Valaam a Monastic Archipielago in Lake Ladoga, Russia

English-subtitled version of "Valaam, l'archipel des moines",
by François Lespes. You can buy the DVD of this film here;
http://amzn.to/174wpe4

I like this documentary! It warms the heart and gives
insight into monastic spiritual life.

Elder Paisios of Mount Athos - a Documentary

The Orthodox Way to Knowledge of God and the Place of Divine Revelation in the Life of the Christian

A Beautiful Mind - The Orthodox Way to Knowledge

Photo from the movie A Beautiful Mind with Russell Crowe

and  Jennifer Connelly

In the movie, 'A Beautiful Mind' Russell Crow brilliantly portraits the Mathematician and Noble laureate on Economics, Dr John Nash from Princeton University. Dr Nash has struggled with mental illness all his life but it did not hinder him from writing the paper which won him the Noble Prize in 1994.

Perhaps the most poignant scene of this movie is the moment when Alicia, Nash's wife, has to decide whether to stay with her husband or take their child and leave. Alicia looks at John who is sitting on the edge of the bed, and sighs, and asks him;

"You want to know what is real? And then holds his hand and touches it to her face and says, "This is real". Then Alicia says, "Maybe the part that knows the waking from the dream, maybe it isn't here (and touches John's head) maybe it is here (while touching John's hand to her heart, and then rests the palm of her hand on his). Then she exclaims, "I have to believe that something extraordinary is possible!"

I am certain that the Director, Ron Howard, is not trying to give us lessons in epistemology, (the branch of philosophy concerned with the nature, presuppositions and scope of knowledge). But I can't help watching the movie with my own Orthodox mindset and realize how accurate Alicia's instincts are.

The Apostle Paul proclaims, 

"For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6

What is knowledge, and how do we acquire it? No Western philosopher even comes close to the way the Orthodox Church answers these questions. According to Orthodox Tradition, "the source of Orthodox spiritual knowledge is divine revelation given to the Prophets, the Apostles, the Church Fathers and the Saints of every age, even to the present time, during the experience of 'theosis".(vision of the divine reality- emphases mine). Fr John Romanides

According to St Maximos the Confessor, "The soul would never be able to reach out toward the knowledge of God if God did not allow Himself to be touched by it through condescension and by raising it up to him. Indeed the human mind as such would not have the

strength to raise itself to apprehend any divine illumination did not God Himself draw it up, as far as it is possible for the human mind to be drawn, and illumine it with divine brightness". From 'Maximos Confessor Selected Writings', Chapters on Knowledge #31 p.134, Trans. by George C. Berthold, The Classics of Western Spirituality, Paulist Press New York 1985

This indeed was the experience of the Apostles,"When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, 'Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?' So they said, 'Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.' He said to them, But who do you say that I am?' Simon Peter answered and said, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. 'Jesus answered and said to him, 'Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven." Matthew 16:13-17 NKJV

During the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor, the pattern of the way to the knowledge of God was revealed in the experience of the Apostles Peter, John and James, "Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light.

And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three   tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, a bright cloud over-shadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, “ This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground and were terrified. And Jesus came to them and touched them and said, “Get up, and do not be afraid.” And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus Himself alone." Matthew 17:1-8 NASB

This experience was not to be exclusive to the three closest disciples but it became also the way in which the other disciples (who saw the Lord after the resurrection) and generations of saints have seen the Lord and have acquired the knowledge of God, for centuries, even
unto our present day.

Fr John Romanides tells us that, "When you behold God Who is Love, then faith in God and all the concepts related to faith, together with hope in God and all the concepts related to hope are set aside. The concepts are taken away, because they are replaced by the vision of the Beloved Himself. During an experience of 'theosis' or glorification, this Love is the vision of God. Then a person is glorified. He sees Christ in glory and partakes of the glory of Christ. He experiences participation in God. 

Theosis is not an ecstasy. It is not something that only the human rational faculty experiences.  During the experience of theosis, the entire man participates in this experience. Even the body participates with all its senses in normal working order. When someone sees Christ in glory, that person is completely alert. So this person does not see something in his mind. He sees with his

body as well.

