#Constantine Gregory

[ruleof3bobby]

FLAWLESS (2007) Grade: C+

Bad title to start. Even for a heist film it was a predictable and not believable. Wasn't a fan of #DemiMoore as the female lead. Ending was a snooze.

[letterboxd-loggd]

Enter the Ninja (1981) Menahem Golan

March 18th 2024

[lil-dragon-rawr]

FNaF x DC: the Aftons...in Space!

(or: if the Aftons got aboard the Watchtower)

Part One, Part Two

Masterlist

Red Hood, babysitting Gregory while Glamrock Freddy is off doing things, ranting about which members of the Justice League he hates: -and they just sit there on their space base, leaving the rest of us to-

Gregory: they have a space base???

Red Hood: yeah it's called the Watchtower, anyways let me tell you about the absolute hypocrisy of Superman-

Gregory: *is no longer listening because space base*

Gregory, when Glamrock Freddy picks him up: hey Freddy, remember that game where you went to space?

Glamrock Freddy: do you mean FNaF 57: Freddy in Space? Of course I remember that game, it was incredibly popular for a time.

Gregory: do you want to help me go to space?

Glamrock Freddy, [Gremlin_Senses] activated, triggering his [Defuse_the_Gremlin.exe] protocol: there are many space-themed rides at the Pizzaplex. Let's have a space adventure there.

Gregory: ...never mind.

Glamrock Freddy, believing he successfully defused the situation: :)

Gregory, Definitely Not Defused: I'm going to call Cassie

Gregory, standing in a room with Cassie, Scrap Baby, Golden Freddy, and Michael: I hereby call the first meeting of Operation: Space Base to order. Our objectives are as follows

Gregory, drawing on a whiteboard so everyone can see: step one, figure out how the Justice League gets to their space base

Scrap Baby: I'll ask Auntie Harley!

Scrap Baby: she might want to come along though

Gregory: fine by me. Step two, commandeer said method of transport

Cassie: think V.A.N.N.I. will work outside the Pizzaplex?

Michael, patting her on the shoulder: there's only one way to find out

Gregory, nodding: which brings us to step three: profit

Scrap Baby, at her weekly tea-spilling session with Harley and Ivy: Auntie Harley, do you know how the Justice League gets to their space base by any chance?

Harley, Proud Wine Aunt™: do I!

(members of O:SB scoping out Wayne Manor so they can sneak into the cave)

Gregory, with binoculars: we'll have to deactivate their defenses somehow

Cassie: I could try V.A.N.N.Ι.?

Red Hood, sneaking up behind them: hey guys! Whatcha doin?

Everyone: *collective screeching, minus Michael who is unfazed*

Michael: trying to sneak onto the Justice League's space base! :D

Red Hood, crouching down beside them: nice

Cassie, using V.A.N.N.I to interact with the Zeta tube in the Batcave: hey it's working!

(meanwhile, somewhere across Gotham)

Oracle: why the [$&@¥] is there a rabbit shutting me out of the Clocktower?

Cassie, explaining why a security node appeared on the Batcomputer: Helpi says we can break through the encryption, but he had to send M.Χ.Ε.S. to lock out other users so they can't find us :/

Michael, very attached to the true Helpy: that's great, but tell that faker he's a false prophet

Red Hood: what's a Helpi?

Harley: and who's M.X.E.S.??

Cassie, pointing to empty space: M.X.E.S is that guy.

Scrap Baby, who can also see Μ.Χ.Ε.S.: *nodding*

Harley:

Harley: kay sweetie I think you might need a therapy session soon

(O:SB successfully hacks the Zeta tube)

Hal Jordan, standing at the Zeta tube, about to leave the Watchtower: uhhhhh

Red Hood, without hesitation: it's take your kid to work day

Hal:

Hal: ...so where's Batman?

Hal, peering around Red Hood to see the bizarre group behind him: and who are they?

Gregory, annoyed: I'm the kid he's taking to work, obviously!

Hal: *squinting* ...uh-huh

Gregory, gesturing to Michael, Scrap Baby, and Golden Freddy: and these are my siblings!

Gregory: plus my good friend Cassie!

Cassie, still wearing the V.A.N.N.I. mask: *peace sign*

Hal: ...right. And what's Harley Quinn doing here?

Scrap Baby: she's my emotional support clown

Hal:

Harley: don't worry, I'm a licensed practitioner!

Hal:

Hal, muttering under his breath as he passes them to get to the Zeta tube: not my circus, not my monkeys

Red Hood, giving a tour: this is the break room, they've got the good snacks so I always steal some-

Scrap Baby: *sees Cyborg and Gar playing video games in the break room*

Scrap Baby, mimicking Batman's voice: what do you think you're doing?

Cyborg and Gar: *collective screeching, start scrambling to turn off the game*

Red Hood, who was not informed of Scrap Baby's abilities: what the [@€∆|π¥$] was that??

Cyborg and Gar, looking around wildly: ...that wasn't Batman?

Cyborg, squinting at Scrap Baby: and who are you?

Scrap Baby, still using Batman's voice: I'm Batman.

(O:SB gang starts sprinting through the halls, as one does)

Harley, running past Martian Manhunter: smell ya later, Martian Manhater!

Manhunter: *processing*

Manhunter: hold on a minute-

Manhunter, staring disappointedly at the group he (finally) apprehended using his psychic powers: Red Hood, care to explain?

Red Hood, protesting: it's take your kid to work day!

Gregory, raising his hand: I'm the kid

Manhunter: *deep breath, pinching the bridge of his nose*

Manhunter, pointing to Golden Freddy and Scrap Baby: what are those?

Manhunter, pointing to Gregory: why doesn't he have a brain?

Manhunter, pointing to V.A.N.N.I. mask Cassie: why is her brain glitching?

Manhunter, pointing to Michael: why is his brain on fire?

Manhunter, pointing to Harley: and what is a criminal doing on the Watchtower?

Michael: oh! Well my brain probably got a little melted from all the fires I was in, I'm all good though!

Michael, putting his arm around Gregory: and this is the robot version of my dead brother, so his brain is all wires and stuff!

Scrap Baby, nodding to Michael: I'm his dead sister-

Michael, loudly: -who speaks nothing but LIES-

Scrap Baby, ignoring him: -Auntie Harley is my emotional support clown,

Manhunter:

Scrap Baby, gesturing to Golden Freddy: and that's our dead brother-

Golden Freddy: ITSME

Scrap Baby, glaring at Michael: -who SOMEONE shoved into Fredbear's mouth.

Manhunter:

Manhunter, speaking to Cassie: are you okay?

Cassie: yeah I'm just in AR right now so that's probably why my brain is glitching!

