Memory Eternal
March 8 marks the anniversary of the passing of my beloved father, Lubomyr. I was fortunate enough to be at his side as he
peacefully fell asleep in the Lord.
He was a wonderful man, a true gentleman and a fine example as a husband, and father. He was also a devoted son and a loving grandfather.
I cannot express in any kind of brevity, all that he has given me, but I do want to pay tribute to him today by sharing brief excerpts from the summary of his life.
He was born October 7, 1925 in the village of Pykulychi, a few miles from the city of Peremyshl, Ukraine (now in Poland), the son of Wasyl and Julia.
He had a brother Roman, two years older, (for whom my son is named) who was lost in the Second World War serving in the Ukrainian Division.
My father was 20 years old when he and his parents, along with other family left their homeland of Ukraine, as it was about to fall under the shadow of the communist Soviet Union, immediately following the Second World War.
For five years he lived as a refugee in Displaced Person (DP) camps before immigrating to the America, sailing aboard USAT General A.W. Greeley arriving in Philadelphia with only that which he was able to carry.
Upon his arrival in the United States he settled in Chester, Pa. where he was a member of Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church. He was active in Ukrainian cultural and social activities in the metropolitan Philadelphia area. He took an avid interest in soccer and volleyball and was a frequent visitor to Soyuzivka, the UNA resort in New York State.
He began his working career at Colorado Iron and Steel / Phoenix Steel Corporation in Claymont, DE where he pioneered the company’s entry into ultrasonic and radiographic testing, heading their mobile ultrasonic testing team.
On June 20, 1959, he married my mother, the former Mary Ann.
Through his hard work and initiative, he was able to achieve the American Dream; before long, he was running his own testing lab in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, providing a comfortable life for his family.
He was a devoted and loving son who, along with my mother, cared for both of his parents and uncle throughout their advanced years until their passing.
He retired in1994 and moved to Dagsboro, DE, where he lived for several years until ultimately moving in with my wife and I.
I Love You Tato. May your memory be eternal. Vychnaya Pamyat.
Memory Eternal
Today, July 3, 2009, marks the first anniversary of the passing of my beloved mother, Mary. She spent her last years living with us, and I was so happy that she was able to attend my retirement ceremony at the Naval Academy. She was as American as apple pie, growing up first on a small farm, then a small town in Delaware, she was the embodiment of Americana. She believed that watching the Army-Navy game was everyone’s patriotic duty. When I was just a boy, it didn’t matter that we didn’t know much about West Point and Annapolis, what mattered was that these were our servicemen engaged in sportsmanship and competition in the purist sense. These were our teams. After all, everyone she knew had served an enlistment or tour of duty somewhere and these players represented them. She truly believed that every American should serve their country.
It was my mom, as well as my dad, who instilled in me a strong sense of patriotism and a great appreciation for the opportunities that our country provides, and that is what inspired me to join the service.
Mom was born on August 5, 1937, in Milford, Delaware, the youngest of ten children to the late Roland and Anna (King) Walls.
Upon her graduation from of Sanford Preparatory School in 1955, Hockessin, Delaware she earned her R.N. through Memorial Hospital Nursing School, Wilmington, Delaware.
Shortly thereafter, she met her future husband, my father, Lubomyr Mykyta.
On June 20, 1959, their lives were joined in Holy Matrimony at Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church, Chester, Pennsylvania.
In 1966, they moved to Harrisburg, PA where they raised their four children. A devoted wife and loving mother, she also cared for husband’s parents and his uncle, throughout their advanced years until their passing into eternity.
Mom had a robust professional life spanning Nursing, Real Estate, Marketing and Nursing Home Administration. She began her career as a Nurse at Wilmington Memorial Hospital. Following a period of years raising her children, she re-entered the workforce, earning her real estate license and enjoyed a successful career as a realtor with Weinberg Real Estate, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Later, she worked alongside my father as Marketing Director for Astrotech, Inc, a division of Certified Testing Labs. Eventually, her successes resulted in her appointment as Director of the Allentown office.
After a short break, during which time she cared for her oldest granddaughters, mom returned to the field of nursing. She found employment at Dauphin Manor, working first as a Nursing Supervisor, then as an Assistant Director of Nursing and Director of Nursing, before pursuing her licensure as a Nursing Home Administrator and working in that capacity up until her retirement in 1994.
Upon retirement, she and my father moved to Dagsboro, DE, where she lived for several years until ultimately joining my family in Crofton, MD.
She will always be remembered as a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. A supportive spouse, parent, friend and coworker, she always recognized the best in those around her, recognizing their gifts and encouraging them to shine.
May God bless you mom, and may your memory be eternal.
HOT TEA
After I completed my first icon, I felt a wonderful sense of accomplishment. I was very proud of my effort and very pleased to receive affirmation from my friends and family. I eagerly looked forward to my next workshop, but as the time drew near, I grew increasingly nervous. My first icon was actually the first time I ever tried to create anything with paint and a brush. Granted, I had held a brush before, sloppily coating an occasional model as a boy, and in painting the walls and molding in my house, but I had never attempted anything that required such detail and care and I had never had so much as a lesson in art.
