On August 24th, the Church celebrates St. Bartholomew, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus according to the New Testament. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke each mention Bartholomew by name (Matt. 10:13, Mark 3:18, Luke 6:14). In the Gospel of John, he is called Nathanael (John 1:43-44) and initially asks “Can anything good…
The Liturgical Home: The Feast of St. Mary the Virgin
On August 15th, Christians worldwide celebrate the Feast of St. Mary the Virgin, Mother of Our Lord, honoring the remarkable life of the mother of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It is a joyous occasion filled with reverence, thanksgiving, and reflection on Mary’s profound role in the salvation story. The Life of St. Mary The life…
The Liturgical Home: The Feast of the Transfiguration
The Feast of the Transfiguration, celebrated on August 6th, is a momentous event in the life of Christ and the Christian tradition. It holds profound significance as it reveals a glimpse of the divine glory of Jesus Christ. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke all recount the Transfiguration. In these accounts, Jesus, accompanied by…
The Liturgical Home: The Feast of St. James the Elder
The Feast of St. James the Elder on July 25th is a special occasion to honor the life and legacy of this beloved apostle. Two apostles and three total New Testament saints are named James. Therefore, the Church uses the title “Saint James the Elder” or “Saint James the Great” to distinguish this James, the…
The Liturgical Home: The Feast of St. Mary Magdalene
The Church will celebrate the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene on July 22nd. Mary Magdalene, known as the “Apostle to the Apostles,” holds a special place in Christian history. Her humble faith and love for Jesus have made her an enduring symbol of devotion. All four Gospels mention her, and she plays a significant role…
The Liturgical Home: The Nativity of John the Baptist
The Nativity of John the Baptist, celebrated on June 24th and also known as the Summer Christmas, Nativity of the Forerunner, or Johnmas (I love that one!), is the special day we commemorate John the Baptist’s birth. It was once a highly celebrated feast day, though it doesn’t receive the recognition it once did, which…
The Liturgical Home: Learning Pysanky Eggs From Ukrainian Refugees
I’d always loved seeing photos of Ukrainian Pysanky eggs. Now, through Ukrainian refugees who found a home at our church, I’ve learned how to make them! In this article I share my story, the history of Pysanky, and a recipe so you can make them too. Ukrainian Refugees and Pysanky Eggs One Sunday I showed…
Christ is Risen! A Guide to the Easter Greeting
From the first Easter morning to the present day, Christians around the world have hailed each other with the Easter Greeting: Alleluia! Christ is Risen! The Lord is Risen Indeed! Alleluia! Jesus Christ is not dead, he is alive! Through his miraculous resurrection, sin and death have been defeated, and we have been reconciled to…
The Liturgical Home: Easter and Our Passover Lamb
One Easter symbol that often goes overlooked is the lamb. When I would see little stuffed lambs in the Easter section of our local store, I tended to think the symbol was about spring and new life. That’s partly true, but the lamb represents so much more. The lamb represents Jesus, the lamb of God…
The Liturgical Home: Surprised by Easter
I was surprised by Easter! Sure, I knew it was a time of great joy and celebration for Christians around the world. I knew that during Easter, we reflect on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the hope that his resurrection brings to our lives. But there was so much I did…
