Bože! A Grace Catholic Project
Calendar
A Celebration of Heresy
Today is the last day of the liturgical New Year. Throughout the year we celebrate and commemorate various holy-men and holy-women who through their example – whether it is through their teaching, or their praxis – encourage us in our own understanding of, and practice of the Christian sacramental tradition. Heresy brings another level of [...]
Commemoration of J. I. Döllinger
Döllinger (d. 10 Jan. 1890) was a leading theologian of the late 19th century he spoke up for the “Old Catholic party” of southern & central Europe giving voice to concerns that developments in Roman Catholicicm were taking the faith in a direction not supported by scholarship or tradition. While Döllinger was not the “founder” [...]
For Captives And For Their Salvation (Liberation) Let Us . . .
The last day of 2011. Hmmm . . . . Well, from a liturgical perspective this is not a big deal really – as the liturgical New Year was back in September. Today we commemorate Nelania the Younger, and tomorrow is the leave-taking of the feast of the Nativity. But never fear Theophany is just [...]
St. Amphilochius (d. AD395)
St. Amphilochius was a theologian, a stalwart defender of orthdoxy against the Arians, and according to tradition, encouraged St. Basil to write his defence of the divinity of the Holy Spirit. Amphilochius, like many saintly bishops is also known for successfully standing up to “power” risking his life before the Emperor Theodosius to make a [...]
Synaxis of the Archangels & Heavenly Powers
Angels are everywhere in Scripture. According to Paul they were sent to minister to the heirs of salvation (Heb. 1.14) – going out on a limb I’m going to say that’s us. The Psalmist (91.11-12) says: “God commands the angels to guard you in all your ways. With their hands they shall support you lest [...]
Exile & Enlightenment
Today we commemorate the expulsion of Adam & Eve from Paradise – in preparation for the beginning of Lent tomorrow (Monday), and Cyril & Methodius Enlighteners of the Slavs. Notice something missing (ha ha ha)? The expulsion from Paradise cannot, must not be seen as “history” in the strictest sense of the word. Rather it [...]
Nicephoros
Nicephoros was the friend of a priest called Sapricius. However, shortly before Sapricius was outed as a Christian during the persecution of Valerian, their friendship failed bitterly. Nicephoros tried to reconcile with his friend both in person, and through intermediaries, but Sapricius would have none of it. Sapricius was seized by the authorities, and was [...]
Theodore
Theodore was a general in the early fourth century during the reign of Licinius. He was renowned for his skill as a strategist and commander of men. However, he was a believer. Licinius wanting to pursuade Theodore to revert to paganism, and through him those who honoured and respected him, went to see the general [...]
Agatha of Sicily
Martyred in AD 251 Agatha was a Virgin from a noble Sicilian family and lived in Catania. She was tortured to death in part because she refused to abandon her asceticism and marry the local governor. Legend says that when she was buried an angel placed a stone inscribed with the words: “A righteous mind, [...]
Symeon & Anna
The story of Symeon & Anna is told in Luke 2. Symeon was an old man, righteous and devout, who recieved the revealation that he would not die before seeing the Messiah (Lk. 2.27). Symeon was in the Temple when Jesus was presented for his circumcision; he took him into his arms and declared: Now, [...]
Translation of Chrysostom’s Relics
Traditionally today commemorates the translation of the remains of John Chrysostom from his original burial place in Armenia to Constantinople. What is interesting about this feast day is the underlying issue of reconciliation, and restoration. Chrysostom was a stormy character, invoking the ire of the imperial court because of his uncompromising attitudes towards among other [...]
Synaxis of the Forerunner
Today is the Synaxis of John the Forerunner – it is a sensible place for a feast commemorating John, prophet, precursor of Christ, and the one who plays a key role in the Theophany event. It is however, curious that John gets at least four feast days in the liturgical cycle three of them are [...]
Theophany
Perhaps the second most important feast in the liturgical cycle (Pascha being the first) today we celebrate the manifestation of the Trinity, and the philanthropy of God. “When you enlightened all things at the time of your manifestation, . . . the Jordan reversed its course, flowing uphill and carrying us to heaven.” Today is [...]
John Damascene
Born to a noble family around AD 675 – John was well educated, and served as a counsellor to the Caliph. When iconoclasm began, under Emperor Leo the Isaurian, John wrote in defence of the icons. As a member of the Caliph’s court, John was beyond the reach of Leo; so he had a letter [...]
Zephaniah
One of the minor prophets. Zephaniah lived in the 7th century BC. Tweet
Philaret the Merciful
Philaret lived during the second half of the 8th century. HE WAS A LAYMAN! (huray!). . . . He was well established, and lived comfortably with his family. Throughout he earned a reputation for his generosity – especially to those in need. Due to theft, he lost most of his wealth. Philaret continued to give [...]
It’s All Very Messy . . .
One thing that is very interesting to me working on our community’s calendar reform project is the messy-ness of the liturgical cycle. There is neither rhyme nor reason to the order of most of the commemorations and feast days. Sometimes – and the feast of St. Catherine of Alexandria is an example – the feast [...]
St. Marutha the Persian
Saint Marutha was Bishop of Tagrith (Martyropolis), a city which he founded between the Byzantine Empire and Persia. He was famed for his knowledge and his piety, he wrote about the martyrs, and he suffered for his faith in Christ under the Persian emperor Sapor. He also left behind other works in the Syrian language, [...]
James the Persian
A nobleman, and Christian from birth, James was an intimate of King Yazdegerd I (reigned 399-425). Under influence from the King James renounced Christianity and became a Zorastrian. James’ family was so upset they threatened to cut off all relations with him because he “ had preferred a glory that is temporal to the love [...]
Stylianos of Paphlagonia
A monk – a simple holy man – it’s that simple. In a way, that’s rather refreshing. After his death there were numerous miracles associated with his presence, and he has become known as the protector of orphans. Tweet
Catherine of Alexandria
A wealthy, articulate, scholarly woman, Catherine while still a Pagan vowed to marry only the man who could outshine her in wisdom and knowledge. Her mother, a Christian, sent her to an ascetic for advice. He suggested that there was such a man – Christ. Catherine converted, and became a virgin. At that time the [...]
Peter Archbishop of Alexandria
According to Eusebius (Ecc. Hist. 7.32; 8.11, 13 and 9.6) Peter was an illustrius example of the episcopacy. He served well for 12 years, before becoming the last bishop of Alexandria to be executed by a Pagan authority. Peter was responsible for excommunicating Arius for sympathising with the Melitians. In custody awaiting his martyrdom Arius’ [...]
Day 3 Feast of the Presentation & St. Amphilochius
Firstly, my apologies for not consistently posting over the past two weeks I’ve been enduring an intensive French course. The feast of the Presentation of the Theotokos in the Temple began on Saturday (21 November). It’s a great feast in so far as it openly celebrates the role of legend in our tradition. The presentation [...]
St. Wilibrord
Today is a major feast for OC/IC folk – St. Wilibrord born in England, became the “Apostle to the Frisians” in the Netherlands, and first bishop of Utrecht. Wilibrord’s shrine is in Luxemburgh where he died, and on his feast day every year there takes place the last known processional dance in Western Europe. Happy [...]