Manhunter, trying to understand the correlation between "using AR" and "having a glitchy brain": how...never mind.

Gregory, as soon as he lays eyes on Superman: yOU!

Superman, already exasperated with Batman's kids: you're not very happy to see me, are you?

Gregory, grabbing his FazerBlaster: you were a jerk to Superboy! You know, your clone and, therefore, your family!

Superman, trying to de-escalate the situation: hold on, I know I was rude at first, but-

Gregory, aiming his FazerBlaster directly into Superman's eyes: I won't hesitate, 01000010 01110111 01101111 01110010 01100100!

Michael, gasping like an old lady from the 50s: who taught you to swear in binary?

Red Hood, pretending to wipe a tear as Gregory blasts Superman point blank: I'm so proud

Wonder Woman, eyeing the group warily: ...Red Hood.

Red Hood: hi Wonder Woman!

Wonder Woman: does Batman know you're here?

Red Hood: with luck, not yet!

Wonder Woman, disapprovingly: ...and who did you bring with you?

Michael, coming up for a handshake: hi I'm Michael, resident corpse/scooper victim. Lovely to meet you, I'm a big fan!

Golden Freddy: 00100001 00100001 00100001

Michael, dragging Golden Freddy over: and so's my brother!

Wonder Woman, wildly confused: ...hi.

John Constantine, rounding the corner, seeing the O:SB group, and immediately rounding right back: nope. Whatever that is, I don't want any part of it.

Red Hood, dragging Constantine back by his collar: hey guys, check this out!

Scrap Baby, attempting a face of disgust: ew, his soul's all nasty!

Scrap Baby, side eyeing Michael: like someone else I know

Michael: oh that's rich coming from you-

Constantine, muttering: Hood. Put me down while they're distracted.

Red Hood, hauling him over to Golden Freddy: nope!

Golden Freddy:

Constantine: ...

Golden Freddy:

Constantine: why are there two of you?

Golden Freddy: 01110000 01110010 01100101 01110000 01100001 01110010 01100101 01100110 01101111 01110010 01110100 01110010 01101111 01110101 01100010 01101100 01100101 01100001 01101110 01100100 01101101 01100001 01101011 01100101 01101001 01110100 01100100 01101111 01110101 01100010 01101100 01100101

Michael: haha, classic Cassidy!

Michael, still smiling as he pats Constantine on the back: but you should absolutely prepare for trouble.

(O:SB reaches the main control room)

Green Arrow, on watch duty: what the-

Red Hood, waving him off: relax, it's just a tour for the kids

Green Arrow: that doesn't make me feel any better. How'd you even get up here?

Cassie, running up to the controls: hey, V.A.N.N.I. can interact with this!

Green Arrow: wait, kid, what are you-

Cassie: *starts messing with things in AR and an alarm starts blaring*

Green Arrow, baffled: you made-

Green Arrow, trying to process but is ultimately still baffled: -you made our state-of-the-art system think there's a nonexistent missile inbound?

Green Arrow: somehow?

Cassie: ...whoops

Green Arrow: how...?

Cassie: *shrugs*

Green Arrow: ...you know what, at this point I'm just impressed

(Cassie, messing with the controls with Gregory when a security node pops up on screen)

Cassie: *sudden screech* get out of my face, M.X.E.S.!

Green Arrow: do I want to know?

Red Hood, shaking his head: I don't even know.

M.X.E.S., typing on screen:

come back, glamrock freddy is worried

Gregory, rolling his eyes: well he's the one who didn't want to come with us!

M.X.E.S.:

reinforcements inbound

Green Arrow, alarmed: what did it mean by reinforcements?

Everyone: *ignoring him*

Green Arrow, anxiety skyrocketing: what did it mean? Answer quickly

(five seconds later)

Lolbit, appearing on screen and shutting the entire Watchtower down:

PLEASE STAND BY

Michael, marching to the controls: Lolbit, you killjoy - move, Gregory -

Green Arrow, realizing these "kids" and their "friends" can hack and/or disable a quadruple-encrypted satellite in a few seconds: (°-°)

Green Arrow, to Red Hood: are we worried about that? I feel like we should be worried about that

Red Hood, busy playing chopsticks with Cassie: not my spaceship, not my problem

[exc1table-punk]

Hellblazer X House MD

i desperately want to see them interact, but nobody has ever even made the cross over. so I'm making a prompt.

House is treating a patient, the diagnostic team cant seem to figure it out, nothing fits.

then this British guy shows up, house seems to know him by name. the guy claims that the patient is cursed. House seems pissed, and Constantine is grinning.

[could-they-be-a-pro-wrestler]

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS EPISODE OF FRIDAY NIGHT PUNCHGROUND

ROAD TO “CLASH AT THE CASTLE”

Previously, it was announced that for the next event Clash at the Castle, Sherlock Holmes (BBC Sherlock) is exercising his rematch clause against Dr. Gregory House (House MD) for the ABW World Heavyweight Championship. With one world title match booked for the event, a battle royale was set up for this episode of PunchGround in order to determine who will be challenging for the ABW Universal Championship.

Since Clash at the Castle is a United Kingdom-centric show, the battle royale is exclusively for British characters/British-coded characters.

* Marc Spector and Jake Lockley are barred from helping Steven

** Callum initially didn’t qualify until he revealed that he will be accompanied to the ring by Rayla, who is Scottish. Although the ABW management team still felt that wasn’t enough to let him compete, the unnamed commissioner decided to allow it.

[oh-dear-so-queer]

In 1719, Catherine Jones appeared before the criminal court of the Old Bailey in London charged with bigamy for making a second marriage when her husband of six years, John Rowland, was abroad. Her defence was that her marriage to Constantine Boone was no real marriage as Boone was a hermaphrodite.

According to the less-than-reliable record of the Newgate Calendar, a witness told the court that Constantine Boone had been raised as a girl and taught needlework until she ran away to sea as a 12-year-old boy. Catherine Jones said in her defence that Constantine Boone had been exhibited as a hermaphrodite at Bartholomew Fair and other places. Constantine Boone confirmed that this was true, and other witnesses said that Constantine Boone tended to be more female than male. The jury accepted the defence – that there was no marriage since Constantine Boone was a hermaphrodite, and released Catherine Jones from the charge of bigamy.

"Normal Women: 900 Years of Making History" - Philippa Gregory

[bisexualcell]

i don't like how william peter blatty has been added to the list of voices i use to read books quietly.

[ultraozzie3000]

The Wahoo Boy

Darryl F. Zanuck (1902–1979) was an unlikely Hollywood mogul. Born in a small Nebraska town with an unusual name (both his and the town), Zanuck dropped out of school in the eighth grade, apparently bitten by the acting bug during a brief childhood sojourn in Los Angeles. Nov. 10, 1934 cover by Constantin Alajalov. In the first part of a two-part profile, Alva Johnston began to probe the mystery…

[litcest]

Using the template made by @familyromantic. Spoilers bellow. And above I guess, sorry.

