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adarafaelbarba · 1 year

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Officer Down

Pairing: Mike Duarte x Reader (reader’s pov)

Fandom: Law and Order SVU (season 24)

Trigger warnings: Character death (not how he died though. Cause that’s too brutal for this).

An: This has plagued my mind since we lost him, and I need to get it out of my system asap! Please read with caution though! 🫣❤️ We’ll miss you Captain Duarte 🥺💔❤️

Based on this song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jkvjx9CCdRo

Red and blue lights cover 213 W 30th St like a train Miles of cars, full of people with nothing to say

Your hands fidgeted as you sat next to Liv in the back of the black SUV, an old habit that you’d picked back up from being on the job. Even more so now with the current situation.

“You ready, y/n?” She asked, her voice muffled by all the thoughts flashing through your mind. The last moments you’d had with him. “y/n?”

Looking up at your Captain, eyes filled with tears, you bit back a sob, “I don’t want to say goodbye to him, cause that means moving on.”

She let out a soft sigh at that, hugging you, telling you you’d always have him with you.

He’d found it endearing, watching you get nervous, had called it cute, his face lighting up in a smile when you blushed. You’d missed that smile, the way his dimples showed, his head falling back when he laughed. His laugh…You’d miss that too.

The sun's out, you'd think that it's just another November day Oh and I can't help but be mad, knowing I'll leave and you're gonna stay

Stopping outside the church, you and Liv got out, followed by Grace and Joe. Sonny, Terry, Fin and Amanda following close behind. Once on the sidewalk you fixed your uniform, flattening out the creases.

The entire area was filled with officer, all clad in uniform, and all there to take part in the funeral.

When they spotted you, they all got up in attention, Chief McGrath barking out orders, all of them presenting arms. It was almost as if you were the one they were honoring, that you’d been the one to die. And in a sense you had, if only a small part of you when Mike died

They called me on a cell phone Telling me there's an officer down And we prayed for a miracle, but you didn't come back around Oh, I've kissed you goodbye a thousand times But never like I'm doing right now

Oh, with twenty-one shots going up for the officer down

Never in your life did you think you’d be here. Least of all alive, in place of a spouse, ready to take farewell with their serving spouse. The engagement ring burning on your fingers as you walked past them all, a reminder of what could’ve been. Your squad following close behind should anything happen.

Tears threaten to spill again, but you do your best to hold them back, lifting your head bravely.

When you get to the end of the line, McGrath stands there, stoic as always. You stop in front of him, offering your hand, “Thank you, Tommy, for this, all of this. Miguel would’ve hated all this for him.” A tear laugh escaped your lips, followed by a strangled sob.

“I’m just happy we could honor him, y/n.”

You shared a quick handshake, then you pulled him in for a hug, needing to be anchored before tears spilled again, not that you were really succeeding in holding them back.

I begged you to throw out that t-shirt that I sleep in now And badge number 0477 is all over town And people keep asking if there's anything they can do But no one can give me back you

“If there’s ever anything, y/n, anything at all, don’t hesitate to ask.” He sounded sincere, and you knew he was, but what you really wanted couldn’t be given. So you simply nodded, thanking him before you walked up the rest of the steps to the church.

The service was beautiful. Some of his guys said a few words. Grace spoke. And then you did, through tears, taking one last goodbye with the man you loved.

Once you’d finished speaking, you walked down the few steps to the casket, leaning down to press your forehead on it, the hand that had your wedding ring on, while also holding his dog tag and wedding ring on a chain, pressed against the casket too.

I held ya tight when they told me it's time to let go And I know that somehow you knew that you weren't alone

Someone’s hand rested on your shoulder, telling you it was time. But you didn’t let go, tears flowing freely now, not caring who saw. “Come back to me Miguel.” You whispered, begging him.

“y/n, it’s time.” Liv said softly, her hand rubbing your shoulder.

They called me and told me It's my officer down And I talked to you and begged you, but you didn't come back around

“Please, Miguel—please come back to me, I can’t do this without you.” You begged, clutching anything you could hold onto, whispering into the void to please give you back your one true love.

Oh, I kissed you goodbye a thousand times But never like I'm doing right now

You finally pressed your lips to the casket, “te amo, mi vida.” The silence that had previously been in the room broke as you let out a sob, at last allowing yourself to cry over him.