After I completed my first icon, I felt a wonderful sense of accomplishment. I was very proud of my effort and very pleased to receive affirmation from my friends and family. I eagerly looked forward to my next workshop, but as the time drew near, I grew increasingly nervous. My first icon was actually the first time I ever tried to create anything with paint and a brush. Granted, I had held a brush before, sloppily coating an occasional model as a boy, and in painting the walls and molding in my house, but I had never attempted anything that required such detail and care and I had never had so much as a lesson in art.
I had somehow gotten through that first effort, but I still concerned myself over my ability to control the brush, to get the paint to the right consistency, to lay the colors on evenly and transparently...'as smoke', as my teacher put it. I was just a beginner...far from good and hardly respectable...and I was starting to worry whether or not I even had the talent for this activity, though I certainly had the desire.
Then I remembered the words of my teacher, as he quoted his teacher, Peter Pearson, author ofA Brush with God: An Icon Workbook. He said "becoming an iconographer is not so much about talent as it is persistence." This was a comforting thought, but I still had to learn to get out of my own way and the tendency to be critical of myself.
As you might expect, in that moment of self doubt, God was there to guide me through by giving me what I needed. I received Pearson's book as a gift, and as soon as I opened it I read:
"In spirituality of almost every kind, you'll find a discussion of 'ego', the self-consciousness with which we live out most of our life. Contrary to popular opinion, ego does not always tell us that we're more important or more perfect than we really are. Sometimes it abuses us with unrealistic ideas about our unworthiness and the depths of our faults. In either case, ego tells us that our ideas about self worth reflect some kind of ultimate reality...In spiritual life, which encompasses iconography, ego is something that only gets in the way. Now, the challenge we face is how to minimize ego in our lives. As for our painting, it's probably best to remember that we are servants to the story as it has been told for two thousand years...Let go of your human tendency to judge yourself, your progress, your competency. You can expect this sacred art to infuse your being over time and its richness will become part of you. This happens in much the way that hot water becomes tea only after the leaves have steeped in it - slowly, ever so slowly."Not only did these words put to bed my own self doubt, but they provided a wonderful metaphor for our own personal journeys.
In Eastern Christian theology, salvation is described as Theosis, or literally, deification. If all that God created is good, then humanity is inherently good, and Theosis is about achieving thefullness of our humanity, in all of its perfection, as it was created in the first days of Eden, a 'transfigured' state in which our eyes are fully open to the whole of creation, beyond that which exists in our earthly reality; a 'deified' state by which we freely commune with God, in the way that Adam did before the fall.
For Eastern Christians, Theosis is thought of as a life long journey.
That is the purpose of the Incarnation, Christ became human so that we may become like God.
Christ is the example of the perfect human. Through His example, we learn how to achieve thefullness of our humanity. How do we do that? Through Love, through God's Unconditional Love for all. We must awaken that Love with ourselves.
How does the ego play into this? It tends to knock us off balance by driving us into giving undue attention to our passions, our sins, pride... gluttony... anger... lust... sloth. Whether we occupy our thoughts with our own unworthiness or our own pride, we displace Love, Love for ourselves and Love for others.
Our ego is not our enemy, it is just a part of our architecture and serves a useful purpose, but it is only when we understand that an unchecked ego can be a trickster, pointing us away from our intended direction, that we can learn to control it and minimize its effect in our lives.
How do we do this? By allowing the Unconditional Love of God to infuse our beings over time, allowing its fullness to overtake us. 'This happens much in the way that hot water becomes tea only after the leaves have steeped in it - slowly, ever so slowly.'
The Messenger
I had been looking for something important that I had lost when the gypsy crossed into my path. Frustrated, I engaged her, hoping that she might help me search for it. Instead, she looked squarely into my eyes and said, "I cannot help you find what you are looking for. Look deep into your own heart, for that which you seek lies within you."
"The kingdom of God is within you"
-- Luke xvii, 21
"Know yourselves... he who knows himself knows God"
-- St Anthony of Egypt (251-356)
"Heaven is within you; within yourself you will see the angels and the Lord of the angels"-- St Isaac the Syrian (d. 700)
"In the purity of his heart, he saw the invisible God as a mirror"
-- St Pachomius (292 - 348)
"When you see your brother or sister, you see God"
-- St Clement of Alexandria (150 - 211/216)
"After God, we must count everyone as God Himself"
-- Evagrius (345 - 399)
The Messenger
Welcome to My Path. You may ask, how did you come to this road and where does it lead? I will tell you...one day, almost two years ago, I had an encounter with a gypsy. I will always remember it as a pivotal moment in my life, for it was that encounter, that set me on this Path.
I had been looking for something important that I had lost when the gypsy crossed into my path. Frustrated, I engaged her, hoping that she might help me search for it. Instead, she looked squarely into my eyes and said, "I cannot help you find what you are looking for. Look deep into your own heart, for that which you seek lies within you."
She went on..."It is the pains of yesterday and the concerns of tomorrow that swim in our minds and often cause us to overlook our own experience and the great gift that is the present moment. Each moment of time possesses infinite expressions of the wonder of Creation, the glory of God. God is everywhere and fills all things. God is in all people, all of the time. God is within you. The love of God is a Light that burns within us all, but that Light is veiled by our own passions: fear, anger, judgement, lust, pride.... It is only when we fully unveil that light, and love all people as our brothers and sisters that we will find Peace. And it is Peace that we all seek... Peace that fulfills the longing heart... Peace that comes through humility and unselfish love for all... Peace that comes through communion with God."
