Saturday, January 27, 2007

Est is Best

Hello.
I was in the parish/mission in Kingston last Sunday
and I was talking to this guy.
I mentioned I was from the Ouest
and he said
"Oh, are you from that church that everybody comes from?"
I said
"Yes."
What I didn't mention is that some people actually seem to stay.

In other news
I am apparently moving to Halifax after Pascha.
Maybe pray that God won't send me any farther
Est
because I'm not a very good swimmer.

But I may be tempted to come back
Ouest
for camp
if it's not too late
in the summer.
How about
it?
When is camp?
And can it make use of a geographically challenged
fellow
such as I?

best to all,
Jesse.

PS: I think my French is coming along nicely.

Thursday, January 18, 2007

Into Great Silence -- monks on the big screen!

Hope no one minds if I re-post this from my blog:

- - -


I've been awfully busy lately, but I thought I'd give a heads-up to anyone in the Vancouver area who might be interested in Philip Gröning's Die Große Stille (2005), AKA Into Great Silence. The film, a mostly silent documentation of the prayers, services and chores performed by the monks of the Grande Chartreuse monastery in the French Alps, is playing at the VanCity Theatre next week, but only on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights.

FWIW, I watched this film on a screener in anticipation of last year's film festival, and I suspect its long, long passages of silent introspection and ritualistic chant would work a lot better in a darkened theatre -- not unlike, say, the meditative, don't-munch- the-popcorn-too-loud experience that I had watching James Benning's 13 Lakes -- but like I say, I'm awfully busy these days.

Then again, that's exactly why we need retreats like these, no?

Saturday, January 13, 2007

Methinks they meant "scoured".

This is too funny.

I got an advance copy of the "definitive edition" of The Passion of the Christ, which comes out on DVD in a couple weeks, and it includes a text commentary of "footnotes" -- one of which has a most amusing typo:



Now why am I imagining this actress vandalizing museums -- and maybe libraries! -- as part of her research for her role?

Sunday, January 07, 2007

Churching...






God grant you many years Parson family!

Saturday, January 06, 2007

the Blessing of the Waters part 2




the Blessing of the Waters





Bless it all!

...that's what Orthodoxy does!

This year I was so excited about our very first time blessing the Fraser River that I forgot to give you all the heads up in the newsletter and announcement sheet about another important Blessing at this time of year-- the customary annual blessing of homes in the Theophany season. I only suddenly remembered this during the first singing of the Tropar at Theophany vespers last night, because that tropar is also sung at a Theophany home blessing as the priest goes from room to room sprinkling holy water.

This is a briefer rite than the one we do to bless a home for the first time, and a great start to the New Year. If you want your home blessed, please call Fr. Lawrence or Fr. Justin and make an appointment (Fr. Justin's hours are limited because of his day job, and St. John's people get first dibs on him, but you can try if you want! ;-) When the weekend is over, I'll post an article from Fr. Lawrence about the items needed, how to prepare, and what to expect at your home blessing.

Troparion - Tone 1 (same tune as "O Lord Save Your People"--easy to sing, we will do it at church tomorrow, and the priest will bring copies to your home for the blessing too!)

O Lord, when You were baptized in the Jordan
The worship of the Trinity was made manifest
For the voice of the Father bore witness to You
And called You His beloved Son.
And the Spirit, in the form of a dove,
Confirmed the truthfulness of His word.
O Christ, our God, You have revealed Yourself
And have enlightened the world, glory to You!

Gotta start training them young

Monday, January 01, 2007

Theophany Celebrations at St. Herman's








Friday Jan 5th, 7 pm: Vigil and blessing of waters. Bring your bottles to take holy water home

Saturday Jan 6th, 9 am: (note early time!)

Liturgy . If you aren't at vigil lFriday night, remember a bottle Saturday morning to carry home holy water. After liturgy we will go to bless the Fraser River at Derby Reach Park, just a short drive away from the church. (note we will not be doing the Greek custom of throwing a cross in the water for retrieval as the Fraser waters flow dangerously fast. Please watch your kids carefully at the waterside. )

Park Map and Directions here if you want to download them, we will have more copies at the church.

I haven't heard of breakfast/lunch plans-- I suppose we are just coming back to the church afterward as on Sundays? If people were feeling ambitious I suppose we could make pancakes or something.....(not volunteering myself, mind you-- I'm not that into pancakes and don't cook them very well!) Weather forecast is for "Variable cloudiness", but a high of 9 degrees might be a touch cool for a picnic...;-)

ADDENDUM: For those in Vancouver, St. John of Shanghai is also having a Theophany liturgy, 10 AM Sat. Jan. 6th at Dunbar Lutheran. There is a potluck celebration at the Chois' home in the afternoon/evening, but I am not sure of the time, if you know for sure, please add that info to the comments.

New Years Breakfast at the Jordan Household