Oh, with twenty-one shots going up I wish you had more time with us 'Cause thirty-three years ain't enough for the officer down

~~~

tagging:

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#tw death #tw character death #law and order svu #mike duarte #mike duarte x reader #law and order svu x reader

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orthodoxydaily · 6 months

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Saints&Reading: Tuesday, November 21, 2023

november 8_november 21

THE CELEBRATION OF THE SOBOR (ASSEMBLAGE) OF THE LEADER OF THE HEAVENLY HOSTS MICHAEL, AND THE OTHER HEAVENLY BODILESS POWERS

The Synaxis of the Chief of the Heavenly Hosts, Archangel Michael and the Other Heavenly Bodiless Powers: Archangels Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Selaphiel, Jehudiel, Barachiel, and Jeremiel was established at the beginning of the fourth century at the Council of Laodicea, which met several years before the First Ecumenical Council. The 35th Canon of the Council of Laodicea condemned and denounced as heretical the worship of angels as gods and rulers of the world, but affirmed their proper veneration.

A Feastday was established in November, the ninth month after March (with which the year began in ancient times) since there are Nine Ranks of Angels. The eighth day of the month was chosen for the Synaxis of all the Bodiless Powers of Heaven since the Day of the Dread Last Judgment is called the Eighth Day by the holy Fathers. After the end of this age (characterized by its seven days of Creation) will come the Eighth Day, and then “the Son of Man shall come in His Glory and all the holy Angels with Him” (Mt. 25:31).

The Angelic Ranks are divided into three Hierarchies: highest, middle, and lowest.

The Highest Hierarchy includes: the Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones.

The six-winged SERAPHIM (Flaming, Fiery) (Is 6:2) stand closest of all to the Most Holy Trinity. They blaze with love for God and kindle such love in others. The many-eyed CHERUBIM (outpouring of wisdom, enlightenment) (Gen 3:24) stand before the Lord after the Seraphim. They are radiant with the light of knowledge of God, and knowledge of the mysteries of God. Through them wisdom is poured forth, and people’s minds are enlightened so they may know God and behold His glory. The THRONES (Col 1:16) stand after the Cherubim, mysteriously and incomprehensibly bearing God through the grace given them for their service. They are ministers of God’s justice, giving to tribunals, kings, etc. the capacity for righteous judgment.

The Middle Angelic Hierarchy consists of three Ranks: Dominions, Powers, and Authorities:

DOMINIONS (Col 1:16) hold dominion over the angels subject to them. They instruct the earthly authorities, established by God, to rule wisely, and to govern their lands well. The Dominions teach us to subdue sinful impulses, to subject the flesh to the spirit, to master our will, and to conquer temptation. POWERS (1 Pet 3:22) fulfill the will of God without hesitation. They work great miracles and give the grace of wonderworking and clairvoyance to saints pleasing to God. The Powers assist people in fulfilling obediences. They also encourage them to be patient, and give them spiritual strength and fortitude. AUTHORITIES (1 Pet 3:22, Col 1:16) have authority over the devil. They protect people from demonic temptations, and prevent demons from harming people as they would wish. They also uphold ascetics and guard them, helping people in the struggle with evil thoughts.

The Lowest Hierarchy includes the three Ranks: Principalities, Archangels, and Angels:

PRINCIPALITIES (Col 1:16) have command over the lower angels, instructing them in the fulfilling of God’s commands. They watch over the world and protect lands, nations and peoples. Principalities instruct people to render proper honor to those in authority, as befits their station. They teach those in authority to use their position, not for personal glory and gain, but to honor God, and to spread word of Him, for the benefit of those under them. ARCHANGELS (1 Thess 4:16) are messengers of great and wondrous tidings. They reveal prophecies and the mysteries of the faith. They enlighten people to know and understand the will of God, they spread faith in God among the people, illuminating their minds with the light of the Holy Gospel. ANGELS (1 Pet 3:22) are in the lowest rank of the heavenly hierarchy, and closest to people. They reveal the lesser mysteries of God and His intentions, guiding people to virtuous and holy life. They support those who remain steadfast, and they raise up the fallen. They never abandon us and they are always prepared to help us, if we desire it.

All the Ranks of the Heavenly Powers are called angels, although each has its own name and position by virtue of their service. The Lord reveals His will to the highest ranks of the angels, and they in turn inform the others.

Over all the Nine Ranks, the Lord appointed the Holy Archangel Michael (his name in Hebrew means “who is like unto God”), the faithful servitor of God, as Chief Commander. He cast down from Heaven the arrogantly proud Lucifer and the other fallen spirits when they rebelled against God. Michael summoned the ranks of angels and cried out, “Let us attend! Let us stand aright before our Creator and do not consider doing what is displeasing unto God!”

According to Church Tradition, and in the church services to the Archangel Michael, he participated in many other Old Testament events.

During the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt he went before them in the form of a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Through him the power of the Lord was made manifest, annihilating the Egyptians and Pharaoh who were in pursuit of the Israelites. The Archangel Michael defended Israel in all its misfortunes. He appeared to Joshua Son of Navi and revealed the will of the Lord at the taking of Jericho (Josh 5:13-16). The power of the great Chief Commander of God was manifest in the annihilation of the 185,000 soldiers of the Assyrian emperor Sennacherib (4/2 Kings 19:35); also in the smiting of the impious leader Heliodorus (2 Macc. 3: 24-26); and in the protection of the Three Holy Youths: Ananias, Azarias and Misail, thrown into the fiery furnace for their refusal to worship an idol (Dan 3:22-25). Through the will of God, the Chief Commander Michael transported the Prophet Habbakuk (December 2) from Judea to Babylon, to give food to Daniel in the lions’ den (Dan. 14:33-37). The Archangel Michael disputed with the devil over the body of the holy Prophet Moses (Jude 1:9). The holy Archangel Michael showed his power when he miraculously saved a young man, cast into the sea by robbers with a stone about his neck on the shores of Mt Athos. This story is found in the Athonite Paterikon, and in the Life of Saint Neophytus of Docheiariou (November 9). From ancient times the Archangel Michael was famed for his miracles in Rus. In the Volokolamsk Paterikon is a narrative of Saint Paphnutius of Borov with an account of Tatar tax-gatherers concerning the miraculous saving of Novgorod the Great: “Therefore Great Novgorod was never taken by the Hagarenes... when... for our sins the godless Hagarene emperor Batu devoured and set the Russian land aflame and came to Novgorod, and God and the Most Holy Theotokos shielded it with an appearance of Michael the Archangel, who forbade him to enter into it. He [Batu] was come to the Lithuanian city and came toward Kiev and saw the stone church, over the doors of which the great Archangel Michael had written and spoken to the prince his allotted fate, ‘By this we have forbidden you entry into Great Novgorod’.” Intercession for Russian cities by the Most Holy Queen of Heaven always involved Her appearances with the Heavenly Hosts, under the leadership of the Archangel Michael. Grateful Rus acclaimed the Most Pure Mother of God and the Archangel Michael in church hymns. Many monasteries, cathedrals, court and merchant churches are dedicated to the Chief Commander Michael. In old Kiev at the time of the accepting of Christianity, a cathedral of the Archangel was built, and a monastery also was named for him. Archangel cathedrals are found at Smolensk, Nizhni Novgorod, Staritsa, at Great Ustiug (beginning of the thirteenth century), and a cathedral at Sviyazhsk. In Rus there was not a city where there was not a church or chapel dedicated to the Archangel Michael. One of the chief temples of the city of Moscow, the burial church in the Kremlin, is dedicated to him. Numerous and beautiful icons of the Chief Commander of the Heavenly Hosts are also in his Cathedral. One of these, the Icon “Blessed Soldiery,” was painted in the Dormition Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin. The saintly soldiers, Russian princes, are depicted under the leadership of the Archangel Michael. We invoke Saint Michael for protection from invasion by enemies and from civil war, and for the defeat of adversaries on the field of battle. He conquers all spiritual enemies.

Holy Scripture and Tradition give us the names of the Archangels:

Gabriel: strength (power) of God, herald and servitor of Divine omnipotence (Dan 8:16, Luke 1:26). He announces the mysteries of God. Raphael: the healing of God, the curer of human infirmities (Tobit 3:16, 12:15) Uriel: the fire or light of God, enlightener (2 Esdras 5:20). We pray for him to enlighten those with darkened minds. Selaphiel: the prayer of God, impelling to prayer (2 Esdras 5:15). He prays to God for mankind. Jehudiel: the glorifying of God, encouraging exertion for the glory of the Lord and interceding for the reward of efforts. Barachiel: distributor of the blessings of God for good deeds, entreats the mercy of God for people. Jeremiel: the raising up to God (2 Esdras 4:36)

On icons the Archangels are depicted in according to the character of their service:

Michael tramples the devil underfoot, and in his left hand holds a green date-tree branch, and in his right hand a spear with a white banner on which is outlined a scarlet cross, or sometimes a fiery sword. Gabriel with a branch from Paradise, presented by him to the Most Holy Virgin, or with a shining lantern in his right hand and with a mirror made of jasper in his left. Raphael holds a vessel with healing medications in his left hand, and with his right hand leads Tobias, carrying a fish for healing (Tobit 5-8). Uriel in his raised right hand holds a naked sword at the level of his chest, and in his lowered left hand “a fiery flame.” Selaphiel in a prayerful posture, gazing downwards, hands folded on the chest. Jehudiel holds a golden crown in his right hand, in his left, a whip of three red (or black) thongs. Barachiel is shown with a white rose on his breast. Jeremiel holds balance-scales in his hand.

Each person has a guardian angel (Matt 18:10), and every nation also receives its own guardian angel from God (Dan. 10:13). When a church is consecrated, it also receives a guardian angel (Palladius, Dial. Ch. 10).

Source: Orthodox Church in America_OCA

HEBREWS 2:2-10

2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will? 5 For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels. 6 But one testified in a certain place, saying:"What is man that You are mindful of him, Or the son of man that You take care of him? 7 You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And set him over the works of Your hands. 8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet." For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

LUKE 10:16-21

16 He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me. 17 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name." 18 And He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven. 21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.

#orthodoxy #orthodoxchristianity #easternorthodoxchurch #originofchristianity #spirituality #holyscriptures #gospel #bible #wisdom #archangel #archangel michael #archangel gabriel

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essence-of-femininity · 6 months

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18 November - Blessed Karolina Kózkówna.

Born on August 2, 1898, Karolina Kozka was one of eleven children, although sources conflict about her being the 4th, 7th, or 8th born. Her parents were Jan and Maria Borzecka Kozka of Poland. The family lived in the Wal-Ruda and was part of the Diocese of Tarnow. From 1904–1912, Karolina attended the classes at the local school.

She grew up in a Catholic family who prayed everyday and displayed the love of God to her. Often, Karolina would gather neighbors and relatives, mainly children, and they would read the Scriptures together under a pear tree near her home. She loved praying the rosary, using the beads given to her by her mother. Her prayers often caused her to get less sleep than she needed. “Often during the day she quietly whispered the words, ‘Hail Mary!’ as she herself often said, because they made her ‘feel a great joy in her heart’”.

She would pray the rosary constantly, and even though it was a long walk to Mass, she would go during the week, in addition to Sunday. Karolina’s uncle, Franciszek Borzecki, was one inspiration for her faith. Because of her love for serving, she helped her uncle in the library, and she also helped organize things at her parish. In addition to serving the Church, she taught her younger siblings and the children of the area their catechism. By age 16, Karolina was a beautiful, enthusiastic girl.

