Yearly Easter Message

Every year, there's the Easter Liturgy and midnight(morning) dinner party. Every year, we fast and prepared for Christ's resurrection after conquering our sins by dying on the cross and conquering Hades in the process. Here's my thoughts about this year's Easter.

Lot of things are happening in the world now, it's somewhat disappointing that we don't have time to come back to God. But, to those that started on coming back to God, we can survive our purges and the most difficult times in our lives. Just remember how Christ himself saw it all as a perfect man and perfect God. And despite how he was sent to his death by the people, he forgave them without a second thought. He came back to life as the fulfillment of the prophecy and showed us the true light we need.

And for every darkness in our lives, there will be light. God will save us through all the challenges we face, because he loves us all. Never forget about how God never gave up on us despite all of our shortcomings and transgressions.

Hristos Voskrese, Vaistinu Voskrese!
Christ is Risen, Indeed he is risen!

Hristos Voskrese

Hristos Voskrese! Vaistinu Voskrese!
Christ is risen! Indeed he is risen!

I will make a reflection of the wonderful celebration of Uskrs or Pasha(pas-ha) during the liturgy. When I was serving in the Easter Liturgy, I am being anxious a bit since last year, I am like error-prone. Well, this year, I still have a bad left thumb, even if I can work and serve in the altar, I still have to wear a protective gauze to protect the wound from the elements. Yes....

But, thankfully everyone was energetic, me and my fellow altar servers were alert and very attentive and that God gave us the energy through the hours of waiting for his resurrection. I will tell something: with God, nothing is impossible! God destroyed death by his death and fulfilled his promise: to rise up from the dead. With that alone, the sign that he is truly, our God. The Trinitarian God that we always pray to, come for and dedicate our lives. So, every Uskrs, let's go, attend and be in one with God's true miracle!

During the reading of John 1:1-17, I read it on my own language(Filipino) with the proper church tone. Thankfully, I nailed it. And also during the preparation of prosphoras, even if I can't slice when there's people, I make sure to help them prepare.

And lastly, after the great Easter Liturgy, have a feast and conversation with the people there. I am still having a hard time speaking Srpski but thanks to my command of the English language, I won't have difficulties sharing my feelings about being an Orthodox Christian and the blessing God is giving me.

After 3 hours, everyone cleaned and started to go. I went with other parishioners and greeted everyone with the usual Uskrs greetings.

Hristos Voskrese, Vaistinu Voskrese!

Recovering from Sickness

During Good Friday, I overexhausted my body to the point that I forgot to buy medicines on time. It didn't helped someone would not pay her debt to me and my salary would be the next Monday. So, Good Friday, Great Saturday and Easter, I was clearly out of ammo and too weak to move. I did served in the liturgy but it's different when I have nasal allergies because of pollen fever. Add the fact over-exhausting myself would turn out having sore throat. Yayks.

Thankfully my salary was put into place last Monday and that I bought medicines immediately. Now, I am bit fine but I still have sore throat and "some" nasal allergies. I wasn't able to make articles on my blog or videos on my Youtube account as a result. I also went to my parents and walked a lot because I was eating too much just to recover.

I am more well but going to Osaka on Sunday to visit my Godfather in the church, my body will be challenged again. Next day after overtime, I will play basketball with my former neighbor and other people. It seems my body clamors for more tests, I think.

Have a safe post-Easter period everyone.

Hristos Voskree
Vaistinu Voskrese +++

Uskrs 2016/Easter 2016

My first Easter as a member of the Orthodox Church/Pravoslavna Crkva was a moment to remember because it's my first time to serve and as well, read the Gospel in Filipino language. It's indeed true fasting is part of Lent and the anticipation of our Lord and God Jesus Christ's resurrection and destroying death by his death last Good Friday.

Serving was tiring to my body but not to my heart and mind. I did, while sick with pollen fever or maybe an actual fever and sore throat because of my body exhausted due to lack of sleep. It doesn't matter if your sick or not, if you want to serve God, go for it! We were given the free will to progress to God and not to regress. Keeping the Christian tradition and essence of Easter makes the celebration more solemn and joyful.

I am late to write this article because I am finding the time to sleep  since I am recovering from this illness and exhaustion but it's worth it to share the wonderful experiences.

God is risen, Indeed he is risen!
Hristos Voskrese, Vaistinu Voskrese!