We read Acts 11:19-30, our epistle for this Sunday, by means of a Jewish text, 2 Esdras 10:21-23, and in the light of Psalm 43 (MT 44) and Genesis 22:15-18. The Christian Diaspora is understood by Luke as used by God for the growth and maturity of his people, and not simply as an occasion for great lament. This insight contrasts with Jewish responses to the earlier Diasporas caused by Assyria and Babylon, for we know that God turns even martyrdom and dislocation to His purposes: He is the One who tramples down death by death.

This week we consider our reading from Acts 20: 16-18; 28-36, filling in the ten missing verses, and concentrating on the extra “beatitude” from Jesus that we learn from St. Paul as he speaks to the Ephesian elders. We are especially helped by thinking about the journey of Abraham, and what he both received and gave, blessed by God, and becoming a blessing to others.

This week we tackle the paradox of service and freedom, and the fruit that comes from service to God, as seen in Romans 6:18-23 and Galatians 5:22-26; 6:1-2. We are helped in understanding this through the words of Saints Augustine and Chrysostom, and by reading Genesis 22 and Leviticus 26:12-18.

The apostle’s appeal for unity is beautifully exemplified in the life of Joseph, and poignantly pictured in the Psalm about oil on Aaron’s beard. May God’s appeal, pattern, and picture help us to unity in this time of disagreement. (Ephesians 4:1-6, Genesis 37-50, Psalm 132/3)

Awaiting His Advent Actively, Colossians 3:1-11, when read alongside the invitation and warning of Psalm 94/5, speaks of our hope, our mandate, our warning, our exchange, and our identity. These themes show us how us to engage in active waiting for Christ during this time of Advent/the Nativity Fast.

After completing our analysis on the troparia, kontakia, and theotokia, we turn to reading the epistles for Divine Liturgy, beginning with this week’s section from 2 Timothy. The Apostle Paul’s words to this young leader are applicable to everyone, not simply to those who lead the Church, since the Scriptures, Old and New Testament, are for all. We seek to understand the Apostle’s instructions by reference to Psalm 118 (MT 119), and by remembering those who have suffered for their faithfulness—most especially our Lord Jesus himself.

This week we consider Jesus’ strengthening words to Philadelphia in Rev 3:7-13, seeking to understand the meaning of the crown, the pillars, and the name of New Jerusalem by reference to various passages in the New Testament and the fathers, and by looking back to Ex 19:6, 1 Kings 7:21, Zec 4, Hos. 2:24 and Is 44:5.

Chapter 6 of Revelation has some uncomfortable moments, but in it we discern the care and deliverance of our Savior, who models for us the Christian way of victory by the cross. We read this difficult sequence of the seals by reference to ancient fathers, Zechariah 6 and 11, and Isaiah.

This week we look to Rev 11:15-19, clarifying the scene that we find there by means of Psalm 2, 2 Sam 6, Luke 1:42-45. Does the Theotokos make a mysterious appearance here?

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 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.

This week we read Revelation 19:1-10 in the light of Isaiah 61:10, Genesis 3:21, Matthew 16:27, and 1 Peter 5:5, noting that the praises of God are undergirded by substantial reasons, that we are called to cooperate in our salvation, and that we have been blessed in a way that confers unimaginable dignity upon human beings.

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.

We read Rev. 22:1-7 in the light of Genesis 1-3, Psalm 1, Psalm 35/36, and Daniel 7, and with the help of ancient commentators, west and east.

The final section of the book of Revelation leads us to a sense of deep mystery, yet satisfaction. We read Rev 22:8-21 in the light of Deut 30:19; Genesis 1-3; Deut 30:19; Daniel 8:26, 12:14.

In our final episode of this series, we take a “bird’s eye” view of the entire book, considering its structure, and how that fills out the central theme of the Apocalypse—the loving Victory of Christ, who includes us in God’s ongoing plan to recover His creation. Our hearts are grasped by this unusual book, if read in this light. Hearers are invited to join Edith for a new series after Thanksgiving, focused on the “canticles” of the Church.

This week we read the first part of Canticle 9 (Luke 1:46-55); interpreting it in the light of Hannah’s song, David’s joy in the Ark of the Lord (2 Sam/2 Kingdoms 6:9-15) 2 Cor 10:15, and Gen 22:17-18. Her humility and joy are models for us as we learn to “magnify” the Savior.

We begin a series concerning the major psalms read throughout the week, both liturgically, and in personal prayer. Our first episode reads Psalm 103 (LXX)/104 (Hebrew) of Great Vespers, by which we stand alongside God on the final evening of the creation-week (Genesis 1), rejoicing in creation and in the Creator. We are helped in our interpretation by the hope offered in Hebrews 12:18-24 and 1 Corinthians 15.

