Renovation

All of the virtues and powers of God are attained primarily by prayer. Without prayer, there is no spiritual life. Prayer is natural and we were fashioned by God to live a life of prayer. It should be brief and regular so that it can be kept in all conditions and circumstances. To remind yourself that it is "face to face," place an icon of Christ before you as you pray. At this time, we are in the season of Great Lent. At all of the Lenten services the Prayer of St. Ephraim of Syria is read. It supplicates God for those virtues especially necessary to the Christian life.

The Entry of Christ into Jerusalem

The entry of Christ into Jerusalem is a celebration of triumph. According to the Gospel of St. John (12:1-18) the public celebration which accompanied the Entry into Jerusalem was not only on account of Jesus, but also to see Lazarus whom He had raised from the dead. The Disciples followed Him and the welcoming crowd met them at the Jerusalem Gate. In the icon, our focus of attention is on the portrait of Christ, seated sideways on the donkey, the Disciples following Him. The people took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him. Traditionally, children play a prominent role in the representation of the Entry Into Jerusalem. Some are depicted: one, high in a tree, cutting the palm branches; another, spreading his cloak along Christ’s way. The Icon of the Entry portrays the journey of Christ to His voluntary passion and death.