#Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity

[manessha545]

Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, Buenos Aires: The Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity is an Eastern Orthodox church building in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Located in the neighborhood of San Telmo, in front of Lezama Park. Wikipedia

[prolekult]

Yesterday marked the death of Sylvia Pankhurst - one of the finest revolutionary communists to have ever graced Britain's shores. We have rarely seen such fighters on this earth.

Sylvia was the most tortured suffragette, targetted for her insistence on including working class women within the demands of women's suffrage (much to the disdain of her mother and sister). She did not balk against repeated forced feeding, hunger striking and sleep striking.

She was one of a handful of communists in Britain who opposed the first world war. Her criticism of the war was ceaseless. Practically isolated, she organised relief for working class people in London with cost-price restaurants, free child care for mothers, and more.

She broke with the Labour Party over this, and never returned despite the enormous pressure put upon her by the British labour movement and, later, the Third Internationale. Her arguments with Lenin remain a key debate in communist and British politics.

Pankhurst stood resolutely with the Bolshevik revolution at its outbreak, and was pivotal in organising the "Hands Off Russia" campaign in Britain - which culminated in dock workers across the country refusing to load any munitions to ships.

Pankhurst was an outspoken opponent of racism. Her newspaper - then the Worker's Dreadnought - was the first newspaper in Britain to hire black journalists. When articles written by the Jamaican journalist, Claude McKay, were viewed as seditious, she went to jail for him.

Her support for Irish independence never wavered. She supported Larkin, the Irish Transport and General Workers' Union and United Builders' Labourers Union during the Dublin lock-outs. She stood by the Irish Citizen Army during the Easter Rising.

She was one of the first in Britain to recognise the dangers of fascism, her warnings and agitation beginning as early as 1920. Through this struggle, she became deeply involved in Ethiopian national liberation, where she spent the last years of her life.

All of this is just the tip of the iceberg of the contributions Sylvia made in her life. She did all of this at great cost to herself, enduring her mother and sister denouncing her in the press repeatedly, endless slander, rejection by the mainstream communist movement and worse.

Sylvia also belongs to the great pantheon of disabled revolutionaries, being diagnosed with endometriosis whilst in prison. This, along with the damage done to her organs by forced feeding, left her with often crippling stomach problems.

"I am going to fight capitalism even if it kills me. It is wrong that people like you should be comfortable and well fed while all around you people are starving." She fought until she died, but capitalism didn't kill her. At aged 78, Sylvia passed on.

She was given a state funeral in Ethiopia, and remains the only foreigner buried in the front of Holy Trinity Cathedral. An Ethiopian migrant, cited anonymously in Rachel Holmes' biography of Pankhurst, summed up what she meant to him thus:

"After God, Sylvia Pankhurst".

To learn more about Sylvia, we highly recommend Rachel Holmes' biography, "Sylvia Pankhurst: Natural Born Rebel".

[scotianostra]

On March 17th 458, Mo Padraigh (Saint Patrick), Patron Saint of Ireland died.

There is a theory that St Patrick was born around the Dumbarton area in about the year 372, other sources put him further south in what is now Cumbria, the truth is nobody knows for certain. What is known that The Islands as we know them now were in the main occupied by The Romans.

It is said his father, whose name was Calpurnius, was in a respectable station in life, being municipal magistrate in the town in which he lived. What town this was, however, is not certainly known, whether Kilpatrick, a small village on the Clyde, five miles east of Dumbarton, Duntochar, another small village about a mile north of Kilpatrick, or Dumbarton itself. But as I said these are only the ares quoted in what is now Scotland I wont go into the ones saying England.

His father is supposed, (for nearly all that is recorded of the holy man is conjectural, or at best but inferential,) to have come to Scotland in a civil capacity with the Roman troops, under Theodosius. His mother, whose name was Cenevessa, was sister or niece of St Martin, bishop of Tours; and from this circumstance, it is presumed that his family were Christians.

He was captured as a teenager by Niall of the Nine Hostages who was to become a King of all Ireland.

He was sold into slavery in Ireland and put to work as a shepherd. He worked in terrible conditions for six years drawing comfort in the Christian faith that so many of his people had abandoned under Roman rule.

