The Doors of Mercy are Open to All
Within the tabernacle of the Hebrew people, the ark was the place wherein God dwelt in the midst of a sinful people. They could not hope to approach their holy God and not be destroyed, as were Nadab and Abihu (Lev. 10:1-3). The ark’s lid (Ex. 25:17-22) was called the kapporet in Hebrew, generally translated in English as “the mercy seat”, the place where the wrath of God was turned away from His people.
The Lord is present in our midst in the Divine Liturgy, just as He was in the tabernacle, and in Jesus Christ the wrath of God has been turned away from us, and He brings us into the presence of God as a blameless and acceptable people. The Doors of Mercy have been opened to us, for Christ has destroyed the power of darkness and death, and the way to the Father has been opened to all.
Love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
Photo: Our monastery’s new flag, designed by Cesare (John) Aria. The image of Christ is Shayne (John) Swenson’s work.
Thursday September 21, 2023 / September 8, 2023
16th Week after Pentecost. Tone six.
The Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary.
New Martyr Demetrius, priest (1937).
St. Ioane (Maisuradze) (1957) and St. Giorgi-Ioane (Mkheidze), (1960), confessors, of Georgia (Georgia).
New Martyr Alexander Jacobson at Solovki (1930).
Icon of Sophia, the Wisdom of God (Kiev).
Venerable Icons of the Nativity of Most Holy Mother of God Syamsk (1524), Glinsk (16th C), Lukianovsk (16th C), Isaacovsk (1659), Kholmsk, Kursk “Sign” Icon (1259), Pochaev (1559), Lesninsk, Domnitsk (1696).
Venerable Serapion, monk, of Spaso-Eleazar Monastery (Pskov) (1480).
Venerable Lucian, abbot of Alexandrov (1654).
Venerable Arsenius, abbot of Konevits (1447).
King Ina of Wessex and Queen Ethelburga (8th c.) (Celtic & British).
New Martyr Athanasius of Thessalonica (1774) (Greek).
St. Sophronius of Achtalea in Georgia, bishop (1803) (Greek).
Martyrs Rufus and Rufianus (Greek)
Martyrs Severus and Artemidorus (Greek)
St. Kinemark, disciple of St. Dyfrig.
Translation of the relics of St. Grimald, abbot of Winchester.
The Holy Scritpures
Luke 1:39-49
Mary Visits Elizabeth
39 Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, 40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”
The Song of Mary
46 And Mary said:
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
48 For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
49 For He who is mighty has done great things for me,
And holy is His name.
Luke 1:39-49
Mary Visits Elizabeth
39 Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, 40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”
The Song of Mary
46 And Mary said:
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
48 For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
49 For He who is mighty has done great things for me,
And holy is His name.