This week’s Divine Liturgy for the Forerunner is accompanied by a simple yet profound thetokion, which we mine for treasure by reference to Psalm 44/45, the Psalter, Song of Solomon, and other helpful passages from the Old Testament.

This week we read Revelation 7, which offers a double vision of God’s people, with the help of OT lists of the tribes, and the wisdom of the Venerable Bede. I hope that my friends will not mind that I move, from our analysis of this Scriptural vision of the faithful, to a glimpse at my own imaginative work. Beyond the White Fence is a children’s book (for ages 8-13), scheduled to be published at the end of September by Ancient Faith Ministries. It, too, invites us to a larger vision of reality, by which our daily lives, in their terror or monotony, are put in perspective. Listeners are invited, if close to Pittsburgh, to a book launch on Sat Oct 9 at 3:00 p.m., hosted by St. Nicholas McKees Rocks.

This week we consider Revelation 13:1-10 in the light of Dan 7:1-8, 11-12, 1 Peter 1:18-20, and Isaiah 14:4-15, soberly observing the vast impact of the Evil One and his human deputies, but also recalling the eternal power of the Lamb who was slain, and the given assurances everywhere that there is no God as great as our God, who does wonders.

We read Revelation 13:11-18 in light of current interpretation (even among Orthodox readers), the fathers, and LXX Daniel “Bel and the Dragon,” 12b: 1-42. This chapter is not significant for identifying in our day the figure numbered 666 nor the mark of the beast. Instead, it prepares us for faithfulness, the possibility of exclusion or even martyrdom, and sober worship of the God of all.

This week we consider Revelation 16 as an intensification of Exodus 7-12, looking to Haggai 2:6-7, and various other NT passages, as well as some Church fathers, in our reading of this sobering passage.

At the head of the new year, we heed Deuteronomy 32:1–18 (Second Song of Moses, Part 1), in the light of other Biblical passages, and remember the days of old. Especially we contemplate the pictures of God offered here—Rock, Father, Ruler, like a mother giving birth—and learn from Moses to “ascribe greatness to the LORD our God.”

We read the second half of the second canticle of Moses, Deut 32:19-43, in the light of Jeremiah 1:10, Hosea 6:1-3, and the fathers. Its vigorous poetry must be read with care, but shows us strong truths concerning our holy God, and His desire for our purity and salvation.

This week we consider Canticle 7 (Dan 3:25-56), which details Azariah’s confession, and the beginning of his song with the three friends. Here we see the themes of human praises based on understanding, the importance of God’s glory, and God’s merciful justice as he keeps covenant with us, looking also to 2 King 19:15-20:6 and Genesis 22:15-18.

We meditate upon Psalm 92/3, of which three poignant verses are recited in Saturday Great Vespers, with the help of the blessed Augustine, Isaiah 6, Ezekiel 1, Genesis 3, and Isaiah 51:9.

This week we read the three episodes of Bel and the Dragon (found at the end of the book of Daniel), appreciating the story’s ancient pedigree, its humor, and its sharp reminder to worship God alone. We are helped by comparing its words to Jeremiah 50:2 (LXX 27:2), Jeremiah 51:44 (LXX 28:44), Habakkuk 2:4, and 1 Cor 10:19-20.

This week we consider the structure of LXX Esther in general, and hone in on its introductory and concluding vision and Interpretation (,Esther 1:1a-1l; 10:3a-3k) which put the agency of God front and center for us to praise! We are helped by considering parallels and differences with Job 40-41; Daniel 1, 7-8, Luke 1:46-55, Rev. 12, and Psalm 15 LXX/16MT: 5-7.

Prepare, O Bethlehem: The Feast of the Nativity, illustrated for children by Niko Chocheli (St Vladimir's Seminary Press, 2000)

Bearing the Saint, Chapter four, by Donna Farley (Conciliar Press, 2010).

Bearing the Saint, Chapter five, by Donna Farley (Conciliar Press, 2010).

Bearing the Saint, Chapter six, by Donna Farley (Conciliar Press, 2010).

Bearing the Saint, Chapter seven, by Donna Farley (Conciliar Press, 2010)

Bearing the Saint, Chapter eight, by Donna Farley (Conciliar Press, 2010).

Bearing the Saint, Chapter nine, by Donna Farley (Conciliar Press, 2010).

Bearing the Saint, Chapter ten, by Donna Farley (Conciliar Press, 2010).