Patrick had a dream that encouraged him to flee his captivity and to head South where a ship was to be waiting for him. He travelled over 200 miles from his Northern captivity to Wexford town where, sure enough, a ship was waiting to enable his escape.

Patrick's devotion to Ireland started with a dream which he wrote about as.....

"I saw a man coming, as it were from Ireland. His name was Victoricus, and he carried many letters, and he gave me one of them. I read the heading: 'The Voice of the Irish.' As I began the letter, I imagined in that moment that I heard the voice of those very people who were near the wood of Foclut, which is beside the western sea-and they cried out, as with one voice: 'We appeal to you, holy servant boy, to come and walk among us.'"

The vision prompted his studies for the priesthood. He was ordained by St. Germanus, the Bishop of Auxerre, whom he had studied under for years, and was later ordained a bishop and sent to take the Gospel to Ireland.

Patrick arrived in Slane, Ireland on March 25, 433. There are several legends about what happened next, with the most prominent claiming he met the chieftan of one of the druid tribes, who tried to kill him. After an intervention from God, Patrick was able to convert the chieftain and preach the Gospel throughout Ireland. There, he converted many people -eventually thousands - and he began building churches across the country.

He often used shamrocks to explain the Holy Trinity and entire kingdoms were eventually converted to Christianity after hearing Patrick's message.

Patrick preached and converted all of Ireland for 40 years. He worked many miracles and wrote of his love for God in Confessions. After years of living in poverty, travelling and enduring much suffering he died March 17, 461.

He died at Saul, where he had built the first Irish church. He is believed to be buried in Down Cathedral, Downpatrick. His grave was marked in 1990 with a granite stone.

Saint Patrick's Day is observed on 17th March, the supposed date of his death. It is celebrated inside and outside Ireland as a religious and cultural holiday. In the dioceses of Ireland, it is both a solemnity and a holy day of obligation; it is also a celebration of Ireland itself, although recent events have meant it will be more subdued than normal. I once read many years ago that there is more alcohol in the world sold on St Patrick's Day than any other day of the year, and I quite believe that, but again am not getting into an argument.

A wee but more about the Scottish thing here...https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/history/saint-patrick-born-scotland

[orthodoxadventure]

The Proclamation of the Holy Synod of Bishops on the Glorification of the Righteous Matushka Olga

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

To the beloved Clergy, Monastics, and Faithful of the Orthodox Church in America

God is wondrous in His Saints

November 8, 2023 Chicago, IL

The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America has heard the petition of The Right Reverend ALEXEI, Bishop of Sitka and Alaska, expressed in his November 2, 2023 letter to His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, concerning the glorification of the Servant of God, the Righteous Matushka Olga.

In this letter, His Grace Bishop ALEXEI states: “I am writing to Your Beatitude with respect to the departed handmaiden of God and faithful Orthodox Christian, Matushka Olga Nicholai of Kwethluk, known by the pious peoples of the Kuskokwim as Arrsamquq.  Her humility, her generosity, her piety, her patience, and her selfless love for God and neighbor were well-known in the Kuskokwim villages during her earthly life.  Her care for comforting the suffering and the grieving has also been revealed after her life by grace-filled manifestations to the faithful throughout not only Alaska, but all of North America.  The first peoples of Alaska are convinced of her sanctity and the great efficacy of her prayers.  For this reason, after prayerful consideration, I, Alexei, Bishop of Sitka and Alaska, am hereby making the formal request to Your Beatitude as the Primate of the Orthodox Church in America to begin the process that, if it be in accord with God’s will, would lead to her glorification.”

The Holy Synod, having prayerfully reflected upon this petition and having observed and acknowledged the sincere devotion among the faithful of Alaska and beyond, has unanimously determined that the time for the glorification of Matushka Olga has arrived, fulfilling the hopes and prayers of pious Orthodox Christians throughout Alaska and the entire world.

