Saint Xenia

Saint Xenia of Petersberg lived in Russian in the 18th century. She was widowed at a young age of 26. In her grief, she distributed all her possessions to the poor and took up the holy life. After her husband's death, she centered her life around God and turned to him for all protection and comfort. She placed the kingdom of heaven before all earthly things. Many people sought to receive blessings from her and mothers always wanted her to kiss their children. She is also said to have had the gift of clairvoyance. She departed this life at the age of 71.

Many people pray to Saint Xenia for things related to marriage, work, homelessness, missing children, and a spouse.

I have given credit to Saint Xenia's prayers for many of the work and job opportunities I have had in my life. Whenever I have been struggling with finding a job or trying to decide if I should take a position or not I pray to her and ask for her intercessions.

Saint Xenia is commemorated on September 11th.

Spiritual in School: Wearing a Cross

My cross and medallion of the Theotokos

One of the things that I have come to do while in college is to wear my cross and now a medallion of the Theotokos every day. I didn't wear a cross every day because I only had my baptismal cross, which is not the highest quality of cross so I was afraid it would fall apart and wear out. Also, it is gold and I am not big on wearing gold every day. It just is not practical and doesn't feel humble to me the way silver does. That might just be in my head though.

I attended a Lutheran-affiliated University that is very liberal and social justice oriented. I love the school. When I started wearing the medallion most people would ask me about it and say how beautiful it was. I was then able to talk about it and explain it to people. Everyone found it interesting and such. I have never had a negative experience wearing it at my school. I think it also offers an opportunity to talk about my faith if people ask questions.

I will admit I have been nervous wearing this for job interviews and Americorps interviews. However, I have not found it to be a problem and no one has made a point to tell me that wearing it would be a problem. I do live in the Pacific Northwest which may be part of the more accepting attitude.

Thank you for reading have a wonderful day.

On the 7th Day of Christmas

Isaiah 9:6

"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, They everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."


Have a wonderful New Years Eve!! :) 

On The 5th Day of Christmas

Love came down at Christmas, 

Love all lovely, love divine;

Love was born at Christmas,

Stars and angels gave the sign.

Worship we the Godhead,

Love incarnate, love divine;

Worship we our Jesus:

But wherewith for sacred sign?

Love shall be our token,

Love be yours and love be mine,

Love to God and all men,

Love for plea and gift and sign.

By Christina G. Rossetti

On the 3rd Day of Christmas

Thy Nativity, O Christ, our God, 

Has shown to the world the light of wisdom. 

For by it those who worshiped the stars, 

Were taught by a star 

To adore Thee, the Sun of Righteousness; 

And to know Thee, the Orient from on high. 

O Lord, glory to Thee.

On the 2nd Day of Christmas

"And behold an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior; who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." 

And Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 

"Glory to God in the highest. And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"

On the 1st Day of Christmas

Christ is Born!

Merry Christmas to everyone!! I hope you have a wonderful day!!! :)

Joy to the World, the Lord is come!

Let earth receive her King;

Let every heart prepare Him room,

And Heaven and nature sing,

And Heaven and nature sing, 

And Heaven, and Heaven and nature sing.

Joy to the World, the Savior reigns!

Let men their songs employ; 

While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains

Repeat the sounding joy,

Repeat the sounding joy, 

Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sin an sorrow grow,

Nor thorn infest the ground;

He comes to make His blessings flow

Far as the curse is found,

Far as the curse is found,

Far as, Far as, the curse is found. 

He rules the world with truth and grace,

And makes the nations prove

The glories of His righteousness,

And wonders of His love,

And wonders of His love,

And wonders, wonders of His love. 

Christmas Eve

O come, O come, Emmanuel

And ransom captive Israel 

That mourns in lonely exile here 

Until the Son of God appeared

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee o Israel. 

O come, O come, thou rod of Jesse, free

Thine own from Satan's tyranny

From depths of Hell they people save 

And give the victory o'er the grave

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel 

Shall come to thee o Israel.

Day 30 — How many icons you own?

I own one icon. My family owns several, but I have one that was a gift to me.

I am sad that this is the last day for the challenge. I have really really enjoyed doing this.
I hope you have enjoyed it!

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 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 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 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.

Christ is Risen!!

Christ is risen from the dead

Trampling down death by death

And upon those in the tombs bestowing life!

Here is the song in Greek, it is one of my favorite versions! It was a wonderful day with sunshine. :) 

Christ is risen!!!!
~Elizabeth

The Triumphant Entry

The son of God enters Jerusalem, riding on a colt the foal of an ass.

To day the priests were bright green vestments. This feast day is odd because it is between Lent and Holy Week. Tonight we will go the Bridegroom matins. I am very excited for Holy Week and Pascha! :)

Blessings
~Elizabeth

Lazarus Saturday

Rejoice rejoice oh Bethany 

On this day God came to thee

God came to thee

And in Him the dead are made alive 

As is right for He is the life

He is the life

He is the life

And in Him the dead are made alive

As is right for He is the life

Blessings

~Elizabeth 

PS. We now have hot water and a sink that works!!! :) 

Happy Saint Patrick's Day

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!!! I hope you all are having a lovely day! We have had a very strange March I will say that much. I woke up this morning to find it snowing. It didn't stay though thankfully!

Anyway to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day on my blog I am going to put up a bunch of Irish songs, as I have a great fondness for Celtic Music. :)




First in line is Loreena Mckennitt's version of Star of the County Down. I like to up beat happy sound of the song, it is fun to listen too.



Here is another happy song. I really love this songs up beat feel, it is a fun sort of party song as well. :)



I love Meav's voice, and this song is simply lovely. It does not have a lot of excess instruments, mostly her beautiful voice.



This is a song on Orla Fallon's latest album. I love her voice it is sweet and gentle. This song always makes we wish I could dance! :)

Well that is all for now I hope you all have a lovely day and enjoy pretending you Irish! :)
Blessings
~Elizabeth

Icons of the Trinity

Here are some icons of the Trinity.

Blessings
~Elizabeth

Icon of the Dormition of Mary

Yesterday we celebrated the Dormition of Mary. This is the icon for this feast.

We are to take Mary's life as an example of what our own should be. She served God all her life, and gave her life to him.

Most holy Theotokos pray to God for us!

I wanted to post it yesterday, but I didn't have time. I am very sorry!