When the uncreated Light becomes visible, it is much more luminous and intense than the light of the sun, and yet it is by nature different from sunlight. It is the very Light of the Transfiguration. In fact, this Light is not even light as we understand it and are familiar with it. Why not? Because the uncreated Light transcends light.

Although the saint is in a supra-natural state during an experience of theosis, he continues to mix with those around him as before. The only difference is that he does not eat, sleep, or relieve himself for the duration of this state, since his condition is above nature and his life is sustained solely by the grace of the Holy Spirit.

If this state lasts for forty days and forty nights, as it did with Moses on Mount Sinai, the person in this state does not sleep, does not grow tired, does not eat, does not drink, and so forth for so many days and so many nights."
Patristic Theology pp. 73, 74,75 by Fr John Romanides, Uncut Mountain Press 2008.

What is the place of dogma and the scriptures after the experience of revelation has taken place? What happens after the vision of Christ in glory?" Fr Sophrony of Essex who himself experienced the vision of God in Uncreated Light tells us that, "A genuine theological process has revelation 'from above' as its starting point: the intellect can only theologize on the basis of the given revelation.

In church tradition the datum of revelation is encapsulated in the form of dogma: 'The human spirit, confronted by dogma, will then look for its own ways to assimilate the gifts of divine revelation and to appropriate what they contain. This predominance of revelation in theology determines the task of theology: in fact, it is not a speculative building up of new theological systems with a more perfected logical framework, but an exposition of the datum 'from above' and an integration of the divine revelation into the categories of human experience and expression. "Theological development fundamentally has no other function than that of rendering unchangeable dogmatic truths accessible to souls by 'translating' them into a language suited to the men for whom they were intended." ( Fr Sophrony in 'La felicite de connaitre la voie' p. 25-26).  From 'I Love therefore I am' p.41-42, Nicholas V. Sakharov, SVS Press 2002

And as Fr John Romanides explains above, the direct vision of Christ in glory communicates the knowledge of God to the heart of man in a way that human language, concepts and images cannot contain or express in its fullness. The human nous (sometimes translated mind but not to be confused with the brain or reason), is the organ of the soul by which man can know God and have communion with Him. The nous knows intuitively, that is, it knows by direct immediate knowledge without the need of discourse (deductive reasoning). 'The divine initiative through revelation presupposes a personal relationship between the recipient (man) and the source of the revelation (God). Spiritual Knowledge is 'living', ontological, and personal." 'I Love therefore I am'
p.42-43

St Gregory Palamas stresses the importance of the Christian's need of purification and sanctification to acquire knowledge of God in the 'Triads' where he wrote, "One who has cleared his soul of all connection with things of this world, who has detached himself from everything by keeping the commandments and by the dispassion that this brings, and who has passed beyond all cognitive activity through continuous, sincere and immaterial prayer, and who has been abundantly illuminated by the inaccessible light in an inconceivable union, he alone, becoming light, contemplating by the light and beholding the light, in the vision and enjoyment of this light recognizes truly that God is transcendentally radiant and beyond comprehension; he glorifies God not only beyond his nous's human power of understanding, for many created things are beyond that, but even beyond that marvelous union which is the only means by which the nous is united with what is beyond intelligible things, `imitating divinely the supracelestial nouses" St Gregory Palamas *

(See Note) Quoted by Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos in his article, "Knowledge of God According to St Gregory Palamas Source

This is what the Apostle Paul means when he writes to the Church of Corinth, "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6.

As Professor Harry Boosalis explains, notice how brilliantly the Apostle connects these three things, knowledge of God, the vision of the Uncreated Light of the Glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ.

This knowledge is communicated directly and immediately to the heart of Christ's disciple who is striving to keep the commandments and purify his heart.