THEREFORE, meeting in Solemn Assembly in Holy Trinity Cathedral, Chicago, Illinois, under the Presidency of The Most Blessed TIKHON, Archbishop of Washington and Metropolitan of All America and Canada, We, the Members of The Holy Synod of The Orthodox Church in America, do hereby decide and decree that the ever-memorable Servant of God MATUSHKA OLGA be numbered among the saints.  With one mind and one heart, we also resolve that her honorable remains be considered as holy relics; that a special service be composed in her honor; that her feast be celebrated on November 10 (October 28, old style) on the Feast of All Saints of North America, the Second Sunday after Pentecost; that holy icons be prepared to honor the newly-glorified saint in accordance with the Canons of the Sacred Ecumenical and Regional Councils; that her life be published for the edification of the Faithful, that the name of the new saint be communicated to the Primates of all Sister Churches for inclusion in their calendars; and that the date and location of the Rite of Glorification be communicated to the Clergy, Monastics, and Faithful of our Church in due time.

FURTHER, we entrust to the Canonization Commission of The Orthodox Church in America, under the Chairmanship of The Most Reverend DANIEL, Archbishop of Chicago and the Midwest, with the honorable task of assisting The Right Reverend ALEXEI, Bishop of Sitka and Alaska, in preparing for the celebration of the glorification by providing an authorized Life of Matushka Olga for the education and edification of the Faithful, with overseeing the painting of holy icons of her, in keeping with the canonical iconographical tradition of the Church, with the composition of liturgical texts to be sung at the Divine Services in which she will be commemorated, and with assisting in the uncovering and recognition of her holy relics, and in promoting her veneration among all the Clergy, Monastics, and Faithful of our Church.

We call upon the faithful to remember Matushka Olga at Memorial Services or Litanies for the Departed when appropriate until the day of her glorification.

Through the prayers of Matushka Olga and of all the Saints who have shone forth in North America, may the Lord grant His mercies and blessings to all who seek her heavenly intercession with faith and love.  Amen.

Holy Mother Olga, pray to God for us!

Given at Holy Trinity Cathedral, this 8th day of November, in the Year of Our Lord, 2023.

[source]

[andijaart]

+++🙏🏻God Bless🕊️+++

Cathedral of the Valaam Saints

MEMORIAL DAY AUGUST 25

The true novices of the Gospel of Christ appeared, reverend ones, the world and everything in it, as insignificant, despised for the love of Christ, and settled on a sea island, and laboriously labored on it against the machinations of invisible enemies, by fasting, vigil and all-night standing you wisely subordinated your flesh to the spirit. Therefore, worthy crowns have been received from the right hand of the Almighty, and now, before the Most Holy Trinity, pray, blessed Fathers Sergius and Herman, for the preservation of our Fatherland in the world and for the salvation of our souls.

💫International Orthodox Art Corporation Andcross May the blessing of the Lord be upon you!

[venicepearl]

Princess Hirut Desta (also Princess Ruth Desta) was the daughter of Ras Desta Damtew and Princess Tenagnework Haile Selassie, and granddaughter of Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia. She was the widow of General Nega Tegegn, who was governor of the provinces of Begemder and Semien. She was described by Nathaniel T. Kenney as a "trim, most democratic of princesses," who "was not above grabbing a tool from a workman, I suspect, and showing him how to use it."

She was imprisoned by the Derg from 1974 until 1988. Princess Hirut Desta died in London aged 84 in 2014, and her funeral was conducted at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Addis Ababa.

[orthodoxydaily]

Saints&REading: Saturday, December 23 2023

december 10_december 23

THE HOLY MARTYRS MINOS, HERMOGENES AND EUGRAPHOS OF ALEXANDRIA (310)

Holy Martyr Menas

Holy martyr Hermogenes

Holy Martyr Eugraphus

They suffered for their faith in Christ under the emperor Maximian (305-313). The relics of the holy martyrs, cast into the sea in an iron chest, were afterward found (see February 17) and transferred to Constantinople in the ninth century. The emperor Justinian built a church in the name of the holy Martyr Menas of Alexandria. Saint Joseph the Hymnographer (April 4) composed a Canon to honor these sacred martyrs.

SAINT JOASAPH, BISHOP OF BELGOROD ( 1754)

Saint Joasaph was born at Proluka, in the former Poltava governance, on September 8, 1705, the Feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos. He was descended from the old and venerable Little Russian (Ukrainian) lineage of the Gorlenkovi. At Baptism he was named Joachim.

