Day 19 — Ever considered ordination/entering monachism?

It has vaguely crossed my mind. I have never given it(monasticism) any really serious thought or prayer, which I probably should. I know of several people who are looking at the monastic life and becoming priests. I guess it is just something that has really crossed my path in a way for me to take a second look at it. I know I should.

Day 20 — Your favorite Father of the Church

St. John Chrysostom. I always enjoy his quotes, and he was very good at expressing himself.

Day 18 — Your favorite Archangel

The Archangel Micheal. I never could find as much about him as the Bible as I did Gabriel so I often wondered about him, and what things he had done. I found him very interesting.

Day 17 — Your favorite Priest/Metropolitan

Father John at our Parish is my favorite Priest. He is always helpful with answering questions, and is very understanding. He is always able to give advise about how to apply our religion to our everyday lives. He is very good at listening too.

Day 16 — How often do you receive the Holy Communion?

Pretty much every time I go to church, which is at least once a week on average, and sometimes more. Or less if I am sick or otherwise unable to get to church.

Day 15 — Your favorite Orthodox celebrity

Probably Tom Hanks. I didn't even know that he was Orthodox until after my family became Orthodox. We were all a little surprised.

Day 14 — Your favorite Orthodox elder/eldress

I do not really have a favorite elder of eldress. Though Elder Paisios of Mount Athos has made a great impression on me.

Day 13 — Your favorite Saint quote

"To love Christ -means not to be a hireling, not to look upon a noble life as an enterprise or trade, but to be a true benefactor and to do everything only for the sake of love for God."

—St John Chrysostom

Loving people as God loves us is something I struggle with, but feel is our greatest calling as Christians. To be a Christian is to love others. 

Day 12 — Your favorite day of the Holy Week

My favorite day of Holy Week is Holy Friday. It is the saddest day, and the day that the whole story really comes to life for me. It is the day that I feel closest to the Passion story. I feel that I am there. I want to weep with those that are there. I am more able to see clearly how much I need Him in my life.

Day 11 — Your favorite chant

This is my favorite song/chant. It is soothing, and calming. I enjoy the melody, and I love to sing it.

Day 10 — How many prayer ropes do you have?

I own only one prayer rope. Though I would like to get one of the short ones to carry around with me. The one of have is a long one, and the first one I ever had.

Day 09 — A photo of your favorite Church

The Church's name is Holy Trinity. It is very tiny.

Day 08 — Your favorite Orthodox monastery

My favorite monastery is St. John the Forerunner Greek Orthodox Monastery. I had the wonderful opportunity to spend a week there for a girls retreat. I can confidently say that it was one of the best weeks of my life! We got to know the nuns, they played some games with us, we did crafts that the nuns do there, and the talks in the chapel. It was wonderful to get a glimpse in to what life is like at a monastery. It was just a wonderful time to pray, talk, and learn so much more about my faith.

Day 07 — Your favorite pilgrimage destination

Being in America I feel that we don't have nearly as many pilgrimage destinations as those who live in countries that have had Orthodoxy for much longer. But I do have a favorite pilgrimage destination, even though I don't have a lot to chose from, and I have not been to nearly as many as  I would like. It is All Merciful Saviour Orthodox Monastery. It is is such a lovely location, and the monks there are so friendly and easy to talk to.

Day 06 — How often do you say the Jesus Prayer with your prayer rope?

Not nearly often enough. I use my pray rope probably about once a week, though I say the Jesus prayer often during the day. I have been trying to use is more, though not nearly as successfully as I would like.

For my followers who don't know what the Jesus prayer is: "Lord Jesus Christ Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner."

Day 5 — Your favourite Theotokos icon

Our Lady of Vladimir is my favorite Theotokos icon. It is very comforting to look at. To see it has withstood time and so has the Theotokos. 

Day 04 — Your favorite Jesus icon

This would be my favorite icon of Christ. If I had to choose. I like many of them.

