#Lent hymn

[stmargaret]

Lenten Anthems

Today is Easter Eve, so Carol and Tom sing for you this hymn which is based on the ancient “Exsultet” plainsong: St Margaret’s Church Prestwich holds CCLI licences CCL 79250, MRL 775231 and 466111 for music streaming and One Licence M-40120 for music streaming. Rejoice, heavenly powers © 1999 Kevin Mayhew Ltd

[dalmascan-requiem]

Lente's Hymn: Resistance (Chapter 1)

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It's time to face the past.

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Read on AO3 or keep reading after the jump

content warnings: none

Next Chapter >

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It's finally time to start the Bozja fic! This is one of the most important bits for both of my boys, and it is angsty. They have a lot to work through, after all, since Kris went MIA for four years going around doing Warrior of Light stuff. I'm not sure how long this one will be, but we'll be going through the whole Bozja story in the process!

Of note, I've moved the Bozja storyline from post-Shadowbringers to post-Stormblood, and Cid's around more. That's the important canon-bending stuff!

"Must you glare at me so, Kris?" Hancock looks over the rim of his teacup at the Viera, rose-rimmed glasses making his gaze inscrutable. "Have some tea! I just wanted to have a simple chat."

Kris sighs and leans over to pour himself some tea. "Chats are never simple with you."

"Hah! You know me too well." Kris's frown only grows deeper as Hancock chuckles, and the Hyur quickly clears his throat before continuing. "I have something of utmost importance to discuss."

Of course it's important… no one would call the Warrior of Light for a relaxing tea time. Kris inwardly rolled his eyes at the unwanted title. He's helped to liberate countries and slew eikons the world over, but it's never enough to earn some rest.

"I received word from Lord Hien that our friends in the Bozjan resistance, our comrades in the Eastern Alliance, seek the aid of distinguished heroes in their fight against the Empire." Hancock sets down his teacup with a smile. "Naturally, your name immediately sprung to mind."

The Bozjan resistance, strange that they're asking for help. Kris remembered some of the interactions--or rather, arguments the Bozjan and Dalmascan resistances had over the years. Neither group was willing to accept much in the way of outside help, to both force's detriment. 

But Bozja won't truly be free without loosening the Empire's grip on Rabanastre, and that much is clear to Bojzans and Dalmascans both. 

That means working with them eventually… but with any luck my work will be done before I run into someone that recognizes me. The last thing he'd want is for--

"So, what say you?"

Kris snaps out of his thoughts to look at Hancock. I forgot he was talking… "Yes, of course. I can't very well deny them after you so… thoughtfully talked me up, now can I?" He stands up and heads toward the door, tea untouched. "I'll find Hien straightaway. Thank you for the tea."

"Ah, must you leave so soo--" Kris shuts the door before Hancock can finish his sentence.

~

The next few days flew by in a haze. It appeared that the Bozjan Resistance wanted more than just heroes--they also wanted to outfit them with recreations of the Blades of Gunnhildr. Seeing vaunted heroes on the field with such legendary arms would serve not only to boost morale, but also send the Garleans a message that the Queensguard lives on.

The problem was no one remembered how the godsdamned things looked. It appeared, however, that Mikoto from the Students of Baldesion was able to conceive a device to delve into a person's subconscious--and if they found someone that had been close to the weapons in the past, they could get the information they'd need to recreate them now.

However, years past, the Garleans destroyed the whole of the Bozja capital, and with it, the soldiers that would have seen the Blades. But if Mikoto's precognitive Echo was correct, there is one person who can still help… Cid Garlond.

"Bozja… I would never have thought I could try to atone all these years later." Cid's voice is quiet, nearly carried away from the wind whipping around the airship.

Kris looks towards the man in silence until he continues. "The incident that destroyed the captial… it was my fault. If I had only--"

"Self-flagellating will get you nowhere." I know that all too well myself. "We will be diving into your past shortly, anyway. No need to torture yourself by reliving it now."

"Perhaps…" Cid mumbles, then turns to meet Kris's gaze. "Bozja is but a stone's throw away from Dalmasca."

Kris frowns slightly. "That it is."

Through a lapse of judgment on Kris's part, Cid found out about him being a former member of the Dalmascan Resistance. He didn't tell the Garlean much of the details, just enough to sate his curiosity. Thankfully, for his part, Cid never told another soul about this.

But his past is hard to ignore when it's so close by.