Under the Pendulum Sun by Jeannette Ng

The Coffin Path by Katherine Clements

Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma

Wildacre by Phillipa Gregory. They don't get married but Beatrice's whole plan is to seduce her brother so she can control the family farm

Josie and Jack by Kelly Braffet. The canon incest is just a kiss, but I'm sure Jack wanted more than that. Very toxic pair of siblings, Jack is very manipulative and Josie... well, Josie kills him

Wasteland by Francesca Lia Block

Only by blood: I could not think of a book like this. I see sometimes the "not raised as family" argument being made after the reveal of accidental incest, but not before. I think there might be a historical romance that Anne and George Boleyn's romance is justified with this trope, as they were raised apart, but I can't recall for sure

Burying the Shadow by Storm Constantine, they characters are Eloim and have no problem with incestuous relationship. The book has a brother/sister canonical relationship, a very sustive brother/brother relationship and a father constantly hitting on his daughter, but the daughter has no interest as she thinks that becoming pregnant by him would destroy her body (as her father is known to be 'big' and produce giant children)

A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin. I'm obviously considering the Cersei/James relationship in here

Time travel incest: also couldn't think of any because, fun fact about me, I hate time travel stories, so of course I never read them. But I know there's one book with a guy who dates his grandma not knowing who she was

Into the Forest by Jean Hegland. Two sisters who cling together as civilization collapses. I think The Doloriad by Missouri Williams fits better, as in this one they do have sex for reproductive reasons, but I don't like the book, so I'm going with Into the Forest

Flowers in the Attic by V. C. Andrews. The children engage in incest but so had their parents (uncle/niece if you go by the original canon, brother/sister if you consider the later revelations to be canon). Cathy and Chris know their parents are uncle/niece, but only because their grandmother tells them, if it had been for Corrine, the truth would have always remained hidden

[dragon-kazansky]

Symphony of dreams

Morpheus x Female Reader

Now awake, it is time to rebuild The Dreaming. The Corianthian is still loose in The Waking World, and Morpheus is trying to make up for lost time. Your husband has a lot to learn.

{Masterlist}

{Previous Chapter} - {Next Chapter}

Warnings: Starts off pretty steamy.

Chapter Four - Never let go

☆☆☆

Morpheus and you did not leave that room for several hours. Matthew had offered to come fetch you both, but Lucienne advised Matthew to leave you both for a while. There was a lot of time to be made up for.

Matthew understood what she meant.

You lay in the bed as you look up at your husband. He hovers over you, looking at you with soft blue eyes. She reaches out to touch his bare shoulder, stroking along his neck with gentle fingers.

He leans in and kisses your lips softly. You listen to quiet breaths as his lips move from your lips to your neck. His hair tickles your chin as he moves further down to your collarbone.

Your fingers tangle in his hair as his lips move down to your chest. His kisses are soft and warm. They have been missed dearly.

Though you have no aspect of time passing, he has spent a century locked away put of reach. He has felt every second pass by without you.

No longer.

You gasp softly as he moves further down. He commiting every inch of you to memory. It almost feels like he had never been away at all.

You become a tangle of limbs as the kissing turns into something greater.

It only after, when you're laying naked and wrapped up in one another, that you finally get the chance to speak. You have reunited and in the best way possible.

"Tell me what happened."

Morpheus presses his lips to the top of your head as he recalls all that has happened. He tells you of the moment he was captured, his escape, Gregory, Constantine, his trip to Hell, and to moment he got his full power back.

"Oh no, Jessamy..."

"I am sorry. She tried to help me."

"Do not apologise. She was very brave. She made us both proud."

He kisses your head again. "I have Matthew now."

"Good. You need a raven."

"I do not need a raven."

"You are the dream lord, and the dream lord has a raven."

He sighs in defeat. He knows he can not argue this with you.

"Very well."

You chuckle softly.

"I am sorry about your ruby."

"Why?" He asks, brows knitting together. "My power was released back into me after it was shattered. I am whole again. I am the one who is sorry. I lost my ring."

You look at his hand.

"Make a new one."

"It won't be the same."

"It doesn't have to be. Morpheus, you don't need a ring to show you are mine. You just need to love me."

"I do. I do love you."

You smile and reach up to stroke his cheek. He tilts his head into your palm, chasing your touch. He needs your warmth.

"I am sorry for leaving."

"Morpheus, if you apologise one more time, I'm going to push you out of the bed."

He chuckles softly and leans in, kissing your lips. "No, you won't."

You smile as you return his kiss. "You're right I won't."

☆☆☆

You walk hand in hand with Morpheus into the throne room. It hasn't yet been rebuilt. You smile as you approach Lucienne and Matthew. You reach let go of Morpheus to reach for Lucienne's hands.

"Lucienne."

"My lady," she smiles and bow her head.

You chuckles and wraps your arm around her. She is caught off guard for a moment but accepts your hug. You take her hands into yours again and smile at her. "Thank you."

"What for, my lady?"

"For looking after everything. For looking after me."

Lucienne looks a little awe struck.

"I heard you. I could hear you talking to me. Though my slumber was without dreams, I could hear your voice."

"My lady..."

"You stayed. You looked after me. Looked after the realm. I can not thank you enough for that."

Lucienne adjusts her glasses. "It was the least I could do."

You shake your head. "It was everything. I am honoured to have you as my friend and companion here."

Lucienne smiles.

"My husband is grateful too. He just doesn't know how to say it." You say, looking at Morpheus. He pretends not to hear you as he approaches the steps to the throne.

Your eyes turn to the raven. You smile as you gaze down at him.

"You must be Matthew. Its nice to meet you."

"You too, my lady." He bows his head with respect.

You look back up at Morpheus as he stands with his hand open and slightly raised at his sides. He takes a few deep breaths. You remain standing with Lucienne and Matthew as Morpheus uses his power to rebuild The Dreaming. He starts with the throne room.

The rubble and glass lift from the ground and slowly start to return to where they once were. Walls are rebuilt, the windows are mended, and the floors become clear of any debris. Bit by bit, the palace is put back together.

Morpheus lowers his arms and looks up at you. "The rest will be rebuilt in time."

You smile softly. "Take your time. Don't overdo it."

"Do I ever?"

"Sometimes."

Morpheus smiles softly at you and returns to your side. "We should take a walk."

You reach for his hand and then turn back to Lucienne. "I'll catch up with you again later."

She nods once and watches you walk out of the throne room with Morpheus.

☆☆☆

"Where are we going?"