In 1712, his father enrolled the seven-year-old Joachim in the Kiev Spiritual Academy. Within the walls of the academy he felt attracted to monastic life. For seven years he studied it further, and finally revealed his intention to his parents.

For a long time his mother and father pleaded with their first-born son not to accept monastic tonsure. But in 1725, unknown to them, he became a “rasophore” (“robe-wearing novice”) with the name Hilarion at the Kiev Mezhigorsk monastery, and on 21 November 1727 he was tonsured in the mantya with the name Joasaph at the Kievo-Bratsk monastery. This event coincided with the completion of his studies at the spiritual academy.

After the death of His Grace Barlaam, the See of Kiev was governed by Archbishop Raphael Zaborovsky. Archbishop Raphael noticed the abilities of the young ascetic and assigned him to greater service to the Church. He was entrusted with the responsibility of the office of examiner of the Kiev archbishopric.

In November 1734, Archbishop Raphael ordained the hierodeacon Joasaph as hieromonk, and he was transferred from the Bratsk monastery school to the Kiev-Sophia archbishop’s house. At the same time, he was appointed a member of the Kiev religious consistory.

In fulfilling the office of examiner, he exerted much effort towards the correction of moral deficiencies among the parish clergy. The saint’s service in the consistory office enabled him to develop his administrative abilities. During this time, he made a good study of the needs of clergy-servers, noting both the good points and the failings of the diocese. His talent for administration was combined with his great spiritual effort. He quickly ascended the ladder of spiritual perfection, which can be seen in his work, “The Conflict of the Seven Venerable Virtues with the Seven Deadly Sins.”

On June 24, 1737 Hieromonk Joasaph was appointed head of the Holy Transfiguration Mgarsk monastery, and elevated to the rank of igumen. Here he worked with all his strength to put the monastery in good order, for it was an old bastion of Orthodoxy in the struggle with the Unia. In this monastery were relics of Saint Athanasius, Patriarch of Constantinople and Wonderworker of Lubny (May 2). Several times Saint Athanasius appeared to Igumen Joasaph, as a sign of his patronal protection.

In 1744 Metropolitan Raphael elevated Igumen Joasaph to the dignity of archimandrite. Towards the end of that same year he was called to Moscow and soon, at the direction of the Most Holy Synod, he was appointed vicar of the Holy Trinity Sergiev Lavra monastery. At this monastery of Saint Sergius he also unstintingly fulfilled obedience to the Church (this year required much exertion for the rebuilding of the monastery after a fire).

On June 2, 1748 at the Peter and Paul cathedral in Peterburg, Archimandrite Joasaph was ordained Bishop of Belgorod. Ascending the archbishop’s throne, Saint Joasaph strictly concerned himself with piety and the condition of the churches, with the proper celebration of divine services, and especially with the moral condition of his flock.

The saint devoted great attention to the education of the clergy, and the correct observance of churchly norms and traditions. Just as before, the saint worked with all his strength in his archpastoral service, without regard for his health.

On the eve of his repose, the saint forbade his cell attendant Stephen to aspire to the priesthood, and he predicted that if he did not obey him, he would meet with an untimely end. To another cell attendant Basil, the saint indicated that he would be a deacon, but would never become a priest. Later, this prediction was fulfilled. Saint Joasaph died on December 10, 1754, and was glorified on September 4, 1911.

Source: Orthodox Church in America_OCA

EPHESIANS 6:10-17

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

JOHN 10:9-16

9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. 12 But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. 13 The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and I know My sheep and am known by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so, I know the Father, and I lay down My life for the sheep.

[wesleyhill]

What God Looks Like

A homily preached on Palm Sunday 2023 at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

May I speak to you in the Name of God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Dominican theologian and preacher Herbert McCabe once used a somewhat strange but also strikingly memorable image to talk about the love of God. Imagine, he said, the never-ending, never-changing love of God like the beam of light from a movie projector. As that light falls on the smoothness of the silver screen in God’s eternity, it produces a beautiful, pure, undistorted image.

