On Holy and Great Thursday, we commemorate four events: the washing of the disciples’ feet, the Mystical Supper, the Lord’s agony in the Garden, and His betrayal. ☦️

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TUESDAY (OF HOLY WEEK) Now the people, the priests, and the Jewish rulers hear the Lord’s word in the temple for the last time. And His word was all-encompassing: it embraced everything—past, present, and future. By the question about John, the Lord indicates that He is the true Messiah; by the parable of the two sons, He shows that the Jews will be rejected and that the Gentiles will be called in their place; by the parable of the vineyard workers, He declares that destruction awaits those who are rejected; by the parable of the king’s son’s wedding, He teaches that not all who come to Him will be worthy, and therefore will justly be cast into outer darkness. Through His answers about the tribute to Caesar and about the greatest commandment, as well as through His words of rebuke, He sets forth the defining characteristics of the life that leads to salvation. Finally, by foretelling the calamities that will befall Jerusalem, He reveals to His disciples the mystery of His Second Coming. It would be enough simply to hear all this with attention to become convinced that He is the true Savior of the world—Christ—and to submit to His commandments and teaching. Even to this day, the reading of the Gospel chapters concerning all that took place on this day is a most powerful means of enlivening faith in the Lord. Through them, the Christian, coming to true understanding, can kindle zeal and show that he believes in the Lord not only in word, but also in deed. ☦️ St. Theophan the Recluse - Thoughts for Every Day of the Year

By raising Lazarus from the dead before Your passion, You did confirm the universal Resurrection, O Christ God! Like the children with the palms of victory, we cry out to You, O Vanquisher of death: Hosanna in the Highest! Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord! + Troparion (Tone 1) ☦️

Uncut Mountain is doing amazing work with translating patristic texts into English!

If you bear your cross with perseverance and seek comfort only from Him, then He, through His mercy, will not abandon you but will touch your heart and will impart to you the gifts of the Holy Spirit. … Then your heart will be kindled with love of God and all people. All these are gifts of the Holy Spirit. When the Lord decides to honour you with such gifts, do not consider them as rewards for your labors, and do not think that you have attained perfection. Such thoughts come from pride. The comforts and grace of the Holy Spirit are not rewards but gifts of divine mercy. ☦️ St Innocent, Enlightener of Siberia and Alaska (Reposed Mar 31, 1879),"The Way Into the Kingdom of Heaven"

“A nation is created by families, a religion, a tradition: it is made up out of the hearts of mothers, the wisdom of fathers, the joy and the exuberance of children.” — Kaiser Wilhelm II

Soon to be cannonized St. Ephraim ☦️

It is later than you think ☦️

“Our task is not one of producing persuasive propaganda; Christianity shows its greatness when it is hated by the world.” ☦️Saint Ignatius of Antioch

Operation Gladio

St. Photios The Great is paramount in understanding the great schism.