We move on in this episode to consider the second royal psalm of Matins, Psalm 20 LXX/21 Hebrew, and see it in the light of Psalm 36/37, as well as 2 Samuel 3. Amazingly, the glory that the LORD Jesus shares with His Father makes its mark on us, as well!

We finish this study of the Orthros Ascent Songs by reading Psalm 131-133 (LXX)/132-134 (MT) in the light of Holy Week, 2 Samuel (2 Kingdoms) 6-7, and several Church Fathers. Our final scene is that of harmony with Christian brothers and sisters from every tribe and nation, and peace with God, as we bless His name in the heavenly sanctuary.

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 seventeen, 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 Five and Six.

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 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 seventeen and eighteen.

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

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

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

Children’s Bible Reader, part five. 2006, Greek Bible Society, Scripture Quotations taken from Contemporary English Version, Copyright 1995, American Bible Society. Used by permission. Illustrations by Martha Kapetanakou-Xinopoulou. "Jacob has a strange dream" "Jacob marries Rachel" "Jacob leaves Laban"

Children’s Bible Reader, part seven. 2006, Greek Bible Society, Scripture Quotations taken from Contemporary English Version, Copyright 1995, American Bible Society. Used by permission. Illustrations by Martha Kapetanakou-Xinopoulou. "Joseph is sold by his brothers" "Joseph arrives in Egypt" "Joseph interprets dreams"

Children’s Bible Reader, part eleven. 2006, Greek Bible Society, Scripture Quotations taken from Contemporary English Version, Copyright 1995, American Bible Society. Used by permission. Illustrations by Martha Kapetanakou-Xinopoulou. "The people of Israel suffer in Egypt" "A mother saves her son" "Moses must leave"

Children’s Bible Reader, part twelve. 2006, Greek Bible Society, Scripture Quotations taken from Contemporary English Version, Copyright 1995, American Bible Society. Used by permission. Illustrations by Martha Kapetanakou-Xinopoulou. "God calls Moses" "Moses returns to Egypt" "Moses and Aaron go to Pharaoh"

Children’s Bible Reader, part seventeen. 2006, Greek Bible Society, Scripture Quotations taken from Contemporary English Version, Copyright 1995, American Bible Society. Used by permission. Illustrations by Martha Kapetanakou-Xinopoulou. "Moses is near Canaan" "Forty years in the desert" "The healing snake" "Moses dies"

Children’s Bible Reader, part twenty-five, 2006, Greek Bible Society, Scripture Quotations taken from Contemporary English Version, Copyright 1995, American Bible Society. Used by permission. Illustrations by Martha Kapetanakou-Xinopoulou. "Jonah goes to Nineveh" "Daniel and his friends" "The three friends are thrown in the furnace" "Daniel in the lion's den" "Daniel tells of the coming of the Savior"

Children’s Bible Reader, part twenty-seven, 2006, Greek Bible Society, Scripture Quotations taken from Contemporary English Version, Copyright 1995, American Bible Society. Used by permission. Illustrations by Martha Kapetanakou-Xinopoulou. "The wise men" "Simeon and Anna" "The escape to Egypt" "Jesus comes to the temple" "John the Baptist" "The Baptism of Jesus"

Children’s Bible Reader, part thirty-five, 2006, Greek Bible Society, Scripture Quotations taken from Contemporary English Version, Copyright 1995, American Bible Society. Used by permission. Illustrations by Martha Kapetanakou-Xinopoulou. "Judas regrets his betrayal" "Jesus dies on the cross" "The burial of Jesus" "The Resurrection of Jesus"

Children’s Bible Reader, part thirty-seven, 2006, Greek Bible Society, Scripture Quotations taken from Contemporary English Version, Copyright 1995, American Bible Society. Used by permission. Illustrations by Martha Kapetanakou-Xinopoulou. "Pentecost" "Stephen and Saul" "Saul goes to Damascus" "Ananias helps Saul"

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

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

The Nativity of Christ, written by Lily Parascheva Rowe, illustrations by Roland J Ford (St. Stylianos Books, 2010)

A Necklace of Virtues by Calee M. Lee, illustrated by Turbo Qualls (Xist Publishing, 2012).

The Illustrated Life of the Theotokos for Children by Georgia and Helen Hronos, (Light and Life Publishing, 1990). This audio is only available until September 20, 2013.

The Illustrated Life of the Theotokos for Children by Georgia and Helen Hronos, (Light and Life Publishing, 1990). This audio is only available until October 4, 2013.