Orthodox churches ☦︎

Understand two thoughts, and fear them. One says,

"You are a saint," the other, "You won't be saved."

Both of these thoughts are from the enemy, and there is no truth in them. But think this way: I am a great sinner, but the Lord is merciful. He loves people very much, and He will forgive my sins. (St. Silouan the Athonite)

5th Saturday of Great Lent: of the Akathist to the Theotokos

Commemorated on April 20

When the archangel understood the mysterious command, he came to the house of Joseph with haste and proclaimed to the unwedded Lady: The One Who bowed the heavens by His condescension is contained wholly and without change in you! As I behold Him in your womb, taking the form of a servant, I am frightened, but cry: Rejoice, unwedded Bride!

On the Fifth Saturday of Great Lent, the Saturday of the Akathist, we commemorate the “Laudation of the Virgin” Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos.

In 625, when the emperor Heraclius was fighting the Persians, the Khan sent forces to attack Constantinople by land and by sea. Patriarch Sergius urged the people not to lose heart, but to trust in God.

A procession was made around the city with the Cross of the Lord, the robe of the Virgin, the Icon of the Savior not made by hands, and the Hodēgḗtria Icon of the Mother of God. The Patriarch dipped the Virgin’s robe in the sea, and the city’s defenders beat back the Khan’s sea forces. The sea became very rough, and many boats sank. The invaders retreated, and the people of Constantinople gave thanks to God and to His Most Pure Mother.

On two other occasions, in 655 and 705, the Theotokos protected the city from Saracen invaders. A feastday dedicated to the Laudation of the Virgin was established to commemorate these victories. The Akathist to the Mother of God is believed to originate from this period, and its use has spread from Constantinople to other Orthodox lands.

The icon before which the Akathist was sung was given to the Dionysiou Monastery on Mt. Athos by Emperor Alexius Comnenos. There, it began to flow with myrrh. There were at least three wonderworking copies of this icon in Russia before the Revolution.

This icon shows the Mother of God seated on a throne, and surrounded by Prophets with scrolls.

[Text from OCA]

Victorious leader of triumphant hosts, we your servants, delivered from evil, sing our grateful thanks to you, Theotokos! As you possess invincible might set us free from every calamity, so that we may sing: Rejoice, unwedded Bride!

Christ our God has loved His own to the uttermost. Because of love He created the world, because of love He was born into this world as a man, because of love He took up our broken humanity into Himself and made it His own. Because of love He identified Himself with all our distress. Because of love He offered Himself as a sacrifice, choosing at Gethsemane to go voluntarily to His Passion: 'I lay down my life for my sheep... No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of myself' (John 10:15, 18). It was willing love, not exterior compulsion, that brought Jesus to His death. At His Agony in the garden and at His Crucifixion the forces of darkness assail Him with all their violence, but they cannot change His compassion into hatred; they cannot prevent His love from continuing to be itself. His love is tested to the furthest point, but it is not overwhelmed. 'The light shines on in the darkness, and the darkness has not swallowed it up' (John 1:5). To Christ's victory upon the Cross we may apply the words spoken by a Russian priest on his release from prison camp: 'Suffering has destroyed all things. One thing alone has stood firm -- it is love.'

-- Kallistos Ware, The Orthodox Way

Birth & Death of Christ

The Virgin of the Lilies † Pietra by William-Adolphe Bouguereau

Because Christ our God is true man, He died a full and genuine human death upon the Cross. But because He is not only true man but true God, because He is life itself and the source of life, this death was not and could not be the final conclusion.

The Crucifixion is itself a victory; but on Great Friday the victory is hidden, whereas on Easter morning it is made manifest. Christ rises up from the dead, and by His rising He delivers us from anxiety and terror: the victory of the Cross is confirmed, love is openly shown to be stronger than hatred, and life to be stronger than death. God Himself has died and risen from the dead, and so there is no more death: even death is filled with God. Because Christ is risen, we need no longer be afraid of any dark or evil force in the universe. As we proclaim each year at the Paschal midnight service, in words attributed to St John Chrysostom:

Let none fear death, for the death of the Saviour has set us free. Christ is risen and the demons have fallen. Christ is risen and the angels rejoice.

