marigold Posted April 7, 2015 Author Share Posted April 7, 2015 Marigold, I know how you are feeling, the desire to be back inside the monastery and aching all the time you are out. I think that whether or not you post here depends on how much benefit you get from it, and how much you feel you are helping others by your observations. I, personally, enjoy reading about the Orthodox perspective since I have never really known anything about it. And since you are full of common sense, I enjoy reading your posts. I do so hope that things work out for you and that you fulfill your heart's desire. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. Thank you nunsense, I feel the same way about you and your posts here! As to benefit, I know that I signed up initially because there was nowhere like it on the internet for Orthodox monastic hopefuls, and talking to Catholics was a good substitute and a lot more fun than reading about nuns by myself in my room! I'm pretty certain I'm a terrible spokesperson for the Church and for our wonderful monastic life but enough people have messaged me to say things to the effect of that they had never spoken to an Orthodox person before, or hadn't known whether we were really even Christian let alone had nuns in habits, all the liturgical hours with the same names (Matins, Vespers etc.) that it's worth sticking around even if it's by means of sitting here eating Pringles with my hair up in a towel during Holy Week. (AHEM!) If reunion is going to happen it's going to happen from the grassroots I think Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AccountDeleted Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 Thank you nunsense, I feel the same way about you and your posts here! As to benefit, I know that I signed up initially because there was nowhere like it on the internet for Orthodox monastic hopefuls, and talking to Catholics was a good substitute and a lot more fun than reading about nuns by myself in my room! I'm pretty certain I'm a terrible spokesperson for the Church and for our wonderful monastic life but enough people have messaged me to say things to the effect of that they had never spoken to an Orthodox person before, or hadn't known whether we were really even Christian let alone had nuns in habits, all the liturgical hours with the same names (Matins, Vespers etc.) that it's worth sticking around even if it's by means of sitting here eating Pringles with my hair up in a towel during Holy Week. (AHEM!) If reunion is going to happen it's going to happen from the grassroots I think That's lovely. you are a good ambassador. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marigold Posted April 10, 2015 Author Share Posted April 10, 2015 (edited) Today is suspended upon the tree He who suspended the land upon waters.A crown of thorns crowns Him who is the King of the angels.He is wrapped about with the purple of mockery, who wrapped the heavens with clouds.He received the smitings, He who freed Adam in the Jordan.He is transfixed with nails, who is the Son of the Virgin.We worship Thy passion, O Christ.Show us also Thy glorious resurrection. Edited April 10, 2015 by marigold I clicked the spoiler button by accident and can't get rid of it now... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marigold Posted April 11, 2015 Author Share Posted April 11, 2015 Some more of the sublime hymnography of Holy Week: In a tomb they laid thee O Christ the Life The angelic hosts were overcome with awe and glorified thy condescension O Life how canst thou die? How canst thou dwell in a tomb? But by thy death thou hast destroyed the reign of death and raised all the dead from hell We magnify thee O Jesus our king We worship thy passion and thy burial For by them thou hast saved us from death O word of God we praise thee the Lord of the world With thy Father and thy Holy Spirit And we glorify thy burial We bless you, O Virgin Birthgiver of God And with faithful hearts we praise the burial Endured by your son and our God In a tomb they laid thee O Christ the life The angelic hosts were overcome with awe And glorified thy condescension Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marigold Posted April 11, 2015 Author Share Posted April 11, 2015 I feel like I'm going crazy because I can't handle the new formatting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marigold Posted April 12, 2015 Author Share Posted April 12, 2015 Christ is risen! Truly he is risen! O Death, where is your sting? O Hell, where is your victory? Christ is risen, and you are overthrown. Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen. Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice. Christ is risen, and life reigns. Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in the grave. For Christ, being risen from the dead, is become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. To Him be glory and dominion unto ages of ages. Amen - from the Paschal Homily of John Chrysostom, read in every Orthodox church during the Paschal Liturgy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marigold Posted April 17, 2015 Author Share Posted April 17, 2015 Please lovely VSers pray for me during the coming days! Tomorrow (Saturday) I'm flying out for a week's live-in with a community that I am really interested to get to know. I have a good feeling about it, and have corresponded with a couple of the sisters enough to know that the basic set-up might be a really good fit. But you never know until you get there, and I'm starting to get nervous because it'll be the first time I'm back in a monastery since I left my former community. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbTherese Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 God's Blessings, Marigold! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1054 Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 Please lovely VSers pray for me during the coming days! Tomorrow (Saturday) I'm flying out for a week's live-in with a community that I am really interested to get to know. I have a good feeling about it, and have corresponded with a couple of the sisters enough to know that the basic set-up might be a really good fit. But you never know until you get there, and I'm starting to get nervous because it'll be the first time I'm back in a monastery since I left my former community. Thanks! Correction: It'll be the second time you've visited a monastery, or do day trips not count? With love in Christ, Your resident Smart-A. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marigold Posted April 27, 2015 Author Share Posted April 27, 2015 Well, I'm back and I had a really very good time! It was a bit of a shock to be back on monastery grounds, but I adjusted after a couple of days and then didn't want to leave. The sisters are an unbelievably kind and giving community - they are all totally different but I liked them all. Everything was clean, tidy and neat. I was allowed to help with dishes every day, as well as ironing, gardening and painting. The abbess talked with me for several long sessions. She is very sociable and joyful! I was shown the sisters' quarters too. The church was lovely, with a strong atmosphere of prayer, and the services were nice and unhurried, very still and quiet. God was there. Just as I felt I was getting into the swing of things, it was time to leave! I was feeling a bit down about having to leave so soon, in a kind of general blah way, and then, unexpectedly, the sisters sang this for me at the end of the night service - and the floodgates opened and I bawled in front of all of them! The whole experience of trying to find a monastery, the second time round, has been characterised by trying to not give my heart away. (It's what I do best.) I have to exercise soooo much restraint in, first of all, not jumping into the first community I go to out of my own generous allowances for what I think I can live with, and second of all, not making any earthly community into paradise. My first community was paradise to me and - well, great was its fall. So I'm trying anything final or even decisive, other than that I liked it and I want to visit again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbTherese Posted April 27, 2015 Share Posted April 27, 2015 Magnificent version of the Kyrie in the video - no wonder you cried, Marigold. May The Lord continue to guide you in your discerning. Prayers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marigold Posted April 28, 2015 Author Share Posted April 28, 2015 Magnificent version of the Kyrie in the video - no wonder you cried, Marigold. May The Lord continue to guide you in your discerning. Prayers. Thanks Barb! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marigold Posted May 11, 2015 Author Share Posted May 11, 2015 (edited) Three years to the day since I entered my former community. Edited May 11, 2015 by marigold because I can't type Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marigold Posted June 9, 2015 Author Share Posted June 9, 2015 This hymn is amesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marigold Posted June 12, 2015 Author Share Posted June 12, 2015 Cross-posting for my own reference... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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