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The Holy pictures, or Icons, have always graced our churches since the Apostolic age.  During the seventh century, a Byzantine Emperor attempted to remove all Icons from our Churches believing that Icons should not be worshipped but only God.  He actually succeeded in doing away with Icons, and for over 150 years Orthodox Christians were banned from using Icons in any manner, shape or form.  (more…)

In the Orthodox Church, today is known as Theodore Saturday (this is always the case for the first Saturday of Great Lent). Throughout the season of Great Lent (period given to us for repentance – refocus on Christ in a proper way) we’re constantly reminded of things in our own lives that we need to be looking at. The Church helps us in our repentance, and in our walk toward Christ, with hints and reminders, especially in the services of the Church. I’d like to begin by relating the story that gives today it’s name, and then reflect on our interactions with God through the prism of this story.

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Во овој ден, првата сабота од постот, го празнуваме преславното чудо со коливото на светиот и славен великомаченик Теодор Тирон, кое има ваков почеток: За време на владеењето на Јулијан Отстапник (по Констанциј – синот на големиот цар Константин), кој отпадна од Христа и му се врати на идолопоклонството, започна гонење на христијаните, јавно или прикриено. (more…)

АПОСТОЛСКИ ПРАВИЛА ЗА ВЕЛИКИОТ ПОСТ – ИГУМЕН ГАВРИЛ

Cross yourself

Flour the pan and make a Cross in it, then say the prayer Our Holy Elder God Jesus Christ have mercy on me.  The Jesus prayer should be said during the preparation. (more…)

 Се прекрстуваме.

Се поросува тепсијата со брашно и на неа се прави крст и се вели по молитвите на нашиот свет старец, Господи Исусе Христе помилуј ме. Целата подготовка треба да биде во духот на молитвата Господи Исусе Христе помилуј ме. (more…)

Денес (28 Ноември)почнува постот, нека ни е благословен и лесен. Овој пост е посветен за подготовка и во чест и спомен на раѓањето во тело на Спасителот и Господ наш Исус Христос. Кој заради нашето спасение се воплоти, прими тело и стана Човек за да ја подигне и спаси сета човекова природа. Бог стана Човек за да човекот стане бог по благодат. Оваа зададеност Бог му ја дај на човекот уште во рајот за што требал да исполни само една заповед да се воздржува, т.е. да пости. Ако постот му бил потребен на човекот во рајот за да дојде до целта тогаш уште повеќе во ова земја на прогонство и маки. (more…)