The Lord assures us that, "He who loves me will keep my word and my Father shall love him and we will come and dwell in him" John 14:23

"This communion in being is realized by the indwelling of God, of the Holy Spirit in man, by which man goes beyond the categories of empirical knowledge and is lifted up to the contemplation of the Divine reality. According to Father Sophrony, "Only the dwelling
in us of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit will give us authentic knowledge of God" 'I Love therefore I am" p.44-45

St Maximos the Confessor also, explains the experience of the transfiguration in a very moving way. It brings consolation and hope to us who are striving in the hope to see the Lord, "For the Lord does not always appear in glory to those who are standing before Him; rather, He comes in the form of a servant to beginners,... Thus it is possible for the Lord

not to appear in the same form to all those who meet him, but to some in one way and to others in another way, that is, by varying the contemplation (of Him) according to the measure of faith in each one." 

Maximos Confessor Selected Writings p.150

Thus we begin to understand the words of our Lord when He said, " You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life." John 5:39-40 NASB 

St Maximos, filled with the Spirit and with clear vision fully understands the meaning of the Transfiguration and the place of the Scriptures in relation to the revelation. With words that sound more like a hymn of praise than a dogmatic statement he bears witness toHim who is the Truth,

"When the Word of God becomes bright and shinning in us, and His face is dazzling as the sun, then also will His clothes be radiant, that is, the clear and distinct words of the Holy Scripture of the Gospels now no longer veiled. Then Moses and Elijah will stand beside Him, that is, the more spiritual meanings of the Law and the Prophets." Maximos Confessor Selected Writings p.150, Trans. by George C. Berthold, Paulist Press 1985

St John Chrysostoms  encourages us to read and study the scriptures while remembering that our Lord

Jesus Christ is the Revelation Himself,

"It were indeed meet for us not at all to require the aid of the written word, but to exhibit a life so pure, that the grace of the Spirit should be instead of books to our souls, and that as these are inscribed with ink, even so should our hearts be with the Spirit. But, since we have utterly put away from us this grace, come, let us at any rate embrace the second best course.

For that the former was better, God hath made manifest, both by His words, and by His doings. Since unto Noah, and unto Abraham, and unto his offspring, and unto Job, and unto Moses too, He discoursed not by writings, but Himself by Himself, finding their mind pure. But after the whole people of the Hebrews had fallen into the very pit of wickedness, then and thereafter was a written word, and tables, and the admonition which is given by these.

And this one may perceive was the case, not of the saints in the Old Testament only, but also of those in the New. For neither to the apostles did God give anything in writing, but instead of written words He promised that He would give them the grace of the Spirit: for “He,” saith our Lord, “shall bring all things to your remembrance.”

And that thou mayest learn that this was far better, hear what He saith by the Prophet: “I will make a new covenant with you, putting my laws into their mind, and in their heart I will write them,” and, 'they shall be all taught of God.” And Paul too, pointing out the same superiority, said, that they had received a law “not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.'

But since in process of time they made shipwreck, some with regard to doctrines, others as to life and manners, there was again need that they should be put in remembrance by the written word. Reflect then how great an evil it is for us, who ought to live so purely as not even to need written words, but to yield up our hearts, as books, to the Spirit; now that we have lost that honor, and are come to have need of these, to fail again in duly employing even this second remedy.
For if it be a blame to stand in need of written words, and not to have brought down on ourselves the grace of the Spirit; consider how heavy the charge of not choosing to profit even after this assistance, but rather treating what is written with neglect, as if it were cast forth without purpose, and at random, and so bringing down upon ourselves our punishment with increase.

But that no such effect may ensue, let us give strict heed unto the things that are written; and let us learn how the Old Law was given on the one hand, how on the other the New Covenant." Homily 1 from the Homilies on the Gospel of St. Matthew Source

With compunction of heart we must entreat our Lord Jesus Christ and pray,

"Sanctify me by your mysteries, illumine my mind with knowledge of you, cause your hope to shine forth in my heart, deem me worthy to supplicate for it, God my Father and Lord of my life; illumine your lamp within me, place in me what belongs to you so that I may forget what belongs to myself.

Cast upon me the constraint of wonder at you, so that the constraint of nature may be overpowered by it. Stir upon within me the vision of your mysteries so that I may become aware of what was placed in me at holy baptism. 

You have placed within me a guide: may he show me your glory at all times. You made me to be light and salt for the world: may I not prove a stumbling-block for my companions.