But then think what happens if the screen is defaced in some way. Maybe water damage has made it bulge hideously in places. Maybe some ugly paint has been hurled at it. It’s been gashed with a hammer or warped by neglect. Then what happens when the strong, steady light of the projector falls on the screen? You get a distorted image, to say the least.

Then McCabe takes his image one step further:

Now imagine a film projected not on a screen but on a rubbish dump. The story of Jesus… is the projection of the trinitarian life of God on the rubbish dump that we have made of the world.

Have you ever asked yourself why the story that we remember this week is filled with so much horror and grief? We say that it’s a story about God loving the world, but it’s filled with dark, disturbing anguish and agony. And that’s because it is a story ultimately about the world we actually live in, the world as we have marred and made it. The story we remember this Holy Week is the story of Jesus’ suffering and death because that is what the love of God must look like when it truly encounters the reality of our world. Not the world as we wish it were, but our actual world with its corruption, betrayal, injustice, and death.

If the projector light were simply radiant and undistorted, it would be encountering a screen very different, and ultimately irrelevant, to the one we know all too well (because we are the ones who made its contorted surface). But the good, if also tragic, news of this week is that the light of God’s love is shining right into our deepest darkness. It is not projected somewhere else. It is beaming directly — and healingly — into the broken world we live in. God isn’t aloof or far off. God is right here in the mess we’ve made, not abandoning us but rescuing us by giving us himself.

So I think the most important thing we can do this week is simply to remember the story again with each other. Robert Jenson, a Lutheran theologian who cared deeply about the liturgies of Holy Week, says this: “The Gospels tell a powerful… story of the Crucifixion: this story is just so the story of God’s act to bring us back to himself at his own cost, and of our being brought back.” Never mind the different, sometimes mutually contradictory, theories about how this works. The main point is that it works. As we watch Jesus riding on a lowly animal into the gleaming city, as we watch that city’s powerful religious professionals arrange for his arrest and trumped up trial, as we watch a pitiless empire cowed by a screaming mob sentence him to death, as we watch him hanging on the cross in agony, we are watching the story of God entering into the depths of our human lostness and misery and restoring us all — all things — right then and there. Therefore, says Jenson, what we most need to do this week is “to tell this story to one another and to God as a story about him and about ourselves.” “God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself.”

Several years ago, when she was only two years old, my goddaughter Callie was reading a Bible picture book with her mom. At one point, Callie interrupted and asked: “Mommy, what does God look like?”

Now, it would’ve been easy to give a quick answer. Callie’s mother could have pulled up an image on her phone of an old man with a white beard, with a finger pointing from a bank of clouds. “See, there’s a picture of God,” she could have said to her daughter.

But she did something different. Closing the picture book, she said, “Let me tell you a story.” And she described Jesus’ carrying his cross, climbing the mountain of Golgotha, praying for forgiveness for those who nailed him to the cross, and, as he died, asking God for mercy for those who didn’t — and don’t — deserve it.

“That’s what God looks like, Callie,” she said.

And that is really what we’re up to in our string of services this week. We are slowing down and taking time to remind ourselves that we see ultimately and definitively who God is in the death and resurrection of Jesus. To people who ask (which is all of us, at some point or another), “What does God look like?” we say, “Let me tell you about a week in Jerusalem, 2,000 years ago….”

Amen.

[pro-deo-et-imperio]

A church parade by the Royal Navy and British Army in front of the incomplete cathedral, circa 1900

(via Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, Bermuda - Wikipedia)

[manessha545]

Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, Buenos Aires, Argentina: The Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity is an Eastern Orthodox church building in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Located in the neighborhood of San Telmo, in front of Lezama Park. Wikipedia

[boldlyvaliantpanda]

The Most Beautiful Churches to Visit in Corpus Christi, TX

Introduction

Corpus Christi, TX is known for its rich history and vibrant culture. One of the highlights of this city is its stunning churches that showcase exquisite architecture and hold significant religious importance. Whether you are a devout believer or simply appreciate beautiful places of worship, Corpus Christi has a variety of churches that are worth visiting. In this article, we will explore some of the most beautiful churches in Corpus Christi, TX and learn about their unique features, historical significance, and what makes them must-visit destinations.