Cid clears his throat, then continues. "Is seeing your former comrades again something you wanted? No doubt they be happy to know one of their own is the Warrior of Light."

"I doubt that, Cid. And you know full well it's never been about what I wanted."

The sharp edge in Kris's tone stops Cid from prying further, and the Garlean falls silent until he speaks up again. "My apologies, that came out harsher than intended. Regardless, the Bozjan resistance is not working with Dalmasca--they'd spend too much time bickering instead of fighting the enemy."

"I see…" Cid stares at the horizon as Gangos comes into view, lost in thought.

Kris follows suit, looking at the fastly approaching cove. "Are you ready?"

"No, but I will face the past regardless."

~

Kris sighs as he watches the sunset. He and Mikoto delved into Cid's past as planned, and the Garlean was forced to face some harsh truths about his family and his past. It felt cruel, putting him through that…

However, the effort wasn't fruitless. Cid had been in the inner sanctum that held the Blades, and seen each in enough detail wherein the others could recreate both the look and the important inscriptions upon each weapon.

But as expected, creating the weapons takes time, and Kris has spent the last few days idle. He has offered to go to the battlefront, but Bajsaljen had refused, urging Kris to save his strength. The Viera spins a ring on his finger, frustrated with being unable to do anything.

Kris's ears twitch to the direction of footsteps from behind, breaking him out of his ruminations. He turns around quickly to the sight of Bajsaljen. "Apologies, I hadn't meant to sneak up on you."

Kris simply shakes his head and turns his gaze from the Hrothgar to the weapon in his hands. "Is that the blade you'll have me wield?"

"Yes." Bajsaljen lifts the greatsword up slightly. "This is Blade's Justice, a greatsword used by one of the Queensguard with some… more unique abilities."

Another Dark Knight, then. He takes the greatsword in hand and turns it over a few times. What a savage looking blade… and deadly sharp to boot. It'd take no effort to cleave a man in two. Such a fitting weapon for the Warrior of Light.

The Resistance leader continues. "The inscriptions you helped us recover have a use, as well. If you channel a small amount of aether into the blade, it will glow. Many soldiers rallied to the Queensguard on the battlefield by looking for the weapons' glow."

"Makes sense. Easier than trying to yell over the noise of battle, and it wouldn't be a proper recreation if it didn't act as a beacon… for allies and enemies alike." Bajsaljen fumbles over his words in an attempt to respond, but Kris ignores him and channels a sliver of aether into the blade. 

The weapon begins emitting a dark purple hue, somehow bright in spite of the shade. He watches the blade's colors pulse and shift for a moment before cutting off the flow of aether. 

"Fascinating." Kris looks back up to Bajsaljen. "Thank you, I'll be sure to use it well."

"Of that I have no doubt." Kris had thought the conversation would have ended there, but as the Hrothgar shifted his feet in the sand, it was clear he was not yet done.

"What else, Bajsaljen?"

"Ah--we've… we've completed the recreation of all the weapons, so we are nearly ready for you to join the front lines. We're simply waiting for the soldiers from Dalmasca to join us."

"The Dalmascan Resistance? I thought your group and theirs were on poor terms."

Bajsaljen lets out a growl of frustration. "That is true, but… we thought to extend our hand in hopes of mending the rift, and having a few of their strongest fighters wield the Blades and fight with us. To me, there seems no better way to work towards our shared goal than for the troops to see us all fighting together."

"I can't argue to that." As much as I wish I could… Godsdamnit, why is Dalmascan getting involved already? "Who are the soldiers they're sending?"

"I don't have any names, but of importance, they have a fighter that can wield the Blade's Resolve."

Kris's eyes widen slightly in shock. "You mean… the gunblade? Why would you have a Dalmascan wield the very symbol of the Queensguard?"

"We… have no Gunbreakers among our ranks. Not anymore." Bajsaljen shakes his head and shifts his gaze to the nearly-set sun. "We thought the art completely lost when the capital was destroyed, as so many were killed when the capitial fell. We had heard of a survivor happening upon the Dalmascan Resistance, however, and that he trained anyone with the aptitude how to wield a gunblade."

The Hrothgar crosses his arms. "Likely he thought he was the only one left and needed to pass down the art any way possible."

"I see…" Kris remembered the time the Hrothgar mercenary came across his camp all too well. He indeed taught as many as he could how to use a gunblade, but only a handful of soldiers showed enough aptitude and confidence to take them afield.