Seeing that I have left the world, may I never again look back to it and to the things which I renounced when I made my promise to you.

Cast reigns of delight upon my heart, so that my senses may not gaze beyond the paths of your law. Rig together my impulses for the ship of repentance, so that in it I may exult as I travel over the world's sea until I reach the haven of your hope.

When I am tempted, may my mind take courage from the recollection of you. Illumine the dark path before me by the brilliance that comes from awareness of you," St Isaac the Syrian The Prayers of St Isaac the Syrian p.16, Trans. by Sebastian Brock, Divine Ascent

Press 2011.

*Note
Dr Christopher Veniamin, in his Notes to the Homilies
of St Gregory Palamas, p. 533 n.26 writes,

"We should point out here that in the theology of St Gregory Palamas, as in the case with the Patristic tradition more widely, there is no room for an 'analogy of being' (analogia entis), and thus also for a 'natural theology', that is to say, he does not believe that we may come to a knowledge of God through knowledge of creation. According to St. Gregory, knowledge of God can only be attained by divine revelation, which means through direct and unmediated communion with God Himself. The natural theology of the post-Augustinian western theological tradition, therefore, which claims that knowledge of God is obtainable by reason alone, is not to be confused with 'natural contemplation, (φυσικη θεωρια), which is found in the Fathers, and which refers to the spiritual vision of creation made possible only by the grace of the Holy Spirit. And in Note 27 Dr Veniamin adds, "...On the deeper spiritual level, when man is illumined by the grace of the Holy Spirit - and so sees created things spiritually and not merely according to the senses- he is able to discern that the whole creation is ordered and bound together in the divine Logos (the Word of God, our Lord Jesus Christ).

Saint Gregory Palamas The Homilies, edited and translated from the original Greek by Dr. Christopher Veniamin, Mount Thabor Publishing 2009

See also, "Double Knowledge according to St Gregory Palamas by Dr. Π. Κ. Χρήστου (P. Christou)
Από: Π. Κ. Χρήστου, Θεολογικά Μελετήματα, τ. 3 (Νηπτικά και Ησυχαστικά), Θεσσαλονίκη 1977

Finding the place of the Heart by Metropolitan Kallistos Ware (Audio only)

Audio recording only, featuring a montage of pictures from
the event. Source:Institute of Orthodox Christian Studies, Cambridge
University, U.K.

St Basil of Ostrog Monastery in Montenegro

There are no English subtitles for this video yet but you
will be able to see the upper and lower monasteries, the
upper church where the relics are kept and the pilgrim's
area. The monastery was carved on the rock and it stands
on a high mountain side. 

The Monastery of St Basil of Ostrog

Entrance to the Upper Church where the relics of St Basil are 
venerated. The white facade at the end of the stairway is
the monastery itself. 

I went in pilgrimage to this monastery in 2006. It dates
from the 17th century. The relics of its founder and bishop,
St Basil are venerated in the upper section of the monastic
enclosure. The lower section, a small distance below, has a
modern temple where the Divine Liturgy is served for
pilgrims and the faithful. We arrived at Ostrog on Saturday
afternoon after travelling for over 15 hours.  The tour guide
happened to have a brother who is a hieromonk in the 
monastery and she made arrangements so I could do 
confession that evening.

After confession I had the blessing of laying down under the
relics of St Basil while the priest read prayers for my health.
I also had the rare privilege of being allowed to attend the
liturgy at the upper church, while standing just a few steps
away from the relics of the saint. St Basil is a great wonder-
worker and each year over one hundred thousand pilgrims
visit this holy place.

I was able to join this group in a miraculous way. There were
no more seats available when I called, just 2 days before the
trip, to make my reservation. But I showed up at the terminal
anyway. Just a few minutes before departing, someone
cancelled and the tour guide let me in. She latter told me that
she took one look at me and felt compelled to give me the seat
in-spite of the fact that there were more important people
(clergy) than myself waiting in line. 

On the road up to the monastery of Ostrog. I took this photo
from the bus.