"For a walk."

"Yes, but where?" You chuckle softly. Morpheus looked at you with a tesing smile. It wasn't often he did smile, but you found it easy to make him do so.

"To see some friends."

You chuckles as you follow him.

It's only when you see the two houses that you smile and let go of his hand. You hurry on ahead.

"Hello? Anyone home?"

You wait a few moments before the doors open on each house. A head pops out of each. You smile at the brothers.

Cain and Abel exit their houses and approach you.

"You're awake!" Abel smiles. "My lady."

The brothers both bow to her.

"It's good to see you both again." You smile at the pair of them. The brothers look at each other and then back at you.

"We're so glad you're awake!" Abel cheers.

"Yes. It is good news indeed."

"I want to apologise for Gregory, but he helped Morpheus greatly by what he did. It was very brave of you to let him go."

The two fall quiet.

"But I also hear you got a new friend." You smile.

"He's called Goldie." Abel calls for him. The baby gargoyle comes over. You chuckle softly.

"Hello Goldie."

The little gargoyle makes a little noise.

Morpheus just watches you silently from behind. You talk a little more with Abel and Cain and then take his hand once more. You wave to the brothers as you both walk away.

☆☆☆

"Fiddler's Green is gone?" You ask, looking at the vacant space the beautiful meadow once was.

"It seems he took his leave after I did not return."

You turn to Morpheus. "You blame yourself?"

"He never leaves his post before."

"Morpheus, it's not your fault. You need to stop blaming yourself."

"Everything happened because I left."

"No. No." You shake your head as you reach for his hand and hold them close to your chest. "I blame The Corianthian. If he had not left for the Waking World, you wouldn't have had to chase after him. You wouldn't have been trapped."

"We don't know that," he says.

"Let me have faith in the fact that it was just one thing after another. Things just did not go to plan, and a century was robbed from us. We're together again now."

"But he still out there," Morpheus reminds you.

"Yes, and you also have all your power back. You will find him again. I am certain of it."

Morpheus falls quiet. You reach out and caress his cheek softly. "Please don't blame yourself any more."

He says nothing as he looks at you. You do the only thing you can think of to cheer him up. You lean in and kiss him softly. You feel Morpheus melt as your lips touch his.

He's very soft when it comes to his wife.

"Everything will be okay. Let's take one issue at a time."

He nods softly.

You smile and kiss him again.

☆☆☆

The library had returned. Lucienne was beyond pleased, but that meant she had a lot of work on her hands. You offered to help her. At first, she refused your help, but you insisted. Lucienne lost that battle.

Books were stacked everywhere. You helped Lucienne take account of all the books that had returned. There are so many dreams, so many lives.

Matthew was perched on the table. He would fly off to find other books Lucienne asked for. It was quite nice spending time with them like this.

"So this is where you disappeared too."

You smile as you look up and find your husband walking over. You left his side about an hour ago while he went off to rebuild some more of The Dreaming.

"I figured I'd let you concentrate."

"That you did, but I found myself missing you when I was done. Having spent a century away from you, I dare not wish to spend another second apart."

You chuckle softly and glance at your companions. Lucienne is pretending not to listen, and Matthew isn't even attempting to pretend.

"Is that so?"

"Do you not feel the same?" He asks softly.

You look back at him. "Of course I do. Morpheus, I slept through that century, but believe me, knowing we spent that century apart breaks my heart." You walk closer to him and take his hands in yours.

"I'm sorry I keep mentioning it."

"What did I tell you about apologising?" She chuckle.

He smiles. "You'll push me out of our bed."

"Yes. Now hush. I think Lucienne and Matthew can take it from here. How about we go spend more time together? Assuming you're done for the day?"

He smiles again. "I would like that."

You take your leave of the library while holding his hand. Lucienne and Matthew watch you both leave.

"He seems happy," Matthew points out.

"He is," Lucienne smiles gently. "He always is when he's with her."

Matthew cocks his head to the side slightly. "I don't think I've ever seen love like that before."

"No. What they have is quite special."

☆☆☆

Morpheus stops you from walking and pulls you closer. He settles his hands on your hips and looks at you softly.

"What is it?" You ask, keeping your voice quiet.

"I just want to look at you."

You stare back at him, admiring his features, too. His pretty blue eyes, his pink lips, his strong jaw. He's handsome. A dream. A real dream.

"The entire time I was trapped, you were the only thing that kept me going. I thought about you constantly. It may sound cruel, but I am somewhat glad you slept through the whole thing. The thought of you here missing me hurt. I worried about you every single day," he confesses.

"Morpheus, you don't have to worry anymore. I am right here in front of you." You take his hands and place them on each side of your face.

"I know. I see you."

You smile and gaze into his eyes. "I see you too."

Morpheus wraps both of his long arms around you and pulls you in close to his chest. "I'm never letting go," he whispers in your ear.

You smile.

"Neither am I."

Morpheus takes the opportunity to steal another kiss from you. You happily oblige, wanting to remind your husband just how much you love him.

☆☆☆

@missdreamofendless - @mischievousvillainy - @kpopgirlbtssvt - @pansexualwitchwhoneedstherapy - @emarich7 - @lollipopsandlandmines -

[sweet-like-cinnamon-5]

It is unbelievable how well The Sandman lends itself to re-reading.

Stories I didn't like that much the first time? I find more and more to appreciate.

Stories I loved the first time? I find more and more and more to appreciate and it's literally SO SO SO wonderful.

Ahem. And then I confess. There is also. Story I thought I liked the first time and then had a lot of complicated feelings about and then read it over and over and over and finally decided that I kind of hate it? There is one of those. Then there are also- certain stories, or certain aspects of certain stories, that I kind of hate and that kind of get worse for me with every re-read and every time I think of them I give myself psychic damage and I try so hard to not hate them but I just kind of hate them? Or at least... struggle with them, a lot? I will write more about this one day.

But this post is mostly about Preludes & Nocturnes.

First Read: Yeah, it's pretty good, I can see why people say that they were still finding their footing and it wasn't really "SANDMAN Sandman" yet Re-Reads: there is SO MUCH to appreciate here oh my god

Sleep of the Just

First Read: Good opener! Why did Ethel Cripps, one of the most interesting tv characters in 1x01, have no lines though? Re-Reads: This was the first issue??? How???? This is such a masterpiece already

Imperfect Hosts

First Read: What the fuck is a letter of commission and why didn't they have it in the tv show and whyyyyyyy Gregory whyyyyyyy 😭 Re-Reads: this is an intense Morpheus pov, wow. For a being who often hides fully from everyone, including himself, he is really sharing a lot (directly, openly, I think honestly?) in his narration here

Dream a Little Dream of Me

First Read: A... wall made of flesh? A man turned into a wall? I, uh. No thank you. Re-Reads: Wow, this is good. The dynamic between Dream and Constantine is amazing.