In 1914, World War I broke out in Poland, affecting the Kozka family forever. The Russian army began capturing cities, and in November 1914, they controlled Wal-Ruda. The situation grew worse as stories spread of the soldiers stealing possessions and raping women. Fear spread through the city. On November 18, an armed Russian soldier came to their house, and he ordered Karolina and her father to go with him, saying he was taking them to the commanding officer.

When the trio reached the edge of the forest, the soldier commanded Karolina’s father to return home. The man went back to his home, leaving his daughter in the clutches of the Russian. Two boys on their way back from the village witnessed the attack of the soldier on Karolina. He attempted to force himself on her, but she struggled and refused to give in. Angered, the man stabbed her with his bayonet multiple times. Karolina ran towards the swamps, which saved her from further attacks since the chase was difficult for the soldier. When he saw her fall, he gave up the chase. But it was too late for Karolina; the wounds inflicted on her by the soldier had caused too much blood loss. She died in the swamps, her purity intact. Karolina was only 16.

It was not until December 4, 16 days later, that her body was found. After she was buried, the local villagers came to pray at her tomb and also at the site of her death. In February 1965, Bishop Jerzy Ablewicz submitted her cause for beatification and canonization (and also her martyrdom) to be looked at. On June 10, 1987, Pope John Paul II beatified Karolina in Tarnow, Poland, as a martyr for Christ, making her “Blessed Karolina Kozka.”

Since her beatification, Karolina’s relics have been placed in the main altar and are venerated by parishioners and pilgrims who visit her shrine every year. When people visit her house, they will find that it has been reconstructed into a museum format, where visitors can learn more about this courageous young woman.

Blessed Karolina has not been made a saint yet, but there have been a few miracles, which is the next step to declaring her a saint. Each month on the 10th day, there is a service at her Shrine to pray that she will be canonized soon. She is an example of purity and courage in our society today.

#martyrofpurity #virginandmartyr #god #follow me #jesuschrist #i need followers #faith #roman catholic #catholicism #amen #god loves you #faithful #polishblogger #igrejacatolica #Iglesia católica #chiesa cattolica #Catholic Church #mary mother of jesus

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ashxketchum · 6 months

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Note: I’ve been focusing more on making edits this year so only got around to finish writing this today. This is my entry for both Dawn and Morning themes. I know I always say I have a million AUs for TyHil in my head, and well half of them are about how they get married. So I already wrote a proposal oneshot last year (?), and this doesn’t exactly feature a proposal, but everything that follows afterwards. It’s set in the AU where all my other favourite characters from Digimon and Pokemon are present too, along with my OC. In this verse Tyson and Taichi (Digimon) are fraternal twins.

You might get a vibe of a certain world famous sitcom from this, but that’s because I’ve been rewatching it on repeat since September or so. I hope you enjoy reading this!

READ ON FANFICTION.NET

post dividers by @/cafekitsune

~bright smiles and bubbling champagne~

He only caught a glimpse of the first streak of purple seeping through the dark sky before his attention was snapped back to the scene in front of him. Tyson realised that dawn was almost upon them and a sunrise signalling the start of a new day would follow soon. He should have been exhausted by now, groaning about not getting enough sleep, but when his eyes fell on the now twinkling stone resting on Hilary’s finger a rush of excitement took over and every bit of tiredness left his body.

Who would’ve thought that just a few hours ago they’d been having the worst date of their lives and now they were engaged?

If he was being honest with himself, however, Tyson had never meant to propose to Hilary tonight.

No, that was something he still hadn’t planned at all and yet tonight something clicked. Maybe it was how she had smiled reassuringly when the restaurant claimed that they’d not registered any reservation under his name tonight. Or perhaps it happened when she sat next to him in the cramped and dinghy ramen shop, tucking her hair back diligently before slurping loudly as she gulped down a bowlful of ramen without hesitation. It could have been when she agreed to have ice cream for dessert despite the chill in the air and only laughed loudly when through some miracle snow began to fall on a crisp November night. It definitely had something to do with how she didn’t complain when his car broke down in the middle of an empty road and the towing service told him they’d only pick it up in the morning after the snow subsided. As they walked back home hand in hand, she hummed a happy tune as if the night had turned out exactly how she had expected it to.

That’s when Tyson knew, that he’d made the right choice by carrying the ring around with him ever since he bought it.

Him getting down on one knee two blocks away from their apartment was probably the only thing Hilary hadn’t expected to happen tonight, yet, she couldn’t even wait for him to finish asking the question before she shouted yes and jumped into his arms.

And that’s how he ended up awake at 4 AM, squished on the couch between his twin and his fiance, as their friends gathered around to get a closer look at the ring and to hear the story about how it happened.

“I still can’t believe it, oh my god you guys!” Sora’s voice almost cracked as she took Hilary’s hand in hers to inspect the ring with awe.

Another flurry of congratulations and we’re so happy for you mixed in with exclamations over the diamond ring rang through the living room. Hilary gently pulled her hand out of Sora’s grasp and leaned back into the couch, her face was beaming with happiness at being the centre of attention and she could barely suppress the wide grin for more than a second as she gazed at her hand contently. Tyson tried his best to not laugh at how cute she looked fawning over the ring and basking in the praises that the two of them were being showered with.

“And it’s such a beautiful ring too,” Mimi said wistfully, her caramel eyes shined as she shifted her gaze upwards to smile at Hilary.

“Of course it is, I helped pick it after all!” As proud as Charlie looked with herself, her statement was not met with the enthusiasm she may have expected.

Tyson wasn’t surprised by the sudden silence that followed, however, he’d known from the moment he’d asked Charlie to accompany him to the jewellery store a few months ago that when everyone else found out they were excluded from the plan, they wouldn’t take it lightly. The first one to react was Taichi, having the advantage of sitting next to him, his brother punched his arm.

“You took Charlie with you and not me?” While Taichi’s voice was tinged with a hint of hurt, the laidback smile on his face told Tyson that he didn’t hold the supposed betrayal against him.

“I needed to make sure that Hils wouldn’t find out,” Tyson said, draping an arm around Hilary’s shoulders as he inched closer towards her, in case his brother decided to change his mind and punch him for real.

“I’m great at keeping secrets!” Taichi responded with a pout.

“Yes, if keeping a secret means telling Sora something 10 seconds after you hear it.” Yamato piped up from across the couch. The room observed a collective nod of agreement with some light chuckles as Taichi narrowed his eyes at the blond.

“I don’t mind keeping a secret.”

It was odd to see Kai chime into a conversation without being asked to, which left everyone else silent as they considered his words. It was no surprise, however, when Mimi was the one to break the silence with a zing, laughing loudly without reading the room.

“But your taste in jewellery is terrible!”

“That’s not true!” Kai shot back immediately, taken aback by the accusation as if he’d never considered this possibility, “Charlie’s never complained about any of my gifts-” He looked at his girlfriend for support but she turned her face away from him quickly and jumped up from her seat with exaggerated enthusiasm.

“What matters now is that you guys are engaged!” Charlie squealed, meeting Hilary’s gaze as she completely ignored Kai’s attempt to catch her eye. “I feel like we should be celebrating!” She threw the question at the room and it was difficult for anyone to disagree. From the corner of his eyes, Tyson noticed Charlie shoot a warning look in Mimi’s direction when Kai wasn’t looking and he shook his head at the sight, making a mental note to accompany his best friend the next time he decided to go gift shopping.

“Should we go out for drinks?” Taichi asked excitedly, turning to look at him and Hilary for their approval.

“At-” Yamato began to respond with annoyance before pausing to look at the time on his wristwatch, possibly for dramatic effect, “4 AM? Don’t we all have jobs to get to in about 5 hours?”

“Okay, so how about you go home and get ready for work while the rest of us go out and celebrate the engagement?” Taichi scoffed, rolling his eyes at his friend’s reaction.

“There’s a bottle of champagne in my car downstairs,” Kai stated loudly stopping both Taichi and Yamato’s half-uttered insults, ensuring that the mood doesn’t get swept away by an argument between the two.

The decision was made in an instant, glasses and snacks were pulled out of the cupboard as the champagne arrived and the gang gathered around in a circle with Tyson and Hilary in the centre. Tyson gently pushed the cork off the bottle, the popping sound was drowned out by the cheers and clapping of his friends. He picked up the glass to pour the first drink for Hilary, leaning down to kiss her cheek quickly and whispering I love you in her ear as he handed the drink to her. He watched with a smile as her cheeks turned a bright shade of red as the cheers were replaced by hooting but she still managed to say it back to him. After another flurry of emotional well-wishes and congratulations filled the air everyone grabbed a glass full of champagne for themselves before settling back in their places around the living room. The silence as all of them sipped on their drinks was oddly relaxing, Tyson almost wanted to down his entire glass in one go and call it a night then and there but his friends had other plans.

“Well, you know what it is they say about a perfect wedding.” Mimi interrupted the silence by setting down her now half-empty glass on the coffee table in front of her, an excited gleam overtaking her eyes as she looked directly at Hilary.

“What do they say about a perfect wedding?” Yamato’s low yet sarcastic whisper did not go unheard by anyone in the room.

Tyson had to stifle a laugh as the brunette still managed to ignore the statement and instead pulled up the large tote bag she had carried with her tonight from the floor and gently set it down on the table. He had been slightly curious when Mimi arrived lugging this bag on her shoulder an hour ago, considering how no one else had bothered to bring anything with them at such short notice. Now the mystery was finally solved as she pulled out a hefty looking white and pink coloured binder that had something written on it with silver glitter which Tyson couldn’t see from where he was sitting. Yamato however, got a perfect look at the title since he was settled on the floor next to Mimi, and almost doubled over from trying to keep himself from laughing.

“It’s never too late to start planning,” Mimi said, patting the binder with determination and completely ignoring Yamato's reaction as she picked it up and leaned over on her knees to hand it to Hilary.

When Hilary rested the binder in her lap and Tyson finally got to see the title, he understood Yamato’s reaction but somehow he couldn’t bring himself to feel the same way as his fiance started to flip through the carefully compiled pages. He caught a glimpse of something about a horse carriage entrance and how much it costs which reminded him of the number of zeroes in his bank account, rather the lack thereof. He swallowed a nervous gulp when he glanced at Hilary and found her looking over the details with concentration. Tyson had known that eventually the two of them would need to sit down and have a conversation about things like their finances and budget, but he had hoped that tonight, he would just get to enjoy the feeling of being engaged to Hilary.

“This binder has everything you need to know about how to organise a wedding,” Mimi spoke up proudly puffing out her chest as almost everyone in the room came forward to get a look at her hard work. “I’ve been working on it since I was in sixth grade or something.”

“Yet your parents were surprised that you didn’t want to go to medical school,” Yamato muttered dryly, earning a few laughs and snickers from the room.

