We come to the very center of the Apocalypse in Revelation 12:7-12, where we hear that Christ’s victory is not simply a future hope, but assured by His blood, and the word of the martyrs. We are helped in our understanding the suffering now has deep meaning, by heeding this vision and declaration in the light of Wisdom 2:24, Job 1, and Luke 10:18-22.

This week we study a passage of the Apocalypse that focusses upon judgment, and uses startling imagery. We are helped by ancient commentators, as well as by contextualizing Revelation 14:14-20 within the teaching of Jesus himself, as well as in Old Testament passages such as Psalm 1, Joel 3:11-18, and Isaiah 63:1-6. Judgment, though difficult, is a necessary complement to redemption.

This week we look at the short but challenging chapter fifteen of Revelation, in the light of Exodus 40:35; 2 Ch/Kingdoms 7:2-3; Isaiah 6:4; and Ezekiel 1:22;10:4; 44:4. We consider how judgment is an essential characteristic of the holy God, not at odds with divine love, and meditate upon the difficult phrase “the wrath of God.”

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.

In Revelation 19:11-21, the heavens are opened, revealing the mounted Word of God, and His final conquest over evil. We are helped with this exhilarating and disturbing passage by seeing echoes in Psalm 72/71:2, Psalm 44/5:3-5, Isaiah 63:1-3, and listening to the wisdom of ancient commentators.

This week we read Revelation 21:1-8, understanding it in the light of Isaiah 65-66, Colossians 1:19-20, Eph 3:10, 2 Pet 3:12-13, and Hebrews 11:10, 16; 12:22: 13:14. With the angels, we are astonished that God promises to renew heaven and well as earth, and has already begun this transformation in the Holy Spirit.

Today we read the fourth of the six Psalms recited by the priest at the beginning of Matins, Psalm 86 LXX/87 MT. With help from Joshua 2, John 4:14 and 7: 37-39, and Galatians 4:26-7, we unpack this psalm that celebrates the glory of Zion—a city founded by the LORD in the Old Testament, and that points towards an even more glorious heavenly city, to which we are called as citizens.

We turn to the Songs of Ascent, reading them in the light of Psalms 119-121 (MT 120-122), upon which they are based, and Hebrews 12:18-29, where we approach of heavenly Zion.

We consider the third grouping of Ascent Songs for Orthros, comparing them with their foundational Psalms LXX 125-128 (MT 126-129), and illumining them with reference to Col 1:9-14; Eph 4:4-8 and1 Cor 15:43. Everywhere, as we walk towards the light of the eighth day, the generosity of God is apparent.

This week we read the story of Susanna, found either in the prologue of Daniel or Daniel 13 (dependent upon the version used). Susanna is an excellent example of the charms and depth of the Readable Books, adding to doctrine and morals an appreciation for the domestic life and the spunkiness of its heroine, whose story is here analyzed with reference to Daniel 3:17-18, Romans 4, and Psalm 3:1-4.

76. Book 1: "The Birth of John" from The Bible for Young People by Zoe Kanavas (Narthex Press, 2005) (5.28 mins) Book 2: The Life of Saint Constantine and his Mother, Saint Helena by Euphemia Briere part two and conclusion (St. Nectarios Press, 2003) (17.06 mins)

Bearing the Saint, Chapter eleven, 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)

Keeper of the Light: Saint Macrina the Elder, Grandmother of Saints by Bev Cooke, illustrated by Bonnie Gillis (Conciliar Press, 2006), Chapters seven and eight.

Keeper of the Light: Saint Macrina the Elder, Grandmother of Saints by Bev Cooke, illustrated by Bonnie Gillis (Conciliar Press, 2006), Chapters nine and ten.

Keeper of the Light: Saint Macrina the Elder, Grandmother of Saints by Bev Cooke, illustrated by Bonnie Gillis (Conciliar Press, 2006), Chapters eleven and twelve.

Keeper of the Light: Saint Macrina the Elder, Grandmother of Saints by Bev Cooke, illustrated by Bonnie Gillis (Conciliar Press, 2006), Chapters thirteen and fourteen.

Keeper of the Light: Saint Macrina the Elder, Grandmother of Saints by Bev Cooke, illustrated by Bonnie Gillis (Conciliar Press, 2006), Chapters fifteen and sixteen.

Keeper of the Light: Saint Macrina the Elder, Grandmother of Saints by Bev Cooke, illustrated by Bonnie Gillis (Conciliar Press, 2006), Chapters seventeen and eighteen.

Keeper of the Light: Saint Macrina the Elder, Grandmother of Saints by Bev Cooke, illustrated by Bonnie Gillis (Conciliar Press, 2006), Chapters nineteen and twenty.

Keeper of the Light: Saint Macrina the Elder, Grandmother of Saints by Bev Cooke, illustrated by Bonnie Gillis (Conciliar Press, 2006), Chapters twenty one and twenty two.

Keeper of the Light: Saint Macrina the Elder, Grandmother of Saints by Bev Cooke, illustrated by Bonnie Gillis (Conciliar Press, 2006), Chapters twenty three and twenty four.

The Queen and the Cats: A Story of Saint Helena by Calee M. Lee, illustrated by Turbo Qualls (Xist Publishing, 2011)

Stranger Moon, a novel by Heather Zydek, Chapter twenty (Moth Wing Press, 2012)

Stranger Moon, a novel by Heather Zydek, Chapter twenty-one (Moth Wing Press, 2012)

Stranger Moon, a novel by Heather Zydek, Chapter twenty-two (Moth Wing Press, 2012)

Stranger Moon, a novel by Heather Zydek, Chapters twenty-three and twenty-four (Moth Wing Press, 2012)

Stranger Moon, a novel by Heather Zydek, Chapters seven and eight (Moth Wing Press, 2012)

Stranger Moon, a novel by Heather Zydek, Chapters nine and ten (Moth Wing Press, 2012)

Stranger Moon, a novel by Heather Zydek, Chapter Eleven (Moth Wing Press, 2012)

Stranger Moon, a novel by Heather Zydek, Chapters thirteen and fourteen (Moth Wing Press, 2012).

Stranger Moon, a novel by Heather Zydek, Chapter fifteen (Moth Wing Press, 2012).

Stranger Moon, a novel by Heather Zydek, Chapter sixteen (Moth Wing Press, 2012)

Stranger Moon, a novel by Heather Zydek, Chapter seventeen (Moth Wing Press, 2012)

Stranger Moon, a novel by Heather Zydek, Chapter eighteen (Moth Wing Press, 2012)

Stranger Moon, a novel by Heather Zydek, Chapter nineteen (Moth Wing Press, 2012)

Children's Bible Reader, part two, 2006, Greek Bible Society, Scripture Quotations taken from Contemporary English Version, Copyright 1995, American Bible Society. Used by permission. Illustrations by Martha Kapetanakou-Xinopoulou. "Adam and Eve turn away from God" "Cain and Abel" "The wickedness of people destroys the earth"

Children’s Bible Reader, part three. 2006, Greek Bible Society, Scripture Quotations taken from Contemporary English Version, Copyright 1995, American Bible Society. Used by permission. Illustrations by Martha Kapetanakou-Xinopoulou. "People continue to sadden God" "A shepherd trusts in God" "Abraham and Sarah have a son"