Day 03 — Your favorite Bible Verse

“Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I day unto you, except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.” -John 6:53

This verse was really the one that made me see I needed to become Orthodox. It was the verse that helped me to become able to leave the Church where I grew up, and go with my family to the Orthodox Church. 

Day 02 — Your favorite Feast Day

My favorite feast day (besides Pascha) would be Lazarus Saturday. It is a reflection and for taste of Christ own Resurrection from the dead. It is a looking forward to what is about to happen. I also like it because we sing on of my many favorite hymns that day. Rejoice of Bethany.

Day 01 — Your favorite Saint

My favorite orthodox saint is Saint Elizabeth Grand Duchess of Russia. She is also my patron saint. 

I find her life amazing. She was married, when her husband died she became a nun and served the poor of Russia. I think she is a wonderful testamony to how our money should be used to help the poor and needy. I think I like her so much because she reminds me of Mother Teresa from the Catholic church, whom I admire as well. 

Blessings

~Elizabeth 

30 Day Orthodox Challenge

The lovely Tumblr blog of Simply Orthodox posted this 30 day Orthodox challenge. I am so excited about. I want to post it both here and on Tumblr. I am looking forward to answering some of these questions, and they will be very thoughtful. I think some will make me see some things I need to work on. 

Day 01 — Your favorite Saint

Day 02 — Your favorite Feast Day

Day 03 — Your favorite Bible Verse

Day 04 — Your favorite Jesus icon 

Day 05 — Your favorite Theotokos icon

Day 06 — How often do you say the Jesus Prayer with your prayer rope?

Day 07 — Your favorite pilgrimage destination 

Day 08 — Your favorite Orthodox monastery

Day 09 — A photo of your favorite Church 

Day 10 — How many prayer ropes do you have?

Day 11 — Your favorite chant

Day 12 — Your favorite day of the Holy Week 

Day 13 — Your favorite Saint quote

Day 14 — Your favorite Orthodox elder/eldress

Day 15 — Your favorite Orthodox celebrity

Day 16 — How often do you receive the Holy Communion?

Day 17 — Your favorite Priest/Metropolitan

Day 18 — Your favorite Archangel

Day 19 — Ever considered ordination/entering monachism?

Day 20 — Your favorite Father of the Church

Day 21 — The Last Orthodox book/study you read

Day 22 — What does Orthodox Christianity mean to you?

Day 23 — Describe your relationship with God

Day 24 — Describe your relationship with the Most Holy Theotokos

Day 25 — Your favorite tumblr Orthodox bloggers

Day 26 — Your stance on Ecumenism

Day 27 — Your favorite Martyr/s

Day 28 — Your favorite Orthodox radio station/internet radio station

Day 29 — Share any funny Orthodox moments you noticed at Church 

Day 30 — How many icons you own?

Blessings

~Elizabeth 

A Dream Come True

So today was huge for me. I was for me literally a dream come true. That is the only way that I can describe it. I didn't wear a pretty dress. I didn't met a dashing prince(though that would not be to bad). I didn't win some amazing prize, or get a great award. I taught my first piano lesson. I taught. I was not the one on the bench. I was on the chair. I was not the one being told how to play. I was the one doing the telling. I was the one teaching.

This is my dream come true at it is what I have always wanted to do. I have been wanting to do this since I was twelve. Now, finally, at seventeen I am able to start. It felt so beyond what I could grasp. That I would never be ready for it. It was only in the past year that I decided I was finally read to teach beginners. And now I have two students. Both boys. One is seven and the other is five.

I know the family really well, and they are close to our church so I just had to walk to their house after choir practice. I am really looking forward to seeing them grow and play more advanced songs. I know they are enthusiastic about too.

I feel so happy at the moment. Now all I need to worry about is trying to get into a college music program. Oh the joys of Senior year. :)

Blessings
~Elizabeth
PS. Today was one of the best days of my life! :)