It was almost nightfall. The whole day: rain, torrents of rain.
Drenched to the bone, I arrived in a little Calabrian village. I had to
find a hearth where I could dry out, a corner where I could sleep. The
streets were deserted, the doors bolted. The dogs were the only ones to
scent the stranger's breath; they began to bark from within the
courtyards. The peasants in this region are wild and misanthropic,
suspicious of strangers. I hesitated at every door, extended my hand,
but did not dare to knock.
O for my late grandfather in Crete who took his lantern each evening
and made the rounds of the village to see if any stranger had come. He
would take him home, feed him, give him a bed for the night, and then in
the morning see him off with a cup of wine and a slice of bread. Here
in the Calabrian villages there were no such grandfathers.
Suddenly I saw an open door at the edge of the village. Inclining my
head, I looked in: a murky corridor with a lighted fire at the far end
and an old lady bent over it. She seemed to be cooking. Not a sound,
nothing but the burning wood. It was fragrant; it must have been fine. I
crossed the threshold and entered, bumping against a long table which
stood in the middle of the room. Finally, I reached the fire and sat
down on a stool which I found in front of the hearth. The old lady was
squatting on another stool, stirring the meal with a wooden spoon. I
felt that she eyed me rapidly, without turning. But she said nothing.
Taking off my jacket, I began to dry it. I sensed happiness rising in me
like warmth, from my feet to my shins, my thighs, my breast. Hungrily,
avidly, I inhaled the fragrance of the steam rising from the pot. The
meal must have been baked beans; the aroma was overwhelming. Once more I
realized to what an extent earthly happiness is made to the measure of
man. It is not a rare bird which we must pursue at one moment in heaven,
at the next in our minds. Happiness is a domestic bird in our own
courtyards.
As soon as we finished, she prepared a bed for me on a bench to the
right of the table. I lay down, and she lay down on the other bench
opposite me. Outside the rain was falling by the bucketful. For a
considerable time I heard the water cackle on the roof, mixed with the
old lady's calm, quiet breathing. She must have been tired, for she fell
asleep the moment she inclined her head. Little by little, with the
rain and the old lady's respiration, I too slipped into sleep. When I
awoke, I saw daylight peering through the cracks in the door.
The old lady had already risen and placed a saucepan on the fire to
prepare the morning milk. I looked at her now in the sparse daylight.
Shriveled and hump, she could fit into the palm of your hand. Her legs
were so swollen that she had to stop at every step and catch her breath.
But her eyes, only her large, pitch-black eyes, gleamed with youthful,
unaging brilliance. How beautiful she must have been in her youth, I
thought to myself, cursing man's fate, his inevitable deterioration.
Sitting down opposite each other again, we drank the milk. Then I rose
and slung my carpetbag over my shoulder. I took out my wallet, but the
old lady colored deeply.
"No, no," she murmured, extending her hand.
As I looked at her in astonishment, the whole of her bewrinkled face suddenly gleamed. "Goodbye, and God bless you," she said. "May the Lord repay you for
the good you've done me. Since my husband died I've never slept so
well."
The Atheist and the Lion - Paulo Coelho
An atheist is going through a forest in Africa, filled with admiration for everything created by that “accident of evolution”.
“But what majestic trees! What powerful rivers! What beautiful
animals! And all this happened by chance, without anyone interfering!
Only the weak and ignorant, afraid they cannot explain their own lives
and the universe, feel the need to attribute all these marvels to a
superior entity!”
There is a noise in the bushes behind him; a lion is about to pounce on him. He tries to flee, but the animal knocks him over.
With nothing else to lose, he shouts out: “My God!”
And a miracle happens: time stops, the atmosphere is drenched in a strange light, and a voice is heard:
“What do you want? You have denied my existence for all these years, you
have taught others that I do not exist, and you reduced Creation to a
“cosmic accident”.
Quite confused, the man exclaims:
“It would be hypocritical of me to change my mind just because I am
about to die. All my life I have preached that You do not exist.”
“So, what do you expect me to do?”
The atheist reflected for a moment, knowing that the discussion could not last forever. Finally he says:
“I can’t change, but the lion can. So, I ask the Lord to change this wild, murderous beast into a Christian animal!”
