“And who is my neighbor?”

But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
Luke 10:25-37

On Halloween

"Halloween" again is upon us. The article below is by one of the Saints of our Holy Church and I believe it is worthy of your attention.

As Orthodox Christians we must carefully examine every aspect of our involvement in the world, its activities, holidays and festivals, to be certain whether or not these involvements are compatible with our Holy Orthodox Faith. For a while now everything in the outside world is reminding us that Halloween is near: at school our children are busy painting pumpkins, cutting and pasting bats, ghosts and witches and planning the ideal costume in which to go trick-or-treating.

Most of our schools, local community organizations and entertainment on television, radio and press will share in and capitalize upon the festival of Halloween. Many of us will participate in this festival by going to costume parties, or by taking our children trick-or-treating in our neighborhood after dark on October 31st. Most of us will take part in the Halloween festivities believing that it has no deeper meaning than fun and excitement for the children. Most of us do not know the historical background of the festival of Halloween and its customs.

The feast of Halloween began in pre-Christian times among the Celtic peoples of Britain, Ireland and Northern France. These pagan peoples believed that physical life was born from death. Therefore, they celebrated the beginning of the “new year” in the fall, on the eve of October 31st and into the day of November 1st, when, as they believed the season of cold, darkness, decay and death began. Instructed by their priests, the Druids, the people extinguished all hearth fires and lights and darkness prevailed.

PSALM 130

LORD, my heart is not haughty, 
nor are mine eyes lofty.
Neither have I exercised myself in great matters,
or in things too wonderful for me.

If I had not been humble minded,
but had exalted my soul,
like a child that is weaned from his mother,
so wouldest Thou have requited my soul.
Let Israel hope in the Lord,
from henceforth, and for ever.

PSALM 96

THE LORD reigneth, let the earth rejoice; 
let the multitude of isles be glad.
Clouds and darkness are round about Him; 
righteousness and judgment are the foundation of His throne.
Fire shall go before Him,
and shall burn up His enemies round about.
His lightnings shone forth throughout the world;
the earth saw, and was moved.
The mountains melted like wax at the presence of the Lord,
at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
The heavens declared His righteousness,
and all the peoples saw His glory.
Let all them be put to shame that worship graven things,
thatboast themselves of their idols.
Worship Him, all ye His angels.
Zion heard, and was glad,
and the daughters of Judah rejoiced
because of Thy judgments, O Lord.
For Thou art Lord Most High over all the earth;
Thou art exalted far above all the gods.
Ye that love the Lord, hate evil.
The Lord preserveth the souls of His saints;
He will deliver them out of the hand of the sinner.
Light is dawned for the righteous,
and gladness for the upright in heart.
Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous,
and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amin.
.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to Thee, O God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to Thee, O God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to Thee, O God.

Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amin.

Love (The only treasure)

How can I stop my tear

when about wars I hear

how can I, how can I

How can I live in a lie

when around me people die

how can I, how can I

Love, love ,love love

stop the war

love, love ,love, love

I can’t any more

love, love, love, love

the only treasure

love, love, love, love

don’t kill this pleasure

How can I feel my dreams

I’m just flying without wings

how can I, how can I

How can I walk away

like there is no other way

how can I, how can I