"But you needn't worry about the resistances' petty squabbles. Just know that you will have allies at your side." Bajsaljen turns around and begins heading back to the camp. "Rest well, the fighting will begin soon."

Kris watches Bajsaljen leave, then looks down at the greatsword, nervously strumming his fingers against the hilt. What awful luck to have Dalmascans joining us so soon. I hope no one recognizes me. And a gunbreaker too… The Warrior of Light looks out on the water reflecting the last light of dusk. I know there are several gunbreakers among their ranks, and likely even more have joined since I left, but I can't help but think to…

~

"Elja."

Laurent doesn't turn away from the papers scattered across the table of his tent. "What is it?"

"A-a message from the commander."

The Viera waves a hand vaguely toward the edge of the table. "Put it there, I'll look at it later."

He hears the messenger clear his throat. "The commander said the orders are urgent and I'm not to leave until I've seen you open it."

Laurent huffs and turns on his heel, facing the messenger. "Fine. Give it to me."

The messenger shifts his eyes away from Laurent and holds the letter out.

"Don't be so nervous, that'll get you killed next time you're carrying urgent messages across dangerous territory." Laurent grabs the letter out of the messenger's hand as he attempts to string together a response.

"I… yes, s-sir, noted sir…"

Laurent ignores him as he breaks the seal. Whenever Fran needs something from me, it's never anything pleasant. As fushcia eyes continue to scan the letter, he could tell that this time would be no different.

~*~

I have an urgent request of you. The Bozjan Resistance is looking to make a push to liberate their lands now that Garlemald is reeling from its losses. They are looking to recreate the Gueensguard, with none other than the Warrior of Light at their head.

Furthermore, the Bozjans have asked for a few token warriors in our ranks to help with the push, looking to bring us into the Queensguard as well. It appears to be a goodwill attempt, perhaps a way to get us to shift our focus to Bozja. That said, a unified front will be better than a fragmented one, so regardless of the reason I felt compelled to agree.

You are to travel to Gangos, where the resistance is currently stationed. Go there, accept their terms, and fight to free Bozja so we can free our own lands. Make sure our interests are known, so that they will not forget this kindness and help us, in turn.

~*~

"What in the seven hells is this? I am to simply drop everything and head to Bozja? Ridiculous--" Laurent looks up from the letter to complain to the messenger only to find him gone. I guess he did see me open the letter…

He reads over the contents a few more times before pinching the bridge of his nose. Gods, why me? I've never been good with the politics of dealing with the Bojzans. Eir was-- Laurent shakes his head and begins packing the tent up. I came here to fight, not to deal with the hemming and hawwing of the Bozjans.

"And the Warrior of Light, too…" The Viera clicked his tongue in annoyance. He had heard plenty of stories of the hero that has liberated countries around Hydaelyn, but he also knew they were too fantastical to be true.

No singular person could achieve such feats on their own. "On top of the Bozjans I'll have to deal with some pretenious and over-confident child that rode on the coattails of the armies and took all the credit. Gods, what a mission…"

But, I can't refuse Fran, so… I best prepare to leave.

[orthodoxadventure]

Let us begin the time of fasting in light! Preparing ourselves for the spiritual efforts. Let us purify our soul; let us purify our body. As from food, let us abstain from all passion and enjoy the virtues of the spirit, So that perfected in time by love We may all be made worthy to see the Passion of Christ and the Holy Pascha In spiritual joy!

-- Vespers service of Forgiveness Sunday

[superminisan]

1 O Jesus, I have promised

To serve thee to the end;

Be thou forever near me,

My Master and my friend;

I shall not fear the battle

If thou art by my side,

Nor wander from the pathway

If thou wilt be my guide.

2 O let me feel thee near me!

The world is ever near:

I see the sights that dazzle,

The tempting sounds I hear.

My foes are ever near me,

Around me and within;

But, Jesus, draw thou nearer,

And shield my soul from sin.

3 O let me hear thee speaking

In accents clear and still,

Above the storms of passion,

The murmurs of self-will.

O speak to reassure me,

To hasten or control;

O speak, and make me listen,

Thou guardian of my soul.

4 O Jesus, thou hast promised

To all who follow thee

That where thou art in glory

There shall thy servant be.

And, Jesus, I have promised

To serve thee to the end;

O give me grace to follow,

My Master and my friend.