“Venues, dresses, catering, décor, it has details on everything, categorised by theme.” Mimi continued unfazed by the blond’s words she kept her gaze fixed on Hilary, “Of course, I made sure to update the prices as per the latest market rate.”

“And you still found time to colour your hair pink?” Yamato feigned surprise which led to Taichi and Charlie laughing out loud and this Mimi could not ignore. She turned to glare at Yamato, who to no one’s surprise quickly inched away from her.

“This is amazing Mimi chan!” Hilary finally looked up from the handmade catalogue, much to Tyson’s relief. She might have heard the sigh that escaped his lips because she quickly set the binder on the table face down so the glittery title, ‘The Perfect Wedding for The Perfect Girl’, was hidden from sight, “Thank you so much for sharing this with me, it means a lot.” Hilary smiled brightly at Mimi, saving Yamato from her murderous gaze just in time.

“You’re welcome! I hope this helps you make the right choice, by the way,” Mimi said sweetly, returning the smile, that somehow seemed to convey a heavier meaning that Tyson couldn’t catch.

“What do you mean? What choice?” Hilary looked as confused as him as she furrowed her brows and leaned forward.

“Why your Maid of Honour pick of course! Which one of us will it be?” Mimi announced her question happily but the effect of her words made the air in the room go cold.

Suddenly three pairs of eyes locked down on Hilary like a hawk, waiting with bated breath to hear her answer. Tyson who, unfortunately, was sitting next to his fiance and thus subjected to the unblinking stares found himself sinking lower into the couch to avoid being in the line of sight. Hilary let out a nervous chuckle and reached for his hand for support, grasping onto it tightly before she carefully picked out her response.

“I think it’s a little too soon to discuss this, no? We haven’t even decided on a date yet.”

“You’re absolutely right, Hils. I don’t want you to feel pressured by this so soon, anyway,” Charlie said, sending a smirk in Mimi’s direction.

“And this really isn’t that difficult a choice to make.” Sora laughed, gulping down the last of her champagne with ease.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Charlie, who was sprawled across the armrest of the couch Sora was sitting on, straightened up as she leaned forward to scowl at the auburn haired girl.

“Who do you think Tyson is going to pick as his Best Man?” Sora scoffed, rolling her eyes upwards as if this wasn’t something she thought she would need to explain to anyone.

“He could pick Kai! Kai is his best friend-”

“Taichi is his brother.”

“Oh, so you think that you have the upper hand as the brother’s girlfriend?”

“Might I remind both of you,” Mimi interrupted the argument in a loud voice, “that I’ve already proven what a great job I would do if I was picked.” She pointed towards the binder of nightmares lying at the table with a smug smile on her face.

“Oh yeah, sure your elementary school scrapbooking puts you above me picking out the actual engagement ring.” Charlie folded her arms across her chest and shot Mimi a challenging glare.

“Why don’t you just do a contest?”

Kai surprised them all by speaking out of turn for the second time that night. The room’s attention turned towards him and he met Hilary’s curious gaze with his usual deadpan expression.

“A contest?” Hilary asked, her voice a little quiet as she was probably trying to avoid coming back into the focus as technically she hadn’t answered Mimi’s question yet.

“Yeah, just give them a few tasks to do related to the wedding and see who performs the best. Everyone wins fair and square,” Kai said, completely unaware of the three pairs of angry glares directed at him as he spoke.

Charlie and Sora looked the most upset by his statement, Tyson assumed that the two thought they were closest to Hilary and wouldn’t really need to do anything extra to be appointed as her Maid of Honour, but now thanks to Kai’s suggestion, which Hilary was understandingly nodding along to, the two girls were at risk of losing against not just each other but Mimi, and if Hilary decided to be her kind self, Misty and Hikari as well.

“That sounds like a good idea,” Hilary responded, perking up slightly. One glance at the sulking faces of her girlfriends told her however, that it was time to change the topic so the happy moment wouldn’t slip away from them so soon, “But let’s go out and celebrate first, we’ll have plenty of time to discuss these things later.” She waved a dismissing hand in the air and quickly turned to Tyson and Taichi for support. They understood her pleading queue and instantly sat up with enthusiasm, garnering the attention of everyone with their over excited reactions.

“I found a place that’s open!” Sora almost shrieked a minute later, tapping away at her phone as she continued to speak fast, “Breakfast buffet with an open bar, entry starts at 6 AM.” She looked up at Hilary for approval, and when the latter nodded, she went back to scrolling on her phone, a frown settling on her face as she scanned the text on the screen, “Oh, it’s in Roppongi which isn’t far but it says formal wear only.”

“Well, it makes sense to dress up to celebrate something this big, right?”

Hilary’s question was not met with any resistance, everyone started to finish their drinks and finalise the little details like where they should all meet after getting ready and who should carpool with whom, Sora called the restaurant and made a reservation smugly as both Charlie and Mimi looked on with disappointment, apparently the contest had already started among the girls. It was a bit amusing to watch how they were all deep in thought over what they could do next to win Hilary’s favour. If Tyson had the chance to be in his fiance’s shoes, he would have had so much fun manipulating the guys into doing all his chores and errands throughout the months leading up to the wedding. But he could tell that Hilary on the other hand, was dreading the decision that now loomed over her head in the form of three very determined women.

“Just so you know Hils, I texted Misty and she’s going to Ash’s dorm to check if he’s awake. They’ll try to make it there by 6:30 AM,” Mimi said, turning up her nose slightly in Sora and Charlie’s direction.

“I was just thinking about calling her, ugh!” Charlie groaned as she got up from her seat and slung her tiny bag across her shoulder. Heading for the door, she stopped midway to pinch Kai’s arm who let out a squeaky yelp at the sudden move, “This is all your fault, you know! Why don’t you do a contest-” She mimicked Kai’s stoic voice perfectly which earned her a laugh from both Taichi and Yamato. “I’m going to go get ready as quickly as possible, wouldn’t want to show up late after all,” she announced to the room before dashing out of the door. Her exit made Sora and Mimi get on their feet too as they quickly packed up their things and followed the blonde out after saying their rushed goodbyes.

Next to him, Hilary let out a relieved sigh, dropping her head on his chest after the door shut behind Mimi. Tyson chuckled at her reaction and snaked an arm around her waist, pulling her closer. The guys seemed much more relaxed about getting ready on time and hung around for a little while longer, making sure that the champagne bottle they’d opened was emptied before they headed out.

“So are we going to wait until Hilary decides what the contest will be or are we placing the bets right now?” Kai asked with a smirk playing on his lips as he took the last sip of the bubbly from his glass.

“I’m going to tell Charlie you said that,” Hilary finally lifted her head from Tyson’s chest and turned to wink at Kai, “unless you buy us another bottle of that expensive champagne.”

“I’ll buy you five,” Kai responded with a panicked look on his face, rubbing the spot on his arm where Charlie had pinched him earlier.

“Besides there is no competition,” Yamato said, standing up from his position on the floor with his coat tucked under his hand. “Look at that,” he pointed with vigour towards the thick, glittery binder still lying on their coffee table, “Mimi’s got this in the bag.”

“Now, wait here just a second!” Taichi gulped down the last of his champagne and fixed Yamato with a challenging glare, “Sora can easily leave a binder in the dust.”

“I’m not sure if you two are familiar but,” Kai butted in before Yamato could respond, “Charlie’s settlement ratio as a lawyer is formidable, I’m sure she’ll just convince Sora and Mimi to drop out before the contest even begins.”

“Okay, get out all of you,” Tyson finally spoke up, rolling his eyes at the sight of his friends continuing the argument on their girlfriends’ behalf. “Go and get dressed!”

He nudged Taichi in the shoulder lightly, hoping to get his brother off the couch and on his feet so Kai too would feel inclined to leave. His trick worked and soon enough all three boys were out of their apartment and Hilary shut the door behind them, drowning out the voices of Taichi and Yamato still arguing in the hallway about who would perform better as a Maid of Honour between Sora and Mimi as they waited for the lift to arrive.

Hilary leaned against the door with her hands behind her back and met Tyson’s eyes. For a moment they were both quiet and then they burst out laughing in sync. She moved towards him, wrapping her arms around his neck and resting her head on his chest once again with a wistful sigh escaping her lips.

“This is going to be a nightmare isn’t it?”

“A bloodbath for sure,” Tyson chuckled softly as he slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to him.

“Oh, the girls are going to crucify me!” Hilary groaned before resting her chin on his chest and peeking up at him with mischief brewing in her doe-like eyes, “Can’t you pick my Maid of Honour, pretty please?”

“Hils, they haven’t invented words for me to be able to express how much I truly love you,” Tyson said with a grin. He leaned his head down to rub his nose against hers before laughing out loud, “But I will not be the judge of your Maid of Honour Squid Game, that’s on you completely.”

“I’m just going to write all their names on little pieces of paper and draw one randomly, leave it all to luck.”

“I’d pay to watch their reaction to that.”

Hilary shook her head as she laughed at his words, looking up at him again from under her lashes, her face seemed to soften the longer she kept his gaze.

“I suppose I should just be grateful for how much all three of them care about me,” she said, sighing lightly.

“You know, you make it kind of hard to not love you.”

She giggled at his words and he raised one hand to brush a few loose strands of hair away from her face. Ever since their friends had rushed into the apartment after hearing the news, Tyson realised he hadn’t really gotten a chance to look at Hilary, to really look at her. Now with the first rays of morning light pouring into their living room, the comfortable silence of being alone with her and the sensation of her heartbeat picking up pace against his chest, he was reminded of just why he had chosen tonight to pop the question.

In fact, he almost felt like reprimanding himself for even waiting this long. There was nothing in his life that he wanted more than being able to spend every minute of it next to Hilary.

But for now, they were on a schedule as Hilary curtly reminded him.

“We should start getting ready too,” she said, untangling her arms from around him.

However, Tyson was not ready to let go just yet.

He held her in place by tightening his grip around her waist, earning him a look of confused surprise from Hilary. He rested his forehead against hers and smirked when she sucked in a sharp breath, her eyes falling to his lips for a brief moment. Given all that happened tonight, the two should’ve been tired enough to fall on their faces and sleep, but instead, he felt a buzzing excitement race through their bodies the longer they stared at each other.

“We’re allowed to be a little late, don’t you think?” Tyson whispered against Hilary’s cheek and felt her body shudder under his grasp.

“It shouldn't be a problem,” Hilary mumbled, her lips quivering as he inched closer towards them.

“Good to know, because I had a few ideas about what we could do before we get ready.”

#tyhil #takao x hiromi #tyhil love countdown #tyhil love countdown 2023 #beyblade #bakuten shoot beyblade #takao kinomiya #hiromi tachibana #tyson granger #hilary tachibana #kai hiwatari #mimato #taiora #kaixoc #oc: charlie ando/takaishi #PokeDigiBey #crossover #beyblade fanfiction #writealot

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feline17ff · 6 months

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Info copied from linked page :)

WHAT’S GOING ON?

In Fall 2021, the US Congress passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) amidst significant backlash from the public. The package contained some deeply misguided provisions addressing cryptocurrency that threatened software developers trying to create alternatives to Big Banks and Big Tech. We led much of the opposition through our viral campaign at dontkillcrypto.com and now we’re ready to fight its implementation. Almost two years later on August 29, the US Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) published their proposed regulations on the sale and exchange of digital assets by brokers as part of their implementation of the IIJA. This rulemaking will define a “digital asset” and who qualifies as a “broker” under the tax code. We have until November 14 to submit comments so we created this page so that individuals can make their voices heard.

