Visit #176 ~ Lighting Candles for the Newly Baptized and Illumined

A candle and a prayer for Payton Faith

I went to the Divine Liturgy yesterday and, of course, it was good to be there.  But a part of me wishes I was at a different parish that day where Payton Faith Campbell was being baptized!  I was unable to attend Andrew and Tiffany's daughter's baptism (because their parish is so far away and because of my work schedule) so, instead, I said a prayer and lit a candle for the newly baptized and illumined Payton Faith! I took a picture of the gold lamp stand where I lit the candle at the beginning of the service. This pic was snapped while I waited in line at the end of the service to venerate the Cross.

A small group of people were absent from the DL today because they were able to attend Payton Faith's baptism.  Marko, who is the godfather, is pictured below. I had asked him (via facebook) if he spit on the devil on Payton's behalf. He said, "I renounced the devil thrice" because, in Orthodoxy, if something is good enough to do one time, it's good enough to do three times! 

the godparents! 

The proud parents!

So, God bless Payton Faith Campbell!

Thanks for reading!

Visit #175 ~ Thinking about St. Photini and Living Water!

"Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again...."

I just did a quick google search and asked "What is the name of the Woman at the Well in the Bible?" The first sites that came up were all Protestant and they said, "Well, she isn't named." How wonderful it is that, in the Orthodox Church, her name was preserved and passed down from generation to generation. How sad that the Protestants divorce themselves from Holy Tradition and, thus, unknowingly, find themselves impoverished!

St. Photini, the Woman a the Well, was the focus of the Service today.  Fr. Gary gave a great homily talking about how Jesus broke all the social norms and, seemingly without judging or condemning her, drew her unto Himself, proclaiming to her that He was, indeed, the Messiah! He offered living water to her noting that the water she was drawing from the well would only leave her thirsty again but the water the He'd offer would satisfy forever!

St. Photini, who was despised in her own town as a loose woman - that would explain why she drew water in the heat of the day when no one else was around - nevertheless ran into town and proclaimed Jesus as Messiah. The whole town came to see for themselves and became convinced, not because of the testimony of St. Photini but because they heard Jesus for themselves!

Coffee hour was really enjoyable. I had a nice talk with Reader Innocent (Jack.) He is a quiet man with a lot of depth (and a wicked sense of humor, wicked in the good sense :) ) We also celebrated the ever-gracious Tami's Birthday! I, of course, ate a piece of cake in her honor!

Happy Birthday, Tami

It was such a blessing to be in Liturgy this week. I was unable to attend last week so it is good to be back! May be all partake of the Living Waters that Christ has to offer!

St. Photini, pray for us!