Fr.KnowItAll Archives - OMHKSEA (original) (raw)

What is the Apolytikion?

The principal troparion (hymn) of the day, chanted at the end of Vespers (hence its name, which means “dismissal hymn”), and celebrating the particular feast or saint being commemorated. It is also known as the “troparion of the feast” or the “troparion of the day”. On Great Feasts it is sung three times at the […]

Why are Vigil Lamps Lit before Icons?

First-because our faith is light. Christ said: I am the light of the world (John 8:12). The light of the vigil lamp reminds us of that light by which Christ illumines our souls. Second-in order to remind us of the radiant character of the saint before whose icon we light the vigil lamp, for saints […]

THE FAST OF THE DORMITION OF THE THEOTOKOS

The commemoration of the Dormition of the Theotokos and the preparation for the Feast begin on August 1 with a period of fasting (August 1-14). A strict fast is followed on most of the days (no meat, dairy, oil, or wine), with the exceptions of fish on the Feast of the Transfiguration (August 6) and […]

THE PASCHAL GREETING

The Paschal greeting is a custom among Orthodox Christians, consisting of a greeting and response. Instead of “hello” or its equivalent, one is to greet another person with “Christ is Risen!” The response is “Truly, He is risen!” (or “Indeed, He is risen!”). This greeting is used during liturgical services and informally at other times, […]

CHURCH ETIQUETTE

In the Orthodox Church, there are many customs and traditions that are an important part of our worship. Some are cultural and some are pious customs. Some are essential and some are not. From time-to-time, we need to address some of these various etiquette issues to better inform the faithful. LIGHTING CANDLES Lighting candles is […]

GIVE ME ONE REASON TO GO BACK TO CHURCH

OK I will… But first let me guess why you quit going in the first place. You weren’t getting anything out of it. The Christianity you tried wasn’t working for you‐‐you tried, but it didn’t produce. I’d estimate that 95 percent of the Orthodox Christians I talk to who stopped going to church did so […]

WHY DO WE LIGHT CANDLES?

The first thing anyone notices upon entering any Orthodox Church is the sandbox full of lit candles. We see people making an offering, taking the candle, lighting it, saying a prayer and placing the candle in the sand. So what is this all about? Christ said, “I am the light of the world; he who […]