What exactly is the new rule being proposed?

The Treasury and IRS want to make a new rule that makes anyone “responsible for regularly providing any service effectuating transfers of digital assets on behalf of another person” a broker. This move would require anyone deemed a broker to collect, keep and report personally-identifiable information from their users (including names, addresses and other financial information via tax forms to the IRS). This makes a lot of sense in the traditional financial (TradFi) world but gets very difficult to implement with decentralized finance (DeFi). It would force DeFi developers who don’t need or want to collect information on their users to do so, thus facilitating government financial surveillance and threatening privacy and anonymity online. Compliance with this rule and its reporting requirements would be impossible. It would essentially be forcing a central point of control where none exists. This could have catastrophic consequences for the decentralized use of digital assets by forcing centralization, creating intermediaries and rendering decentralized technology virtually impossible to access or develop in the U.S.

What are the concerns for the everyday user?

Financial data reveals some of our most sensitive personal information, including our personal interests, the causes we support, and our plans for the future. The agencies’ total failure to consider our privacy rights is outrageous given that this rule would dramatically expand the financial surveillance dragnet.

There is no reason for any of us to believe that these agencies can securely store such a massive collection of sensitive information on millions of people. In 2022, the IRS mistakenly made private information about 120,000 taxpayers publicly available and the Treasury has been hacked in the recent past. Collecting unnecessary information serves no other purpose than to put users at further risk that neither agency can protect them from.

In addition, the Fourth Amendment makes it unconstitutional for the government to force individuals or businesses to collect and report the personal information of others if they (a) don’t already collect that information as part of their business, (b) have no reason to collect that information apart from the government demand, and (c) if the information is not already voluntarily provided. The IRS and Treasury should at the very least, take this opportunity to do the right thing—interpret the statute narrowly and revise this policy accordingly by taking out the requirement for developers to stalk and surveil users of their technologies.

Will this new rule stop tax evasion, money laundering and other serious crimes?

In short, no. People who are operating illegal schemes can continue to use other means. This will not be a miracle fix for problems that exist within traditional finance. Instead, it will cause more issues than it attempts to solve. Similar rules at traditional financial institutions have backfired, allowing these crimes to flourish at some of the world’s biggest, most heavily-regulated banks. If it hasn’t worked before, why would it work now? This rule will effectively impose financial surveillance on people who are participating in the crypto-economy for legitimate purposes, while having little-to-no impact on bad actors.

So, how do I send my comments to the IRS and Treasury?

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Fight For The Future (@fightfortheftr)

instagram

Commenters are strongly encouraged to submit public comments electronically. We built this tool to make it easy for everyone to send a comment on this rulemaking. You can use the form above to let the IRS and Treasury know what you think of this new policy. It is very important to add personal stories and insights to really make an impact. You can also submit electronic submissions directly via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov, indicate IRS and REG–122793–19 and follow the online instructions for submitting comments. The Treasury Department and the IRS will publish any comments submitted electronically or on paper to the public docket. Once submitted, comments are public and cannot be edited or withdrawn. If necessary, you can also follow the instructions on the page for how to send paper submissions. Written or electronic comments must be received by November 14, 2023.

#america #financial surveillance #data privacy #data protection

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satancopilotsmytardis · 5 months

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Hm, you can give us a WIP from both original works?

Sure!

Darian/Jude:

"Oh, you're the binge drinker with the big budget." Jude says, straightening slightly. His eyes flick over him again, with more consideration. "So what's the catch?"

"I think the 'binge drinking' is the catch for most people." Though after a second he admits, "How do you feel about construction?"

"Less than positive when it impacts me day-to-day, why?"

"Your apartment," Fuck, hasn't even officially made an offer yet and he's already thinking of that space as belonging to the other man, "Is one of the only finished areas of the house. I just moved here a month ago and I'm renovating the entire place."

"As long as you're not putting up drywall or hammering in flooring at two in the morning I don't think that will be a problem." Jude tells him. "Do you do anything else?"

"I have other hobbies, but I mostly take care of the estate." Their estate now, so strange. But that's the easiest way to summarize seven hundred years of social and business dealings that he's overseeing for Ellie while she's sleeping. "What about you?"

"I've done a lot of odd jobs since I was sixteen, retail, food service, some work as a mechanic, but I'm trying to become a professional familiar."

He blinks. He hadn't even taken that title and he'd worked for Ellie for-- "How long of a contract are you looking for in the future?" Would be contracted to Pulse and always on-call and available, would be shuffled around from individual contract-to-contract for years at minimum.

"A decade."

"Can I ask why?" Usually professional familiars are looking to make the connections to get something out of the Preternatural community, favors, immortality, something.

"I'd prefer that you didn't."

Marcus/Aaron:

It's starting to get colder, a miracle, really, that it hasn't snowed yet. It's snowed before on Halloween. Can't believe it's already November as the holiday slips by. Can't believe he's heading towards another Christmas completely alone. He tries not to think about that as he gets to the house. It's empty. Sun's been going down so early now, he guesses Marcus is able to take care of his business earlier in the day. Whatever. He goes towards his room, but pauses in the hall, skin bristling and a growl in his throat.

There's a new smell in the house. A soft perfume that has the sweetness of honeydew and citrus, a feminine smell. A human one. He doesn't think he would have cared that much, doesn't think his wolf would have either because the house never really felt like his territory any more than the motel does, but he can smell Marcus too. Smell his scent tangled up in the perfume and he smells so happy. He's never smelled the vampire happy before. He doesn't like the way his instincts whimper when he realizes that his mate is happier without him around. Happier with someone else. He tries to bite that back. He doesn't care. He doesn't want anything with Marcus in the first place, and it's just as likely that smell is coming from a familiar, not a lover. Certainly doesn't smell any sex in the house as he makes his way to his room.

Focused so much on that, he doesn't realize how much his room smells like Marcus until he's stepping inside and dropping his bag near the door. but his space is drenched with the smell of his mate, so much so that he's half certain that the fang is hiding in the closet or under the bed for a moment as his eyes adjust. But no, the room is dark, and there are no signs of the fang lurking. Just the overwhelming smell of comfort. It spills out from the giant dog bed on the floor, one of the person-sized ones that the pack had in abundance in the den, this one stuffed with pillows and blankets, that his mate must have deliberately scented and placed inside.

The stubborn part of him wants to shred it all and chuck the remnants all over the front yard for the parasite to have to clean up. But his wolf is trembling with its joy, a softness, a peace, flooding his senses that he hasn't felt since he was with the pack starting to overtake him. Can't stop himself from shedding his clothes and shifting into his hybrid form and immediately sinking into the den his alpha made for him. Like everything else, Marcus clearly wanted the finer things here too, but he can't bring himself to complain when the bed is so full of the softest blankets he's ever felt against his skin.

It's probably a good thing that he was already asleep before the fang came home, because no doubt he would have heard how fast and constantly his tail was wagging the whole time otherwise.

#tanco speaks #ask #asks #consume!verse

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orthodoxadventure · 6 months

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“Consolation in Afflictions and Sorrows” Icon of the Mother of God

Commemorated on November 19

The exact origin of the “Consolation in Afflictions and Sorrows” Icon of the Mother of God is unknown, but the lettering on the Icon indicates that it is very ancient. There is a tradition that the Icon belonged to the holy Patriarch Athanasios III of Constantinople (May 2). This Icon accompanied him in all his travels, and so he brought the Icon to Russia with him in the year 1653. After the repose of Saint Athanasios in 1654, the Icon was brought to the Monastery of Vatopedi on Mount Athos, remaining there until October 11,1849, when the Russian Skete of Saint Andrew was founded.

Metropolitan Gregory, who was living alone at Vatopedi, gave the Icon to the newly-founded Skete as a blessing from his monastery. The Icon was kept in the cell of Hieroschema-monk Bessarion (Vavilov), the founder of the Skete. Father Bessarion blessed the brotherhood with the Icon saying, “May this icon bring you joy, and console you in afflictions and sorrows.”

The glorification of the Icon took place in Russia, in 1863, when Hieromonk Paisios arrived in the town of Sloboda (Vyatka Province) from Mount Athos, bringing with him the “Consolation in Afflictions and Sorrows” Icon of the Mother of God. This image was decorated with rich silver and a gilded riza. Father Paisios placed the Icon in the women’s Monastery of the Nativity of the Lord, in the church of the Nativity.

When Father Paisios was about to return to the Holy Mountain, the eighteen-year-old son of a local priest, Father Vladimir Nevolin, who had been unable to speak for six years, was healed by the Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos. Following a Moleben, he touched her lips and began to speak. After this, people began to make pilgrimages to the Icon, and many suffering pilgrims received healing and comfort in their sorrows from the holy Icon in those days.

The holy Icon was transferred to the women’s Monastery of the Transfiguration in the city of Vyatka with great reverence. At Slobodsky, an exact list of the Icon’s miracles was compiled by the same eighteen-year old young man who had been healed. The spiritual uplifting of the inhabitants of Vyatka was so great that on the eve of a Great Cross procession, the “Vyatka Provincial Gazette” compared the religious fervor to that when the holy Icon from Mount Athos first arrived.

When Father Paisios was leaving for Mount Athos, he left the list of the Icon’s miracles at the Monastery of the Transfiguration. At Vyatka, on June 26, 1871, the foundation of a church in honor of the “Consolation in Afflictions and Sorrows” Icon was laid. It was built over a period of eleven years.

On August 31, 1882, on the Feast of the Placing of the Honorable Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos, Archbishop Appolos consecrated the church, and every Saturday an Akathist was read before the Icon. Every two years, in remembrance of the holy Icon’s stay in the Vyatka region and the miraculous healings which took place, solemn processions were held throughout the entire diocese.

On November 19, 1866 at Sloboda’s Monastery of the Nativity of the Lord, a gilded riza was added to the “Consolation in Afflictions and Sorrows” Icon of the Mother of God from Mount Athos; and in remembrance of the Icon’s first healing (of the young man who could not speak), a particularly solemn service took place in the monastery. That day was established as the Feast Day of the wonderworking Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos.