- John Ernest Bode, 1869

Blessed Lent to all!

[rebelpeas]

maybe someday the imagery of religion+violence will stop being the single most powerful thing to make my brain go crazy bonkers. not today though

[tinyshe]

Pange Lingua | Catholic Hymn & Chant | Holy Thursday/Corpus Christi | Latin (w/ English translation)

     Sunday 7pm Choir | Catholic & Christian Choral Music    

"Pange Lingua Gloriosi" is a Latin hymn written by Saint Thomas Aquinas for the Feast of Corpus Christi. It is also sung on Maundy Thursday (Holy Thursday) during the procession from the church to the place where the Blessed Sacrament is kept until Good Friday.

[hiljametsa]

[nebraskaenergy]

Do you ...

Participate in Lent? I know some Christians don’t so I just thought I’d ask first. My Church – and I – practice Lenten functions. It’s a time of soul-searching, admitting our sins, praying for forgiveness, and worshipping God. The hard part about Lent is that ‘soul searching’ thing. It’s a difficult task, looking into one’s self and measuring who we are in relation to what we’re called to be.…

[mysticalblizzardcolor]

Ave, Caput Vulneratum - Lenten Hymn

[aurora-daily]

AURORA hosting Tearjerker on BBC Sounds!

On the first episode called "The First Tear" she "shares a playlist of nostalgic songs from her younger years that have provided solace and comfort, from the first songs she cried to, to the music she still uses for support today. Featuring pieces from Chopin, The Chemical Brothers and Nick Drake." [link 1]

Tracklist of the episode 1:

Prélude in D Flat Major (Raindrop), Op. 28, No. 15 by Frédéric Chopin

The Brothel by Susanne Sundfør

Sofia (feat. AURORA & iris) by Askjell

Hanna's Theme by The Chemical Brothers

The World Spins by Julee Cruise

Adoration by Florence Price

Anthem for No State, Pt. I by Godspeed You! Black Emperor

This Woman's Work by Kate Bush

Lump Sum by Bon Iver

That Home by The Cinematic Orchestra

Après un rêve, Op. 7, No. 1 (Arr. for Cello and Piano) by Gabriel Fauré

Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker, Op. 71, Act II: No. 14c, Pas de deux. Variation II Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy

Landslide by Fleetwood Mac

Three Hours by Nick Drake

Suzanne by Leonard Cohen

The second episode called "Songs for the lonely" AURORA curates "a playlist to make you feel less alone. Featuring music from Erik Satie, Radiohead and Anna Clyne. Plus Aurora has a listener submission for the "Song That Saves Me"", as "It’s hard to be a human today. Somehow we can all feel lonely with the weight of the whole world on our shoulders, but music has the power to make us feel less alone." [link 2]

Tracklist of the episode 2:

Where Life and Death May Dwell (Icelandic Folk Song) - Upright Piano by Snorri Sigfús Birgisson

Gnossienne No.1: Lent by Erik Satie

Lover, Where Do You Live? by Highasakite

To Speak Of Solitude by Brambles

Hymn for Khadija by Anna Yarbrough

Exit Music (For A Film) by Radiohead

The Armed Man - A Mass For Peace: XII. Benedictus by Karl Jenkins

Fólk fær andlit by Hildur Guðnadóttir

Spiegel im spiegel by Arvo Pärt

The third episode "Beautiful sounds for human connection" celebrates the power of music that connects and brings us together: "Humans have always sung. Music is a natural part of us, and it has always been. Since the first sorrows, we sang to release the pain. And from the first births, we sang to celebrate. Music connects us. And when we sing together, and experience music together, we truly reconnect to a part of ourselves we were dangerously close to forgetting. In this week's episode of Tearjerker, Aurora celebrates the music that brings us together with pieces from The Staves, Clara Schumann and Astrid Sonne. Plus, Aurora has a listener submission for the 'Song That Saves Me'." [link 3]

Tracklist of the episode 3:

Journey to the End of the Night by Lisa Morgenstern

Down To The River To Pray by Alison Krauss

Love Is Colder Than Death by Questo Mostrarsi

momentary - choir version by Ólafur Arnalds & VOCES8

Whitacre: Lux Aurumque by Eric Whitacre

No Me, No You, No More by The Staves

happiness by Taylor Swift

cellophane by FKA twigs

Boadicea by Enya

Kiuá by Andréa Daltro

Io by Miyako Koda

Hide and Seek by Imogen Heap

Soirées musicales, Op. 6: II. Notturno. Andante con moto (Version for Harp) by Clara Schumann

Strong, Calm, Slow by Astrid Sonne

[incomingalbatross]

Plus side of limiting Tumblr for Lent: Rejoicing on Easter! The stream of hymns and sacred art and quotations being heightened by the celebration of coming back to Tumblr and seeing friends again!!