A Hope In Hell

First Read: This is a masterpiece. Re-Reads: I'm sorry is that a super hot demon and is that other demon licking her boot?*

Passengers

First Read: Arkham Asylum??? The Scarecrow??? I'm just not really interested in this stuff Re-Read: ok this is actually really good and the "Through your dreams, my sleeping children. You had a passenger, and you never knew." page is actually one of my favorites

24 Hours

First Read: Well, this is gross! Re-Reads: There is a lot of interesting stuff here about storytelling!

Sound and Fury

First Read: huh, pretty good Re-Reads: • The "Listen. You can hear the screaming. / Silence washes like a river over Arkham. No sounds of screaming, no sobbing, no noises of pain or madness. Just peace. Listen. You can hear it." bookends are SO good • Such an interesting look into how Dream does (and doesn't) fight and the details of his power • ....Ok maybe I do kind of care about Arkham Asylum??

The Sound of Her Wings

First Read: This is a masterpiece Re-Reads: This is a masterpiece

*Yes, I'm pretty sure yes, that's exactly what's going on here. I said I notice more on each re-reading. I didn't say everything I notice is profound.

[syppys-den]

The DC Universe as vines

John Constantine: Hey bro what do you want to eat?

Etrigan: THE SOULS OF THE INNOCENT~

Jason Blood: A Bagel

Etrigan: NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jason: (glances at Etrigan) two bagels (smugly)

WHO’S THAT POKEMON!? (shows Superman silhouette)

IT’S PIKACHU!!!!!!

IT’S CLEFAIRY! (shows Captain Marvel)

FUUUUUUUUUUUUU-

Madam Xanadu: if you are here speak to us

Deadman: JUST A CITY BOOIII!!!! BORN AND RAISED IN SOUTH DETROI-

Bruce: this is… so dumb…

Clark: the higher I am the better I can see

Bruce: you can- you can fly-

Clark: hush now gregory! I am searching!

Diana: like I really wanna teach yoga and zen and overall centeredness but I also like to really kill and STAB people on the weekends!

Kara: hey! How you doing? Well I’m doing just fine! I lied. I’m dying inside-

IDK: hey do you have any shaving cream?

J’onn: no i don’t like the way it tastes

IDK: wait you eat shaving cream?

J’onn no why would I eat it if I don’t like the taste?

Bruce: hey let me see what you have!

Damian: A KNIFE!

Bruce: NOOO!!!!!

Bruce: In the winter I like to dress in a cozy black jacket shirt and jeans~ in the summer I wear the same thing because I look good in black and I’m willing to suffer!

Lex: I didn’t ask to be born perfect. I demanded it.

Gordon: Detective this is a crime scene

Bullock: WHAT IS THIS THE MURDER WEAPON!? GET OFF MY DICK!!!

J’onn: Oh yeah I can do a pretty good human! (transforms) ahem Hel-lo! I-have-a-job! I’m going to work!

Krypto: yeah that’s pretty good!

Hippolyta: Son?

Diana: Yes Papa!

Hippolyta: How old are you?

Diana: I am three Papa!

Hippolyta: Take this knife, go hunt bear

Diana: Just one?

Hippolyta: Ho ho!

Kilowog: How does it feel to be the worst cop ever huh!? Sinestro: shutupyourmothabuysyoumegabloksinsteadolegos!

Kilowog: You fuckin take that back y-

John Constantine: Hey there demons it’s me, ya boi

Kara: EARTHLING TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER!

Lois: (sigh) this is him (shows president Luthor)

Kara: Oh ma gaw- I’m so sorry!

Lois: I’M SORRY FOR US-

Dick: We uh… don’t know who killed him…

Damian: May I make a suggestion?

Dick: WE’RE NOT GONNA CUT HIM OPEN PHIL!

Damian: YOU GUYS ARE BORING!

Kara: I may suffer from anxiety and depression but I’m still a queen

Bruce: (looking at the Joker’s body) He’s dead…

Dick: (Nudges Clark’s shoulder)

Clark: “Not the dickhead!” what do you want me to say!?

Diana: I’m so bored!

Clark: I wish Ryan was here!

Arthur: HEY GUYS!

Both: RYAN!!!

John Constantine: I was thinking I could do some magic!

Jason Blood: You!? Magic!? Charles! It says TALENT show!

Bruce: Show me the Police Sketch! What the- what the hell is this?

Eel: ART. Okay!

Bruce: OW FUCK!

Gordon: WHO’S THERE!?

Bruce: NOBODY FUCK OFF!!!

Harley: what would you do if there was a child right in front of you?

Joker: dgfghjfdkjsdiuj!!!

Harvey: I’m attorney Doug, you need a lawyer? Well don’t call me! I’m busy!

Lois: Who the fuck are yiou?

Clark (as Superman): Who the fuck are yiou?

Lois: I asked you first!

Clark: I asked you second!

[writing-for-life]

The Ultimate Sandman Character Tag List!

I recently published a tag list for all female Sandman characters I have written about or posted art for (I’ve just added to it and tidied it up. The tags auto-update, so feel free to bookmark it if you want to stay in the loop about the Sandwomen), which made me think:

Why not do that for all the characters for quick reference?

So if you’re interested in one particular character, you can just quickly go to their tag on my blog. These are character tags, so you’ll find anything from metas to fics/poetry and art in no particular order. If you are looking for something more specific, please have a look at my pinned post.

I will not pretend I wrote and posted equally for all of them (some might just have one entry), and a few are missing (I’ll add tags when applicable). But right now, I have roundabout 100 Sandman characters waiting to get explored, and existing tags will auto-update whenever something new gets added, so feel free to bookmark this post.

I tag pretty consistently (some characters have two tags because I initially didn’t 🙈), but the odd one might slip through and float around on my blog without being tagged; you can also try to use the search function on my blog.