On March 27, 1890, an exact copy of the Icon was delivered to Russia and placed in the Annunciation Cathedral at St. Petersburg, the representation church of Saint Andrew’s Skete on Mount Athos. Day and night, crowds of people came to venerate the wonderworking Icon. By the grace of God, this icon of the Mother of God was also glorified by numerous miracles.

Now the Icon is at the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas in St. Petersburg, and a list of miracles is with the holy Icons in the suburban Cathedral of Saint Katherine. In 1999, the altar of one of the churches of the former Monastery of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in the town of Sloboda was consecrated in honor of the wonderworking Icon.

In the Aleksievo-Akatov women’s monastery in Voronezh, there is also a list of the Athos shrine, which says: “This icon was painted and blessed on the Holy Mountain in the Russian Monastery of Saint John Chrysostom under the rector Hieroschema-monk Cyril in 1905.” The Icon was restored in 1999.

The “Consolation in Afflictions and Sorrows” Icon is in the form of a triptych. In addition to the Most Holy Theotokos, the following saints are depicted: The Great Martyrs George and Demetrios of Thessaloniki on horseback; Saint John the Forerunner and Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, the monastic saints Anthony, Euthymios, Onuphrios the Great and Savva the Sanctified; Saints Spyridon of Trimythontos and Nicholas the Wonderworker. The Icon is adorned with several rizas, one of which is gold.

Although the Feast Day of the Icon is on November 19, it does not have its own Service; so the Troparion, Kontakion, and Akathist for the Assuage my Sorrows Icon (January 25 and October 9) are also used for this Icon.

Assuage the sickness of my much-sighing soul, you who wipe away every tear from the face of the earth: For you drive away the sickness of mankind, and destroy the despondency of sinners. Through you, O All-Holy Virgin Mother, all acquire hope and confirmation of faith. Do not entrust me to human protection, O All-Holy Lady, but accept the prayers of your servant, for I am fettered by sorrow, and I cannot endure the arrows fired by demons; I have no shelter and there is nowhere to run. I am wretched and my enemies are on every side, and I have no consolation except you. O Mistress of the world, hope and protection of the faithful. Do not despise my prayers, but do what is beneficial for me.

Text sourced from Orthodox Church in America (OCA)

#Theotokos #Blessed Virgin Mary #Orthodox Christianity #Christianity #Prayer

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thepastisalreadywritten · 1 year

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SAINT OF THE DAY (March 2)

Agnes of Bohemia, also known as Agnes of Prague, was born in Prague on 20 January 1211.

She was the daughter of King Ottocar I of Bohemia and Constance of Hungary, who was a relative of St. Elizabeth.

At an early age, she was sent to the monastery of Treinitz where she was educated in the hands of the Cistercian religious who would eventually become her rank.

She was betrothed to Henry, son of the Emperor Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, but when the time arrived for the solemnization of the marriage, they backed out of the agreement.

Ottokar then planned for Agnes to marry Henry III of England, but this was vetoed by the Emperor, who wanted to marry Agnes himself.

She then dedicated herself to the resolution of consecrating herself to the service of God in the sanctuary of the cloister.

Emperor Frederick is said to have remarked:

"If she had left me for a mortal man, I would have taken vengeance with the sword, but I cannot take offence because in preference to me, she has chosen the King of Heaven."

The servant of God entered the Order of St. Clare in the monastery of St. Saviour at Prague, which she herself had erected.

She was elected abbess of the monastery. Through this office, she became a model of Christian virtue and religious observance for all.

God favored her with the gift of miracles, and she predicted the victory of her brother Wenceslaus over the Duke of Austria.

Agnes lived out her life in the cloister, leading the monastery as abbess until her death on 2 March 1282.

She was beatified by Pope Pius IX in 1874 and canonized by Pope John Paul II on 12 November 1989.

#Saint of the Day #Agnes of Bohemia #St. Agnes of Prague #Order of St. Clare

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scotianostra · 1 year

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Billy Marshall, King of the Galloway Tinker Gypsies died on 28th November 1792, allegedly at the advanced age of 120 years.

William claimed to have been born in 1666 and certainly died in 1792. He was a gypsy king and father to countless children, both legitimate and illegitimate. He fathered several after his 100th birthday!

Billy was also a bare knuckle boxer, a smuggler, a soldier who deserted seven times and a sailor who deserted three times, the reason for his desertions was in order to attend Keltonhill Fair, two miles from Castle Douglas. The Horse Fair was the highlight of the gypsy year hereabouts, and Billy claimed not to have missed one in a hundred years.

Billy’s bare knuckled fights were long before there were any rules for boxing. Head butting, eye gouging, chin kicks, and wrestling were all permitted and each of three bouts saw various weapons being used including swords, knives and cudgels or quarterstaffs (long sticks).

Billy’s was also a skilled horner. There are several example of his work made of cow, sheep and goat horn at the Museum of Kirkcudbright - several spoons, a ladle and some beakers. one has a twisted handle and is inscribed ‘W x M 115 1788 - his initials, age and the date.

His followers, as well as working in traditional crafts, like tin and tool working, repairing pots and pans etc., were a bunch of scallywags. They travelled from Fair to Fair and made their living - sometimes honestly. In the main though, they were thieves, pick-pockets, highway robbers, cattle thieves, poachers and smugglers. If caught, it was inevitably transportation to the colonies.

He was married 17 times and was the father of 68 children, including four reputedly after his 100th birthday.

According to an entry in the New Annual Register for 1792: "This miracle of longevity retained his senses almost to the last hour of his life. He remembered distinctly to have seen King William's Fleet, when on their way to Ireland, riding at anchor in the Solway Firth close by the bay of Kirkcudbright, and the transports lying in the harbour.

"He was present at the siege of Derry (in 1689), where having lost his uncle, who commanded a King's frigate, he returned home, enlisted in the Dutch service, went to Holland and soon after deserted, and came back to his native country.

"Naturally of a wandering and unsettled turn of mind, he could never remain long in any particular place. Hence he took up the occupation of a tinker, headed a body of lawless bandits and frequently traversed the kingdom from one end to the other. But it is to be observed to his credit that all the thieving wandering geniuses who, during the weakness of the established government, led forth their various gangs to plunder and to alarm the country, he was far the most honourable in his profession."

Having served as a soldier, he was able to organise the country people who lost land when landowners built stone dykes and walls and went round knocking them down.

When Marshall died, he left behind a very mysterious grave stone displaying a pair of horns, which are believed to represent the zodiac sign of Aries , the ram, symbolizing strength and warrior-like energy, and the reason for it being on the stone might be a wink to the Tinker's Toast: "May war never be among us”.

Gypsy historians believe the crossed spoons represent a wish that his people never go hungry, but horn spoons were also extremely popular in Europe and Scandinavia as far back as medieval times, and horn spoon making has always been taken care of by gypsies since the 1600’s.

Billy Marshall’s much visited, restored grave is in Kirkcudbright Kirkyard above the town.

#Scotland #scottish #gypsies #tinker #soldier #Legend #history

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cassianus · 1 year

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There were two occasions when the monks and hermits at Sinai and Raithu were murdered by the barbarians (Feast Jan. 14th). The first took place in the fourth century when forty Fathers were killed at Mt. Sinai, and thirty-nine were slain at Raithu on the same day.

Mount Sinai, where the Ten Commandments had been given to Moses, was also the site of another miracle. Ammonios, an Egyptian monk, witnessed the murder of the forty holy Fathers at Sinai. He tells of how the Saracens attacked the monastery and would have killed them all, if God had not intervened. A fire appeared on the summit of the peak, and the whole mountain smoked. The barbarians were terrified, and fled, while the surviving monks thanked God for sparing them.

That day, the Blemmyes (an Arab tribe) killed thirty-nine Fathers at Raithu (on the shores of the Red Sea). Igumen Paul of Raithu exhorted his monks to endure their suffering with courage and a pure heart.

The second massacres occurred nearly a hundred years later, and was also recorded by an eyewitness who miraculously escaped: Saint Nilus the Faster (November 12). The Arabs permitted some of the monks to run for their lives. They crossed the valley and climbed up a mountain. From this vantage point, they saw the bedouin kill the monks and ransack their cells.

The Sinai and Raithu ascetics lived a particularly strict life: they spent the whole week at prayer in their cells. On Saturday they gathered for the all-night Vigil, and on Sunday they received the Holy Mysteries. Their only food was dates and water. Many of the ascetics of the desert were glorified by the gift of wonderworking: the Elders Moses, Joseph and others. Mentioned in the service to these monastic Fathers are: Isaiah, Savva, Moses and his disciple Moses, Jeremiah, Paul, Adam, Sergius, Domnus, Proclus, Hypatius, Isaac, Macarius, Mark, Benjamin, Eusebius and Elias.

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d-field22-blog · 10 months

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First Appearance: Man of Steel #3 (November, 1986)

Story: Ever since she was a little girl, Margaret Pye and her parents we're not financially sound, and whenever her mother would bring home even the cheapest piece of jewelry, Maggie was immediately drawn to the shine in which the ring would deliver. Over the years, the fascination for shiny objects would grow and grow, and often whenever her classmates would show off their own expensive jewelry, Maggie would be immediately drawn to the shiny diamonds, and gold necklaces. Often she would attempt to steal them from her classmates, and would often be mocked for her habits and was then called Magpie. The name and habits would only fester when she reached high school, and her skill of thieving would begin to rise. For the entirety of her high school years, she would admire the objects from afar as she would spy on each of her classmates, and would learn their locker combinations. The first piece she would steal was an emerald ring from her school bully, Samantha Johns. Next was a sapphire necklace from Sam's girlfriend Brittany Barrows, and a pair of pearl earrings from Tameka Roberts, and this was only the tip of the Iceberg for Magpie. She would even rob the school board of their shiny valuables; not even the principle's solid gold watch was safe from the Magpie. According to rumor, Pye had acquired nearly 700,000 dollars worth of stolen jewelry and many other objects which shined bright like a diamond. To avoid suspicion from the student body, Margaret had in her trips from school would either steal, buy, or make her own counterfeit jewelry in an effort to fool the victim that what they wore was still their legitimate prize, and if one was to suspect her, she would leave her stolen prize in another student's locker in an effort to throw anyone off of her trail. Most times, those methods worked swimmingly in her favor, until one day Margaret had become to greedy and careless. One hot Monday morning, Margaret was caught with her hand in the cookie jar after being set up by Sam, Brittany, and Tameka who had overheard her bragging to herself about the emerald ring Pye had stolen and witnessed her leaving the office of the city councilor with a pair of silver earrings. falsely spread rumors about a pearl necklace; one of which was so large that it could shine as bright as the sun. In the end, Margaret was met with half of the student body getting their own ounce of revenge, and leaving her beaten, and not only expelled from her high school, but was arrested for thievery and for framing others with the fake replicas. Since then, the obsession would take complete control of her, as she was often seen trying to steal the guards leys, as well as their badges in an effort to claim shiny things again. Most times she would sent to solitary confinement repeatedly. For her, it was a miracle that she had gotten out of prison, while for others it was a curse. For many years later, her old school bully was selling a grapefruit sized moonstone which shinned like the moon in the light. However what Sam and her wife Brittany had not known, was that the night before, ye had stolen the stone and replaced it with another replica, only this time this one was quite deadly. When Sam had set the stone onto the booth for auction, the stone had exploded, killing Sam in the process. All that was left behind in the crime scene was a grieving Brittany, a lone feather from the bird which gave her the name she had long since been cursed to carry, and a bewildered playboy who would eventually seal the thief's fate when the feather would fall right into his hand, and an equally shocked patron who was quite impressed with the crime, and witnessed the feather of the bird and sought to make hire this criminal to his own services.