Downside: Easter also comes with obvious church and family-visit time by its nature, which limits the amount of time I can spend hanging out with Friends Inside The Screen even though it's the first day back :/

[stmargaret]

Lenten Anthems

Today is Good Friday. Carol and Tom sing for you: St Margaret’s Church Prestwich holds CCLI licences CCL 79250, MRL 775231 and 466111 for music streaming and One Licence M-40120 for music streaming.

[dalmascan-requiem]

Lente's Hymn: Resistance - Chapter 3

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Sometimes, life forces you to face your mistakes.

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Read on AO3 or keep reading after the jump

content warnings: none

< Previous Chapter | Next Chapter >

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Poor Cid, honestly, lol. He's gotta deal with two grumpy Viera acting like children towards one another. Anyway, this chapter is more or less to get everyone and everything in place, so I can start getting into the real action soon. :)

What in the name of Hydaelyn is going on here?

Cid looks between the two Viera in confusion. Not that he wanted to--but in the cramped convoy to the frontlines, he had little other choice. 

The two, while next to each other in the vehicle, made every effort not to look acknowledge the other. Their efforts to ignore one another even got to the point that that they were staring at opposite ends of the convoy. 

The sight was near ridiculous, and in any other situation Cid would be laughing at the absurdity of it. But the tension in the air was palpable, and he dare not invoke the anger these two harbor onto himself.

Strange… Kris never mentioned anyone in the Dalmascan army that he has bad blood with. As the Dalmasan resistance soldiers filed into Gangos, the Warrior of Light had met with them all. There hadn't seemed to be issues, nor did anyone recognize him. When he asked Kris about it one evening, he replied in a level, standoffish tone. "People see what they want to see, it matters not if they knew me before I became the Warrior of Light."

Cid's gaze shifts to the Viera with the long, brown hair. I wonder if he recognized Kris… it'd difficult to build up so much animosity in a single evening. But why? What had happened between them?

Perhaps he is overthinking this--there are no small amount of people that envy or dislike the Warrior of Light simply for his title, that may also be the case now.

Still, though…

~

"There stands Castrum Lacus Litore, as the Garleans call it."

Kris looks up at the imposing structure in the distance. While it was originally a Bozjan landmark, the garish black spires made it known who occupies the hold now. The Warrior of Light crosses his arms and looks at Bajsaljen "And our goal is to take it back?"

Bajsaljen simply nods, causing Kris to frown in response. "That will be no small feat, given its location. Are we to just barge through the front gates?"

The Bozjan general mirrors his frown. "That is the only way, yes. But with you and the other Blades on our side, victory is all but assured." 

Kris hears an annoyed click of the tongue next to him--he doesn't bother to turn towards it, he already knows who did it and why. Nor could he blame him. I don't know how a handful of soldiers would be enough to turn the tides here, no matter how strong we may be. Alas…

Kris sighs and rubs his neck. "So it shall be, then… I will take my leave." 

He begins to walk away, only to stop as a voice rings out. "Ah, Kris, wait!" He turns around to see Makoto near by, waving him over to a tent. "Cid and I must discuss something with you first."

It's always something, isn't it? "Very well." Kris gives Bajsaljen a curt nod, then makes his way toward the Au Ra.

~

Laurent watches Kris as he walks away with a frown before returning his attention to Bajsaljen. "You all seem to put a lot of faith in the Warrior of Light."

Bajsaljen nods. "Yes, of course. It is through his help that we were able to recreate the Blades in the first place, and word of him taking to the battlefield has raised the morale of many of our troops. He's liberated a number of lands from Garlean grasp, after all."

I've heard the tales of course, but to think it was Eir this whole time… "Still, one man is just one man, no matter how strong he may be. To rely so much on him only begs for misfortune."

"You are not one to mince words, Blade Elja."

"No, I am not." Laurent sighs, then looks towards the command tent. "If we are to somehow push through to the castrum, I'll need to know what the situation is. Can you…?"

