The sparrow hath built her an house
Above our chapel!
Papa Pustinnyk
Category Archives: Photography
A Photo Diary of Little Things — 6
OUTSIDE: A stroll at Perivolaki, a traditional village of 1160 inhabitants, a mere 20 miles away from the city, Thessaloniki. Here, at the church of the Assumption of the Theotokos, our choir is chanting in all major feasts.
INSIDE: Decoration/ preparation of the church of the Assumption for this week’s feasts of the Apodosis and the Ascension
The Annunciation Miraculous icon of the Theotokos, Evaggelistria-Tinos island
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Christ has Ascended!
Dear Friends in Christ,
The Icon was painted on glass by Georgiana Necula, the flowers were given today by one of the sisters of the Parish and the icon stand drape was a curtain embroidered by my grandmother in the 1930s.
“Leaving the things of earth upon the earth, and surrendering to the earth things of ashes, come, let us come to our senses and raise our eyes and thoughts on high; let us, O mortals, turn our gaze together with the senses up unto the heavenly gates. Let us consider ourselves present at the Mount of Olives, and gaze intently at the Redeemer Who is riding upon a cloud; for the Lord hath hastened up from there into the heavens. And there the bountiful Giver of gifts distributed gifts unto His Apostles, calling to them as a Father, and strengthening them; He guided them like sons and said unto them: I am not separated from you; I am with you, and no one shall be against you.” (OIKOS FOR THE ASCENSION)
Christ is in our midst
A Joyous Pustinnyk
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Quick, While There’s Still Time!
I too meant to share with you but I am having problems with my laptop 😦 I tried to yesterday but was not able to … It is such a beautiful documentary! Even if someone is not so interested in the life of Elder Joseph the Hesychast, the scenery is breathtaking, the monastery “sightseeing tours”amazing, and Jonathan Jackson’s acting is so good!
Update Saturday, 23 May: Actucally, there is time. You can watch the whole documentary on the great 20th-century Athonite spiritual father “Saint Joseph the Hesychast: ELDER JOSEPH THE HESYCHAST FILM (Άγιος Ιωσήφ ο Ησυχαστής)” , starring the Emmy-award winning Jonathan Jackson.
here:
or, here:
Christ is risen!
For a few more hours you can watch the full documentary of the life of Elder (Saint) Joseph the Hesychast for free!
I meant to include this link in my earlier post as a “treat” to share with you on my name’s day and completely forgot. Forgive me!
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A Photo Diary of Little Things — 5
View from Agrilia Monastery
More blessings from Kephallonia!
1.
The old bell tower with St Kosmas church
St Kosmas Aitolos church
St Kosmas Aitolos church at the monastery, where St Kosmas preached
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The Coronavirus Diary of a Joyous Pustinik — 35
Remember the little things- lifting the leaves–a Peace Plant and Basil miracles
Dear Friends in Christ
Christ is Risen!
My peace plant that one Parishioner gave to me earlier this year is thriving. I was reading about the care of Peace Lilies and it said in the blog that when they need some water they will tell you as their leaves will begin to droop. Do not overwater! Plants may speak to us but what about us speaking to the plants? Eyebrows were raised some years ago when a prominent person admitted to talking to plants. I did not think this was odd.
Whilst not indulging in philosophical debate or tiresome monologue with my plants, I often say “Christ is Risen!” to them and show them a little attention by making sure that they have light, warmth, sustenance and care. Love, it seems, lifts the leaves.
I am reminded that God created the plants by speaking and they came into being:
Genesis 1:11-13
11 Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so. 12 The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day.
We have been placed on this earth as stewards of God’s creation.
Our Lord Jesus Christ told us to behold the lilies of the field and that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. (Matthew 6:28) Indeed!
If speaking kindly words to plants helps them to grow, how much more will speaking encouraging words to our fellow humans help them develop and “lift their leaves”. We humans, it seems, require much the same as plants: love, warmth, sustenance, light and care.
I also want to share with you the little miracle that a parishioner witnessed back in 2013 when he transferred his Basil to Holy Water!
Glory to God
Love and prayers
Eν Χριστώ
Father Pustinnyk
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Peace be with you
The remaining red flowers from the Epitaphion have been replenished with beautiful irises.
Thanks to the sisterhood
Glory to God
One of the sisters kindly gave me a little plant a little while ago.
I am happy to say Kristian is flowering and producing lots of yellow peppers( green at the present moment). Indeed,I have had to re-pot kristian such is his/her exponential growth under the blessings of Holy water,ashes from the censer, warmth and sunlight.
God is glorified in His creation.
Father Pustinnyk
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The Monastery of Panagia Agrilia in Sami, Kephalonia
Dear friends in Christ
Christ is Risen!
I forward some beautiful photos of the Monastery of Panagia Agrilia in Sami, Kephalonia with the permission of A.S. I know the place well. The little chapel that you see is not the main monastery but next to the old tower. The little place to the right under the tree is where St Kosmas Aitolos preached. The Fresco inside shows St Ephraim and St Panagis -the local saint of Lixouri whose relics I have carried in procession and which emit great fragrance.
My prayers
Two more photos. I think the path featured in the first photo is the one to the fictional and purpose built village featured in the film Captain Corelli’s Mandolin. The second photo is of the old tower next to Agrilia Monastery with lovely spring wild flowers.
Eν Χριστώ
A Joyous Pustinnyk
PS. One of the faithful was asking about the saint on the fresco in the Chapel at Agrilia in Sami Kefalonia from the photos. He is the “other saint” of Kefalonia, the most well known being St.Gerasimos. He is St Panagis Bassias of Lixouri. Feast day 7th June. you can read about his life on “Mystagogy”at johnsanidopoulos.com
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Dried Flowers and Tender Buds
Christ is Risen! A miracle at St. George church in New Moudania, Chalkidiki. 18 days after the Epitaphios, all lillies “looking”towards Him are sprouting anew! Glory to God for all things!
Christ is Risen! A miracle at St. George church in New Moudania, Chalkidiki. 18 days after the Epitaphios, all lillies “looking”towards Him are sprouting anew! Glory to God for all things!
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Daisies thriving and some epitaph flowers still going!
By a Joyous Pustinnyk
ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN FAITH AND LIFE 