It takes over half an hour to drive up to the monastic enclosure
from the city below. The view is breathtaking. We spent the
night under the stars, sleeping on blankets. But I tell you, no 
hotel bed has given me more comfort that the blankets I used
to wrap myself with while sleeping on the yard. All the pilgrims
were together, covered with thick blankets. I could hear the soft
murmuring of deep felt prayer throughout the night. It was very
cold that night but we were warm with the warmth of Grace and
the hopeful expectation of a miracle. I received my miracle, the
assurance in my heart that God is in control of my circumstances
and that I am safe in His arms.  I will never forget this pilgrimage.

Entrance to the Lower Monastery

Metropolitan Hilarion (ROCOR) celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Mission of St. John of the Ladder, Puerto Rico

The city of San German, Puerto Rico

My heart is filled with gladness! Finally, there is a serious
Orthodox presence in my homeland, the Island of St. John
the Baptist of Puerto Rico, my beloved Borinquen (Spanish
transliteration of the Taino language, Boriken).
Established as a Spanish colony at the end of the 15th century,
it has always been a very strong Roman Catholic nation. But
according to the inscrutable providence of God, the field is now
ready for harvest.

!Gloria a Dios!


"November 13, 2013

From the website  of the Eastern American Diocese of the 
Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia
San German, PR: Metropolitan Hilarion celebrated the
Divine Liturgy in the Mission of St. John of the Ladder

On Sunday, November 10, during his Archpastoral visit
to Puerto Rico, the First Hierarch of the Russian Church
Abroad celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Mission of
St. John of the Ladder(San Juan Climaco) in San German.

The small church was filled with parishioners and many
local non-Orthodox people who were invited to come to
the parish and experience an Orthodox Liturgy for the
first time. "Orthodoxy is not very well known here,"
said Archpriest John Moses. "The purpose of this
weekend was to introduce the locals to Orthodoxy, and
I think that it went really well."

His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion, was co-served by
Archpriest Juan Carlos Rios (rector of Holy Protection
Mission in Kissimmee, FL), Archimandrite Maximos
(Weimar; abbot of Holy Cross Monastery in East
Setauket, NY), and Archimandrite Nektarios (Harding;
cleric of Holy Protection Mission), Fr. John Moses, parish
rector Priest Gregorio Justiniano, Hieromonk Silouan
(Justiniano; cleric of Holy Cross Monastery in Setauket),
and Hieromonk Tikhon (Gayfudinov; Metropolitan
Hilarion’s cell attendant).

During the Sixth Hour, the Metropolitan tonsured
Seraphim Justiniano to the rank of reader. Seraphim is
the son of Fr. Gregorio and has also been the parish’s
chanter for several years, faithfully singing the services
in Spanish.

During the Little Entrance, Fr. Gregorio was awarded
the kamilavka for his dedicated service to the Holy Church,
especially in his homeland of Puerto Rico.

Fr. Juan delivered a sermon after the reading of the Gospel,
in which he called upon the faithful to follow the example of
the Holy Apostles, whom the Lord commanded: "Go ye into
all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature"
(Mark 16:15).



Upon completion of the Eucharist, His Eminence ordained
Subdeacon Isidoro Valle, a native Puerto Rican, to the
diaconate. The newly ordained Deacon Isidoro will fulfill his
service at Holy Protection Mission in Kissimmee, FL.

The Divine Liturgy was served primarily in Spanish, with
some English. Metropolitan Hilarion pronounced several
exclamations in Spanish and performed most of the Eucharist
in Spanish. Many of the local faithful were touched by His
Eminence’s special effort to reach out to them in their own
tongue. "It was a very important thing for me to hear the
Metropolitan serving in my language. It made me feel
respected," said Fr. Isidoro. "I spoke to some of the people
who were not Orthodox and they were very much impressed
by this – ‘He came and spoke to us in our own language,’ this
is all that you heard them saying."

After the Divine Liturgy, the First Hierarch greeted the parish
community and expressed his sincere joy at visiting Puerto Rico.
His Eminence especially greeted all of the visitors who came to
an Orthodox service for the first time, encouraging them to
return and discover more about the True Faith of the Apostles.
He also congratulated Fr. Gregorio on his well-deserved award
and wished him renewed spiritual strength to continue his
salvific missionary labors on the island.