"Ah yes, of course." The two make their way towards the tent. "We are lucky to have you. Fran had mentioned you were a talented tactician."

"Not talented. Just have common sense."

"...I-I see." The Hrothgar coughs awkwardly and waves to the tent entrance. "Regardless of what you call it, we'll be happy for your perspective."

"Unfortunately," Bajsaljen continues as they duck into the tent, "the situation is not looking good. Our troops have been spread too thin for two long, while the Garleans are able to launch offensives with little loss of men, due to holding the castrum."

"Why have we not tried to attack from another front?"

"There's no where else to. Other locations within Bozja are more disadvantageous, and with Dalmasca still under the Empire's control--" Laurent's eyes flick up from the map for a mere moment, and the look he gave was clearly enough to stop Bajsaljen from saying what he meant to next.

He turns his attention back to the map, thankful for the silence. So this is their last line of defense and offense alike. And the Garleans have been wearing them down over years… what a sorry state of affairs. "And where do the Blades fit into all this?"

"The Blades will go where help is needed the most. While you all are technically a unit, you'll largely be working separately from one another--though you will be working with another Blade in a pair. I understand that one man cannot take on a whole regime on his own if surprised on the battlefield."

What thin skin he has… "Very well. Who is to be my partner, then?"

"Well, considering all the other Blades are on the battlefield besides yourself and Kris… It would seem you two are the only ones left to partner up with."

It takes everything in Laurent's power to keep a straight face. Of course he is… what god did I piss off to earn this fate? 

~

"Makoto…" Kris puts up his hand with a small smile, cutting the scholar off from her lecture of auracites and Echoes. "I appreciate your enthusiasm, truly, but I cannot make heads nor tails of anything you've said. Your breath is wasted on me."

"O-Oh! I apologize…" Makoto stammers and looks away. I didn't mean to hurt her feelings…

"Don't fret over what he says, Makoto. He's the braun of the operation, not the brains." Cid comes up to Kris and claps him on the back with a smirk. Kris huffs and crosses his arms in response. He's not wrong, but…

"So you want me to place the beacons? And they're… sufficiently able to withstand being in a warzone?"

Cid laughs in response. "Don't worry, Kris, I don't think even you'd be able to manage breaking these. Don't go trying now, though!" He claps Kris again on the back, which earns a scowl from the Viera.

"If you say so." Kris shrugs after a moment, then picks up one of the beacons. "I'll be off--"

"Just a moment, my friend. I wish to speak with you for a moment, first." Cid flashes a small smile. What is it now? You'd think people would want me out on the frontlines instead of chatting…

Cid leads them a small distance away from the others before dropping his voice. "I must ask… the gunbreaker…" Kris tenses up as Cid continues. "Is there a problem between the two of you?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Well, you both are terrible at hiding it."

Kris sighs in frustration. "It won't affect my ability to fight, if that's your--"

"By the Twelve, Kris! I'm not asking because I'm worried about you fighting. I'm concerned for you, friend."

He probably won't stop until I tell him, and maybe it'd feel better to tell someone… "I… fine." Kris runs his hand through his hair in silence, trying to gather his thoughts. "Laurent's my partner."

"...Your partner? I didn't even know you had one."

"Yes, and I had planned on keeping it that way. He didn't know I was the Warrior of Light, either." Kris scowled in an attempt to look angry, but he wasn't able to hide a hint of sadness in his voice. "He likely believed me dead."

~

Cid listened in silence as Kris continued his story. About who he awoke to the Echo on the day of the Calamity, and how he thought the visions he got were an illness. About how one such vision nearly got him killed on the battlefield, and he deserted the army to come to Eorzea to find a cure--not telling a soul about his plans.

"I think you know the rest of it." Kris sighs, staring down at his hands. "I wanted to reach out, but then the people around me started getting hurt or dying, and…" He lifts his head back up, eyes showing a detached determination. The emotional wall Kris built up called the Warrior of Light. "It's best this way. He's angry, and who in their right mind wouldn't be? Soon enough we'll be done here, I'll leave, and he can… move on."

Cid crosses his arms, taking a moment to process the tale he had heard. Gods, Kris… I can understand the hesitation, but, to take this all this far… He had to give the Viera credit for hiding so much about his life for so long, but perhaps had he confided with someone before now…

Before he could say anything, though, he spots Bajsaljen coming up to them, waving the two down. Ah, best not to talk about this in front of the commander.

