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Christ is Risen

Νυνὶ δὲ Χριστὸς ἐγήγερται ἐκ νεκρῶν ἀπαρχὴ τῶν κεκοιμημένων ἐγένετο.

But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. (1 Corinthians 15:20)

And as firstfruits, then the token and guarantee of a greater ingathering.

Holy and Great Friday

Ὑπὸ γῆν ἐκρύβης, ὥσπερ ἥλιος, νῦν καὶ νυκτὶ τῇ τοῦ θανάτου κεκάλυψαι· ἀλλ᾿ ἀνάτειλον φαιδρότερον, Σωτήρ.

Thou wast hid beneath the earth like the sun, and covered now by the night of death; but do Thou arise more radiantly, O Saviour.

More Almond Blossoms

More almond blossoms, and another honeybee, poised for half a second before darting off to another blossom.

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Almond Blossoms

The almond trees bloom during the first warm days of spring. For a few weeks, the bees have an abundance of nectar and pollen.

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Sunrise from the Cave of Saint John Climacus

Sunrise from the door to the cave of Saint John Climacus. An overhanging boulder projects above.

The first light of day appears in the east.

As the light increases, the chapel in the distance becomes visible.

The first light of day is rose coloured.

As sunrise approaches, the light changes to […]

The Cave of Saint John Climacus

The cave of Saint John Climacus, an enclosed space beneath massive boulders.

We read in the Life of Saint John Climacus, composed by Daniel of Raithou,

Σημείοις δὲ πέντε διεστηκυῖαν τοῦ Κυριακοῦ τὴν τῆς παλαίστρας μονίαν εἰληφῶς, (Θολᾶς δὲ ὄνομα τῷ τόπῳ) τεσσαράκοντα χρόνους ἐκεῖ διεπέρανεν ἀνολιγώρως, ἐν διακαεῖ ἔρωτι καὶ πυρὶ πυρπολούμενος ἀεὶ […]