Right there and then, the light disappears, the birds in the forest renew their singing, and the river begins to flow again.
The lion climbs off the man, pauses, lowers its head, and says very earnestly: “Lord, I am ever so grateful for Your generosity, for this food that I am about to eat…”
The laudry is not very clean - Paulo Coelho
A young couple moves into a new neighborhood. The next morning while
they are eating breakfast, the young woman sees her neighbor hanging the
wash outside.
“That laundry is not very clean; she doesn’t know how to wash correctly. Perhaps she needs better laundry soap.”
Her husband looks on, remaining silent. Every time her neighbor hangs her wash to dry, the young woman makes the same comments.
A month later, the woman is surprised to see a nice clean wash on the line and says to her husband:
“Look, she’s finally learned how to wash correctly. I wonder who taught her this? ”
The husband replies, “I got up early this morning and cleaned our windows.”
And so it is with life… What we see when watching others depends on the clarity of the window through which we look
Malankara Orthodox wedding songs are wonderful to the ears and carries huge wealth of wisdom. The lyrics of all the songs are mind blowing.
Here is a list of all Malankara Orthodox wedding songs with Manglish transliteration and meaning of the songs in English. You can also watch the videos of the song.
Translation :
The Sacred and clean Holy Church was betrothed to the heavenly bridegroom. Simon and John were exhorted and commissioned by the Lord: Simon to safe keep the house and John to the Gospel. The Lord exhorted them again that, this church that I bought with mine one precious blood, you keep safe. Be not disturbed, O faithful Church, and let not your mind be moved for he has not forsaken you. When the world comes to an end, and the sky and earth pass away, no harm shall befall you for your throne has been firmly established in the mansions of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Daughter of Gentiles, thou art - fairest of da-msels
Extollest thee, Solomon, King O Sacred Church
Lo! from thy lips drops sweet honey comb
Spring flowers blush - at thy fragrance sweet
Holy Church, fairest of all, spotless, chaste a-rt Thou!
Thou art always guarded by Christ our Great King, for
Halleluiah - Thou worship His † Cross.Barekmor.
Birds singing at dawn adore - Almighty Highest
Singers wing’d are joined by Church with her hymn-s– sweet
Carrying harp - of David renowned
She sings along - with thy angels
With a lyre of hundred and fifty strings she plays
Adores and entreats her Lord - that His mercy shall
Halleluiah - spread through all the world.
Shielded am I by fortress - three, cries out the Church
Evil one who deceiveth – can never get inside
Those three are bonded well together
Little room is left between these forts
† Father, Son and Holy Ghost, Sacred Trinity
Glorious like a bride I stand – secure within forts
Halleluiah ou Halleluiah
Church am I, the holy Church
Bride of Heavenly- Bridegroom
Holy Church thus speaketh, “who
Is my groom! Blessed am I
Worship I my groom who came
And was betrothed to me”
“That day I was betrothed
Veil’d me anon nobleness
Creatures were all astounded
Dressed in glory, great am I!
Armour spiritual put on
Me, by holy baptism
His sacred Body and blood
Adorn my finger as ring
Traversing ways hazardous
Daring robbers on-the way
Came I to River Jordan
Seeking him among-people
Bespoke one of them – around
Closely I listened to him
“This virgin’s groom lies thither
Crucified on Golgotha"
Overcome with grief, waiting
I reached Zion to see him
“He was entombed by the Jews"
People there apprised me thus
Laying my head on-the tree
I cried and cried out my heart
Angel thus spoke unto me
“He rose from the dead, cry not"
“O fair one, welcome to thee
By the † cross I betrothed
To my Father do I go
And Holy Spirit shall send"
Blessed be He who has gladdened the heavenly coasts and has filled the dwellers on earth with joy. O merciful Christ, grant rejoicing to the congregation of your worshippers. O savior, stretch out Your right hand and bless by your grace the rings which the priest give in Your Holy Name. O Bridegroom, Who has betrothed the church to Himself and crowned her His truth, bless O Lord, the bridegrooms and the brides by the abundance of Your loving kindness. Tamar truly was rescued from death by the King. We may so receive remission of debts and sins.
upamakalal slemon chonnan evam charumughi param nee slaghikkum nin priyanevan en nadhan pathinayiram athil uthamanam than poonkavan isarayel shubran yakobin lathayil rakthan nardeen thailathil mrudhulan lebanon karagilil parkkilivan daiva saman vishruthanam evane naam vazhtheedunnu.