So without further ado, here they are (and now I’ll need to lie down):

The Endless

Destiny

Death

Dream (Morpheus only | Daniel only)

Destruction

Desire

Despair

Delirium/Delight

Dream’s Lovers

(Yes, they get their own space for quick reference)

Alianora

Calliope

Killalla

Nada

Thessaly

Titania

Denizens of the Dreaming

Brute and Glob

Cain and Abel (Cain here, Abel here)

The Corinthian

The Cuckoo

Eve

The Fashion Thing

Fiddler’s Green/Gilbert

Gault

Goldie

Gregory

Guardians of the Gate/Gatekeepers

Jessamy

Lucien (comics)

Lucienne (Netflix)

Martin Tenbones

Matthew the Raven

Mervyn Pumpkinhead

Gods, Demons and (Fallen) Angels

Azazel

Bast

Beelzebub

Duma

The Fates (Furies, Kindly Ones, Hecateae etc)

Hades

Ishtar

Loki

Lucifer Morningstar

Mazikeen

The Creator/Presence and Glory

Persephone

Remiel

Fae

Auberon

Cluracan

Nuala

Puck/Robin Goodfellow (I hit the 100 link limit, just type “puck sandman” in my blog search)

Immortals and Long-Lived Humans

Bhartari

Hob Gadling

Mad Hettie

Orpheus

Urania Blackwell (I hit the 100 link limit, just type “urania blackwell” in my blog search)

Mortal Beings and Humans

Alex Burgess

Augustus

Barbie

Barnaby Farrell (Uncle Barnaby)

Bette Munroe

Carl/Carla

Chantal

Clarice Farrell (Aunt Clarice)

Erasmus Fry (I hit the 100 link limit, just type “Erasmus Fry” in my blog search)

Ethel Cripps

Foxglove (Donna Cavanagh)

Funland (I hit the 100 link limit, just type “funland” in my blog search)

Garry Fletcher

Gwen

Hal Carter

Hazel McNamara

Hector Hall

Hope Beautiful Lost Nebula

Jed Walker

John Constantine (Comics)

Judy Talbot

Kate Fletcher

Lady Johanna Constantine (Comics)

Modern Johanna Constantine (Netflix)

John Dee

John Hathaway

Joshua A. Norton/Emperor Norton

Ken (I hit the 100 link limit, just type “ken the sandman” in my blog search)

Lyta Hall

Marco Polo

Nimrod (I hit the 100 link limit, just type “nimrod” in my blog search)

Paul McGuire

Philip Sitz (I hit the 100 link limit, just type “philip sitz” in my blog search)

Prez Rickard

Rachel Moodie

Richard Madoc

Roderick Burgess

Rosemary

Rose Walker

Ruby

Unity Kinkaid

Urania Blackwell (I hit the 100 link limit, just type “urania blackwell” in my blog search)

Wanda

Wesley Dodds

William Shakespeare

Zelda

Other

Barnabas

Cat Prophet/Siamese Cat (I hit the 100 link limit, just type “cat prophet” in my blog search)

Night

Time

[inastarlesssky]

Okay, here it is my recap of 1x02.

So it starts with Morpheus (that's what I'm calling him...he says to the Fates, 'I am Morpheus...Dream of the Endless...' etc so I'm going to call him that.) returning to the Dreaming and finding everything falling to pieces and in disarray. Lucienne is with him and explains that it began to fall apart with his disappearance. I felt a little bit for Morpheus at that part when after he asks Lucienne what happened to the residents, they (anyone know what pronouns to use for Lucienne?) tell him that some of them fled, thinking that Morpheus had tired of them..

I really, really admire Tom Sturridge's acting because it's impressive how despite not showing so much physical reaction to something emotional, he can still convey that emotion. And in this moment, he's a little surprised, taken aback, stung maybe that his people have such little faith in him, that they think he would abandon them. After all that he's done for them (at least from what I see when we first see the Dreaming in all its glory...like imagine, Morpheus built that for them, the Dreaming is where they go when they sleep, and the dreams [and nightmares] are what he creates, for them).

But he's not back to his full strength just yet. He discovers that without his tools (the ruby, the helm and the sand that was taken from him upon his capture) he's weak and he doesn't have the power to restore his kingdom to what it once was. So he goes in search of the one thing remaining that he created, which might be able to return to him enough power to summon the Fates and ask after his missing tools. He finds that in the Gargoyle in the care of Cain and Able.

It was sad, of course, when Gregory the Gargoyle agreed to sacrifice himself so Morpheus could recover enough power to call the Three-Who-Are-One. But also to note the regret Morpheus felt over that. You could see the pain in his eyes when he started to reabsorb his power, like he didn't really want that, but it was necessary.

Also, Lucienne is my hero. I love them very much.

Tom Sturridge did a fantastic job of showing Morpheus' regret at what he had to do. The Corinthian (an escaped Nightmare and supposedly a villain here in the series) swears that Morpheus doesn’t care about anyone but himself, yet (and I was happy to see this and at this moment started to consider hmm I might possibly like Morpheus) he cares enough to gift Cain and Abel with a new pet: a baby gargoyle named Goldie. A self-less act. I mean, yes Morpheus went to get the snake to offer it to the Fates, but the egg he retrieved was that gift he gave to the brothers.

Then we see the Corinthian trying to enlist Ethel's help in finding and getting a hold of the sigils, Morpheus' tools, no?

Morpheus addresses the Fates (and I enjoyed that interaction, to be honest...his little incline of the head, that 'Thank you, ladies' ...I loved it) The Fates tell Morpheus where he can find his sigils, but in a very cryptic way. Poor man, I mean Endless.. It's like, he asks a question, and one says, "[The ruby] was passed from a mother to a son."

The Fate: *rattles off some cryptic answer* Morpheus: 😤😐😑

And I LOVED how he seemed to forget the one question, one answer. He'd ask one question, get yelled at by the Fates, and then answer with (basically) "Oh shit, right, sorry about that!" 🤣 Excuse me, Dream of the Endless, get your act together, love.

The sand was sold in London. And we're introduced to Johanna Constantine. The helm was traded to a demon (???) for the Amulet of Protection. Ethel ends up using this to get rid of Corinthian for the time being. The ruby, well, we don't know much more than that it was passed from a mother to a son. And that it's somehow related to Johnny (David Thewlis) who's in a hospital/prison according to him.

I'm absolutely fascinated by this series and excited for the next episode!

Also, just the visuals of all this is really amazing. There's a scene, I forgot to mention, when Morpheus parts the waters to travel to the Waking (I suppose that's where he's going to pursue his missing sigils). From Sturridge's subtle hand movements to the way the water flows, it's so impressive. I really enjoy it.

[aew-regression-cove]

જ⁀➴ ♡ — My fictional cgs!!!