The gypsy then continued on her way and I was left in stunned silence. It was all so surreal... such a powerful message delivered by an unlikely messenger. Though I had heard this all before, never had the message hit me with such a force... her words rang with such clarity and played over and over in my head.
I realized as I stood there the power of that moment and the glory of God. The encounter was no accident. God was speaking to me through the gypsy, giving me direction and focus.
That was the beginning of the journey, and in the time since that encounter, I have reflected on many things, taking survey of my gifts and my struggles in an effort to gain an understanding of who I am, where I am, and how far I have to go.
Learning about what love truly is, and facing my failures and shortcomings has been very painful and has left me humbled in realizing just how much I don't know and don't understand.
But what I have come to understand is the abundance of treasures that lie within and around us that we often overlook. If we but look within, we will discover them. And when we unlock those treasures and share them with an unselfish love, offering them back to God, to all people, only then will we begin to unveil our Light.
My Path is my own journey, to overcome my passions and to unveil the Light within me.
I know that I will never walk alone, for with me I will always have the love of family and the faithfulness of friends, and I will have traveling companions who will help me when I falter. I will have encounters and experiences that will teach me the lessons I must learn.
In my reflections, I was drawn increasingly towards icons, the imagery of Eastern Christianity. But icons are more than mere images, they are a representation of life made perfect, of the unveiling of the Light within. They are an affirmation that we are all made in the image of God, and in unveiling our Light, we achieve likeness with God, or communion with God.
Believing that this kind of affirmation would be helpful in keeping on my Path, I embarked on the study of the spirituality and technique of writing icons. With each icon that I write, I will reflect upon its story and the impact on my journey, recalling to mind where I have been and what I have learned.
Fittingly, in my first iconography workshop, our instructor guided us through the creation of an icon of the Archangel Gabriel, Messenger of God. This icon will forever remind me of my encounter with the gypsy, for she was, indeed, a Messenger. I will never forget the moments I spent with the gypsy...with her simple words, she planted seeds of Love, Peace and Joy in my heart that I will forever nurture and harvest to nourish me along my journey.
The gypsy then continued on her way and I was left in stunned silence. It was all so surreal... such a powerful message delivered by an unlikely messenger. Though I had heard this all before, never had the message hit me with such a force... her words rang with such clarity and played over and over in my head.
I realized as I stood there the power of that moment and the glory of God. The encounter was no accident. God was speaking to me through the gypsy, giving me direction and focus.
That was the beginning of the journey, and in the time since that encounter, I have reflected on many things, taking survey of my gifts and my struggles in an effort to gain an understanding of who I am, where I am, and how far I have to go.
Learning about what love truly is, and facing my failures and shortcomings has been very painful and has left me humbled in realizing just how much I don't know and don't understand.
But what I have come to understand is the abundance of treasures that lie within and around us that we often overlook. If we but look within, we will discover them. And when we unlock those treasures and share them with an unselfish love, offering them back to God, to all people, only then will we begin to unveil our Light.
My Path is my own journey, to overcome my passions and to unveil the Light within me.
I know that I will never walk alone, for with me I will always have the love of family and the faithfulness of friends, and I will have traveling companions who will help me when I falter. I will have encounters and experiences that will teach me the lessons I must learn.
In my reflections, I was drawn increasingly towards icons, the imagery of Eastern Christianity. But icons are more than mere images, they are a representation of life made perfect, of the unveiling of the Light within. They are an affirmation that we are all made in the image of God, and in unveiling our Light, we achieve likeness with God, or communion with God.
Believing that this kind of affirmation would be helpful in keeping on my Path, I embarked on the study of the spirituality and technique of writing icons. With each icon that I write, I will reflect upon its story and the impact on my journey, recalling to mind where I have been and what I have learned.
Fittingly, in my first iconography workshop, our instructor guided us through the creation of an icon of the Archangel Gabriel, Messenger of God. This icon will forever remind me of my encounter with the gypsy, for she was, indeed, a Messenger. I will never forget the moments I spent with the gypsy...with her simple words, she planted seeds of Love, Peace and Joy in my heart that I will forever nurture and harvest to nourish me along my journey.
-- Luke xvii, 21
"Know yourselves... he who knows himself knows God"
-- St Anthony of Egypt (251-356)
"Heaven is within you; within yourself you will see the angels and the Lord of the angels"-- St Isaac the Syrian (d. 700)
"In the purity of his heart, he saw the invisible God as a mirror"
-- St Pachomius (292 - 348)
"When you see your brother or sister, you see God"
-- St Clement of Alexandria (150 - 211/216)
"After God, we must count everyone as God Himself"
-- Evagrius (345 - 399)
Today is a Wonderful Day! Today, Orthodox Christians celebrate Pascha, the Resurrection of Christ. For all Christians, this truly is the Feast of Feasts, because it represents Hope, that which gives our lives meaning and value...when Jesus Christ broke the chains of death through His Glorious Resurrection...it brought to all of us Hope of unity with God.
What better thoughts to share today, than the Paschal sermon of St. John Chrysostom. This brief homily is recited aloud in every Orthoox Church all over the world on this special day. I LOVE these words...they are so uplifting and so full of Hope, Hope of salvation for all, saints and sinners....they also capture, so powerfully and eloquently, Christ's descent into Hades and the victory over death.