Real name: Margaret Pye Occupation: Professional Criminal Base of Operation: Gotham City Eyes: Blue Hair: Red, White(wig) Height: 5ft 7n Weight: 120lbs

Attributes: Known for having a compulsion for stealing any object which is shiny. Suffers from both Kleptomania and Shiny Object Syndrome. Uses fakes which not only look similar to the stolen object, but are also known to explode. Harbors a fierce hatred/ rivalry with Catwoman. Skilled in hand-to-hand combat. Uses the custom claws of her design for her endeavors and for combat. High intelligence despite certain circumstances. Often works as both her own agent, but also a well trusted thief of the Penguin.

Dream voice actress: Rachel Matthews.

Featured song: Pretty Shiny Things by Kassi Ashton

Notes:

One of the rogues that I find to be a bit underrated, Magpie totally deserves more respect than she deserves. Well maybe not the older incarnation, but the newer one is a bit cooler. Though writers do use her these days, I'm still waiting for a definitive Magpie story. Plus Batman needs more women in his rogues gallery.

So the design is based in not only the newer take, but also a bit of the classic look in terms of the glasses, belt, and a little bit in her gloves.

I'm gonna have to admit something. I DO NOT like Beware the Batman. I don't like the CGI, 60 percent of the characters designs, like Batman's for example, and I don't like how they used Pyg. I mean I don't know what the hell they did to Lazlo, but that eco-terrorist thing, was not Pyg. He should have just been left alone, and that goes for Anarky too. I mean really. What were they thinking in making him this Batman's arch enemy?! If anyone, it should have been Two-Face. But oh wait, they didn't start using him until near the end of the season/run! Same for Penguin who pretty much got the shaft as a poster and a mere mention. I really hate how the classic rogues got screwed over, and don't even get me started on the whole Joker situation. That is a can of worms all on it's own. But what I did like ewas the updated Magpie design. Though I didn't like how they tried to make her of all people Catwoman of this shoe and those nails. Just why? So that's kind of why I opted for the gloves being the key to her nails, and straight out of her fingers like the mutant from X-Men, whose name escapes me.

Although I do like the updated design they gave to Magpie back in Beware the Batman, I do admit that they should have tones it down. So I went with what you see above.

#batman #batman villains #batmanfanart #fanart #dc comics #batman rogues gallery #dc batman #batman dc #batman fanart #dc comics batman #magpie #magpie batman #roguesgallery #villaness #villaness batman #dc comics villains #dc fanart

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orthodoxydaily · 2 months

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Saints&Reading: Monday, March 25, 2014

march 12_march25

SAINT GREGORY THE DIALOGIST, POPE OF ROME (604)

Saint Gregory the Dialogist, Pope of Rome, was born in Rome around the year 540. His grandfather was Pope Felix, and his mother Sylvia (November 4) and aunts Tarsilla and Emiliana were also numbered among the saints by the Roman Church. Having received a most excellent secular education, he attained high government positions.

Leading a God-pleasing life, he yearned for monasticism with all his soul. After the death of his father, Saint Gregory used his inheritance to establish six monasteries. At Rome he founded a monastery dedicated to the holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called, where he received monastic tonsure. Later, on a commission of Pope Pelagius II, Saint Gregory lived for a while in Constantinople. There he wrote his Commentary on the Book of Job.

After the death of Pope Pelagius, Saint Gregory was chosen to the Roman See. For seven months he would not consent to accept this service, considering himself unworthy. He finally accepted consecration only after the persistent entreaties of the clergy and flock.

Wisely leading the Church, Saint Gregory worked tirelessly in propagating the Word of God. Saint Gregory compiled the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts in the Latin language, which before him was known only in the verbal tradition. Affirmed by the Sixth Ecumenical Council, this liturgical service was accepted by all the Orthodox Church.

He zealously struggled against the Donatist heresy; he also converted the inhabitants of Brittany, pagans and Goths, who had been adhering to the Arian heresy, to the True Faith.

Saint Gregory has left behind numerous written works. After the appearance of his book, DIALOGUES CONCERNING THE LIFE AND MIRACLES OF THE ITALIAN FATHERS (DIALOGI DE VITA ET MIRACULIS PATRUM ITALIORUM), the saint was called “Dialogus.” His PASTORAL RULE (or LIBER REGULAE PASTORALIS) was well-known. In this work, Saint Gregory describes the model of the true pastor. His letters (848), dealing with moral guidance, have also survived.

Saint Gregory headed the Church for thirteen years, ministering to all the needs of his flock. He was characterized by an extraordinary love of poverty, for which he was granted a vision of the Lord Himself.

As he is known, Pope Saint Gregory the Great died in the year 604, and his relics rest in the cathedral of the holy Apostle Peter in the Vatican.

VENERABLE SYMEON, THE NEW THEOLOGIAN (1022)

Saint Simeon the New Theologian was born in the year 949 in the city of Galatea (Paphlagonia), and he was educated at Constantinople. His father prepared him for a career at court, and for a certain while the youth occupied a high position at the imperial court. When he was fourteen, he met the renowned Elder Simeon the Pious at the Studion Monastery, who would be a major influence in his spiritual development. He remained in the world for several years preparing himself for the monastic life under the Elder’s guidance, and finally entered the monastery at the age of twenty-seven.

Saint Simeon the Pious recommended to the young man the writings of Saint Mark the Ascetic (March 5) and other spiritual writers. He read these books attentively and tried to put into practice what he read. Three points made by Saint Mark in his work “On the Spiritual Law” (see Vol. I of the English Philokalia) particularly impressed him. First, you should listen to your conscience and do what it tells you if you wish your soul to be healed (Philokalia, p. 115). Second, only by fulfilling the commandments can one obtain the activity of the Holy Spirit. Thirdly, one who prays only with the body and without spiritual knowledge is like the blind man who cried out, “Son of David, have mercy upon me” (Luke 18:38) (Philokalia, p. 111). When the blind man received his sight, however, he called Christ the Son of God (John 9:38).

Saint Simeon was wounded with a love for spiritual beauty, and tried to acquire it. In addition to the Rule given him by his Elder, his conscience told him to add a few more Psalms and prostrations, and to repeat constantly, “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy upon me.” Naturally, he heeded his conscience.

During the day, he cared for the needs of people living in the palace of Patricius. At night, his prayers grew longer and he remained praying until midnight. Once, as he was praying in this way, a most brilliant divine radiance descended upon him and filled the room. He saw nothing but light all around him, and he was not even aware of the ground beneath his feet.

It seemed to him that he himself became light. Then his mind rose upward to the heavens, and he saw a second light brighter than the light which surrounded him. Then, on the edge of this second light, he seemed to see Saint Simeon the Pious, who had given him Saint Mark the Ascetic to read.

Seven years after this vision, Saint Simeon entered the monastery. There he increased his fasting and vigilance, and learned to renounce his own will.

The Enemy of our salvation stirred up the brethren of the monastery against Saint Simeon, who was indifferent to the praises or reproaches of others. Because of the increased discontent in the monastery, Saint Simeon was sent to the Monastery of Saint Mamas in Constantinople.

There he was tonsured into the monastic schema, and increased his spiritual struggles. He attained to a high spiritual level, and increased his knowledge of spiritual things through reading the Holy Scriptures and the writings of the Fathers, as well as in conversation with holy Elders.

Around the year 980, Saint Simeon was made igumen of the monastery of Saint Mamas and continued in this office for twenty-five years. He repaired and restored the monastery, which had suffered from neglect, and also brought order to the life of the monks.

The strict monastic discipline, for which Saint Simeon strove, led to great dissatisfaction among the brethren. Once, after Liturgy, some of the monks attacked him and nearly killed him. When the Patriarch of Constantinople expelled them from the monastery and wanted to hand them over to the civil authorities, Saint Simeon asked that they be treated with leniency and be permitted to live in the world.

About the year 1005, Saint Simeon resigned his position as igumen in favor of Arsenius, while he himself settled near the monastery in peace. There he composed his theological works, portions of which appear in the Philokalia.

The chief theme of his works is the hidden activity of spiritual perfection, and the struggle against the passions and sinful thoughts. He wrote instructions for monks: “Theological and Practical Chapters,” “A Treatise on the Three Methods of Prayer,” (in Vol. IV of the English Philokalia) and “A Treatise on Faith.” Moreover, Saint Simeon was an outstanding church poet. He also wrote “Hymns of Divine Love,” about seventy poems filled with profound prayerful meditations.

The sublime teachings of Saint Simeon about the mysteries of mental prayer and spiritual struggle have earned him the title “the New Theologian.” These teachings were not the invention of Saint Simeon, but they had merely been forgotten over time.

Some of these teachings seemed unacceptable and strange to his contemporaries. This led to conflict with Constantinople’s church authorities, and Saint Simeon was banished from the city. He withdrew across the Bosphorus and settled in the ancient monastery of Saint Makrina.

The saint peacefully fell asleep in the Lord in the year 1021. During his life he received the gift of working miracles. Numerous miracles also took place after his death; one of them was the miraculous discovery of his icon.

His Life was written by his cell-attendant and disciple, Saint Nicetas Stethatos.

Since March 12 falls during Great Lent, Saint Simeon’s Feast is transferred to October 12.

ISAIAH 4:2-5:7

2 In that day the Branch of the Lord shall be beautiful and glorious; And the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and appealing For those of Israel who have escaped. 3 And it shall come to pass that he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy—everyone who is recorded among Jerusalem's people. 4 When the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and purged the blood of Jerusalem from her midst, by the spirit of judgment and by the spirit of burning, 5 then the Lord will create above every dwelling place of Mount Zion, and above her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night. For over all the glory, there will be a covering. 6 And there will be a tabernacle for shade in the daytime from the heat, a place of refuge, and a shelter from storm and rain.

1 Now let me sing to my Well-beloved A song of my Beloved regarding His vineyard: My Well-beloved has a vineyard On a fruitful hill. 2 He dug it up and cleared out its stones, And planted it with the choicest vine. He built a tower in its midst and also made a winepress in it. He expected it to bring forth good grapes, but it brought forth wild grapes. 3 “And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, Judge, please, between Me and My vineyard. 4 What more could have been done to My vineyard That I have not done in it? Why then, when I expected it to bring forth good grapes, Did it bring forth wild grapes? 5 And now, please let Me tell you what I will do to My vineyard: I will take away its hedge, and it shall be burned, And break down its wall, and it shall be trampled down. 6 I will lay it waste; It shall not be pruned or dug, but briers and thorns shall come