I'll add to these as and when I see fit.

as a disclaimer me liking/being attached to a character doesn't automatically mean I agree with the characters or the actors actions!!!

highlighted names are the characters most active at the moment

Horror/Spooky/Dark:

David Powers. (The Lost Boys)

Michael Emerson. (The Lost Boys)

^ Dwayne, Paul, Marko, Star. (The Lost Boys)

Eric Draven. (The Crow - 1994)

Adam & Barbara Maitland. (Beetlejuice)

Danny Torrance. (Doctor Sleep)

Egon Spengler. (Ghostbusters)

Peter Venkman. (Ghostbusters)

Winston Zeddmore. (Ghostbusters)

Dana Barrett. (Ghostbusters)

Ellen Ripley. (Alien)

Seth Brundle. (The Fly)

Stu Macher. (Scream)

Morticia & Gomez Addams. (Addams Family Values)

Michael Myers. (Halloween)

Laurie Strode. (Halloween)

Ed & Lorraine Warren. (The Conjuring)

Thomas Sharpe. (Crimson Peak)

Daryl Dixon. (The Walking Dead)

Negan Smith. (The Walking Dead)

Glenn Rhee. (The Walking Dead)

Hannibal Lector. (Hannibal + Silence Of The Lambs)

Lee Bodecker. (The Devil All The Time)

Jareth/Goblin King. (Labyrinth)

Tate Langdon. (American Horror Story - Season 1)

Jim. (28 days later)

Sergeant Doyle. (28 weeks later)

Marvel:

Bucky Barnes.

Moonknight System.

Layla El Faouly.

Peter Maximoff. *Big Brother Specifically* (X-Men)

Logan Howlett. (X-Men)

Charles Xavier. (X-Men)

Erik Lehnsherr. (X-Men)

Deadpool.

Remy Lebeau. (X-Men)

Hank McCoy. (X-Men)

Ororo Munroe. (X-Men)

Wanda Maximoff.

Frank Castle. (The Defenders)

Matt Murdock. (The Defenders)

Foggy Nelson. (The Defenders?/Daredevil)

Clint Barton.

Loki Laufeyson.

Mobius.

Bruce Banner.

The Grandmaster.

Peter Parker. (The Amazing Spiderman)

Eddie Brock & Venom.

Miguel O'Hara. (Across The Spiderverse)

Hobie Brown. (Across The Spiderverse)

Johnny Storm. (The Fantastic Four)

Reed Richards. (The Fantastic Four)

Scott Lang.

Steve Rogers.

Peggy Carter.

Tony Stark.

Agatha Harkness.

Star Wars:

Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Poe Dameron.

Din Djarin. (The Mandalorian)

Kylo Ren.

Han Solo.

Qui-Gon Jinn.

Hunter. (The Bad Batch)

Tech. (The Bad Batch)

Crosshair. (The Bad Batch)

Wrecker. (The Bad Batch)

Captain Rex. (Clone Wars)

Anakin Skywalker.

Padme Amidala.

DC:

Harley Quinn.

Alfred Pennyworth. (Batman)

Bruce Wayne. (Batman 1989, Batman Returns, Batman Forever)

Edward Nygma/The Riddler. (Batman Forever)

Jason Todd/Red Hood.

Clark Kent/Superman.

Sci-fi:

Eddie Munson. (Stranger Things)

Jim Hopper. (Stranger Things)

Joyce Byers. (Stranger Things)

Klaus Hargreaves. (The Umbrella Academy)

Five Hargreaves. (The Umbrella Academy)

Ian Malcolm. (Jurassic Park)

Alan Grant. (Jurassic Park)

David Levinson. (Independence Day)

John Constantine. (Constantine - 2005)

TV Shows:

Dean Winchester. (Supernatural)

Castiel. (Supernatural)

Archangel Gabriel. (Supernatural)

Bobby Singer. (Supernatural)

JJ Maybank. (Outer Banks)

Rafe Cameron. (Outer Banks)

John B Routledge. (Outer Banks)

Pope Heyward. (Outer Banks)

Sarah Cameron. (Outer Banks)

Spencer Reid. (Criminal Minds)

Penelope Garcia. (Criminal Minds)

Aaron Hotchner. (Criminal Minds)

Emily Prentiss. (Criminal Minds)

Luke Alvez. (Criminal Minds)

Derek Morgan. (Criminal Minds)

Jennifer Jareau. (Criminal Minds)

Jace Wayland. (The Mortal Instruments & Shadowhunters)

Alec Lightwood. (Shadowhunters)

Magnus Bane. (Shadowhunters)

Derek Hale. (Teen Wolf)

Peter Hale. (Teen Wolf)

Melissa McCall. (Teen Wolf)

Noah Stilinski. (Teen Wolf)

Peter Scarbrow. (Higher Ground)

Gregory House. (House MD)

James Wilson. (House MD)

Sherlock Holmes. (BBC Sherlock)

Ravi Singh. (A Good Girls Guide To Murder - book & show)

Seeley Booth. (Bones)

Jack Hodgins. (Bones)

Colin Fisher. (Bones)

Temperance Brennan. (Bones)

Finn Abernethy. (Bones)

Jethro Gibbs. (NCIS)

Ducky. (NCIS)

Lucifer. (Lucifer)

Billy Dunne. (Daisy Jones And The Six)

Camila Dunne. (Daisy Jones And The Six)

Spike. (Buffy The Vampire Slayer)

Rupert Giles. (Buffy The Vampire Slayer)

Anthony Bridgerton. (Bridgerton)

Benedict Bridgerton. (Bridgerton)

Catnoir. (Miraculous Ladybug)

Rosie. (Hazbin Hotel)

Alastor. (Hazbin Hotel)

Dystopian:

Commander Mills. (65)

Neo. (The Matrix)

Haymitch Abernathy. (The Hunger Games)

Finnick Odair. (The Hunger Games)

Peeta Mellark. (The Hunger Games)

Minho. (The Maze Runner)

Newt. (The Maze Runner)

Gaming:

Joel Miller. (The Last Of Us)

Phillip Graves. (Call Of Duty)

John Price. (Call Of Duty)

Action + Fantasy + Misc:

Random Drysdale. (Knives Out)

Indiana Jones.

Tangerine. (Bullet Train)

Maria. (Bullet Train)

Hades. (Hercules + Descendents)

Mary Poppins. (Disney - 1964)

Christopher Robin.

Alice Cullen. (Twilight)

Carlisle Cullen. (Twilight)

Jasper Hale/Cullen. (Twilight)

Oogie Boogie. (The Nightmare Before Christmas)

Kristoff. (Frozen)

Giselle. (Enchanted)

Prince Edward. (Enchanted)

Bill Harding. (Twister - 1996)

Jo Harding. (Twister - 1996)

Elle Woods. (Legally Blonde)

Tom Kazansky. (Topgun)

Pete Mitchell. (Topgun)

Nick Bradshaw. (Topgun)

Jake Seresin. (Topgun)

Robert Floyd. (Topgun)

Eggsy Urwin. (Kingsman)

Agent Whiskey. (Kingsman)

Harry Hart. (Kingsman)

Tyler Owens. (Twisters)

Tadashi Hamada. (Big Hero 6)

Baymax. (Big Hero 6)

[orthodoxydaily]

SAINTS&READING TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2024

november 19_november 6

St PAUL THE CONFESSOR, ARCHBISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE (350).