Bearing the Saint, Chapter eleven, by Donna Farley (Conciliar Press, 2010).

Bearing the Saint, Chapter twelve, by Donna Farley (Conciliar Press, 2010).

Bearing the Saint, Chapter thirteen, by Donna Farley (Conciliar Press, 2010).

Bearing the Saint, Chapter fourteen, by Donna Farley (Conciliar Press, 2010).

Bearing the Saint, Chapter fifteen, by Donna Farley (Conciliar Press, 2010).

Bearing the Saint, Chapter sixteen, by Donna Farley (Conciliar Press, 2010).

Bearing the Saint, Chapter seventeen, by Donna Farley (Conciliar Press, 2010).

Bearing the Saint, Chapter eighteen, by Donna Farley (Conciliar Press, 2010).

Bearing the Saint, Chapter nineteen, by Donna Farley (Conciliar Press, 2010).

Bearing the Saint, Chapter twenty, by Donna Farley (Conciliar Press, 2010)

Bearing the Saint, Chapter twenty-one, by Donna Farley (Conciliar Press, 2010)

Bearing the Saint, Chapter twenty-two ,by Donna Farley (Conciliar Press, 2010)

Bearing the Saint, Chapter twenty-three, by Donna Farley (Conciliar Press, 2010)

Bearing the Saint, Chapter twenty-four, by Donna Farley (Conciliar Press, 2010)

Bearing the Saint, Chapter twenty-five, by Donna Farley (Conciliar Press, 2010)

Bearing the Saint, Conclusion, by Donna Farley (Conciliar Press, 2010)

"Saint Mary of Egypt," "Saint Scholastica," and "Saint Benedict" from Saints: Lives and Illuminations, written and illustrated by Ruth Sanderson, read with permission by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2007.

"Saint Brendan" and "Saint Bede" from Saints: Lives and Illuminations written and illustrated by Ruth Sanderson, read with permission by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2007.

The Saint and his Bees, written by Dessi Jackson, illustrated by Claire Brandenburg (Xist Publishing, 2013).

"Healing the Paralytic at the Pool of Bethesda," from Feasts of Christ and the Theotokos and Miracles of the Lord by Spiritual Fragrance Publishing (2012)

" 'I Believe, Lord,' and He Worshipped Him," from Feasts of Christ and the Theotokos and Miracles of the Lord by Spiritual Fragrance Publishing (2012)

Prepare, O Bethlehem!: The Feast of the Nativity Illustrated for Children by Niko Chocheli (St Vladimir’s Seminary Press (2000)

"Saint James, Son of Zebediah," from The Disciples of Christ, Illustrated Biographies, by Spiritual Fragrance Publishing (2012)

"Saint Ignatius the God-Bearer," from The Lives of Our Saints, Illustrated Biographies Book 7 (Spiritual Fragrance Publishing, 2012)

Let There Be Light!, by Alisa Rakich Brooks, illustrated by R.E. Bursik (Sebastian Press, 2016) Available at Sebastian Press.

Be Yourself: Amim’s Great Discovery, written by Stephen Muse, illustrated by Dimitra Psychogiou (Saint Tikhon’s Monastery Press, 2016).

Welcoming the Christ Child: Family Readings for the Nativity Lent, "The Annunciation and Mary Visits Elizabeth," by Elissa Bjeletich, illustrated by Jelena Jeftic (Sebastian Press, 2017).

Welcoming the Christ Child: Family Readings for the Nativity Lent, "Conclusion – Righteous Joseph and A Child is Born in Bethlehem," by Elissa Bjeletich, illustrated by Jelena Jeftic (Sebastian Press, 2017).

"Saint Elizabeth the New Martyr," from Royal Saints: A coloring book with stories of saintly royalty throughout the history of Christianity (Draw Near Designs). Saints drawn by Marian Adams. Stories & Borders by Abigail Holt. Layout by Caroline Gann.

9. How the Monastery Came to Be on the Top of the Mountain by Alvin Alexsi Currier (Conciliar Press, 1999). Book 2: Basil's Search for Miracles part 7 (chapters 14-16 ) by Heather Zydek (Conciliar Press, 2007).

28. Book 1: Before You Were Born by Nancy White Carlstrom (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2002) Copyright© Used with permission from the author and Curtis Brown Ltd. Book 2: From I-ville to You-ville by Mersine Vigopoulou, part six (Uncut Mountain Press, 2006)