Enjoy my friends...Christ is Risen!
PASCHAL SERMON OF ST JOHN CHRYSOSTOMIf any man be devout and loveth God,
Let him enjoy this fair and radiant triumphal feast!
If any man be a wise servant,
Let him rejoicing enter into the joy of his Lord.
If any have laboured long in fasting,
Let him now receive his recompense.
If any have wrought from the first hour,
Let him today receive his just reward.
If any have come at the third hour,
Let him with thankfulness keep the feast.
If any have arrived at the sixth hour,
Let him have no misgivings;
Because he shall in nowise be deprived therefore.
If any have delayed until the ninth hour,
Let him draw near, fearing nothing.
And if any have tarried even until the eleventh hour,
Let him, also, be not alarmed at his tardiness.
For the Lord, who is jealous of his honour,
Will accept the last even as the first.
He giveth rest unto him who cometh at the eleventh hour,
Even as unto him who hath wrought from the first hour.
And He showeth mercy upon the last,
And careth for the first;
And to the one He giveth,
And upon the other He bestoweth gifts.
And He both accepteth the deeds,
And welcometh the intention,
And honoureth the acts and praises the offering.
Wherefore, enter ye all into the joy of your Lord;
Receive your reward,
Both the first, and likewise the second.
You rich and poor together, hold high festival!
You sober and you heedless, honour the day!
Rejoice today, both you who have fasted
And you who have disregarded the fast.
The table is full-laden; feast ye all sumptuously.
The calf is fatted; let no one go hungry away.
Enjoy ye all the feast of faith:
Receive ye all the riches of loving-kindness.
Let no one bewail his poverty,
For the universal Kingdom has been revealed.
Let no one weep for his iniquities,
For pardon has shown forth from the grave.
Let no one fear death,
For the Saviour's death has set us free.
He that was held prisoner of it has annihilated it.
By descending into Hell, He made Hell captive.
He embittered it when it tasted of His flesh.
And Isaiah, foretelling this, did cry:
Hell, said he, was embittered
When it encountered Thee in the lower regions.
It was embittered, for it was abolished.
It was embittered, for it was mocked.
It was embittered, for it was slain.
It was embittered, for it was overthrown.
It was embittered, for it was fettered in chains.
It took a body, and met God face to face.
It took earth, and encountered Heaven.
It took that which was seen, and fell upon the unseen.
O Death, where is thy sting?
O Hell, where is thy victory?
Christ is risen, and thou art overthrown!
Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen!
Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice!
Christ is risen, and life reigns!
Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in the grave.
For Christ, being risen from the dead,
Is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
To Him be glory and dominion
Unto ages of ages.
Amen.
What better thoughts to share today, than the Paschal sermon of St. John Chrysostom. This brief homily is recited aloud in every Orthoox Church all over the world on this special day. I LOVE these words...they are so uplifting and so full of Hope, Hope of salvation for all, saints and sinners....they also capture, so powerfully and eloquently, Christ's descent into Hades and the victory over death.
Enjoy my friends...Christ is Risen!
PASCHAL SERMON OF ST JOHN CHRYSOSTOMIf any man be devout and loveth God,
Let him enjoy this fair and radiant triumphal feast!
If any man be a wise servant,
Let him rejoicing enter into the joy of his Lord.
If any have laboured long in fasting,
Let him now receive his recompense.
If any have wrought from the first hour,
Let him today receive his just reward.
If any have come at the third hour,
Let him with thankfulness keep the feast.
If any have arrived at the sixth hour,
Let him have no misgivings;
Because he shall in nowise be deprived therefore.
If any have delayed until the ninth hour,
Let him draw near, fearing nothing.
And if any have tarried even until the eleventh hour,
Let him, also, be not alarmed at his tardiness.
For the Lord, who is jealous of his honour,
Will accept the last even as the first.
He giveth rest unto him who cometh at the eleventh hour,
Even as unto him who hath wrought from the first hour.
And He showeth mercy upon the last,
And careth for the first;
And to the one He giveth,
And upon the other He bestoweth gifts.
And He both accepteth the deeds,
And welcometh the intention,
And honoureth the acts and praises the offering.
Wherefore, enter ye all into the joy of your Lord;
Receive your reward,
Both the first, and likewise the second.
You rich and poor together, hold high festival!
You sober and you heedless, honour the day!
Rejoice today, both you who have fasted
And you who have disregarded the fast.
The table is full-laden; feast ye all sumptuously.
The calf is fatted; let no one go hungry away.
Enjoy ye all the feast of faith:
Receive ye all the riches of loving-kindness.
Let no one bewail his poverty,
For the universal Kingdom has been revealed.
Let no one weep for his iniquities,
For pardon has shown forth from the grave.
Let no one fear death,
For the Saviour's death has set us free.
He that was held prisoner of it has annihilated it.
By descending into Hell, He made Hell captive.
He embittered it when it tasted of His flesh.
And Isaiah, foretelling this, did cry:
Hell, said he, was embittered
When it encountered Thee in the lower regions.
It was embittered, for it was abolished.
It was embittered, for it was mocked.
It was embittered, for it was slain.
It was embittered, for it was overthrown.
It was embittered, for it was fettered in chains.