The Most Beautiful Churches to Visit in Corpus Christi, TX

Corpus Christi is home to several breathtaking churches that attract both locals and tourists alike. These architectural marvels not only offer a serene https://www.tumblr.com/generalkidpanda/761494463296225280/weighing-up-the-pros-and-cons-of-coolsculpting atmosphere for prayer and reflection but also provide a glimpse into the city's heritage. Let's dive into the details of each church:

1. Cathedral of Corpus Christi

The Cathedral of Corpus Christi is an iconic landmark in the city. Its striking modern design combines elements of traditional and contemporary architecture, making it a visual treat. The cathedral's stained glass windows create a mesmerizing play of colors when sunlight filters through them, adding to its beauty.

2. St. Patrick's Church

St. Patrick's Church is a testament to the city's Irish heritage. With its Gothic Revival style architecture, intricate stone carvings, and towering spires, this church stands out as a masterpiece. Inside, visitors can admire the stunning stained glass windows depicting biblical scenes.

3. St. Joseph Catholic Church

St. Joseph Catholic Church is renowned for its Spanish Colonial Revival style architecture. The church features beautiful arches, decorative tile work, and an imposing bell tower that offers panoramic views of the city. Step inside to admire the grand altar adorned with intricate woodwork.

4. Corpus Christi Cathedral

Corpus Christi Cathedral, also known as the Church of the Most Holy Trinity, is a historic gem in the city. Its Romanesque Revival style architecture and towering twin spires make it an impressive sight. The cathedral's interior boasts stunning murals and a majestic pipe organ.

5. First Baptist Church

First Baptist Church is an architectural marvel that combines elements of Gothic and Byzantine styles. Its intricate stone façade, stained glass windows, and a central tower with a gold cross make it a striking landmark in Corpus Christi.

6. St. John's United Methodist Church

St. John's United Methodist Church is known for its beautiful stained glass windows that depict biblical scenes and religious symbols. The church's serene atmosphere invites visitors to find solace and reflection amidst its stunning architecture.

FAQs about Churches in Corpus Christi, TX

What is the historical significance of these churches? These churches hold significant historical value as they were built during different periods of Corpus Christi's history. They serve as reminders of the city's rich cultural and religious heritage.

Are these churches open to the public? Yes, all of these churches welcome visitors who wish to explore their architectural beauty or attend religious services.

Are there any guided tours available for these churches? So

[tourguideinaddisababa]

Discover Ethiopia’s Capital: Your Private Guided City Tour in Addis Ababa

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Step back in time and uncover the fascinating history of Addis Ababa, a city that has witnessed centuries of change and growth. Your private guide will take you to iconic historical sites like the National Museum of Ethiopia, where you’ll meet the world-famous fossil, Lucy. Wander through the Holy Trinity Cathedral, a magnificent church that houses the tomb of Emperor Haile Selassie. Each site you visit is steeped in history, offering a glimpse into Ethiopia's rich past. Check Details of our Full-day City Tour in Addis Ababa

✨ Immerse Yourself in Cultural Experiences in Ethiopia

Addis Ababa is a melting pot of cultures, and our tour ensures you experience this diversity firsthand. Participate in an authentic Ethiopian coffee ceremony, a ritual that is both a cultural staple and a symbol of hospitality. As you sip freshly brewed coffee, your guide will share stories of Ethiopian traditions and customs, giving you deeper insight into the local way of life.

If you have short time, our half-day private Addis Ababa city tour is perfect for you.

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No visit to Addis Ababa is complete without indulging in the city’s vibrant culinary scene. Our tour includes stops at traditional restaurants where you’ll taste Ethiopia’s most beloved dishes, such as injera, doro wat, and tibs. Your guide will introduce you to the unique flavors and ingredients that make Ethiopian cuisine so special. This food tour is a feast for both the stomach and the soul!

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[martin-james2121]

Exploring Ethiopia: A Journey Through the Land of Origins

Discovering Addis Ababa: The Heartbeat of Ethiopia

Begin your Ethiopian adventure in Addis Ababa, the bustling capital city. As one of Africa's most vibrant cities, Addis Ababa is a melting pot of cultures and a hub of historical and modern attractions. Start your exploration at the National Museum of Ethiopia, where you can marvel at the fossilized remains of "Lucy," one of the oldest and most complete hominid skeletons ever discovered. This museum provides a fascinating insight into Ethiopia's role in human evolution.

