background

Monday, March 21, 2011

A Slavic Easter… The Tradition Continues



A Slavic Easter… The Tradition Continues

‘Twas the day before Easter and all through the house,
The Hrutka was hanging, even tempting the mouse.
The beets were boiling and I was grating with care
Because the horseradish aroma was filling the air.
The Paska was sticky, it was a big lump of dough
I kneaded to plump it so it would grow.
Raisins were added, then into the pan
Where inside the oven it began to brown and expand.

With baba in the kitchen and dzedo taking a nap
I began cracking walnuts, leaving the shells in my lap.
Opened jars of lekvar were soon everywhere,
Filling rolls of kolachi were all I could bear.

Two dozen boiled eggs were waiting to cool
For coloring in pastel yellow, pink, green and blue.
Softening for the mold was a pound of sweet butter
How I prayed that my counter would be free from this clutter.

The salt shaker was cleaned and filled to the top
Leaving only the meat before I could stop.
Smoked kielbasa and bacon and brown-sugared ham
Why couldn’t they just bless cans of ready-to-eat Spam?

Finally on Sunday with filled baskets in hand
And while singing "Christos Voskrese" the congregation did stand.
With candles and incense and blessings for us all
We bidden each a Happy Easter and left the church hall.

At home the family gathered to begin the holy meal
But shortly thereafter I wondered if it was all real.
Within an hour of eating everything that they were able
My family was too full to clear the dishes from the table.

Happy Easter to All! Christos Voskrese! Voistinnu Voskrese!

By Elizabeth Andreycak
This Easter poem is dedicated in loving memory of Anna Kanuck and Catherine Andreycak.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

The Prayer of St. Ephrem the Syrian

I love the the Prayer of St. Ephrem no matter what time of year it is. But it is at this time of Lent during the Byzantine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts that we hear in our services.


We pray the Prayer of St. Ephrem in the Byzantine Church during the Liturgy of the Presanctified (Liturgy of Pope St. Gregory the Great, taken by both Catholic and Orthodox alike during this period), during all services of the Divine Office during Lent and at various other times during the day recommended at morning, noon, evening - upon arising and before retiring for th

e night.


The Prayer of St. Ephrem the Syrian

Making a prostration
O LORD, Master of my life, grant that I may not be infected with the
spirit of slothfulness and inquisitiveness, with the spirit of ambition and vain talking.
Making a prostration
Grant instead to me, your servant, the spirit of purity and of
humility, the spirit of patience and neighborly love.

Making a third prostration
O Lord and King, grant me the grace of being aware of my sins and of not thinking evil of those of my brethren.
For you are blessed, now and ever, and forever.
Amen.


Lord Jesus Christ, King of Kings, You have power over life and death. You know what is secret and hidden, and neither our thoughts nor our feelings are concealed from You. Cure me of duplicity; I have done evil before You. Now my life declines from day to day and my sins increase. O Lord, God of souls and bodies, You know the extreme frailty of my soul and my flesh. Grant me strength in my weakness, O Lord, and sustain me in my misery. Give me a grateful soul that I may never cease to recall Your benefits, O Lord most bountiful. Be not mindful of my many sins, but forgive me all my misdeeds. O Lord, disdain not my prayer - the prayer of a wretched sinner; sustain me with Your grace until the end, that it may protect me as in the past. It is Your grace which has taught me wisdom; blessed are they who follow her ways, for they shall receive the crown of glory. In spite of my unworthiness, I praise You and I glorify You, O Lord, for Your mercy to me is without limit. You have been my help and my protection. May the name of Your majesty be praised forever. To you, our God, be glory.

Amen.



c

Saint Of The Day

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails
Powered by WebRing.