It took a body, and met God face to face.
It took earth, and encountered Heaven.
It took that which was seen, and fell upon the unseen.
O Death, where is thy sting?
O Hell, where is thy victory?
Christ is risen, and thou art overthrown!
Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen!
Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice!
Christ is risen, and life reigns!
Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in the grave.
For Christ, being risen from the dead,
Is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
To Him be glory and dominion
Unto ages of ages.
Amen.
To all wives and mothers, I can think of no better expression that captures your selfless love than the excerpt below from Proverbs 31...
May the love you give be returned a thousandfold. Happy Mother's Day.
An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She looks for wool and flax and works with her hands in delight.
She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar.
She rises also while it is still night and gives food to her household and portions to her maidens.
She considers a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She girds herself with strength and makes her arms strong.
She senses that her gain is good; her lamp does not go out at night.
She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hands grasp the spindle.
She extends her hand to the poor, and she stretches out her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
She makes coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies belts to the tradesmen.
Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future.
She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and bless her; her husband also, and he praises her, saying:
"Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all."
Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
Give her the product of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
A year ago, for the first time, in my new church, I heard this beautiful expression of praise and humility that deeply moved me. It is chanted in a hauntingly beautiful melody each year on the eve of Thanksgiving. It is a wonderful way to start the holiday because the words open the heart to contemplation and reflection of all of the gifts that God has bestowed upon us. Below is a brief account of its origin, followed by the Akathist ('Hymn') of Thanksgiving in its entirety.
Though little is known for certain about this hymn, the text is said to have been written around 1942 by the Archpriest Gregory Petroff, one of the Christian hieromartyrs (priest martyr), while suffering before his execution in a Soviet prison camp (the manuscript was found among his affects). An estimated 45 million people or more were slain under Bolshevism and Communism, and it is in honor of the continued and living faith of these Christian martyrs that this service gives praise.
The deeply poignant Akathist of Thanksgiving is almost painful to hear once one comprehends the incomprehensible slaughter that took place in early to mid-twentieth century Soviet Union. Yet through the writer’s inspired pen a single voice speaks for the millions who, in the midst of indescribable suffering, thanked God for the core beauty of His creation and His constant love for man. It is in the stirring spirit of this thankfulness that these martyrs refused to compromise their faith in the face of man's darkest inhumanity, injustice, hatred and violence.
The poetic Akathist begins with the glory of God and His beauty made manifest in creation ("Every flower is fragrant through the power of the Holy Spirit..."), moves to the joy of relationship with God ("In time of hardship and suffering, You illumine the soul with peace..."), and only in the last two Kontakia is the reality of death and the wonder of entering into the eternal joy of the Holy Trinity broached ("Many times I have seen the reflection of Your glory on the faces of the dead..."). It is hard to contemplate the love of God and faith revealed and undoubtedly held by the author who wrote this in a prison camp.
AKATHIST OF THANKSGIVING
ODE 1
Everlasting King, Your will for our salvation is full of power. Your right arm controls the whole course of human life. We give You thanks for all Your mercies, seen and unseen: For eternal life, for the heavenly joys of the Kingdom which is to be. Grant mercy to us who sing Your praises, both now and in the time to come. Glory to You, O God, from age to age.
IKOS 1
I was born a weak, defenseless child, but Your angel spread his wings over my cradle to defend me. From birth until now, Your love has illumined my path, and has wondrously guided me towards the light of eternity. From birth until now the generous gifts of Your Providence have been marvelously showered upon me. I give You thanks, with all who have come to know You, who call upon Your Name:
Glory to You for calling me into being.
Glory to You, showing me the beauty of the universe.
Glory to You, spreading out before me heaven and earth,
like the pages in a book of eternal wisdom.
Glory to You for Your eternity in this fleeting world.
Glory to You for Your mercies, seen and unseen.
Glory to You, through every sigh of my sorrow.
Glory to You for every step of my life’s journey, for every moment of glory.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.
Glory to You, showing me the beauty of the universe.
Glory to You, spreading out before me heaven and earth,
like the pages in a book of eternal wisdom.
Glory to You for Your eternity in this fleeting world.
Glory to You for Your mercies, seen and unseen.
Glory to You, through every sigh of my sorrow.
Glory to You for every step of my life’s journey, for every moment of glory.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.
ODE 2
O Lord, how lovely it is to be Your guest. Breeze full of scents — mountains reaching to the skies — waters like a boundless mirror, reflecting the sun’s golden rays and the scudding clouds. All nature murmurs mysteriously, breathing depths of Your tenderness. Birds and beasts of the forest bear the imprint of Your love. Blessed are you, mother earth, in your fleeting loveliness, which wakens our yearning for happiness that will last forever in the land where, amid beauty that grows not old, rings out the cry: Alleluia!
IKOS 2
You have brought me into life as if into an enchanted paradise. We have seen the sky like a chalice of deepest blue, where in the azure heights the birds are singing. We have listened to the soothing murmur of the forest and the melodious music of the streams. We have tasted fruit of fine flavor and the sweet-scented honey. We can live very well on your earth. It is a pleasure to be your guest.
Glory to You for the feast-day of life.
Glory to You for the perfume of lilies and roses.
Glory to You for each different taste of berry and fruit.
Glory to You for the sparkling silver of early morning dew.