Next, visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral, a stunning example of Ethiopian Orthodox architecture and the final resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie. The cathedral's stained-glass windows and intricately carved statues offer a glimpse into the country's deep religious heritage.

To Read More Click Here...

[vegetablegardens454]

Christianity: An Overview

Christianity is one of the world's largest and most influential religions, with over two billion adherents globally. It is rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ, who is regarded by Christians as the Son of God and the savior of humanity. Christianity has a rich history, diverse traditions, and a significant cultural impact. Christianity

Origins and History

Christianity began in the 1st century AD, emerging from Judaism. Jesus of Nazareth, a Jewish preacher, began his ministry around 30 AD. His teachings focused on love, compassion, forgiveness, and the imminent Kingdom of God. Jesus was crucified by the Roman authorities around 33 AD, but his followers believed he rose from the dead, a pivotal event celebrated as Easter.

The early Christian movement spread rapidly throughout the Roman Empire, despite periods of persecution. The apostle Paul played a crucial role in spreading Christianity to non-Jews (Gentiles), establishing numerous churches and writing letters (epistles) that form a significant portion of the New Testament.

In 313 AD, Emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan, legalizing Christianity and allowing it to be practiced openly. By the end of the 4th century, Christianity had become the official religion of the Roman Empire. Over the centuries, Christianity continued to evolve, experiencing schisms and reforms, leading to the formation of various denominations.

Core Beliefs

Christianity is based on the belief in one God, who exists in three persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. This concept is known as the Trinity. Christians believe that Jesus' death and resurrection provided salvation and reconciliation with God for all who believe.

The Bible is the sacred scripture of Christianity, consisting of the Old Testament (shared with Judaism) and the New Testament. Key teachings include the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, and the Great Commandment to love God and neighbor.

Major Denominations

Christianity is divided into three major branches:

Catholicism: The largest Christian denomination, led by the Pope in Rome. It emphasizes tradition, the sacraments (especially the Eucharist), and the authority of the Church.

Orthodoxy: Primarily found in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, the Orthodox Church maintains a continuity with the early Christian traditions. It emphasizes liturgy, icons, and the mystery of faith.

Protestantism: Emerging from the Reformation in the 16th century, it includes numerous denominations such as Lutheranism, Calvinism, Anglicanism, and Evangelicalism. Protestants emphasize the authority of the Bible, the priesthood of all believers, and salvation by faith alone.

Practices and Worship

Christian worship varies widely among denominations but generally includes reading scripture, prayer, singing hymns, and sermons. Sacraments, such as baptism and communion, are central rites. Christians gather for worship on Sundays, commemorating Jesus' resurrection.

Festivals and Holy Days

Christianity has several significant festivals:

Christmas: Celebrating the birth of Jesus on December 25.

Easter: Commemorating the resurrection of Jesus, the most important Christian festival.

Pentecost: Celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles, marking the birth of the Church.

Christianity and Culture

Christianity has profoundly influenced art, music, literature, and philosophy. Cathedrals, religious paintings, and classical music compositions often reflect Christian themes. Christian ethics have shaped laws, social norms, and human rights concepts.

Contemporary Issues

Modern Christianity faces numerous challenges and debates, including interfaith relations, secularism, social justice, and ethical issues such as bioethics, sexuality, and environmental stewardship. Christianity continues to evolve, addressing contemporary concerns while maintaining its foundational beliefs. Christianity

Conclusion

Christianity remains a vital and dynamic faith, deeply rooted in history and tradition while continually engaging with the modern world. Its message of love, hope, and redemption continues to inspire and guide millions of people around the globe.

[andijaart]

+++🙏🏻God Bless🕊️+++

Cathedral of the Radonezh Saints

MEMORIAL DAY JULY 19

Having brought the fruits of the virtues on earth, Reverend fathers, in the Heavenly palaces you are now fragrant like the flowers of paradise, and face to face you contemplate the Most Holy Trinity, while you boldly pray to Her for the salvation of our souls.