Transalation :
Glad tidings my heart overfloweth Halleluiah Sayeth that I shall serve my king Poureth He grace upon Thy lips Halleluaih Almighty has blessed thee forever.
Solomon, speaking through - parables O, fair one! - who is thy – beloved that thou adoreth? My dear one - chosen from ten of thousands Israel, garden His own Whiter than vine of Jacob Ruddier than oil Nardin High in Lebanon’s cedar Reckon Him - Godly one We do worship Him – who is all - renowned
6. Aadima Neethinjare
Lyrics: Aadima neetheenjare vazhthiya Deivam than bahu krupayal Ee Dasare vazhthette + deva deya cheitheedaname (Aloho dh'barek lakeenay khadhmoye haw dh'barek Ee daasare vazhathate deva deya cheithedename )
Havayod Adamine vazhthiya Deivam than bahu krupayal Ee Dasare vazhthette + deva deya cheitheedaname
Sarayod Abaramine vazhthiya Deivam than bahu krupayal Ee Dasare vazhthette + deva deya cheitheedaname
Rafkayod Isahaa kkine vazhthiya Deivam than bahu krupayal Ee Dasare vazhthette deva + deya cheitheedaname
Raahelodu Yaakobine vazhthiya Deivam than bahu krupayal Ee Dasare vazhthette deva + deya cheitheedaname Barekumor
Shubaho...Menolam...
Mesrenil Yauseppine vazhthiya Deivam than bahu krupayal Ee Dasare vazhthette deva + deya cheitheedaname...Moreo
Translation:
By the grace of God who blessed the first righteous people let Him bless his slaves(this couple),Bless them(this couple),lord.
By the grace of God who blessed Eve and/with Adam let Him bless his slaves(this couple),Bless them,lord
By the grace of God who blessed Sara and/with Abraham let Him bless his slaves(this couple),Bless them,lord
By the grace of God who blessed Rafka and/with Isaac let Him bless his slaves(this couple),Bless them,lord
By the grace of God who blessed Rahael and/with Jacob let Him bless his slaves(this couple),Bless them,lord
Transalation : Open Thy door full of mercy, Lord! Unto us- Thou hear our pray’r and have mercy upon our souls.
† Bless Son of God, with Thy right hand, these Thy children And also these gracious crowns adorning their heads.
Call this couple by their names and shower graces † Thy presence they enjoy in that world of glory!
Entreaties of Blessed Mary and all Thy Saints May please you Lord and sanctify † all these people.
† Bless the lips of these Thy people, O my Lord God That on the harp they may praise and glorify thee
Lord, who hearkens unto our prayers and pleas Accept all these supplications and have mercy
7. Modikkatte param nadha :
Lyrics:
Modikkatte param nadha! Halleluah o hale Nin shakthiyilum rekshayilum nrupathi Nallavaram nee mumberavaneki... Hale o hale Mahimavin mudi choodi thalayil... Barekumor Shubaho...Men olam... Manavaraye mel swargathil Sabhaye nin kaandan sthapichan Vagdatham pol swarge mevum Sulthonenmar haileyarkkosivarekkal Ninne melakki
Transalation :
O Lord made the king rejoice – Hal...Hal... In Thy power a-nd salvation Granted Thou his own heart’s d-esire - Hal... Hal... Crown of glory set - - on his head...Barekmor ...
Bridegroom thine blessed Church Setteth thy chamber high above Seated art thou as He promised High up above Saleetho-no- - s- Hailawos angel is in Heaven!
" In my soul I feel Just that terrible pain of loss - Of God not wanting me - Of God not being God - Of God not existing " . Would anyone believe if these words were put together by Saint Mother Teresa. Yes it Was !!
" If You only knew what darkness I am plunged into " - Words poured out by Saint Therese of Lisieux .
This period of darkness experienced by some of the saints is called the "Dark Night of the Soul" . St.Paul of the Cross also passed through this period in his life. Mystically Mother Teresa Went through this period till the end of her life. A time when a person feels completely abandoned by God, which makes even the most stringent believers doubt the presence of God is called as the Dark night of the Soul.
