Father Justin's Blog

Sunrise from the Steps of Repentance

The first moment of sunrise from the Steps of Repentance.

First Light from the Steps of Repentance

A salmon pink light on the horizon heralds the arrival of a new day.

Gathering Shadows

The Chapel of the Prophet Elijah as the shadows gather at the end of the day.

While I was at the chapel of the Prophet Elijah, a cat came by. A little bird on the roof of the chapel sounded the alarm for all the other birds that the cat was here. After basking in the warm sand for a while, the cat left to continue its patrol of the area. Perhaps today it would find a dove with it guard down for just a moment. How wonderful that would be.

Chapel at Noonday

The double church of the Prophet Elisha and the Prophet Elijah at noonday.

Tangible Beams of Light

Χθὲς συνεθαπτόμην σοι Χριστὲ συνεγείρομαι σήμερον ἀναστάντι σοι, συνεσταυρούμην σοι χθὲς, αὐτός με συνδόξασον Σωτήρ, ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ σου.

Yesterday I was buried with Thee, O Christ, and today I arise with Thine arising. Yesterday was I crucified with Thee; do Thou Thyself glorify me with Thee, O Saviour, in Thy Kingdom.

— From the Third Ode of the Paschal Canon

Holy Pascha 2025

Καὶ ἐξήγαγεν αὐτοὺς ἐκ σκότους καὶ σκιᾶς θανάτου καὶ τοὺς δεσμοὺς αὐτῶν διέρρηξεν.

He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder. (Psalm 106:14 LXX)

Ὅτι ὁ Θεὸς ὁ εἰπών Ἐκ σκότους φῶς λάμψαι ὃς ἔλαμψεν ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ἡμῶν πρὸς φωτισμὸν τῆς γνώσεως τῆς δόξης τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐν προσώπῳ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ.

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:6)

Triumphing Over Them

Ἐξαλείψας τὸ καθ’ ἡμῶν χειρόγραφον τοῖς δόγμασιν ὃ ἦν ὑπεναντίον ἡμῖν καὶ αὐτὸ ἦρκεν ἐκ τοῦ μέσου προσηλώσας αὐτὸ τῷ σταυρῷ· ἀπεκδυσάμενος τὰς ἀρχὰς καὶ τὰς ἐξουσίας ἐδειγμάτισεν ἐν παρρησίᾳ θριαμβεύσας αὐτοὺς ἐν αὐτῷ.

Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (Colossians 2:14-15)

Lamentations Before the Epitaphios

Ἰκρίῳ προσεπάγης, ὁ πάλαι τὸν λαόν σου στύλῳ νεφέλης σκέπων.

Thou art brought to a scaffold, Thou Who of old didst shelter Thy people with a pillar of cloud.

Service of the Twelve Gospels

The first of the twelve Gospels is what is known as Christ’s High Priestly Prayer, John 13:31 – 18:1.

Οὐ περὶ τούτων δὲ ἐρωτῶ μόνον ἀλλὰ καὶ περὶ τῶν πιστευσόντων διὰ τοῦ λόγου αὐτῶν εἰς ἐμέ ἵνα πάντες ἓν ὦσιν καθὼς σύ πάτερ ἐν ἐμοὶ κἀγὼ ἐν σοί ἵνα καὶ αὐτοὶ ἐν ἡμῖν ἓν ὦσιν.

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us. (John 17:20-21)

The floor of the bema inside the Sinai basilica, lit by a single candle. The floor is made of inlaid marble and hardstones, now very worn after the passage of so many years.