💫International Orthodox Art Corporation Andcross May the blessing of the Lord be upon you!

[rsfannan6]

Ely, Cambridgeshire, U.K.

In the planning of our trip, we were looking for a couple of side trips from Cambridge.  One that caught our eye was the cathedral city and civil parish of Ely.  Only 15 miles north, it was a twenty minute train ride to this wonderful place.

Ely is built on a 23 mile island, surrounded by what is called The Fens, a marshy wetland.  Major rivers like the Great River Ouse feed into the Fens forming freshwater marshes within which peat was laid down.  In the eighteenth century, the Fens were drained and this peat created a rich and fertile soil ideal for farming.  As a result of this, Ely is no longer an island, but still is known as “The Isle of Ely”.

We decided to venture there on a Sunday, when they have their weekly market in Ely Market Square.  This has been going on since the 13th century.  The plan was to go to the market, stock up on picnic stuff, and have a lovely meal on the grounds next to the cathedral after which we would visit the cathedral itself.

The market was, to be truthful, underwhelming.  Most of the vendors were selling craft items, and there were just a few food stalls.  The bakery guy provided us with some bread and pastry goods, and the nearby supermarket filled out our lunch menu.  It was a gloriously sunny and cloudy day with just a little breeze, perfect for stuffing our faces on the lawn in the shadow of the enormous Cathedral.  We had fruits and cheese, pasties and sandwiches, cookies and cheesecake, all delicious.  A great start to a lovely day.

The actual name of the Ely Cathedral is The Anglican Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity, but it is known as The Ship of the Fens, a name inspired by the distant view of its towers, which dominate the low lying wetlands.  Construction of the cathedral was begun in 1083 by William the Conqueror and finally opened in 1189 after 116 years of construction.  It collapsed in 1322 and was rebuilt, opening again in 1351.  Over the years, it has expanded many times.  Needless to say it is breathtaking.  

We ventured inside this marvelous structure exploring its cavernous interior with the help of the audio guide.  For history buffs like me, it was enchanting.  The story of St. Etheldreda, who founded the original monastery in 673, was fascinating.  This princess, daughter of the King of Anglia, married twice for political reasons, was evidently supremely devout and had a lifelong wish to be a nun.  She eventually was released from her marriage vows, spending the rest of her life as a nun in the service of the poor.  She died around 680 and, by her request was buried in a simple grave near the church.  Some 16 years later, her body was removed and placed in a stone coffin inside the church.  As the story goes, when they dug her up, her body was said to have been in the same condition as when it was buried, without decay.  This was seen to be a miracle, and eventually St. Etheldreda was canonized.  Her reputation as a saint grew and pilgrims started to visit the church at Ely seeking miracles and healing.  She became one of the most well-known and popular of the early English Saints with several churches across the country dedicated to her.  In 1539, the monastery was closed and her shrine destroyed, part of The Reformation.  She is still remembered on feast days commemorating her death and when her body was moved to the Abbey Church.

After exiting the church, we wandered across the grounds to see Oliver Cromwell’s House.  Cromwell was an English statesman, politician, and soldier, widely regarded as one of the most important figures in British history.  He was probably most famous for his advocacy of the execution of King Charles I, and the establishment of The Protectorate, and his rule as Lord Protector from 1653 to his death in 1658. His house is an interesting look at what life was like during this period, even for a man of moderate means.  It also tells you everything you ever wanted to know about the English Civil War.  Perhaps nit for everyone, but I loved it.

There was, of course, a small gift shop in the Cromwell house, and we ended up talking to the cashier/host/proprietor for a bit.  I noticed that there were a number of books about eels, so I asked her if eels had anything to do with the name Ely.  Well, duh, Bob.  It turns out that eels have everything to do with it.  Before the Fens were drained, eels thrived in this marshy area.  Every year, the eels would migrate to the Sargasso Sea in the Atlantic Ocean, and return to Ely.  Eel fishing was big business, with the town’s economy centered around it.  Eel were even a popular item of barter.  Although eels are no longer an everyday thing, each year Ely hosts an Eel Festival, with a parade and other activities.  So check your calendars, first week of May!

I heartily endorse a trip to Ely.

No much more to come….one more stop….I promise….