all of creation rejoices

German Schnecke

All the creatures, not the higher creatures alone, but also the lower, according to that which each of them has received in itself from God, each one raises it’s voice in testimony to that which God is…. each one after its manner exalts God, since it has God in itself.

Saint John of the Cross



journey to Pascha

door to Great Lent

France – near the beaches of Normandy

“Repentance is the door through which we enter Lent, the starting point of our journey to Pascha.  And to repent signifies far more than self pity or futile regret over things done in the past.  The Greek term “metanoia” means “change of mind” : to repent is to be renewed, to be transformed our inward viewpoint, to attain a fresh way of looking at our relationship to God and others.”

Bishop Kallistos

The Inner Unity of the Lenten Triodion : The Triodion


zesty ginger elderberry kombucha

Fermented beverages have gained much popularity in recent years.   This is mostly due to the rediscovery of their amazing health benefits. The thing is that pre-made versions at the store shelves can be expensive

 

ready for second ferment

ready for second ferment

 

In this way, homemade versions are often easier, healthier, and more economical to make.

We began brewing our own kombucha about two years ago – mostly for monetary reasons,  We were already buying it from the store, and a 16 ounce bottle runs about $3.00… so it just became more feasible to make it at home for daily consumption.

With cold and flu season upon us, this has become one of our favorite flavors of kombucha.   Elderberry is a great remedy to prevent colds, and of course all the lemon lends a good dose of vitamin C!

Hopefully you will like it too!

[box]

Zesty Ginger Elderberry Kombucha

1 liter brewed kombucha (see recipe here)

1/2 – 1 cup dried elderberry

4 tablespoons ginger juice (if you have a juicer) or grated ginger

4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Place all ingredients into a clean mason jar and close the lid.  Because this is the second ferment, you will not need to worry that it will explode.  Let this sit for one to two days.

The color will change from tea-like to the deep purply blue of the elderberry.  Strain off the elderberry and ginger shavings and place into a bottle.

[/box]

 fresh elderberry kombucha

It should have the slightest little fizz to it.   We usually have a four to six ounce portion per day.  Sometimes I will even add a little water to it, to make it more of a kombucha-aide.

Enjoy.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

 

 

 


unshakable peace

acquire the Holy Spirit

 

“Precious to all men is peace of soul.  With those who have acquired peace of soul, the body can be in constant motion, at work, or in pain, but their souls, cleaving to God, remain always in unshakable peace.  Saint Seraphim of Sarov teaches: “We must endeavor by every means to keep peace of soul.”

Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic

Prologue 15 February



the heart of science

Great Orion Nebula and Running Man Nebula

“Scientific knowledge is divine knowledge, but when not balanced by ethics and loving wisdom, it can be disastrous. Human beings lived for tens of thousands of years as food gatherers roaming the forests of Africa. Are we sure we can survive another two hundred years with modern science, which may have landed men on the moon but which also built fifty thousand nuclear weapons that can destroy the Earth several times over? So, yes, we are in desperate need for scientists who are also saints, that is, who are free from egotistical passions and realize that their knowledge springs from divine wisdom itself.”

Kyriacos C.Markides
Inner River:
A Pilgrimage to the Heart of Christian Spirituality


bread of Life

prosphoro baked

 

 

 

And the Holy Spirit changes this offering (prosphoro) to the Body of Christ, to the Bread of Life, to living bread for all. Bread which heals hunger in a decisive manner. Bread which grants true learning and true freedom. The only true education is the learning of love. The only true freedom is the abolishment of Death, which also abolishes the fear of being deprived of everything material.

“I am the Bread of Life.” (John 6: 35)

 

Prosphoro and Artos- Communion Bread and Blessed Bread


fermentation and life

prosporo - an offering

“The prosphoro teaches us patience.  It teaches us that everything in life goes through a state of fermentation.  The Orthodox Church chooses to work with fermented products – bread and wine – and not with unleavened or unfermented.  This teaches us a lot about the mystical way in which everything in life works : with patience and in a slow, quiet, inconspicuous,  discreet way.”

from the book : Prosphoro and Artos – Communion Bread and Blessed Bread