Glory to You for the joy of dawn’s awakening.
Glory to You for the new life each day brings.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.
Glory to You for the feast-day of life.
Glory to You for the perfume of lilies and roses.
Glory to You for each different taste of berry and fruit.
Glory to You for the sparkling silver of early morning dew.
Glory to You for the joy of dawn’s awakening.
Glory to You for the new life each day brings.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.
ODE 3
It is the Holy Spirit Who makes us find joy in each flower–the exquisite scent, the delicate color — the beauty of the Most High in the tiniest of things. Glory and honor to the Spirit, the Giver of Life, Who covers the fields with their carpet of flowers, crowns the harvest with gold, and gives to us the joy of gazing at it with our eyes. O be joyful and sing to Him: Alleluia!
IKOS 3
How glorious You are in the springtime, when every creature awakens to new life and joyfully sings Your praises with a thousand tongues! You are the source of life, the destroyer of death. By the light of the moon, nightingales sing, and the valleys and hills lie like wedding-garments, white as snow. All the earth is Your promised bride awaiting her spotless Husband. If the grass of the field is like this, how gloriously shall we be transfigured in the Second Coming, after the Resurrection! How splendid our bodies, how spotless our souls!
Glory to You for the warmth and tenderness of the world of nature.
Glory to You for the numberless creatures around us.
Glory to you for the depths of Your wisdom
–the whole world a living sign of it.
Glory to You: On my knees, I kiss the traces of Your unseen hand.
Glory to You, enlightening us with the clarity of eternal life.
Glory to You for the hope of the unutterable,
imperishable beauty of immortality.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.
Glory to You for the numberless creatures around us.
Glory to you for the depths of Your wisdom
–the whole world a living sign of it.
Glory to You: On my knees, I kiss the traces of Your unseen hand.
Glory to You, enlightening us with the clarity of eternal life.
Glory to You for the hope of the unutterable,
imperishable beauty of immortality.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.
ODE 4
How filled with sweetness are those whose thoughts dwell on You: how life-giving Your holy Word. To speak with You is more soothing than anointing with oil, sweeter than the honeycomb. To pray to You lifts the spirit, refreshes the soul. Where You are not, there is only emptiness; hearts are smitten with sadness; nature, and life itself, becomes sorrowful. Where You are, the soul is filled with abundance, and its song resounds like a torrent of life: Alleluia!
IKOS 4
When the sun is setting, when quietness falls, like the peace of eternal sleep, and the silence of the spent day reigns, then in the splendor of its declining rays, filtering through the clouds, I see Your dwelling-place. Firey and purple, gold and blue, they speak prophet-like of the ineffable beauty of Your presence, and call to us in their majesty. We turn to the Father:
Glory to You at the hushed hour of nightfall.
Glory to You, covering the earth with peace.
Glory to You for the last ray of the sun as it sets.
Glory to You for sleep’s repose that restores us.
Glory to You for Your goodness, even in time of darkness,
when all the world is hidden from our eyes.
Glory to You for the prayers offered by a trembling soul.
Glory to You for the pledge of our reawakening on the glorious last day,
that day which has no evening.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.
Glory to You, covering the earth with peace.
Glory to You for the last ray of the sun as it sets.
Glory to You for sleep’s repose that restores us.
Glory to You for Your goodness, even in time of darkness,
when all the world is hidden from our eyes.
Glory to You for the prayers offered by a trembling soul.
Glory to You for the pledge of our reawakening on the glorious last day,
that day which has no evening.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.
ODE 5
The dark storm-clouds of life bring no terror to those in whose hearts Your fire is burning brightly. Outside is the darkness of the whirlwind, the terror and howling of the storm, but in the heart, in the presence of Christ, there is light and peace, silence. The heart sings: Alleluia!
IKOS 5
I see Your heavens resplendent with stars. How glorious You are, radiant with light! Eternity watches me by the rays of the distant stars. I am small, insignificant, but the Lord is at my side: Your right arm guides me wherever I go.
Glory to You, ceaselessly watching over me.
Glory to You for the encounters You arrange for me.
Glory to You for the love of parents, for the faithfulness of friends.
Glory to You for the humbleness of animals which serve me.
Glory to You for the unforgettable moments of life.
Glory to You for the heart’s innocent joy.
Glory to You for the joy of living, moving,
and being able to return Your love.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.
Glory to You for the encounters You arrange for me.
Glory to You for the love of parents, for the faithfulness of friends.
Glory to You for the humbleness of animals which serve me.
Glory to You for the unforgettable moments of life.
Glory to You for the heart’s innocent joy.
Glory to You for the joy of living, moving,
and being able to return Your love.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.
ODE 6
How great and how close You are in the powerful track of the storm! How mighty Your right arm in the blinding flash of the lightning! How awesome Your majesty! The voice of the Lord fills the fields, It speaks in the rustling of the trees. The voice of the Lord is in the thunder and the downpour. The voice of the Lord is heard above the waters. Praise be to You in the roar of mountains ablaze. You shake the earth like a garment; You pile up to the sky the waves of the sea. Praise be to You, bringing low the pride of man. You bring from his heart a cry of penitence: Alleluia!
IKOS 6
When the lightning flash has lit up the camp dining hall, how feeble seems the light from the lamp. Thus do You, like the lightning, unexpectedly light up my heart with flashes of intense joy. After Your blinding light, how drab, how colorless, how illusory all else seems.