In turn, Fr. Gregorio thanked his ruling bishop for taking the
time to visit Puerto Rico and spiritually fortify his flock, that they
might remain steadfast in their faith and attract others to
Orthodoxy.

A diocesan Gramota was awarded to Fr. John and Matushka
Alexandra Moses for their exemplary work with the Volunteers
in Mission (VIM) Program. Fr. John led a group of volunteers
who spent a week helping the mission prepare for the
Metropolitan’s visit.

This was the fourth work trip organized by VIM since its
conception in 2011. All of the members who participated in the
VIM project in Puerto Rico were awarded Certificates of
Appreciation from the First Hierarch.

A fiesta was organized on the grounds of the mission, featuring
native Puerto Rican music and cuisine. The purpose of the fiesta
was to introduce the Puerto Rican people, specifically those living

in San German, to Orthodoxy. "We wanted to show the people of
my community that our Church is a free Church," said Fr. Gregorio.
"We can share music, art, and cuisine without sinning. The
Protestant denominations in Puerto Rico teach the people that
having a glass of wine or listening to secular music is a sin. One of
the most beautiful things about Orthodoxy is that we believe in
freedom, which has been given to us by God. The Orthodox Faith
does not look down upon the local culture, but instead it embraces it."

Metropolitan Hilarion remained in San German until the following
day before continuing to the country’s capital city of San Juan,
where he will remain until his departure on Wednesday,
November 13."

St John of the Ladder Orthodox Mission. The Church's Grounds 

The Tree of Jesse - Daily Orthodox Readings and Crafts for the Family for Each Day of Advent and the Twelve Days of Christmas

Root of Jesse - 16th c. Michael Damaskinos

Icon from Uncut Mountain Supply

A great activity for the whole family during Advent is called the Tree of Jesse. It includes the whole family both adults and children.

A passage from the scriptures is read every day and an ornament is placed on a tree (a real Christmas tree or an artificial one placed in the living room; or a tapestry on the wall) for each one of the stories read. The Tree of Jesse symbolizes all the ancestors of Christ and the events that culminated with the coming of the Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ.

It is wonderful to sit with the family in front of the fireplace, early in the evening and read each one of the stories. The children get really excited about hanging the ornaments
which can be home made or purchased in Amazon.com and other websites. Below is the list of readings for each day of Advent which are linked to the readings themselves. Between parentheses you will see the name of the ornament for that day.

Below the list I embedded a video that explains the activity. The readings in the list posted here are from the Antiochian Archdiocese's website, 

Tree of Jesse with Readings for each day of Advent
 and the Twelve Days of Christmas
From the Antioch Archdiocese Website

Nov 15 Day 1: The Creation of the World (sun)                 
                Genesis 1-2:4

Nov 16 Day 2: Creation of Man (2 people)
                 Genesis 2:4-25

Nov 17 Day 3: Expulsion from Paradise (fruit)
                 Genesis 3:1-24

Nov 18 Day 4: Noah (rainbow)
                 Genesis 6:9-22
                 Genesis chapters 7 and 8

Nov 19 Day 5: Abraham (constellation of stars)
                 Genesis 12:1-7; 15:1-6; 17:1-9

Nov 20 Day 6: Sacrifice of Isaac (altar)
                 Genesis 22:1-18

Nov 21 Day 7: Jacob’s Ladder (ladder)
                 Genesis 28:10-17

Nov 22 Day 8: Joseph and his Brothers (Coat of many colors)
                 Genesis 37:3-35

Nov 23 Day 9: Joseph’s Elevation (cow)
                Genesis 41,42,43,45:1-16

Nov 24 Day 10: Israel’s Blessing for Judah (lion)
               Genesis 49:1-2, 8-12

Nov 25 Day 11: Infant Moses (Basket)
              Exodus 1:8-22; 2:1-10

Nov 26 Day 12: Moses and the Burning Bush (Burning bush)
              Exodus 3:1-20

Nov 27 Day 13: Plagues (frog)
              Exodus 6:29- 7:16; 7:14-8:15; 11:1; 12:1-13, 28-32

