16 April 2011

We have published two poems by Orthodox poet Timothy Jeffries Johnson, reflecting on the liturgical and scriptural themes of these days of Passion Week and Pascha. 'Mother, Do Not Weep' is a poetic reflection on the imagery of the Ninth Ode of the Matins Canon of Great and Holy Saturday, sung before the epitaphios and tomb of Christ, in which the crucified Lord cries out to His Mother from the grave, 'Weep not for me...'. The poem 'Do Not Touch Me (Μὴ μοῦ ἅπτου)...' is a reflection on the encounter in the Garden with the risen Lord by St Mary Magdalene.