Glory to You, the highest peak of men’s dreaming.
Glory to You for our unquenchable thirst for communion with God.
Glory to You, making us dissatisfied with earthly things.
Glory to You, turning on us Your healing rays.
Glory to You, subduing the power of the spirits of darkness
and dooming to death every evil.
Glory to You for the signs of Your presence,
for the joy of hearing Your voice and living in Your love.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.
Glory to You for our unquenchable thirst for communion with God.
Glory to You, making us dissatisfied with earthly things.
Glory to You, turning on us Your healing rays.
Glory to You, subduing the power of the spirits of darkness
and dooming to death every evil.
Glory to You for the signs of Your presence,
for the joy of hearing Your voice and living in Your love.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.
ODE 7
In the wondrous blending of sounds, it is Your call we hear. In the harmony of many voices, in the sublime beauty of music, in the glory of the works of great composers, You lead us to the threshold of paradise to come, and to the choirs of angels. All true beauty has the power to draw the soul towards You and make it sing in ecstasy: Alleluia!
IKOS 7
The breath of Your Holy Spirit inspires artists, poets, scientists. The power of Your supreme knowledge makes them prophets and interpreters of Your laws, who reveal the depths of Your creative wisdom. Their works speak unwittingly of You. How great are You in Your creation! How great are You in man!
Glory to You, showing Your unsurpassable power
in the laws of the universe.
Glory to You, for all nature is filled with Your laws.
Glory to You for what You have revealed to us in Your mercy.
Glory to You for what you have hidden from us in Your wisdom.
Glory to You for the inventiveness of the human mind.
Glory to You for the dignity of man’s labor.
Glory to You for the tongues of fire that bring inspiration.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.
in the laws of the universe.
Glory to You, for all nature is filled with Your laws.
Glory to You for what You have revealed to us in Your mercy.
Glory to You for what you have hidden from us in Your wisdom.
Glory to You for the inventiveness of the human mind.
Glory to You for the dignity of man’s labor.
Glory to You for the tongues of fire that bring inspiration.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.
ODE 8
How near You are in the day of sickness. You Yourself visit the sick. You Yourself bend over the sufferer’s bed; his heart speaks to You. In the throes of sorrow and suffering, You bring peace; You bring unexpected consolation. You are the Comforter. You are the Love which watches over and heals us. To You we sing the song: Alleluia!
IKOS 8
When in my childhood I called upon You consciously for the first time, You heard my prayer; You filled my heart with the blessing of peace. At that moment I knew Your goodness, knew how blessed are those who turn to You. I started to call upon You, night and day, and even now, I call upon Your Name:
Glory to You, satisfying my desires with good things.
Glory to You, watching over me day and night.
Glory to You, curing affliction and emptiness with the healing flow of time.
Glory to You; no loss is irreparable in You, giver of eternal life to all.
Glory to You, making immortal all that is lofty and good.
Glory to You, promising us the longed
-for meeting with our loved ones who have died.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.
Glory to You, watching over me day and night.
Glory to You, curing affliction and emptiness with the healing flow of time.
Glory to You; no loss is irreparable in You, giver of eternal life to all.
Glory to You, making immortal all that is lofty and good.
Glory to You, promising us the longed
-for meeting with our loved ones who have died.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.
ODE 9
Why is it that on a feast-day the whole of nature mysteriously smiles? Why is it that then a heavenly gladness fills our hearts, a gladness far beyond that of earth, and the very air in church and in the altar becomes luminous? It is the breath of Your gracious love; it is the reflection of the glory of Mount Tabor. Then do heaven and earth sing Your praise: Alleluia!
IKOS 9
When You called me to serve my brothers and filed my soul with humility, one of Your deep-piercing rays shone into my heart; it became luminous, full of light, like iron glowing in the furnace. I have seen Your face, face of mystery and of unapproachable glory.
Glory to You, transfiguring our lives with deeds of love.
Glory to You, making wonderfully sweet
the keeping of Your commandments.
Glory to You, making Yourself known where
man shows mercy on his neighbor.
Glory to You, sending us failure and misfortune,
that we may understand the sorrows of others.
Glory to You, rewarding us so well for the good we do.
Glory to You, welcoming the impulse of our heart’s love.
Glory to You, raising to the heights of heaven
every act of love in earth and sky.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.
Glory to You, making wonderfully sweet
the keeping of Your commandments.
Glory to You, making Yourself known where
man shows mercy on his neighbor.
Glory to You, sending us failure and misfortune,
that we may understand the sorrows of others.
Glory to You, rewarding us so well for the good we do.
Glory to You, welcoming the impulse of our heart’s love.
Glory to You, raising to the heights of heaven
every act of love in earth and sky.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.
ODE 10
No one can put together what has crumbled into dust, but You can restore a conscience turned to ashes; You can restore to its former beauty a soul lost and without hope. With You, there is nothing that cannot be redeemed. You are Love; You are Creator and Redeemer. We praise You, singing: Alleluia!
IKOS 10
Remember, my God, the fall of Lucifer, full of pride; keep me safe with the power of Your grace. Save me from falling away from You; save me from doubt. Incline my heart to call upon You, present in everything.
Glory to You for every happening,
every condition Your Providence has put me in.