Saint Paul the Confessor, Archbishop of Constantinople, was chosen to the patriarchal throne after the death of Patriarch Alexander (+ 340), when the Arian heresy had again flared up. Many Arians were present at the Council, which selected the new Archbishop of Constantinople. They revolted in opposition to the choice of Saint Paul, but the Orthodox were in the majority at the Council.

The emperor Constantius, ruling over the Eastern half of the Roman Empire, was an Arian. He was not in Constantinople for the election of the Archbishop, and so it took place without his consent. Upon his return, he convened a council which illegally deposed Saint Paul, and the emperor banished him from the capital. In place of the saint they elevated Eusebius of Nicomedia, an impious heretic. Archbishop Paul withdrew to Rome, where other Orthodox bishops were also banished by Eusebius.

Eusebius did not rule the Church of Constantinople for long. When he died, Saint Paul returned to Constantinople, and was greeted by his flock with love. But Constantius exiled the saint a second time, and so he returned to Rome. The Western emperor Constans wrote a harsh letter to his Eastern co-ruler, which he sent to Constantinople along with the holy exiled archpastor. The threats worked, and Saint Paul was reinstated upon the archepiscopal throne.

But soon the pious emperor Constans, a defender of the Orthodox, was treacherously murdered during a palace coup. They again banished Saint Paul from Constantinople and this time sent him off in exile to Armenia, to the city of Cucusus, where he endured a martyr’s death.

When the Archbishop was celebrating the Divine Liturgy, Arians rushed upon him by force and strangled him with his own omophorion. This occurred in the year 350. In 381, the holy Emperor Theodosius the Great solemnly transferred the relics of Saint Paul the Confessor from Cucusus to Constantinople. In 1326, the relics of Saint Paul were transferred to Venice.

Saint Athanasius the Great, a contemporary of Saint Paul, writes briefly about his exiles, “Saint Paul the first time was sent by Constantine to Pontus, the second time he was fettered with chains by Constantius, and then he was locked up in Mesopotamian Syngara and from there moved to Emesus, and the fourth time to Cappadocian Cucusus in the Taurian wilderness.”

Part of the Saint's skull is in the Holy Monastery of Simonópetra on Mount Athos. The Saint's incorrupt relics are in the Roman Catholic church of Saint George of Greater Venice. A fragment of the Saint's relics is located in the Saint Alexander Nevsky Lavra in Saint Petersburg.

REPOSE OF St HERMAN, BISHOP OF KAZAN (567)

Saint Herman, Archbishop of Kazan, lived during the sixteenth century. He was born in the city of Staritsa and descended from the old boyar nobility of the Polevi. In his youth, Gregory (his baptismal name) was tonsured at the Joseph-Volokolamsk monastery under Igumen Gurias, where he later became Archbishop of Kazan (December 5). (Saint Gurias was head of the monastery from 1542 to 1551).

At the monastery Saint Herman occupied himself with copying books, and he was a close friend of Saint Maximus the Greek (January 21), who was living there in confinement. In 1551 the brethren of the Staritsa Dormition monastery, seeing his piety, chose him as their archimandrite.

Taking up the governance of this monastery with a pastoral zeal, Saint Herman concerned himself with its internal and external order, for he was a model of humility and meekness. He exhorted all to observe their monastic commitment strictly, and he introduced into his monastery the Rule of Saint Joseph of Volokolamsk (October 18).

But after two and a half years Archimandrite Herman left the Staritsa monastery, leaving its direction to the hieromonk Job (June 19), who afterwards was to become the first Patriarch of Moscow, and was an ascetic and sufferer for the Russian Land.

Saint Herman’s love for solitary struggles brought him to return to his original Volokolamsk monastery, where he strove toward salvation as a simple monk. However, when the new heretic Matthew Bashkin (who refused to acknowledge the Holy Mysteries and denied faith in the Holy Trinity) appeared at Moscow, Saint Herman and his own father (who had received tonsure at the Volokolamsk monastery with the name Philotheus) were summoned to the Moscow Council of 1553. The Council censured the heretic Bashkin and resolved to send him for correction to Saint Herman at the Volokolamsk monastery, since Saint Herman was known for his holy life and zeal for the faith in Christ.

In 1555, after the taking of Kazan, an archepiscopal See was established there. Saint Gurias, the former igumen of Volokolamsk monastery, was chosen as archbishop. He was entrusted with building the Dormition monastery in the city of Sviyazhsk for missionary purposes. By decree of Saint Gurias, Saint Herman was appointed as head of this new monastery in Sviyazhsk. A stone cathedral was built with a belltower and monastic cells. The igumen of the monastery lived very frugally in a cramped cell beneath the cathedral belltower. Saint Herman particularly concerned himself with acquiring a library for the monastery.

Soon his monastery became famous for its good works, and it became a center of enlightenment for the Kazan region.

On March 12, 1564, after the repose of Saint Gurias, Saint Herman was consecrated Bishop of Kazan. The short duration of his tenure there was marked nonetheless by his efforts to build churches and to enlighten the people of the region with the light of Christ.

In 1566, Ivan the Terrible summoned Saint Herman to Moscow and ordered that he be elected to the Metropolitan cathedra. At first, Saint Herman refused to have this burden imposed upon him. The Tsar would not tolerate any objection, however, and the saint was obliged to settle into the Metropolitan’s quarters until his elevation to the position of Metropolitan.

Seeing injustice among those of the Tsar’s inner circle, Saint Herman, true to his pastoral duty, attempted to admonish the Tsar. “You are not yet elevated to Metropolitan, and already you place constraints upon my freedom,” the Tsar told him through his aides. He ordered Saint Herman expelled from the Metropolitan’s quarters and that he be kept under surveillance.

The saint lived in disgrace for about two years, and died on November 6, 1567. They buried him in the church of Saint Nicholas the Hospitable. In 1595, at the request of the inhabitants of Sviyazhsk, the relics of the saint were transferred from Moscow to the Sviyazhsk Dormition monastery. Saint Hermogenes, then Metropolitan of Kazan, visited his grave.

Saint Herman is commemorated on September 25 (the first translation of his relics in 1595) and June 23 (the second translation of his relics in 1714).

Source: Orthodox Church in America_OCA

Colossians 2:20-3:3

20 Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations- 21 Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle, 22 which all concern things which perish with the using-according to the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 These things appear as wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.

1 If you were raised with Christ, seek those things above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Luke 12:42-48

42 And the Lord said, "Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? 43 Blessed is that servant his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I tell you that he will make him ruler over all he has. 45 But if that servant says in his heart, 'My master is delaying his coming,' and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, 46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. 47 And that servant who knew his master's will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48 But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.