Comments on: Fire and Light http://glory2godforallthings.com/2006/12/07/fire-and-light/ Orthodox Christianity, Culture and Religion, Making the Journey of Faith Mon, 20 May 2013 12:37:41 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 By: fatherstephen http://glory2godforallthings.com/2006/12/07/fire-and-light/#comment-430 fatherstephen Mon, 11 Dec 2006 15:02:50 +0000 http://glory2godforallthings.com/2006/12/07/fire-and-light/#comment-430 Steve,

I assume you mean the CD’s like Fr. Hopko’s. If you click on the link in that article, it will take you to St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press Bookstore, where many such CD’s can be ordered online. I commend them to you.

]]> By: Steve Hayes http://glory2godforallthings.com/2006/12/07/fire-and-light/#comment-428 Steve Hayes Mon, 11 Dec 2006 11:56:59 +0000 http://glory2godforallthings.com/2006/12/07/fire-and-light/#comment-428 That is really useful — where does one get these CDs?

]]> By: Demetrius http://glory2godforallthings.com/2006/12/07/fire-and-light/#comment-404 Demetrius Sat, 09 Dec 2006 09:49:03 +0000 http://glory2godforallthings.com/2006/12/07/fire-and-light/#comment-404 Michael’s communion prep reminded me of what I used to recite just before Holy Communion as a Catholic: “O, Lord, I am not worthy to receive you. But only say the word and my soul shall be healed.”

All of the wording gets back to God’s love for a people so flawed. When I was younger (and less flawed, I guess), I used to wonder at the idea of trembling before God. At the time I thought, “Why would I tremble? I’d be full of joy!”

I guess it’s one of those things–like the Optina Elders’ Morning Prayer (with lines like “give me strength to bear the fatigue of the coming day”)–that it takes aging to understand. Now I’m hoping I’m no longer capable of peeing my pants when Christ comes for me because joy isn’t what I’m going to be full of at first.

]]> By: Fatherstephen http://glory2godforallthings.com/2006/12/07/fire-and-light/#comment-403 Fatherstephen Fri, 08 Dec 2006 14:42:53 +0000 http://glory2godforallthings.com/2006/12/07/fire-and-light/#comment-403 Michael,

Thank you for the kind words, I look forward to reading your blog. We have the same prayer as part of our preparatory prayers for communion. The one I quoted was among the last of several pages worth.

]]> By: Michael http://glory2godforallthings.com/2006/12/07/fire-and-light/#comment-402 Michael Fri, 08 Dec 2006 05:10:48 +0000 http://glory2godforallthings.com/2006/12/07/fire-and-light/#comment-402 Hi Fr. Stephen,

first I want to say I really like your blog :) . I’ve just started mine, but it’s still under construction. I wanted to share with you what we (Coptic Orthodox) individually pray before partaking of the Eucharist – an excerpt from our prayer book of the hours.

“O Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under the roof of my house, for I am sinful, but say first a word and my soul shall be healed. Say unto my soul: “Your sins are forgiven.” I am barren and in need of Your righteousness, Your compassion, Your mercy and Your love. You humbled yourself and descended from the heavens, and unutterable glory to our lowly state and accepted to be born in a manger. O Holy Saviour, do not reject my humble and miserable soul, which is waiting for Your glorified coming; but accept to come into my soul to cleanse it. As You did not refuse to enter into the leper’s house and to heal him, please Lord enter into my soul and heal me. Do not forbid me from receiving Your Holy Body and Your Precious Blood. As You did not forbid the woman, who was a sinner from kissing your feet. May my communion with You banish the defilement and mortification of all my evil desires. Help me obey Your Life-giving commandments, and heal my soul and body from all sins, that I may accept your gifts. May Your grace dwell in me and may Your Spirit abide in me and make me united with You; that I may live for the glory of Your Holy Name. Amen.”

Remember me in your prayers,
Michael

]]> By: fatherstephen http://glory2godforallthings.com/2006/12/07/fire-and-light/#comment-398 fatherstephen Wed, 06 Dec 2006 21:22:22 +0000 http://glory2godforallthings.com/2006/12/07/fire-and-light/#comment-398 The picture accompanying the article is from the ordination service of my son-in-law, Fr. Philip Rogers, to the Holy Priesthood. He is being assisted at the Holy Chalice by my other son-in-law, then Deacon, now, Priest, Fr. Hermogen Holste. May God grant them many years as they stand in the fiery presence of God and serve!

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