. I will also command the clouds That they rain no rain on it.” 7 For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, And the men of Judah are His pleasant plant. He looked for justice, but behold oppression; For righteousness, but behold, a cry for help.

GENESIS 3:21-4:7

21 Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them. 22 Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”— 23 therefore the Lord God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.

1 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, “I have acquired a man from the Lord.” 2 Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3 And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. 4 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, 5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. 6 So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”

#orthodoxy #orthodoxchristianity #easternorthodoxchurch #originofchristianity #spirituality #holyscriptures #bible #wisdom #saints

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can-of-pringles · 1 year

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Arith and Iriel Fluff Alphabet

A = Affection (How affectionate are they? How do they show affection?)

They're pretty affectionate with each other. I think Iriel's love languages is words of affirmation and quality time. Arith's is physical affection and acts of service.

B = Best friend (What would they be like as best friends? How would the friendship start?)

They do start out as friends! (Or to be more specific, enemies to friends to lovers) in the fic they make a deal to be peaceful with each other and over time it evolves into a friendship. They don't confess their feelings until it's been a while.

C = Cuddles (Do they like to cuddle? How would they cuddle?)

Oh yes they definitely do, especially Arith. I think they cuddle a lot on couches or in beds. As for who's the little spoon/big spoon, I can see them mixing it up every once in a while. However most of the time Iriel is the little spoon and Arith is the big spoon.

D = Domestic (Do they want to settle down? How are they at cooking and cleaning?)

I mean they do get married eventually if that counts? It's a good thing they can miracle things cooked and cleaned... Arith is a better cook than Iriel. They're both fine at cleaning.

E = Ending (If they had to break up with their partner, how would they do it?)

Oh no :(

Iriel is naturally fairly skittish (or she can be at least, it's the deer self in her /hj) so I think she'd have a big urge to just ghost and run. She doesn't do well with confrontations. But because she wants to be polite, she'd do it in person, break the news gently.

Arith is slightly similar, he'd rather do it face to face. I can imagine after it's over he cries once he's at home.

F = Fiance(e) (How do they feel about commitment? How quick would they want to get married?)

Well, they're both very committed. I'm not sure when they get married (except sometime in November 2018) , but I know they date for a long while before.

G = Gentle (How gentle are they, both physically and emotionally?)

I feel like I could talk about this for hours

They're both very gentle, but I'll explain it more.

Arith is always trying to be gentle with Iriel, always careful and delicate, 1) because he loves her, and 2) I think it's because it's been reinforced in him that demons are meant to be harsh, they're meant to harm, and they're not supposed to be gentle by nature.

But of course Arith's different and always has been. He doesn't want to just be another stereotype, he wants people to see they're not all alike. And that's why he's so hypervigilant of how he acts.

The only thing he's not gentle about is emotionally with himself. He's very self conscious and has poor self esteem (always has a "mask" of fake confidence because he doesn't want people to see how much affects him) at least Iriel is there to help somewhat.

As for Iriel, she's also very gentle and caring by nature. However, it tends to backfire and she becomes a people pleaser, which often leads to her not being as gentle to herself. Of course Arith does try to help. They help each other.

H = Hugs (Do they like hugs? How often do they do it? What are their hugs like?)

I think surprisingly Iriel is more of a hugger. Not that Arith doesn't like hugs, but he's not as used to them so it takes a while for him to be more comfortable with them.

They'll pretty much only hug each other, I guess often? Only when they're alone though.

Iriel's hugs are comforting and warm by design /hj she's very good at it. Arith's are nice too, give more pressure like a weighted blanket slightly which Iriel appreciates.

I = I love you (How fast do they say the L-word?)

Oh not for multiple years, but it's human years vs angel-demon years, so while it's an extremely long time by human standards, it's not as long to immortal people.

J = Jealousy (How jealous do they get? What do they do when they’re jealous?)

Oh man.. ok I got to think about this.

I feel like both of them equally get jealous. However Arith is probably better at hiding it. Iriel doesn't feel it as often, so she's not as used to hiding it.

When Arith gets jealous he probably "demands" more time with Iriel (aka him shyly asking if they can cuddle more or something like that lol)

As for Iriel, I think she has to take a moment to sorta step back and try to calm down.

K = Kisses (What are their kisses like? Where do they like to kiss? Where do they like to be kissed?)

Y'know Arith is a lot more awkward just at first, which is ironic because it's not like he doesn't have experience (he's a demon, he knows how to seduce in theory but rarely in practice) and it's just that it's Iriel of all people! He's scared of disappointing her. It's ok though because it doesn't take long for them to figure it out between each other and him becoming more confident.

His kisses range from soft and gentle to more passionate and intense depending on the situation. He's also very "grabby" not like literally grabbing but he always has his hands somewhere on Iriel when he kisses her (slightly due to him occasionally shaking/trembling just because of the overwhelming emotion, he needs the support). Hips, waist, interlocking his hands with hers, gently cupping her face, sometimes "tangling" his fingers in her hair.

He probably kisses in the usual places; lips, cheek, forehead. I like to imagine Iriel makes him feel flustered by kissing his moles (he has a one particular one on his neck)

As for Iriel, she's also slightly in the same boat as Arith. Not that she hasn't kissed before, but this time it actually matters more, because it's the one person she deeply cares about in this way. At least over time they become more comfortable with each other.

If we're being honest she prefers the more passionate kisses lol. Being lifted up/held during a kiss is a win in her book. She likes to pull Arith closer when he wears ties or just by his clothes in general.

She likes to kiss on the lips, the nose, the space in front of the ear, kinda where you can feel the bone. And of course Arith's moles. For calmer ones, a kiss on the hairline is good, forehead too.

They only kiss in private because they know it would be dangerous to do otherwise. There's eyes everywhere, meaning spies, meaning Heaven and Hell.

L = Little ones (How are they around children?)

Iriel is a natural with children, it's partially the reason why she wanted to be a parent so badly, but thought she couldn't (little did she know lol)

Arith's not bad with kids, especially when they're a little older. Sometimes he doesn't understand why kids even want to be around him, but doesn't feel the need to shoo them away or anything, he's just a little confused.

But soon after Kaia is born, he falls into the parental role surprisingly easily. He wasn't prepared for how much love he'd have for her, it's almost overwhelming. He's also fiercely protective over her, which makes sense. He doesn't want anything bad to happen to her, to his family.

M = Morning (How are mornings spent with them?)

They probably stay in bed for a while, cuddling up while the morning sun tries to shine on them. When they're finally ready, they change into more normal clothes and do their morning routines. They eat breakfast together as they talk about what they want to do for the day.

N = Night (How are nights spent with them?)

Everything's winding down, it's quieter, it's a tad darker since they'll be going to bed soon and so don't need the lights on. They probably occasionally have a movie night together. They get ready for bed and cuddle awhile, probably until one or the other falls asleep.

O = Open (When would they start revealing things about themselves? Do they say everything all at once or wait a while to reveal things slowly?)

They're both pretty closed off at first (it's a defense mechanism ok) but after a lot of time, they do slowly start revealing things about themselves, Arith more so than Iriel. She's in general pretty "secretive" about herself. But once she and Arith become close, it becomes easier for her to open up.

P = Patience (How easily angered are they?)

I feel like being alive for hundreds of years allows you to develop a good amount of patience. However, Arith gets angrier easier but not always outwardly.

Q = Quizzes (How much would they remember about each other? Do they remember every little detail the other mentions in passing, or do they kind of forget everything?)

They remember a lot, especially little details; like knowing each other's favorite tea, etc. But also Iriel likes to write things down occasionally, and there's no shame in that; because it shows she especially cares enough to permanently record it on paper.

R = Remember (What is their favorite moment in the relationship?)

Probably ties between their first kiss after the confession™ and their private little proposal/wedding.

S = Security (How protective are they? How would they protect each other? How would they like to be protected?)

They're both very protective of each other. Albeit in slightly different ways. I feel like I don't know how to exactly describe it, but Arith is more.. subtle but also.. physically?

He offers to be the bigger spoon more, sleeping on the side closer to the door. He prefers to walk on the "outside" part of the street when they walk together. I guess similar to a shield.

Iriel is more mentally, emotionally, support type of protective. (Though not like she couldn't use a sword if she wanted to) her place is a "safe haven" for Arith to go to (I mean vice versa but still) and she'll stand up for him if she needs to. She tries to keep him out of harm's way.

Not that these traits/habits aren't switched between them or can't be interchangeable(?) But I was just trying to highlight the slight differences.

T = Try (How much effort would they put into dates, anniversaries, gifts, everyday tasks?)

That's one of Arith's favorite things to show how much he cares about her. The extravagant-ness of it all. He puts a lot of effort into dates and special things like that. He was the one who got the tattoo to symbolize their relationship/first meeting.

Iriel likes giving gifts and that's a specialty of hers. And not just material things, but experiences too, which turns into dates depending on what it is lol.

U = Ugly (What would be some bad habits of theirs?)

Arith does rarely lean into his "demonic" side, and do things like lying or mostly harmless messing with others (but tries not to whenever Iriel reminds him)

As for Iriel... she's a big people pleaser (like previously mentioned) and sometimes if she really doesn't feel like fighting/arguing with someone, she'll just face it and move on (which sometimes worries Arith, and he does try to give her advice sometimes)

It's not like Iriel isn't brave enough or can't stand up for herself, sometimes she just doesn't have the energy to.

V = Vanity (How concerned are they with their looks?)

Well, Arith likes to look presentable and nice (I mean so does Iriel) but I'm not sure if that's exactly the same thing as looks... Arith probably has a multiple step skin routine /hj Iriel wants to make sure her hair looks good all the time.

W = Whole (Would they feel incomplete without the other?)

Very much so.

X = Xtra (A random headcanon for them.)

Iriel absolutely teasing wolf!Arith, saying he's like a big puppy (which he hates)

Y = Yum (What are some foods they would share with the other? Are there any foods that the other likes while they think it's gross?)

They tend to like a lot of the same food, except Iriel prefers spicy foods while Arith not as much. Arith doesn't think spicy food is gross per se, but it's a bit much, sensory wise.

Also now that I think about it, I'm sure there's been times where Arith in his wolf form has hunted before. Iriel probably thinks this is gross. (It's all about how it's prepared!)

Z = Zzz (What are some sleep habits of theirs?)

Well, Arith talks in his sleep. As well as he's occasionally an insomniac. He usually wakes up first.

Iriel hogs the sheets :3c she also tends to spread out and take up a lot of space in bed 😅 and she tends to be the grumpiest when waking up.

#good omens oc #pringles good omens ocs #iriel!goodomensoc #arith!goodomensoc #ariel #my writing #pringles writing #fluff alphabet #good omens

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