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 the Theotokos before you as you pray.

Icon of the Myrrh-Bearing Women

The discovery of the empty tomb by the Myrrh-bearing Women was the first sign of the Resurrection. They entered the tomb and found an Angel seated there. They were afraid, but the Angel said to them, “Do not be frightened. I know you are looking for Jesus the Crucified, but He is not here. He has been raised, exactly as He promised. Come and see the place where He was laid. Then go quickly and tell His Disciples.” (Mt. 28:5-6)

Our Church remembers these holy women on the second Sunday after Easter. The Icon of the Myrrh-bearing Women witnesses the Resurrection of Christ as it follows the Gospel account. The cave represents the burial place, originally belonging to Joseph of Arimathea. Now there only remains the empty sepulcher and linen cloth. The faithful women stand by it as the Angel of the Lord tells them, “He is Risen.”

Unlike Lazarus, who was called from his grave when the stone was rolled back, Christ was not called forth from His tomb. The Angel moved the stone to show that He was no longer there.