O God, who did give blessed Raphael the Archangel to Thy servant Tobias, as a companion on his journey: grant to us, Thy servants, that we may always be guarded by his care and strengthened by his help. Through our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen.

We had a brief issue with the Saintsworks website service provider, it has now been restored, just in time for Christmas folks.

Thank God!

Amen Thank God!

Sorry I meant he drinks the precious blood, so he's there for a minute with the dog and you kind of have to go around it. 

Prayers promised for you and your parents grasscutter.  So sorry.

I sometimes attend a local OF church, and two times now a man has brought his dog in with him, taken it up with him to communion, takes the cup.  Doesn't seem to bother anyone.  I don't think I can go back there, but am sad because it's a pretty church and I can walk to it.  (My Byzantine priest has been ill and weekday divine liturgies have been cancelled.)  Would you be upset by this?  Thanks. 

'For the rest, brethren, whatsoever is true, whatsoever is modest, whatsoever is just, whatsoever is pure, whatsoever is amiable, whatsoever is gracious, if there is any virtue, if there is any discipline worthy of praise, think on these.'

Philippians 4:8

One of my favorites.  My D-R NT says ....whatsoever holy, whatsoever lovely.... and whenever this comes to mind I think of the large and beautiful tabernacle in the center of the altar in my Byzantine church.   
ps did you really type this at 2:30 am?      

How about hymns?  My current favorite:  Of the Father's Love Begotten

1. Of the Father's love begotten
Ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega,
He the Source, the Ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been,
And that future years shall see
Evermore and evermore.

2. Oh, that birth forever blessed
When the Virgin, full of grace,
By the Holy Ghost conceiving,
Bare the Savior of our race,
And the Babe, the world's Redeemer,
First revealed His sacred face
Evermore and evermore.

3. O ye heights of heaven, adore Him;
Angel hosts, His praises sing;
Powers, dominions, bow before Him
And extol our God and King.
Let no tongue on earth be silent,
Every voice in concert ring
Evermore and evermore.

4. This is He whom Heaven-taught singers
Sang of old with one accord;
Whom the Scriptures of the prophets
Promised in their faithful word.
Now He shines, the Long-expected;
Let creation praise its Lord
Evermore and evermore.

5. Christ, to Thee, with God the Father,
And, O Holy Ghost, to Thee
Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving
And unending praises be,
Honor, glory, and dominion,
And eternal victory

by Aurelius Prudentius, Roman Christian poet, 348-413

How about hymns?  My current favorite:  Of the Father's Love Begotten

1. Of the Father's love begotten
Ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega,
He the Source, the Ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been,
And that future years shall see
Evermore and evermore.

2. Oh, that birth forever blessed
When the Virgin, full of grace,
By the Holy Ghost conceiving,
Bare the Savior of our race,
And the Babe, the world's Redeemer,
First revealed His sacred face
Evermore and evermore.

3. O ye heights of heaven, adore Him;
Angel hosts, His praises sing;
Powers, dominions, bow before Him
And extol our God and King.
Let no tongue on earth be silent,
Every voice in concert ring
Evermore and evermore.

4. This is He whom Heaven-taught singers
Sang of old with one accord;
Whom the Scriptures of the prophets
Promised in their faithful word.
Now He shines, the Long-expected;
Let creation praise its Lord
Evermore and evermore.

5. Christ, to Thee, with God the Father,
And, O Holy Ghost, to Thee
Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving
And unending praises be,
Honor, glory, and dominion,
And eternal victory

A Baptist and a Catholic were discussing the different ways their churches baptized people: total immersion or just pouring the water over the head.
        The Catholic said, "Well, just how much water do you need?   Knee  deep?"
        -- "No, more than that."
        "Waist deep?"
        -- "More."
        "Up to the chin?"
        -- "You need more water than that!"
        "Over the head?"
        -- "Yes, that's right."
        "There you go. That's where we put it!"

   

 ???I'm always wondering where the modern-day places are that have other names in scripture or lives of the saints stories (Samosata, Philempora).  Does anyone know if there is a resource I could use, like a map to show me the location?  Thanks much.  

Haha, you are a go to yourself, you know! And more every day!

There is so much I do not know about so many saints. But I am very thankful that God gave me the gift of reading and knowing them.

There are so many saints where there is so little information available about them too.

I sometimes like to especially pray to one of these. Because their presence can still touch our lives here and in a sense we get to know them even though we do not know them, and in the next life we will see.

Even more in the Byzantine church.  Today Sts Eustratius, Auxentius, Eugene, Mardarius and Orestes.  Martyrs who suffered martyrdom AD 302 at Sebaste in Armenia, under the reign of Diocletian.   

I may have been looking for info on saints, but it's possible I found you through many traditional Catholic sites I was investigating at that time.  Serendipity.     

Beautiful cathedral, beautiful prayers.  The divine liturgy is so much more sacred and supernatural than the ordinary form Roman Mass.  Been missing the quiet prayer of Latin Mass sometimes, so going there tomorrow.    World needs serious prayer right now eh? 

Hi Shin.  Thanks!  I've been so busy.  Also began attending a nearby Byzantine church and learning about them. 
There's just not enough time in the day sometimes.    

Hello!  Long time no visit, and thank you for the invitation. 
You are the quote master Shin. 

Just wanted to share this one I heard at bible study today:  Don't put off belief in God until the 11th hour.  You might die at 10:30. 
 
 
Good night! 

Hello.     I had a long painful Lent this year as I only watched TV on Sunday, but now I'm not going back to it either.  The trashiness is so obvious after you've been away for a while.  I'm fighting a Youtube habit now    but one thing I noticed there - it seems more and more people are fed up with TV!