Saint George famously know as Geevarghese Sahada amongst the orthodox syrian christians in India was a soldier under Diocletian . He is one of the most famous military saints. He is a martyr and one of the fourteen Holy helpers.
Photos and Pics of St George normally shows him killing a huge dragon to rescue a beautiful lady . Dragon depicts Evil and the Beautiful lady represents God's Holy Truth
Saint George was Diocletian's Favourite soldier (Diocletian was a Roman Emperor who hated Christianity). Diocletian was very cruel to Christians and repeatedly tortured them. St George was brave, and without fear of death,he stood against Diocletian . Shortly he gave up his position in the Roman army and later he was tortured and beheaded for being a brave Christian.
CHANDANAPALLY St. GEORGE'S ORTHODOX CHURCH
The Mortal remains of St.Geevarghese sahada was received from H.H Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews II ( Catholica Bava ) and kept in Chandanapally church. St. George's Church in Chandanapally is one of the biggest church in south India and its located in Pathanamthitta district in the state of Kerala.
It was not before May 25, 1802 where many came to know about St.Philomena. On that day, ancient Catacomb of St. Priscilla in Rome was excavated and a tomb was found which was very well preserved and sealed with terr-cotta slabs, symbolizing a tomb for great martyr.The tomb had three words inscribed on it,. One word on each tile :: LUMENA- PAXTE- CUMFI . If the first tile was placed last, then it read paxtecum filumena which means "Peace be with you Philomena".
Image of the ancient Catacomb of St Priscilla, Rome.Inside the Horizontal burial cavity bodies were placed and on the outside it was covered with slabs with inscription on it .The slabs used and the inscriptions spoke a lot about the buried person.
The slab covering the tomb of ST Philomena had four symbols on it ::
Anchor - Symbolizes stability in one's hope.
Lily- Symbolizes a pure virgin.(white lily is often associated with virgin Mary,Mother of God)
Lance and Arrows - Symbolizes that the person was martyred.
Inside the coffin they found the mortal remains of a 14 year old girl ,along with it was a vial with dried blood in it. On August 10,1805 a Neapolitan priest, Don Francesco di Lucia received the Relics of ST Philomena to enshrine in his church at Mugnano, near Naples(Italy). Soon after Miracles started Pouring in.
Miracles of ST Philomena
A Mother of a blind child took some oil from the lamp burning besides the tomb of ST Philomena and rubbed it against the eyes of the child and the child regained his lost vision.
A lady had a cancerous wound on her head.The Doctors decided to operate. On the day before the day of the operation relics of ST Philomena was brought to her and was placed on her head and miraculously the wound was healed.
A woman from France was healed from a life threatening illness at the shrine of ST Philomena.
Story of ST Philomena
ST Philomena revealed her story to three persons who never knew each other and lived in different parts of the world. Astonishingly all the three had identical revelations.
Philomena's Parents were rulers of a Greek state. They believed in foreign God's and they longed desperately for a child but all was in vain. It was only after their conversion to Christianity they were blessed with a child and they named her Philomena "Daughter of Light".
When She was thirteen years old, her father was threatened by the Emperor of Rome, Diocletian, for an Unjust war. Her father took Philomena also with him to meet the Emperor . When Diocletian saw Philomena he was impressed by her beauty and wanted to marry her.But She rejected him and said that she had vowed to give herself to the almighty. On being rejected Diocletian started becoming Inhuman towards her . He had her Chained in dungeons and was very badly tortured. Seeing her badly wounded Diocletian again offered to marry her and said that he would make her the princess,hoping that she would have changed her mind. But she again rejected.
Diocletian ordered his soldiers to throw her into a river with an anchor tied on her neck. But to everybody's surprise she survived. She was again thrown into the river but she again survived. Then Diocletian tried to kill her with arrows but again failed. Seeing all this miracles people started believing in Jesus and accepted Christianity. Seeing this the Emperor became furious and had her beheaded.
The statue of Saint Philomena in the Ars Shrine, France
ST Philomena is Nicknamed as "The Wonder worker" because of all the glorious miracles in her name.