-- Kallistos Ware, The Orthodox Way

Albert James Moriarty & Mycroft Holmes

How to Write an IMPACTFUL Backstory

Honestly, writing and reading about backstories is probably one of my favorite parts of a character's story! It's a strong foundation for a character's goals, motives, thoughts, and actions! Its most powerful effect, on the other hand, is its ability to change one's view on a character. So, then, how do we write such an impactful past?

For beginners, the more tragic the backstory, the better. While this does hold some truth, let me re-iterate that it's for beginners. The idea behind it is that a pure, devastatingly pitiful backstory is unique and pulls at your reader's heartstrings. Unfortunately, instead, we're left with an origin story that feels superficial, overly-dramatic, unnecessary, and shallow. However in this post, I will give you some tips on how to avoid creating such 2D backgrounds and actually bring your character's past to life!

First, your character's backstory can be made with whatever components you choose, but the key is that you must balance them out correctly. Additionally, the majority of the time, you do want their story to stick out, so I suggest trying to come up with something original! It's much harder than it sounds, but honestly, every other protagonist has dead parents at this point. Be creative, add details, and don't be afraid to let your character go through things if you feel that it's fitting!

Second, don't extend their past for too long. The point of introducing the backstory is to elaborate on a (few) certain event(s) that affected your character the most and forever changed their lives. Keep it centered around one, or at most, a couple events.

Next, most writers tend to use sadness and/or to fuel the character, but it should not be overbearing and excessive. Alternatively, it should feel GENUINE. Not dramatic, but genuine. Different genres do form different types of backstories, yes, but the core concept behind it should be something natural. It should be something that your readers will be able to understand; something authentic. They should feel some sense of relatability, even if it's just a little. This could be like family issues, broken friendships, betrayals, leaving someone, mental struggles, loneliness, etc. Complexity can surround these concepts, but the basic, fundamental ideas should still be present.

Furthermore, be sure that their backstory makes sense. Even if you're introducing it through quick, brief flashbacks, ultimately, you want the reader to have all the pieces to solve the puzzle.

Last but not least, make your backstory feel personal to your character! Build it in a sense that if it were to go to any other character, it wouldn't have an effect that's as severe. Make it targeted to its owner. While this is something that can be difficult to execute, it really provides insight to your character, and is an easy way to add some intricacy to a simple backstory! A good place to start is thinking about the things personal to your character. For instance, this could be their past before the event, people they care about, their morals, etc. Then, add it in said event so that it pushes and/or challenges your character in a way that makes them re-evaluate that value.

There you go! Here are my personal tips on how to upgrade your character's backstory and have it really impact your reader! Be creative, keep it centered around a couple things, make it genuine, and make it targeted to the character!

Happy writing~

3hks <3

Lord, help me to preserve my inner peace, teach me how to be calm and peaceful and kind, just like Thine angels

Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica

The Creed belongs only to those who live it. Faith and love, theology and life, are inseparable.

Kallistos Ware, The Orthodox Church

Дарование молитвы икона Божией Матери // The gift of prayer icon of the Mother of God

Without this faith and the good hope that imitates it, the torturous feelings of contrition and repentance go the way of Judas. This is when the Cross of Christ is truly an anchor for man! Tossed about as if over an abyss in painful contrition over sins, he sees it as his only salvation -- all strength of faith and hope are contained in it, and from it man draws strength and enthusiasm to make a vow. Just as a drowning man grabs powerfully at a tree, so does the penitent reach for the Cross of Christ, and he feels that now he will not perish. We always knew the power of the Lord's death on the Cross, but one who has passed through this painful regret for his sins feels it, because it becomes an element of his life.

-- Saint Theophan the Recluse: Path to Salvation; A Manual of Spiritual Transformation

I think my grandma is warming up more and more to Orthodoxy. Just a moment ago I showed her some Orthodox stuff on Etsy that I liked and the SECOND she saw the Orthodox cross necklace she goes "I want that" KNEKSNS

Then I showed her a gift set with a box displaying an icon of the Theotokos and she wanted that too

She just spent $58 on Orthodox stuff. ETSY IS CONVERTING HER 😂😂😂

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27

I got my very first icon today! My prayer corner could use a lot of work but I'm just starting out. I also don't have incense so I'm using a candle

I love the Christ Pantocrator image so much. It will forever be my absolute favorite artwork of Jesus

'The Virgin and Child' by Mikhail Nesterov

Just read the book of Judith for the first time and it's an absolute banger 11/10