Nov 28 Day 14: Israel passes through the Red Sea (parted sea)
              Exodus 13:20-22; 14:1-31; 15:1-19

Nov 29 Day 15: Water in the Wilderness (staff)
                Exodus 15:20-16:1;17:1-7

Nov 30 Day 16: Commandments (stone tablets)
               Exodus 24:12-18

Dec 1    Day 17: Ruth (Shock of Wheat)
               Ruth chapters 1-4

Dec 2    Day 18: Birth of Samuel (Horn)
              1 Samuel 1:1-2:10

Dec 3   Day 19: Samuel & Eli (Lamp)
              1 Samuel 3:1-20

Dec 4  Day 20: David the Anointed King (sheep)
              1 Samuel 16:1-13

Dec 5  Day 21: David & Goliath (slingshot)
             1 Samuel 17:1-11; 17:32-54

Dec 6  Day 22: David the Psalmist (footstool)
              Psalm 110

Dec 7  Day 23: King Solomon (crown)
              1 Kings 1:32-40; 2:1-4,10,12; 3:5-14

Dec 8  Day 24: Elias the Prophet (burning Rock)
              1 Kings 18;19;2 Kings 2:1-14

Dec 9  Day 25: Jonah the Prophet (whale)
               Jonah 1-4:11

Dec 10 Day 26: Tobias (fish)
              Tobit 5-9:6; 11:2-19; 12:6; 12:11-22

Dec 11 Day 27: Emmanuel (scroll)
              Isaiah 7:10-16; 8:1-4,8-10

Dec 12 Day 28: Rejoicing Foretold (Throne)
              Isaiah 9:6-7; 11:1-10                 

Dec 13 Day 29: Visits of Kings Foretold (Kings with camels)
              Isaiah 60:1-7

Dec 14 Day 30: Daniel (stone smashing a statue)
              Daniel 2:31-36,44-45

Dec 15 Day 31: 3 Holy Youths (flames)
              Daniel 3:1-88

Dec 16 Day 32: God’s Dwelling (Ark of the Temple)
              Exodus 40; 1 Kings 8

Dec 17 Day 33: Prayer of Avvacum the Prophet (Mountain w/ a large cave- the stable) 
             Habakkuk 3:2-19
                              

Dec 18 Day 34: Wisdom, Word and Power of God (open book)
             Baruch 3:36-38; 4:1-4

Dec 19 Day 35: Birth & Star Foretold (Star of David)
              Micah 5:1-4

Dec 20 Day 36: Zachariah (Censer )
              Luke 1: 5-25

Dec 21 Day 37: Announcement (Angel)
              Luke 1:26-38

Dec 22 Day 38: Visitation (Mary)
              Luke 1:39-56

Dec 23 Day 39: Joseph the Betrothed (Joseph)
              Matthew 1

Dec 24 Day 40: Journey to Bethlehem (Manger)
              Luke 2:1-5

Twelve Days of Christmas

Dec 25 Day 1: Nativity (Infant Jesus)
              Luke 2:6-7

Dec 26 Day 2: Light of the World (Radiant Light)
              John 1:1-5,10-14

Dec 27 Day 3: Announcement (Angel w/ Trumpet)
             Luke 2:8-14

Dec 28 Day 4: Shepherds Prepare (Standing Shepherd)
              Luke 2:15

Dec 29 Day 5: Shepherds Visit (Kneeling Shepherd)
             Luke 2:16-20

Dec 30 Day 6: Star of Bethlehem (Star)
             Matthew 2:1-2

Dec 31 Day 7: Wise Men Visit Herod
             Matthew 2:3-7

Jan 1  Day 8: Naming of Jesus (Jesus Banner)
             Luke 2:20-21; Genesis 17:1-14

Jan 2  Day 9: Visit of the Wise Men
            Matthew 2:9-12

Jan 3  Day 10: Flight to Egypt (Sword)
            Matthew 2:13-23

Jan 4  Day 11: Song of Zachariah (dove)
           Luke 1:57-64; 1:67-80

Jan 5  Day 12: Baptist John (Sandal)
           Luke 3:1-22