Glory to You for what you speak to me in my heart.
Glory to You for what you reveal to me, asleep or awake.
Glory to You for scattering our vain imaginations.
Glory to You for raising us from the slough of our passions
through suffering.
Glory to You for curing our pride of heart by humiliation.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.
every condition Your Providence has put me in.
Glory to You for what you speak to me in my heart.
Glory to You for what you reveal to me, asleep or awake.
Glory to You for scattering our vain imaginations.
Glory to You for raising us from the slough of our passions
through suffering.
Glory to You for curing our pride of heart by humiliation.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.
ODE 11
Across the cold chains of the centuries, I feel the warmth of Your breath; I feel Your blood pulsing in my veins. Part of time has already gone, but now You are the present. I stand by Your cross; I was the cause of it. I cast myself down in the dust before it. Here is the triumph of love, the victory of salvation. Here the centuries themselves cannot remain silent, singing Your praises: Alleluia!
IKOS 11
Blessed are they that will share in the King’s banquet; but already on earth You give me a foretaste of this blessedness. How many times with Your own hand have You held out to me Your Body and Your Blood, and I, though a miserable sinner, have received this Sacrament, and have tasted Your love, so ineffable, so heavenly!
Glory to You for the unquenchable fire of Your grace.
Glory to You, building Your Church, a haven of peace in a tortured world.
Glory to You for the life-giving water of baptism
in which we find new birth.
Glory to You, restoring to the penitent purity white as the lily.
Glory to you for the Cup of Salvation and the Bread of eternal joy.
Glory to You for exalting us to the highest heaven.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.
Glory to You, building Your Church, a haven of peace in a tortured world.
Glory to You for the life-giving water of baptism
in which we find new birth.
Glory to You, restoring to the penitent purity white as the lily.
Glory to you for the Cup of Salvation and the Bread of eternal joy.
Glory to You for exalting us to the highest heaven.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.
ODE 12
How oft have I seen the reflection of Your glory in the faces of the dead. How resplendent they were, with beauty and heavenly joy; how ethereal, how translucent their faces; how triumphant over suffering and death, their felicity and peace. Even in the silence they were calling upon You. In the hour of my death, enlighten my soul, too, that it may cry out to You: Alleluia!
IKOS 12
What sort of praise can I give You? I have never heard the song of the cherubim, a joy reserved for the spirits above. But I know the praises that nature sings to You. In winter, I have beheld how silently in the moonlight the whole earth offers You prayer, clad in its white mantle of snow, sparkling like diamonds. I have seen how the rising sun rejoices in You, how the song of the birds is a chorus of praise to You. I have heard the mysterious murmurings of the forests about You, and the winds singing Your praise as they stir the waters. I ahve understood how the choirs of stars proclaim Your glory as they move forever in the depths of infinite space. What is my poor worship? All nature obeys You, I do not. Yet while I live, I see Your love, I long to thank You, pray to You, and call upon Your Name:
Glory to You, giving us light.
Glory to You, loving us with love so deep, divine, and infinite.
Glory to You, blessing us with light, and with the host of angels and saints.
Glory to You, Father All-Holy, promising us a share in Your Kingdom.
Glory to You, Holy Spirit, Life-giving Sun of the world to come.
Glory to You for all things, holy and most merciful Trinity.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.
Glory to You, loving us with love so deep, divine, and infinite.
Glory to You, blessing us with light, and with the host of angels and saints.
Glory to You, Father All-Holy, promising us a share in Your Kingdom.
Glory to You, Holy Spirit, Life-giving Sun of the world to come.
Glory to You for all things, holy and most merciful Trinity.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.
ODE 13
Life-giving and merciful Trinity, receive my thanksgiving for all Your goodness. Make us worthy of Your blessings, so that, when we have brought to fruit the talents You have entrusted to us, we may enter into the joy of our Lord, forever exulting in the shout of victory: Alleluia!
IKOS 13
I was born a weak, defenseless child, but Your angel spread his wings over my cradle to defend me. From birth until now, Your love has illumined my path, and has wondrously guided me towards the light of eternity. From birth until now the generous gifts of Your Providence have been marvelously showered upon me. I give You thanks, with all who have come to know You, who call upon Your Name:
Glory to You for calling me into being.
Glory to You, showing me the beauty of the universe.
Glory to You, spreading out before me heaven and earth,
like the pages in a book of eternal wisdom.
Glory to You for Your eternity in this fleeting world.
Glory to You for Your mercies, seen and unseen.
Glory to You, through every sigh of my sorrow.
Glory to You for every step of my life’s journey, for every moment of glory.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.
Glory to You, showing me the beauty of the universe.
Glory to You, spreading out before me heaven and earth,
like the pages in a book of eternal wisdom.
Glory to You for Your eternity in this fleeting world.
Glory to You for Your mercies, seen and unseen.
Glory to You, through every sigh of my sorrow.
Glory to You for every step of my life’s journey, for every moment of glory.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.
ODE 14
Everlasting King, Your will for our salvation is full of power. Your right arm controls the whole course of human life. We give You thanks for all Your mercies, seen and unseen: For eternal life, for the heavenly joys of the Kingdom which is to be. Grant mercy to us who sing Your praises, both now and in the time to come. Glory to You, O God, from age to age.
