Labor Day & First Day...

     We had a great day at Tyler Arboretum exploring the fairy/tree houses.

The fairy dresses up and poses...

Daddy & John try to be patient!

Peek!

 

 

Hey down there...

Whew, this is high!

Finally a rest.

Cheep cheep cheep...

1st day of first grade.  

Big sis off to school, why did I have to get up so early?

Happy (Ecclesiastical) New Year!

Happy (Ecclesiastical) New Year!

Time to start new, as we begin the New Year in the church. Time for renewal, get started by reading, fasting, praying, contemplating...

It should be noted that to the present day, the Church has always celebrated the beginning of the New Year on September 1. This was the custom in Constantinople until its fall in 1453 and in Russia until the reign of Peter I. September 1 is still festively celebrated as the New Year at the Patriarchate of Constantinople; among the Jews also the New Year, although reckoned according to a moveable calendar, usually falls in September. The service of the Menaion for January 1 is for our Lord's Circumcision and for the memorial of Saint Basil the Great, without any mention of its being the beginning of a new year.

Apolytikion in the Second Tone

Creator of the universe, setting times and seasons by Your sole authority, bless the cycle of the year of Your grace, O Lord, guarding our rulers and Your nation in peace, at the intercession of the Theotokos, and save us.

Kontakion in the Fourth Tone

You who created all things in Your infinite wisdom, and set the times by Your own authority, grant Your Christian people victories. Blessing our comings and goings throughout this year, guide our works according to Your divine will.

Reading courtesy of Narthex Press

Apolytikion courtesy of Narthex Press

Kontakion courtesy of Narthex Press