Happy (Patristical) New Year

[John Charmley]

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I would like to wish all Monachos readers a very happy 2007 - and to wish us all plenty of time to engage in dialogue inspired by Orthodoxy and patristic study.

Hope it is a good one for you.:)


In Christ,


John

[Peter Farrington]

Dear everyone,

Yes indeed! A Happy New Year to all. And may God bless our service in which ever way He calls us. And may our conversations here always be fruitful.

Best wishes and many prayers

Peter Theodore

[M.C. Steenberg]

Indeed, a very blessed and joyful New Year to all. May I pass along the wish expressed to me by another, that the year ahead be one of spiritual consolation and joy for all.

INXC, Matthew

[Andreas Moran]

Dear All,

A very happy new year to all! But what do I mean? Orthodoxy is simple but never easy! If I'd stayed in England, I'd have celebrated both Christmas and New Year by now and would be preparing for Theophany. As it is (being in Moscow), we had a molieben for the New Year four days ago, but when I asked our parish priest here why he did that, he said he was blessing the secular new year by which we live in the world. So, I asked, would he serve a molieben for the new year on 13 January? No, he replied, the Church year begins on 1 September (13th, Old Calendar)! In the meantime, we prepare for Christmas on 7 January. My wife and I return to England on 13 January, and since we worship at the (New Calendar) monastery in Essex we shall miss Theophany.

Those who agreed to calendar changes in the 1920s have a lot to answer for!!!

In confusion, :(

Andreas.

[Peter Farrington]

I sympathise Andreas, but since my British Orthodox community often manages to celebrate Nativity and Theophany twice by playing the calendars properly I think you only have yourself to blame for your travel arrangements!

:-)

Peter

[Andreas Moran]

Ah, yes, Peter, but last night and this morning we celebrated the Feast of the Nativity in our church here in the centre of Moscow, and after that experience, I wouldn't have changed a thing!

In Christ,

Andreas.