"Kris! One more thing I had forgotten to mention." 

"I should really take to the frontlines soon--"

"Yes, yes. About that." Bajsaljen cuts Kris off with a curt wave. "Since the Blades need to move about quickly, we find it best that instead of moving as a whole unit, you will move as pairs. To ensure one another's safety."

Kris's frown deepens as he listens. "Alright… who is my partner, then?"

"The rest of the Blades are already on the battlefield--yourself and Blade Elja were the last to arrive. So…"

"...I see." Cid notices the vitriol in Kris's voice, and he manages to suppress a sarcastic chuckle. Fate certainly works in mysterious ways…

As if summoned, Laurent walks up to the group, and immediately turns his attention to the beacon in Kris's hands. "What is that?"

Cid clears his throat before speaking. "It's a beacon, we need it set to gather information for--"

Laurent clicks his tongue and grabs the beacon before Kris could react. "I'll hold it."

Kris gives the other Viera a pointed glare. "I can handle the beacon."

"I don't trust you with it." Laurent quickly turns around before Kris can object further. "You know where to place it, right? Let's go, we've wasted enough time."

The Warrior of Light continues to glare daggers at Laurent's back for a bit, before letting out a frustrated sigh and began to follow him.

Cid couldn't help but to chuckle at the sight. The fact that they're so angry with one another means they still care… Perhaps there's hope for them yet.

[thesynaxarium]

On the fifth Saturday of Great Lent, we celebrate the Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos. For the first four Fridays of Great Lent, a service called the Salutations of the Theotokos is held. This set of hymns was composed in the early 300s describing the various life events of the Theotokos, but was officially chanted as a part of Great Lent in the early 600s when the the city of Byzantium (later known as Constantinople, and now Istanbul) was considered the Queen City and the heart of Christianity after the fall of the Roman Empire. Because of its ideal location, the city was often besieged by enemies. At one point in the early 600s, the city was surrounded by enemies who wanted to sack the city. This particular siege was different and it lasted a few months because all the fighting-aged men were away at war with the Persians. All that was left in the city were the priests, women, children, and the elderly. With no way of defending themselves, they all ran to the main church of Constantinople, in a place called “Blachernae” which is dedicated to the Most Holy Theotokos. The people stayed up all night praying to God and the Theotokos, asking for deliverance from their enemies. The Patriarch Sergius of Constantinople gathered all the priests and they endlessly marched around the inside city walls for days on end, holding the Icon of the Theotokos of Blachernae and chanting the hymn below. Then a miracle occurred. Unexpectedly, a huge storm arose with tidal waves and cyclones, and all the enemy's’ fleet was destroyed or turned back. Thus the city was saved. That night, all those in the city (who were still in the church) began chanting the Salutations, while adding the new hymn “To Thee the Champion Leader” or in Greek, "Ti Ypermaho". They chanted this the whole night without sitting down, and thus on the fifth Friday of Lent, the whole service is changed and is called the Akathist (i.e. the not sitting hymn). May the Most Holy Theotokos intercede for us that we might complete the remainder of Great Lent in prayer and repentance + #akathist #theotokos #salutations #prayer #constantinople #orthodox (at Constantinople - Κωνσταντινούπολη) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqeGNqrjEId/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[queerprayers]

Johanna's essential holy week albums <3

The Prince of Egypt soundtrack (obviously)

Lent / Liturgical Folk

The Gregorian Lent and Easter / Pro Cantione Antiqua

Golgotha / Poor Bishop Hooper

Dear Wormwood / The Oh Hellos (especially "Caesar")

Music Inspired By The Story / compilation

Lent at Ephesus & Tenebrae at Ephesus / Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles

Music of the Passion of Jesus Christ / The London Fox Players

St. Matthew Passion / J.S. Bach (lyrics & translation here)

Jesus Christ Superstar soundtrack (flawed but beloved; all the casts have their pros and cons so I'll leave it up to you.)

This isn't an album but my favorite hymn is "Beneath the Cross of Jesus" and I had to mention it

addition: Good Friday Eastern Sacred Songs / Fairuz (thank you marymagdalenestan my favorite instagram user)

edit: forgot to add! put yours in the tags/reblogs/replies! no judgement just more music in the world!

[jameslmartellojr]

Parce Domine - Gregorian Chant - Lent Hymn - Ash Wednesday - A Capella Catholic Choir