Feast Days

Then was our mouth filled with joy

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April 9, 2012
The crucifixion (detail), from a Psalter belonging to Robert de Lindesey, Abbot of Peterborough (1214-20).

O Christ God, that lovest mankind, grant unto us forgiveness for our failings, who worship thy immaculate Passion.
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Rhygyvarch: St David modelled himself on the Desert Fathers

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March 1, 2012
St David's Cathedral, St David's, Pembrokeshire. © Pauline Eccles (Geograph). Licensed for reuse under a Creative Commons Licence.

He was wont to spend the whole day, unshaken and unwearied, in teaching, praying, and genuflecting, in care for the brethren, and also in feeding a multitude of the bereft, orphans, widows, the needy, the weak, the infirm, and pilgrims.
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Like lightning on their pure hearts as upon a mirror, the gospel has shone out on all

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February 23, 2012
The ruins of the 12th century Priory of St Milburge (Mildburh) in Much Wenlock, Shropshire. © Chris Downer (Geograph), licensed for reuse under a Creative Commons licence.

Thou art become a written memorial of the new law; thou bearest inscribed deep upon thee, not with ink but with the divine Spirit, the gospel of divine grace.
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Anselm of Canterbury: Breathe again, poor sinner, breathe again

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February 19, 2012
Detail from a stained glass window in St Mary's Church, Fairford, Gloucs, showing the Last Judgment. Photo by user mattana (Wikimedia Commons), released into the public domain.

Jesus, Jesus, forget the proud sinner that provoked Thy wrath, and look upon me the unhappy one that calleth upon Thy sweet name, Thy pleasant name, Thy name that comforteth the sinner and openeth to him the hope of blessing.
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Saturday of Souls: They shall dwell among the blessings of thy house

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February 18, 2012
Candles surrounding an Orthodox cross with the Virgin Mary and St John

Blessed is he whom thou hast chosen and received unto thee; he shall dwell in thy courts; we shall be filled with the blessings of thy house.
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By the waters of Babylon we sat down and wept (Moscow Sretensky choir)

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February 15, 2012
Weeping willow trees on the River Gipping in Suffolk. © Nigel Chadwick (Geograph), licensed for reuse under a Creative Commons licence.

Psalm 136, used on the Sunday of the Prodigal Son, sung here by the Moscow Sretensky Choir.
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The Song of Simeon (Sretensky Monastery choir)

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February 8, 2012
Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669), Simeon and Anna recognize the Lord in Jesus (c. 1627). From Wikimedia Commons.

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people.
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Poem: Drop, drop slow tears (Phineas Fletcher)

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February 7, 2012
A detail from stained glass in the Church of St Martin in Triel-sur-Seine, France, of the anointing of Jesus. © User GFreihalter, Wikimedia Commons. Licensed for reuse under a Creative Commons License..

In your deep floods / Drown all my faults and fears; / Nor let His eye See sin, / but through my tears.
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The Three holy Hierarchs: Orators of the Word, lyres of the Spirit

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January 30, 2012
Detail from a 13th century wall-painted icon of the Three Hierarchs (l-r St Basil of Caesarea, St Gregory Nazianzen, St John Chrysostom), 13th century.

Ye flew like bees in the meadow of the Scriptures, ye gathered a fine harvest, both the best among the flowers and the honey.
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A prayer of St Gildas the Wise

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January 29, 2012
Saint-Gildas-de-Rhuys, the Grand-Mont at sun rise (Morbihan, France). © User Romary, Wikimedia Commons. Licensed for reuse under a Creative Commons licence.

I thank Thee, Lord Jesus Christ, that upon us the light of Thy righteousness has shone at last, and eternal peace now reigns within us.
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